Whilce Portacio, known for co-creating the character of Bishop, is returning to Marvel for a brand-new two-issue story in X-Men Legends.

Marvel announced Portacio is working on a brand-new story starring the character he and John Byrne -- along with Portacio's longtime friend, artist Karl Altstaetter -- created in 1991. The story will be featured in X-Men Legends #5-6, which are both co-written by Portacio and Brian Haberlin and feature art by Portacio. Marvel teased of the two issues, "The story will finally reveal the genesis of Bishop’s fateful time travel mission that pulled him from the future and into the X-Men’s present! Presaging Bishop’s first appearance in the classic Uncanny X-Men #282, the arc will shed new light on Bishop’s original motivations and the intense guilt he feels over his fallen teammates as well as provide surprising depth to the dystopian world he left behind. This incredible and moving two-parter is only the latest X-Men epic in X-MEN LEGENDS, the series that sees X-Men’s greatest creators return with all-new, in-continuity tales set during their original iconic runs!"

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Portacio on What Makes Bishop Stand Out as a Character

"At heart, I love the genre of science fiction," Portacio said. "Specifically, the world building aspect of science. So, when Karl and I created Lucas Bishop, we built in our heads, a world for Omega Squad to exist in. In the original incarnation, we didn't have much time to show any of that. Here in these two issues, Brian and I are able to give the audience a beginning glimpse of some of the detail of the world that Bishop left behind.

"...We give flavor to the micro ecosystem that is The Pool, its inmates, their families, the X.S.E., and most importantly, Bishop and his character and personality. I've always seen Bishop as much, much more than X-Men muscle. He has always been, to me, a man perfectly born to conquer a harsh world. Yet he hides within himself a heart more suited for a kinder existence...which gives him purpose in that harsh world."

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Haberlin added, "Whilce and I have been longtime collaborators, and both worked for Marvel individually, but never together! It's an honor he thought of me to work with him on defining more of Bishop's history; a legendary comic artist and a legendary X-Men? How could I say no??."

X-Men Legends #5 releases Jan. 24, 2023, followed by X-Men Legends #6 on Feb. 8, 2023. Both issues feature cover art by Portacio.

Source: Marvel