Elizabeth “Betsy” Braddock (Callsign: Psylocke) is a Chris Claremont creation, making her first appearance in Captain Britain (vol. 1) #8 (Marvel UK. 1976). First introduced as Brian Braddock (Captain Britain’s) twin sister, Betsy did not initially appear to be destined for greatness. But over time, her character was given mutant telepathic abilities and brought stateside in the early 1980s, eventually becoming a core member of the X-Men and a fan favorite.
Related Reading Orders:
The X-Men (Chris Claremont Era)
The X-Men (Modern Era)
Hullo* Betsy
This era marks Betsy’s initial appearances in both Marvel UK and US.
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*Hullo is a nod to Chris Claremont’s subtle way of letting readers know that Betsy was British.
Captain Britain 1: Birth of a Legend
Collects: Captain Britain #1-39 and Super Spider-Man & Captain Britain #231-232
Betsy and her (very normal) older brother Jamie are little more than plot devices in their initial appearances, with both being kidnapped to punish their brother, Brian. Over time, Betsy becomes more three dimensional, with her psychic abilities starting to develop.
Collects: Marvel Super-Heroes #377-388, The Daredevils #1-11, Captain America #305-306, Mighty World of Marvel (vol. 2) #7-16, Captain Britain Monthly #1-14, New Mutants Annual #2, and Uncanny X-Men Annual #11
Alan Moore’s Daredevils starts to redefine Betsy as a character. She has started to work for STRIKE (The UK’s SHIELD), and her hair is now her trademark purple. Alan Davies’ Captain Britain sees Betsy briefly take over the mantle before being tragically maimed by Slaymaster.
Collects: New Mutants (1983) #41-47 and Annual #2, and X-Men Annual (1970) #10.
Betsy’s first US appearance, and a new introduction as “Psylocke.” Mojo has eyes for Betsy, and she partners with the New Mutants before being introduced to the X-Men.
X-Men Milestones: Mutant Massacre
Collects: Uncanny X-Men (1981) #210-214, X-Factor (1986) #9-11, New Mutants (1983) #46, Thor (1966) #373-374, Power Pack (1984) #27, Daredevil (1964) #238
Not yet a member of the team, Betsy mutant abilities are found to be useful by the team as the X-Men were sorely missing a telepath. She has her first (unfortunately not last) encounter with Sabertooth. Most importantly, this is when Besty joins the X-Men officially.
X-Men Milestones: Fall of the Mutants
Collects: Uncanny X-Men (1981) #225-227, New Mutants (1983) #59-61, X-Factor (1986) #24-26
The X-Men have to make a sacrifice in order to defeat the Adversary. Roma introduces the Siege Perilous.
Collects: X-Factor (1986) #27-32, Annual 3; Uncanny X-Men (1981) #228-238; New Mutants (1983) #62-70, Annual 4; X-Men Annual (1970) #12; Material From Marvel Age Annual #4, Marvel Fanfare (1982) #40
Collects: X-Terminators #1-4, Uncanny X-Men (1981) #239-243, X-Factor (1986) #35-39, New Mutants (1983) #71-73
Kwannonicles
Now a full-fledged team member with body armor and all, Betsy’s life is about to change dramatically.
X-Men Epic Collection: Dissolution & Rebirth
Collects: Uncanny X-Men (1963) #248-267
Betsy travels through the Siege Perilous gateway, leading to a major event in X-Men history: she’s body-swapped and brainwashed by the Hand.
X-Men Milestones: X-Tinction Agenda
Collects: Uncanny X-Men (1981) #235-238, #270-272; New Mutants (1983) #95-97; X-Factor (1986) #60-62
X-Men: Legion – Shadow King Rising
Collects: New Mutants (1983) #26-28, #44; Uncanny X-men (1981) #253-255, #278-280; X-factor (1986) #69-70
Betsy has her first of many encounters with the Shadow King.
Collects: X-Men (1991) #1-7
With membership booming, the X-Men split into two teams. It was a big deal for Betsy to Cyclop’s “Blue Team” and feature alongside other 90s favorites Rogue, Gambit, Jubilee, and Wolverine.
Excalibur Visionaries: Alan Davis Vol. 2
Collects: Excalibur (1988) #51-58 and Excalibur: XX Crossing One-Shot.
Betsy faces off with her older brother Jamie who is now the speedo-wearing reality warper we all know and love.
Collects: Infinity War #1-6, Warlock and the Infinity Watch #7-10, and Marvel Comics Presents #108-111.
Betsy is part of the X-Men team engaged in Infinity War.
X-Men Milestones: X-Cutioner’s Song
Collects: Uncanny X-men (1981) #294-297, X-factor (1986) #84-86, X-men (1991) #14-16, X-force (1991) #16-18, Stryfe’s Strike File #1
X-Men battle against Stryfe. The deadly Legacy virus is introduced.
Collects: X-Men (1991) #17-24, X-Men: Survival Guide to the Mansion
The fallout from the Siege Perilous continues. A mutant claiming to be Betsy Braddock (actually Kwannon) appears, and the X-Men have to stop the two Psylockes from killing each other.
X-Men: Wedding of Cyclops & Phoenix
Collects: X-Men (1991) #27-30 and Annual #2, X-Men Unlimited (1993) #3, Uncanny X-Men (1963) #308-310 and Annual #18, X-Men: The Wedding Album, and What If? (1989) #60.
Nestled in the X-Wedding event of the century is the sad fate of Kwannon.
Collects: Uncanny X-Men (1981) #318-321, X-Men (1991) #38-41, X-Men Unlimited (1993) #4-7, X-Men Annual (1992) #3, X-Factor (1986) #107-109, Cable (1993) #20.
Betsy is part of the X-team dragged back in time as Legion hunts for Magento.
The Girl with the Crimson Face Tattoo
Coming out of the Age of Apocalypse – Betsy has a rough road ahead.
X-Men: The Road To Onslaught Vol. 1
Collects: X-Men Prime #1 ; Uncanny X-Men (1963) #322-326; X-Men (1991) #42-45, Annual ’95; X-Men Unlimited (1993) #8.
X-Men: The Road To Onslaught Vol. 2
Collects: X-Men/Clandestine #1-2; Uncanny X-Men (1963) #327-328, Annual ’95; X-Men (1991) #46-49; X-Men Unlimited (1993) #9; Sabretooth (1995) #1.
Betsy is in critical condition after a fight with Sabertooth, leaving the team to hunt down the deadly mutant.
X-Men: The Road To Onslaught Vol. 3
Collects: Uncanny X-Men (1963) #329-332, Archangel #1, X-Men/Brood #1-2, X-Men Unlimited (1993) #10, X-Men (1991) #50-52, Wolverine (1988) #101, Xavier Institute Alumni Yearbook
With Betsy near death, Angel, Wolverine, and Doctor Strange search for a mystical cure.
Collects: Uncanny X-Men (1981) #333-337, X-Men (1991) #53-57, Onslaught: X-Men (1996), Onslaught: Marvel Universe (1996), Onslaught: Epilogue (1996), Avengers (1963) #401, Fantastic Four (1961) #415, Wolverine (1988) 104, Cable (1993) #35
The X-Men and other heroes from the Marvel universe struggle to stop Onslaught.
Collects: Uncanny X-Men (1981) 338-340, Annual ’96-97; X-Men (1991) 58-61, Annual ’97; X-Men Unlimited (1993) 12-14, X-Factor (1986) #130
The X-Men find themselves having a hard time adjusting to Betsy’s new power set.
Psylocke & Archangel, Crimson Dawn (UNCOLLECTED)
Collects: Psylocke & Archangel, Crimson Dawn #1-4
Betsy and Angel are forced back into the world that had previously saved her life.
Collects: X-Men (1991) #70-79, X-Men/Dr. Doom Annual 1998 and material from X-Men Unlimited (1993) #18.
Betsy faces off with the Shadow King again and helps unravel another one of his plots.
X-Men Vs. Apocalypse Vol. 1: The Twelve
Collects: Uncanny X-Men #376-377, Cable #73-76, X-Men #96-97, Wolverine #145-147 and material from X-Man #59.
Betsy’s telepathic abilities are compromised after her battle with the Shadow King, making every use of powers potentially dangerous.
X-Men: Revolution by Chris Claremont Omnibus
Collects: X-Men (1991) #100-109, Annual 2000; Uncanny X-Men (1981) #381-389; X-Men Unlimited (1993) #27-29; X-Men: Black Sun #1-5; Bishop: The Last X-Man #15-16; Cable (1993) #87
Collects: X-Treme X-Men (2001) #1-9.
A new X-Book launches with a new villain and deadly consequences for Betsy.
Reborn & The House of M
After nearly 4 years away, Betsy returns.
Uncanny X-Men – The New Age Vol. 3: On Ice
Collects: Uncanny X-Men (1963) #455-461
Betsy is found in the same spot as she was previously slain but without her crimson dawn marking.
New Excalibur Vol. 1: Defenders of the Realm
Collects: New Excalibur #1-7
Betsy joins Excalibur as they face off with the Shadow King’s Shadow X-Men.
X-Men: Reload By Chris Claremont Vol. 2: House Of M
Collects: Uncanny X-Men (1981) #462-474, Decimation: House of M – the Day After #1, Uncanny X-men Annual (2006) #1.
Betsy and Rachel Summers have a stopover in the Phoenix’s White Hot Room and spend their House of M vacation at the Braddock residence. Betsy learns who is behind her resurrection.
For more about this event, please see House of M and Tie-Ins (2005)
Exile(s) on Graymalkin Lane
Chris Claremont takes over writing the Exiles, and unsurprisingly Betsy joins the team.
Exiles Vol. 15: Enemy Of The Stars
Collects: Exiles #90-94.
Betsy is recruited to the Exiles team as they face off against alternative versions of Madame Hydra and Slaymaster.
Collects: Exiles #95-100 & Exiles: Days of Then and Now #1.
Betsy stays on with the Exiles and adopts a new role as the team meets a Doom lead version of the Fantastic Four.
Collects: X-Men: Die By The Sword #1-5.
A crossover event with The Exiles and Excalibur as they are drawn into an omniversal coup.
New Exiles Vol. 1: New Life, New Gambit
Collects: New Exiles #1-6.
New Exiles Vol. 2: Soul Awakening
Collects: New Exiles #7-12.
New Exiles Vol. 3: The Enemy Within
Collects: New Exiles #13-15 and Annual #1.
Betsy tries to deal with her fears of Slaymaster – knowing that Slaymasters have been hunting Betsy Braddocks across the multiverse.
Collects: New Exiles #16-18, X-Men: Sword of the Braddocks #1
Echoing back to her initial appearances in Captain Britain, Betsy has a deadly final confrontation with Hydra’s Slaymaster.
The Many Teams of Betsy Braddock
Betsy returns to mainstream X-Men continuity and joins a Wolverinesque amount of teams. From a continuity standpoint, this means Betsy will start appearing beyond just X-Men books, particularly since this is a big event era. For further X-Men reading, please see X-Men Events Fast Track (2007 to 2012). But watch out for X-Force and other titles, which may have their own independent stories going.
Collects: Uncanny X-Men (1963) #508-512.
Madelyne Pryor has Betsy plucked out of the timestream, attempting to use her body to resurrect Kwannon.
Collects: Uncanny X-Men (1963) #513-514, X-Men: Legacy (2008) #226-227, Dark Avengers/Uncanny X-Men: Exodus, Dark Avengers/Uncanny X-Men: Utopia; Dark Avengers (2009) #7-8, Dark X-Men: The Beginning (2009) #1-3, Dark X-Men: The Confession.
As the X-Men face off with Norman Osborn’s Dark Avengers, Betsy briefly joins the X-Science team in an underwater mission.
Collects: Uncanny X-Men (1963) #515-522, Dark Reign: The List – X-Men #1 and Nation X #1-4.
Collects: Psylocke #1-4, Uncanny X-Men (1963) #256-258.
Betsy seeks revenge on those who are responsible for her brainwashing.
Collects: X-Men: Second Coming (2010) #1-2, Uncanny X-Men (1963) #523-525, New Mutants (2009) #12-14, X-Men: Legacy (2008) #235-237, X-Force (2008) #26-28
Cable and Hope are hunted upon their return, with X-Men trying desperately to keep Hope alive.
Uncanny X-Force Volume 1: Apocalypse Solution
Collects: Uncanny X-Force (2010) #1-4
Rick Remender’s terrific series sees Betsy join a truly off the book, morally questionable X-Force team along with Wolverine, Deadpool, Phantomex, and Archangel.
Uncanny X-Force, Vol. 2: Deathlok Nation
Collects: Uncanny X-Force (2010) #5–7 & #5.1 and Astonishing Tales, vol. 1 #25
Betsy and X-Force face-off with Deathlok versions of themselves.
Uncanny X-Force Volume 3: The Dark Angel Saga, Book 1
Collects: Uncanny X-Force (2010) #8-13
The ongoing battle for Warren Worthington’s soul takes X-Force to an unlikely place, the Age of Apocalypse.
Uncanny X-Force Vol. 4: Dark Angel Saga Book 2
Collects: Uncanny X-Force (2010) #14-19.
As Archangel grows nearly unstoppable, Betsy is faced with an impossible choice.
Collects: Age of X Alpha, X-Men Legacy (1998) #245-247, New Mutants #22-24 & Age of X Universe #1-2.
You would think the X-Men would be used to waking up in strange new worlds, but here we go again. In this reality, Betsy is part of the force warriors who are an essential part of this version’s defense.
Fear Itself: Uncanny X-Force / The Deep
Collects: Fear Itself: Uncanny X-Force #1-3 & Fear Itself: The Deep #1-4.
This event doesn’t fit squarely into continuity, but you do get to see X-Force punch various Purifiers in the face.
Collects: X-Men: Schism #1-5 & X-Men: Regenesis #1.
Betsy is forced to choose a side in the fallout of Cyclops and Wolverine.
Collects: X-Men (2010) #20-23, X-Men (1963) #14.
Who would have thought that Black Market Sentinels were a good idea? Obviously not the X-Men who are called to Eastern Europe to investigate.
Collects: X-Men (2010) #24-29.
Hell Yeah! Psylocke fighting Vampires!
Collects: Uncanny X-Men (2012) #5-10
This is one of the rare Uncanny X-Men books that directly is impacted by Uncanny X-Force. Please make sure to finish the Dark Angel Saga Book 2 before reading.
Uncanny X-Force, Vol. 5: Otherworld
Collects: Uncanny X-force (2010) #20-24, #19.1, Material From #25
Betsy and Fantomex are taken to Otherworld, and Betsy once again is forced to make a brutal choice.
Uncanny X-Force, Vol. 6: Final Execution, Book 1
Collects: Uncanny X-Force (2010) #25-29
X-Force is transported to a dystopian future, and it is not great, Bob.
Uncanny X-Force: Final Execution – Book 2
Collects: Uncanny X-Force (2010) #30-35
X-Force squares off with the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants. Does Betsy get a happy ending?
X-Men By Brian Wood Vol. 1: Blank Generation
Collects: X-Men (2010) #30-35
Storm’s security X-team (Psylocke, Pixie, Colossus, and Domino) investigate the creation of Proto-Mutants.
X-Men by Brian Wood – Volume 2: Reckless Abandonment
Collects: X-Men (2010) 36-41
A near Omega-Level Proto-Mutant has been living in secret and does not love it when Psylocke pokes around in his head.
Avengers vs. X-Men: Collected Edition
Collects: Avengers Vs X-Men #0-12, AVX: Vs #1-6
Collects: Avengers Academy #29-33; Secret Avengers #26-28; Avengers #25-30; New Avengers #24-30; X-Men Legacy (1998) #266-270; Wolverine & The X-Men #9-16, #18; AVX: Consequences #1-5; Uncanny X-Men (2012) #11-20, A-Babies VS. X-Babies #1
Oh boy. The Phoenix is back, and the X-Men go to war with the Avengers.
Check out Avengers Vs. X-Men and Tie-Ins for more about this huge event.
Collects: X-Men #1-4 (2013), Uncanny X-Men #244
Billed as “The X-Women get their own book!”, the X-Men face off against sentient bacteria. Trust me; it’s more thrilling than it sounds.
Uncanny X-Force, Vol. 1: Let It Bleed
Collects: Uncanny X-Force (2013) #1-6
Betsy has trouble reconciling school life after her X-Force stint and instead reforms a very different X-Force. The first mission is going after Spiral, who has continued to make poor life choices.
Uncanny X-Force Volume 2: Torn and Frayed
Collects: Uncanny X-Force (2013) #7-12
This arch tells the story of what happened between Betsy and Fantomex after the events of Final Execution.
Uncanny X-Force Vol. 3: The Great Corruption
Collects: Uncanny X-Force (2013) #13-17 & Cable and X-Force (2013) #18-19.
Cassandra Nova’s back, and she still is the worst.
X-Force Volume 1: Dirty/Tricks
Collects: X-Force (2014) #1-6
Simon Spurrier takes over the X-Factor book. Someone is turning mutants into bombs? Sounds like a job for X-Force.
Collects: X-Force (2014) #7-10, X-Men Legacy #300
The curious case of Forgetmenot.
Collects: X-Men (2013) #7-12
Lady Deathstrike’s Sisterhood of Evil Mutants is formed to take on the X-Women team.
Collects: X-Men (2013) #13-17
With Jubilee’s bouncing baby boy, Shogo, in danger, Betsy is forced to take a group of students into battle.
Collects: X-Men (2013) #18-21
Abigail Brand calls with disturbing news; the X-Men are off to space.
Collects: Nightcrawler #7-12
Nightcrawler has just been born. Naturally, Betsy, along with the rest of the X-Men, have their minds possessed by the Shadow King, who wants the blue imp dead again.
X-Men Vol. 5: The Burning World
Collects: X-Men (2013) #23-26
Krakoa is sick, and the X-Men are trapped underground with monsters. It’s like the movie “The Descent” but with a mutant island throwing up all over the place.
Collects: X-Force (2014) #11-15
A teammate turns bad (you’ll never guess which one), and everyone’s secrets are revealed.
Countdown to Krakoa
Facing possible extinction, the X-Teams splinter, with Betsy deciding to go on the offensive side.
Uncanny X-Men: Superior Vol. 1: Survival of the Fittest
Collects: Uncanny X-men (2016) #1-5
Betsy, along with Magneto, leads a much darker X-Men made up of Monet, Sabertooth, and a dormant Archangel. Their task: to stop an assassin targeting every mutant healer on Earth.
Uncanny X-Men: Superior Vol. 2: Apocalypse Wars
Collects: Uncanny X-Men (2016) #6-10
Archangel and Warren Worthington are found to be separated. This is bad for generally everyone but really bad for Betsy.
For more, please see: X-Men: Apocalypse Wars
Collects: Civil War II: X-Men #1-4, Amazing Adventures (1970) # 9
Magneto’s team and Storm’s team face off on how to handle the Inhuman Ulysses with Betsy caught in the middle. More Civil War 2 here!
Uncanny X-Men: Superior Vol. 3: Waking From the Dream
Collects: Uncanny X-Men (2016) #11-15, Annual
A hidden power is weaponizing mutants against the enemies of mutant-kind.
Collects: Inhumans vs. X-Men #0-6
Betsy takes part in the battle against the Inhuman Royal Family. She tries her best.
Read more about Inhumans vs. X-Men here.
Astonishing X-Men by Charles Soule Vol. 1: Life of X
Collects: Astonishing X-men (2017) #1-6
This arc starts with a bang as Betsy does psychic battle with the Shadow King, leading to the discovery that Professor X may be alive.
Astonishing X-Men by Charles Soule Vol. 2: A Man Called X
Collects: Astonishing X-men (2017) #7-12
The battle with the Shadow King comes to an end.
Hunt for Wolverine: Mystery in Madripoor
Collects: Hunt For Wolverine #1, Hunt For Wolverine: Mystery In Madripoor #1-4
A Wolverine sighting takes a group of X-Men to Madripoor, everyone’s favorite island of ill-repute built on top of a dragon. Come for the usual Madripoor shenanigans but stay for the multiple impactful events in Betsy’s life.
Complete event coverage for Hunt for Wolverine.
Uncanny X-Men: X-Men Disassembled
Collects: Uncanny X-men (2018) #1-10
The X-Men tangle with an all-powerful X-Man.
Age of X-Man: The Marvelous X-Men
Collects: Age of X-Man Alpha #1, Age Of X-Man: The Marvelous X-Men #1-5, Age of X-Man Omega #1
Collects: Age Of X-Man: Nextgen #1-5
Collects: Age Of X-Man: X-Tremists #1-5
Our X-friends find themselves in another (yes, another) alternative timeline and forbidden feelings start to rise between Betsy and Fred Dukes.
Read more about Age of X-Man.
Dawn of X
Jonathan Hickman’s ambition reconstruction of Mutants starts here. CBH has you covered with all your Hickman X-Men needs. (As well as Krakin’ Krakoa on the CBH YouTube!)
Excalibur by Tini Howard Vol. 1
Collects: Excalibur (2019) #1-6
Tini Howard launches a new Excalibur with Betsy, previously returned to her original body, looks for a fresh start. She is dragged back into her family drama and adopts a familiar mantle.
Excalibur by Tini Howard Vol. 2
Collects: Excalibur (2019) #7-11
Saturnyne does not really care for Betsy in her new role. The stage is set for X of Swords.
Collects: X of Swords: Creation (2020) #1, X of Swords: Stasis (2020) #1, X of Swords: Destruction (2020) #1, X-Men (2019) #12-14, Excalibur (2019) #12-14, Marauders (2019) #13, X-Force (2019) #13, New Mutants (2019) #13, Wolverine (2020) #6, Cable (2020) #5, Hellions (2020) #5, X-Factor (2020) #4, X of Swords: Storm (2020) #1
10 Swordbearers from Krakoa and 10 Swordbearers from Arrako. A Shattering event for Betsy.
X-Men: X of Swords full coverage!
Latest Additions:
Excalibur by Tini Howard Vol. 3
Collects: Excalibur (2019) #16 to #21
Excalibur by Tini Howard Vol. 4
Collects: Excalibur (2019) #22 to #26
Collects: Knights of X #1 to #5
Betsy Braddock: Captain Britain (2023)
Collects: Betsy Braddock: Captain Britain #1 to #5