FIGHT FOR THIS LOVE

(SPOILERS for KNIGHTS OF X #4 within!)

We’ve got some catching up to do. San Diego Comic Con 2022 was incredible for the day I was there, and I’ve got lots of catching up for you, including a new book announcement.

But that’ll be another post. For now, we are gonna talk about Knights of X. We are gonna talk…romance.

Oh God…is this a kissing book?

Last warning for Knights of X #4 spoilers.

Thank you again to artist Bob Quinn for this perfect moment

Knights of X #4 confirms the long-simmering feelings between Betsy Braddock and Rachel Summers with a big, deep, wet kiss. Captain Britain has a girlfriend and her girlfriend has started going by Askani. And all it took was for each of you to have a deeply personal quest to the center of your souls. JEEZ girls are frustrating.

Siege Perilous, man! What a hell of a place!

I clearly have reasons to be emotional about this, and a lot of you have told me that you do, too. And that’s why I did it. I talked a bit to Christian Holub at EW about it, but ultimately I wanted this to feel the way the Rictor and Shatterstar kiss felt for me as a reader. Natural, but surprising. Shocking, but affirming. A great big I knew it for the girls, gays, theys, and our allies who love a good romance.

It took work, I won’t lie! There were a lot of supportive people along the way - my editors, Annalise Bissa and currently Sarah Brunstad have always been in support of exploring these topics - Betsy’s sexuality, Rachel’s sexuality, and them as a relationship - as has Jordan D. White, the X-Office’s incredible lead editor. I couldn’t and wouldn’t ever do shit without my posse, Leah Williams and Vita Ayala, who have also been in the trenches with me every step of the way. Connor Goldsmith (who is in the NEW YORK FUCKING TIMES today, let’s just get that out of the way) is my agent, dear friend, and keeper of my sanity in ways that I can never pay back. And our queer brothers, others, and sisters in the office and in the industry who helped me guide the conversations, express my frustrations, and cheer me on. We’re doing it. We’re gonna keep doing it.

There’s been some very kind recognition of that, and I just want to express my gratitude. I’m not exactly the type to gas myself up, and I have a hard time celebrating my accomplishments, but I’ve been able to celebrate this one as an accomplishment through all of you. Your joy is my joy here. Thank you for sharing it, so, so much.

Real talk, this book is one of the rare times in my life where I think every issue just gets better and better. It’s part of why I’m so comfortable with our final issue coming next month with Knights of X #5. Read beginning to end, it feels like a perfect little 2.5 hour superhero movie. And oh boy…the sequel. What’s coming next is taking Betsy to whole new heights. She’s been finding herself for 31+ issues of comics, and now she’s come back through the Siege.

We’ll see what happens in Knights of X #5. Hope everyone survives the experience. All this kissing is great but is Gambit going to be okay!!?!?

(Saw a lot of this kind of worrying about Gambit? You’re absolutely not wrong, the man is dead!! I’m very excited for you to read the next issue*.)

Seriously though.

My heart is so full with the response to this issue. I wanted to share two specific tributes that were shared with me by my dear friend and CEREBROCAST host, Connor Goldsmith. That podcast’s Discord community is so incredibly thriving and kind, and Connor is kind enough to send me the things people share sometimes, because as we all know I do not perceive most social media.

But if you’re looking for a way to celebrate this amazing post-Pride moment, a coming out of the closet for Rachel Summers and a confirmation of her feelings for Betsy, you could always go for…

THEMED SNACKS AND DRINKS!

Is there anything better?

Let’s start with these amazing cocktails from Mike Vincent @EGPortiaLane. These both look so deliciously and summery, they’re perfect for sipping on while you re-read Excalibur to clock all the flirt moments, listening to MUNA on a sunny day. You know. #JustGirlyThings.

The brilliantly named “Askani Punani” is for Miss Betsy Braddock and contains two perfectly Betsy ingredients - magical color changing purple tea, and bubbly prosecco (though I imagine Miss Bets dumps Moët in hers, I don’t have that kinda budget.) This girl knows what flavors she likes.

I imagine you could virgin this one up by leaving out the vodka and adding in some sparkling cider or soda water for bubbles!

The Prestige. So hot, hot damn. This is a big huge jar of a drink, meant, I imagine, for one powerful enough to harness and contain the Phoenix force in any timeline. The grenadine is such a smart addition here - the perfect amount of sweetness to cut all that spice and citrus, and it gives it a gorgeous red color.

And a little tajin on your lips? Probably feels like smooching a girl whose hair bursts into flames. Thank you, Mike - these are clever and sound delicious. Connor and I will definitely be making these to try.

All this booze needs something to soak it up…what better than a treat that knows you better than you know yourself…

Amazing reader Teal at the incredible username sadelynepryor made these Siege Perilous sugar cookies. Modeled after Geraldine’s Pop-Tart of the Soul she offers Rachel during her vision in Knights , they might be the cutest thing I’ve ever seen. Perfect with a little heart in the center - to remind us that’s where our girls found love with one another. Awwww.

God damn those look tasty. Thank you Teal!

How do I stop talking about this?

I don’t think I can. And I’m not sure I ever will. Deaths in comics are a dime a dozen. Kisses are eternal.

I don’t know how to end this post because I don’t feel done talking about it - which is why I’m grateful I don’t have to be. Thank you all for your years of support with this character that let me tell these stories. More to come.

Stay weird, talk soon.

-TH 7/27/22 15:55

* where I reveal he’s dead forever no takesies backsies oops spoiler tini delete this before you post