Marvel Rivalshas given several Marvel characters a popularity boost, and a newX-Mencomic has just made the perfect reference to one of those heroes. As comic fans know and love, little nods like this are part of the beauty of Marvel Comics; this doesn’t have to be some grand continuity tie-in, just a fun reference that makes the world feel more interconnected.
Ultimate X-Men (2024)#11 – written and illustrated by Peach Momoko – includes a great Easter Egg tying it not just to its writer and artist’s previous Marvel work, but also to theircharacter design inMarvel Rivals.
The issue features a confrontation between Armorand the new Psylocke.The brash Psylocke, aka Kanon, claims to be a descendant of ‘Sai’, akathe protagonist of Momoko’sDemon Days: X-Men#1, who was just adapted intoMarvel Rivals.
Ultimate X-Men has Just Tied its Version of Psylocke to Sai, Hero of “Demon Days” & Breakout “Marvel Rivals” Character
Ultimate X-Men#11 – Written & Illustrated By Peach Momoko; Lettering By Travis Lanham
Peach Momoko’sDemon Days: X-Men#1introduced Sai as a wondering Ronin, meant to parallel classic Psylocke, aka Kwannon. In that appearance, Sai negotiated a peace between a mountain village andan Oni version of Hulk, who eventually helped to defend the village fromthat world’s version of Venom, a monstrous symbiote snake.InUltimate X-Men#11, Kanon claims that she’s inherited a legacy of speaking with demons and mystical creatures from Sai, but she doesn’t offer any proof. Yes, she has a version of Psylocke’s psychic weaponry, but that’s a mutant thing, not a magic one.
The game’s version of Sai, which uses Momoko’s original design, has a backstory similar to that seen inDemon Days: X-Men, except Sai has been transported to the present.
This latest Sai reference drops as more people than ever know about her, thanks to the video gameMarvel Rivals. The game takes place in an alternate reality, picking and choosing its own unique continuity, while still paying tribute to its characters' origins. The game’s version of Sai, which uses Momoko’s original design, has a backstory similar to that seen inDemon Days: X-Men, except Sai has been transported to the present thanks to the interference of the Collector, with her eventually teaming up with the rest of the game’s heroes.
The “Sai” Reference In Marvel Rivals Adds To The Mythology Of The Game, While Shouting Out Peach Momoko’s Work
Marvel Fans Want More Sai Stories In The Future
Ultimate X-Men#11 reveals thatDemon Days: X-Men#1 exists as mythology in this universe, opening the door to future further ties between the two, but what those ties might look like remains to be determined. ThestoryofDemon Days: X-Mencould exist as myth in theUltimatecontinuity, without needing to have literally happened, and Psylocke could just be bragging. This makes sense, as even the original Sai story inDemon Dayswas a possibly fictional text in the modern day read by that world’s Mariko Yoshida.
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At the same time,given the author and artist’s increased – and more than well-earned – prominence as a creator for Marvel Comics, it wouldn’t be surprising for there to be more interconnectivity between her work, especially now thatMarvel Rivalshas increased the exposure of one of her most exciting character concepts. In any case, fans are already excited by the mere possibility of more Sai stories from Marvel in the future, whether that is in another installment ofMarvel Rivals, orUltimateX-Men, or another series starring the character.
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