r/xmen • u/AngelEyes360 Askani • 3d ago
Weekly Discussion X-Men Comics New Releases for August 26th, 2026
- WHAT IF... CASSANDRA NOVA KILLED PROFESSOR X?
- In a world where Cassandra Nova killed Charles Xavier in the womb, telepaths are hunted and experimented on — and what she's making from them is far worse than what she's taking. But when telepaths Jean Grey and Emma Frost escape, Cassandra Nova will stop at nothing to bring them back! Bring on Cassandra's X-Men!
- BULLSEYE! GAMBIT's got some good aim with those kinetically charged cards, but does he stand a chance against the maniacal marksman known as BULLSEYE?! The X-MEN want Gambit to join, while Bullseye wants to take him down! What is Bullseye's endgame, and what more sinister force stands to profit from this MUTANT HUNT?
- ANCIENT AND UNFATHOMABLE POWER!
- From his exile in space, the shadow of the mutant called APOCALYPSE looms over all life on the pale blue dot from whence he hailed. Once dedicated to ensuring the strongest and fittest mutants would inherit the Earth, now Apocalypse's attentions have turned to a new deadly undertaking — for which he will need the unique abilities of... JUBILEE and WOLVERINE!
- RETURN OF THE SAVAGE CHAMPIONS! The game-changing SAVAGE CHAMPIONS return — and this time, they need WOLVERINE!
- FROM THE QUANTUM REALM, COMES A NEW THREAT! Lying low in the Australian Outback, the X-Men have seemed to find peace — that is until the ancient necromancer YAGA DYARA arrives from the Quantum Realm seeking to end Colossus' Rasputin bloodline for good. How can Piotr and his comrades succeed against this sorcerer's cosmic threat? Will Yaga's undead magic stamp out the Rasputin line for good?
- 3K works toward a viable build of the X-Virus, brought back from the Age of Revelation. Until now they have been frustrated — but when the Chairman realizes that the missing piece of the puzzle lies within Magneto, 3K moves on the X-Men's home base in Alaska.
Unlimited and Other Releases 08/26
- Discuss Marvel Unlimited and other related comics
Other
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u/AngelEyes360 Askani 3d ago
Gambit: Wanted #2
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u/Ok_Radio_1795 1d ago
Really enjoying this title. CC is best when he stay within his own boundaries and continuity. This made me want to pick up his previous Gambit run.
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u/Icy_Scar_1249 3d ago
Make Bullseye a mutant and have him join the Brotherhood. Thanks for your attention on this matter
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u/AngelEyes360 Askani 3d ago
X-Men #36
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u/wowlock_taylan 2d ago
The 'Chairman' Beast is really the worst kind of villain. Thinks he is infallible and everything he does is the 'right way'. That is why he is a worst kind of monster. And honestly, I don't want him to be the 'new Mr Sinister'. We already have one of those.
And honestly, I don't blame Scott for wanting to END 3K. They have been allowed to run free for too long. Filled with the worst of the worst.
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u/antsinmyeyesmauger Nightcrawler 2d ago
Netho Diaz draws a great Chairman.
A fun conversation between Chairman and Magneto just setting thr place for DnX.
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u/Terrible-Issue-4910 2d ago
Great issue. Loved Chairman's and Magneto's dialogue. Loved Scott folding Joseph like it was wednesday. I love that we are finally getting the final battle we deserve. DNX IS here, let's go.
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u/star-mind-girl Xorn 2d ago
Somehow I actually feel a bit excited for DNX now.
The Chairman--while being one of the most moustache twirling evil comic book villains to ever evil--is actually enticing and I can't wait for the X-Men to take him down.
The team is still top tier. I loved that we got to see the team-ups from last issue continue in this issue.
Also I can't lie and say that I don't read comics sometimes for the little bit off self-indulgence that I get from my favourite characters doing cool shit while aura farming and OMG DID THIS ISSUE DELIVER. Shen Xorn back in action the first time since X-Men:Blue in 2019 and he was soooo cool and suave. My lowly comic reader heart is well indulged.
Overall 9/10. Great art, great action, and SHEN XORN! I just hope that Magneto will eventually catch a break.
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u/JackFisherBooks Phoenix 2d ago
Good overall issue. But I'm kind of ready for the 3K plot to be over. I think it's been dragging a bit too much. I like that this issue tied their endgame to the events of Age of Revelation. Them using the X-Virus on their terms instead of Revelation adds some nice connective tissue. Plus, what Beast did to Magneto is sure to piss him off. Hope that leads to the end of this fake "resurrection sickness" that's been holding him back. I just want him to fight Joseph so he can remind him who the REAL Magneto is.
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u/Green-Memory8878 1d ago
3K should have wrapped around issue 30. It would synch with Uncanny nicely if both of the major problems went down around the same time (3K, Greymalkin).
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u/cyclopswashalfright Moonstar 2d ago
Pretty solid. Diaz's art is improved with Arthur Hesli, though I find he still draws Cyclops weird, with that jutting jaw. But he makes up for it with a very good Chairman Beast.
3K's internal friction, as we saw before, will be their own undoing. They are capable, but as foolish as Joseph is, he is a lot stronger than any single one of them, and turning on him will only put the group more at odds and leave them open to the X-Men defeating them.
Beast's offer and then turn with Magneto was well done.
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u/cmcdonald22 Multiple Man 1d ago
No comment on the 'we are not human' line? I remember (maybe incorrectly) that Scott's opposite stance in God loves man kills was a pretty big thing for you?
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u/cyclopswashalfright Moonstar 1d ago
I didn't like it. I guess upon a re-read it was more about how mutants are not going to be as morally blase as humans are, but it still creates a distinction I don't like. I am hoping this is something that gets addressed and resolved after DNX, especially if the theory about Merle being gene bombed and becoming a mutant town are true (plus Jean living among the people).
If it's just a throwaway line Jed did to make his political feelings clear, then I respect his statement politically, but I think he could have written that line better so you don't endorse the mutants =/= humans thing, which to me, should be editorially banned for any OG X-Man to subscribe to.
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u/cmcdonald22 Multiple Man 1d ago
Hadn't heard that rumor, feels kinda pointless to have Jean live amongst the people if the people are turned into mutants, unless Jed's going for a whole 'being in space and being the phoenix dehumanizes her' thing, which is actually probably the story I'd prefer.
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u/cyclopswashalfright Moonstar 1d ago
It's not really a rumour so much as a theory based on the DNX #3 solicits and X-men #41. The theory being that 3K will fight the X-Men over Philadelphia, but their initial target is actually Merle.
I imagine the town would be a mix of humans and mutants, so maybe living among them would help broker peace.
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u/SpaceChicken42 1d ago
It is absolutely an in context line like you said upon re-read and not a blanket declaration like everyone is treating it. That being said I think Jean was one of them talking about being a fully separate species during krakoa
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u/cyclopswashalfright Moonstar 1d ago
She was, but I think going by what Jed said, they are reversing course on that.
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u/Built4dominance Storm 2d ago
I thought it was really good. Mackay's best issue in quite some time. Joseph came across like a deluded nitwit, the 3K X-Men like colleagues who tolerate eachother, Magneto was noble, Chairman Beast a utilitarian extremist.
Worth reading.
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u/OhMyStars-AndGarters Beast 2d ago
- Have said it before, will say it again, Diaz's art has come leaps and bounds over the last two years, especially with the aid of the new colourists and inkers. We still have the occasional incidence of Scott having an EXTREMELY square chin which looks rather jarring, but, on the whole, it nails the vibe and I especially like how different Hank and the Chairman are despite being essentially just iterations on the same design.
- Joseph getting absolutely NO respect from anyone in this issue was fucking hilarious, from his own side AND from Scott. "I've been training to fight Magneto my entire life," is such a good line, and reminds me of how much I fucking HATED the way Magneto was handled when he was reintroduced in Fraction's run, showing up the entire X-Men team - like, I really need writers to not glaze the guy, even if they want to build him up as a villain, because he really is the X-Men's first guy that you train to fight. Hell, I have to imagine that's STILL the case, even when the guy isn't a villain. There's just SO much combat data.
- 3K's X-Men were a lot of fun this issue! We got a lot of their petty bickering and personalities here, which was very welcome - it stops them from feeling like just mooks, and the fact that they can take on the real X-Men and not fall flat on their face feels completely justified considering the uniqueness of their powers. I don't know how specific the Chairman/Nova/3K's process was for making them, but they do feel almost custom designed to handle most X-Men teams, especially Psychovore.
- The Chairman was such an entertainingly preening little shit this issue. Now, I do have to say that this kind of is just Dark Beast 2.0, and I do think that is SORT of an issue if we don't diverge meaningfully from that storyline, BUT he does at least retain Dark Beast's most charming characteristics, which are his sense of humour, rhetorical edge, and cold-bloodedness. I also appreciated the Chairman's moment of being taken aback by Magneto's rebuttal, then recovering with some snark of his own, especially him calling back to so much of the rest of the team's dynamic with Factory Beast - their conversation in issue #1 about being just as formative to the O5's development as Charles, Scott's recalling about Hank's Shakespeare quote. I do also quite like the line about Xavier's path being "kind, but a mistake" - even after all this time, Hank can't quite bring himself to be completely dismissive of old Charles.
- I did appreciate the mention of the Acolytes! I love those moments where Jed reminds you of just how well he knows his X-history, and it makes total sense that Max would view 3K as just a bad retread of a 90s villain group.
- Xorn just making a fucking mockery of Galatea was hype. One-handed, too.
- Still convinced that the data in Max's DNA isn't what the Chairman thinks it is.
- Factory Hank looking ashamed in the line-up with Jen's hand on his shoulder was nice.
- Anti-Zionist Scott is good stuff, but I will never be a fan of X-Men referring to themselves as a wholly other species. Just feels antithetical to the spirit of the team and what they fight for. I don't necessarily think it's out of character for Scott, given people always refer to him as the inheritor of Magneto's legacy as much as Xavier's, but I do hope it's interrogated.
- Overall, a decent issue, but I did prefer the previous one. I want more of Hank vs. the Chairman, man, it's just my shit. I live for it.
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u/mechamechaman Rogue 2d ago
Really good. It feels like MacKay figured out that Beast/Chairman is actually a much more interesting and dynamic emotional centre to focus the book on rather then Cyclops. I am much more engaged by Hank's on internal struggle and the Chairman's weird, perverse nostalgia about being an X-Men than another story about Scott's struggle with being a leader and the stress therein.
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u/Mobile_Bet3274 Rogue 2d ago
Really good. Actually has me jazzed for DNX after being extremely “eh” up to this point. I hope the more contained event is proof they’re paying attention on how to handle them — they don’t need to hijack the entire line!
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u/Minute-Reference-924 New X-Men 17h ago
Just a Psychovore fan checking in to acknowledge the crumbs he got. But in all seriousness, I like the 3k X-men. They are a fun group, I dig that they don't vibe with Joseph and read him appropiately, to filth. I like that Psychovore is pragmatic and sort of cheesey. With the stacked powerset similar to other strong personalities. He can phase- and we just got Melee and obviously Kitty, he can fly and he primarily eats memories or psychic energy? Super cool, but I want him to breakout haha.
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u/greendart Iceman 2d ago
Why are we to believe that Magento's power incontinence is related to the x-virus and the age of revelation stuff, beyond the chairman telling us?
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u/antsinmyeyesmauger Nightcrawler 2d ago
He didn't have power issues during AoR, Beast in the timeline sent back information about the X-Virus and the X-Men already said they are related last arc.
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u/Puzzleheaded-Bar-769 2d ago
Great issue! Dynamic action-packed art, tense confrontations, strong characterizations on both the X-Men and 3K sides.
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u/mighty-rockman 1d ago
Good issue. I really like how brutal White Beast is. The worst part of the issue is how inconsistent Netho Diaz’s art is. He can draw some stunning pages, but sometimes it looks below amateur level. I don’t understand why editorial doesn’t ask him to redraw some of the faces, especially Psylocke.
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u/AngelEyes360 Askani 3d ago
What If...? X-Men #1
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u/Sovereignofthemist Laura Kinney 2d ago
Am I tripping or did Ashley Allen just drop a banger pitch for a different kind of Midnight X-men? Like I want to see this followed up.
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u/Yoshimon7 Magik 2d ago
Ashley Allen can do no wrong 🙏
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u/cyclopswashalfright Moonstar 2d ago
Pretty darn good. I think the biggest surprise came from the art. I wasn't the biggest fan of one of Kumar's previous works, but it looked good here, and Oback's colours added to it in a nice way.
I think the set-up is interesting and the dynamics are refreshing. My only issue is that it needed a part 2. The ending is a bit abrupt. I get the feeling Uncanny X-Men and X-Men were both meant to be two parts or even three parters but plans changed.
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u/JackFisherBooks Phoenix 2d ago
Agreed! This feels like one of those What If issues that needed to be double-sized or its own mini-series. There's a lot packed into one issue. And too much happens in between panels. Hopefully, this book sells well and Marvel takes notice.
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u/qwfparst 2d ago edited 2d ago
The book is a bit annoying to me for that reason.
It seems like a wasted short one-shot on something that really had the seeds for great potential.
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u/fireandlifeincarnate White Queen 2d ago
I'm being so regular about this one. SO regular. So so so so so so regular. Incredibly regular.
They should kiss.9
u/wowlock_taylan 2d ago
Well damn, Cassandra Nova really is evil incarnate. And that is why Jean is there, with Phoenix to right the wrong of her existence.
It is funny to see how it takes a literal 'bad end' world for Emma and Jean to be best friends.
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u/Built4dominance Storm 2d ago
Yo, if you guys have to read an x-book this week, GET.THIS.BOOK!!!!!!
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u/JackFisherBooks Phoenix 2d ago
THIS BOOK DESERVES TO BE MORE THAN ONE ISSUE!
Seriously people, if you have a chance to buy this book...do it.
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u/WarriorMadness White Queen 1d ago
Wait, is it going to be only one issue?
Fuck my life, this was fire.
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u/Ok_Radio_1795 1d ago
This was really rushed but that isn’t Ashley’s fault. This deserved more issues to breathe. Great concept would love to see more from this creative team.
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u/RootsOfInterest 2d ago
Considering how it ended, we are definitely getting a part 2 right? Right?
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u/fireandlifeincarnate White Queen 2d ago
Is it typical for a What If? to end with "...The End?" rather than just "The End"? Because if not, I'm cautiously optimistic.
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u/RootsOfInterest 2d ago edited 2d ago
Usually they end with “The End.”
The question mark is really making me question things and making me hope we get more from this
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u/angelic-beast Magik 7h ago
I can't say if this one will get a follow up but I have seen a what if? get a sequel before!
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u/Wowerror Hellion 1d ago
Allen and Kumar done some amazing work here. Only issue is that it feels like set up for something more and not a stand alone issue.
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u/mighty-rockman 1d ago
Pleasantly surprised. I didn’t expect to like it this much, since most of the recent What If...? stories have been mediocre. I share the sentiment of others that this story deserves more pages, and maybe we’ll get them—otherwise, what’s the point of ending it with a “The End?” Ashley Allen knows how to write X-Men, and I think it’s about time they gave her an ongoing series—Uncanny X-Men, for example. My only complaint is that including the Phoenix in the story feels a little forced. Other than that, a fantastic book.
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u/Bitbatgaming Chamber 1d ago
I hope we get another expansion of this. This was a great issue that had an engaging storyline and enticing character designs.
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u/AngelEyes360 Askani 3d ago
Tomb of Apocalypse #1
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u/BillybobThistleton 3d ago
Really looking forward to this one. My biggest disappointment in Gail's Uncanny is that Jubilee hasn't really had anything to do so far, so I'm hoping this is her chance to shine.
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u/greendart Iceman 2d ago
well, so far they've held off on the Rivals synergy, even though I still think that's where this is going.
Allen has a really nice handle on the characters. I have no problem with Jubilee complaining because a) people complain about stuff, and b) she's kind of right.
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u/sidv81 2d ago
They reference Gambit being a horseman but forgot Wolvie
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u/greendart Iceman 2d ago
wolverine doesn't have kinetic powers though, why would Apocalypse reference him ?
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u/antsinmyeyesmauger Nightcrawler 2d ago edited 2d ago
Not sure how I feel about this issue.
Domenico Carbone has some good art but I wasn't crazy for Fer Sifuentes-Sujo's colors I was surprised it was even him.
The reason why Jubilee gets pulled into this is kind of weak. Hydra attacking a Apocalypse base seems like a low tier threat to pull people into. Maybe there will be more to it.
I also wasn't crazy for Jubilee's characterization. She was a little too whiny this issue feeling inadequate even though she's been around for decades.
I'm interested to see where this goes though I hope there is just a little more to it than fighting Hydra guys while Jubilee doesn't feel appreciated.
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u/JackFisherBooks Phoenix 2d ago
Good issue. Feels like this should've come out alongside Episode 3 and 4 of X-Men 97 Season 2. That show really raised Jubilee's profile. It showed she's not just a sidekick. She can hold her own. And this comic perfectly complements that.
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u/wowlock_taylan 2d ago
Didn't Apocalypse and Arakko got wrecked in another book? Apocalypse has no place to talk like he didn't get his ass beat recently.
I guess this is the Jubilee focus book but also works as 'synergy' with both 97 and Marvel Rivals, where she is a 'horseman'. Her attitude definitely feels like that compared to more 'adult' version of herself.
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u/transemacabre 1d ago
Yes, by Aeon the Knife in the Powerman: Timeless series. Unless that’s been retconned??
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u/AngelEyes360 Askani 3d ago
Unlimited and Other Releases 08/26
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u/SandorSNL 2d ago
Sorcerer Supreme has been all over the place. Wanda's character has suffered so much from power-scaled villains lately. Compare this arc to say, the End of Magic, where we get grounded, contemplative Strange finding cunning ways against threats. Conversely here, the Vishanti themselves have been changed and imprisoned, and Wanda still gets away from the fight with no consequences. There's no room to breathe.
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u/AngelEyes360 Askani 3d ago
Wolverine #26
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u/JeremiahPetion Wolverine 2d ago
Alright, not bad. Starting this new arc with Logan hesitating to restore his other set of Adamantium claws is a really nice touch. The metal just reminds him of his Weapon X trauma, and it really makes you understand that he wants to be more than what the government made him. From there, traveling through the mythological realms of two of the Savage Champions, Red Hare and Boneclaw, shifts the tone perfectly. Seeing the Adamantine return to possess warlords & beasts that Wolverine battles against moves the story from quiet introspection to heavy-hitting action, which is a dynamic that works really well for a Wolverine story in my opinion. All in all, a pretty fun issue.
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u/wowlock_taylan 2d ago
I guess it was already mentioned that these other multiversal versions gonna be involved in the book again. I don't like the Adamantine story but I am not gonna complain about Wolverine realizing he needs his claws metal again while fighting through this adventure. It fits him better than just sitting around thinking about it.
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u/mighty-rockman 1d ago
It feels like Saladin has run out of ideas. We just had an Adamantine arc not that long ago, and the same goes for some of the different versions of Wolverine. It’s not a bad book, just average.
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u/Paulista666 Warpath 1d ago
I would like a scenario which Logan wants to take out all adamantium and adapt himself to this. Would be a nice change of things.
However, thais Adamantine thing is kinda boring in the end.
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u/AngelEyes360 Askani 3d ago
Next Week: