In a significant shift for Marvel’s X-Men series, celebrated artist Ryan Stegman is set to conclude his tenure following the release of the X-Men 2026 Annual in March 2026. This change marks a pivotal transition not only for the series but also for collectors and retailers who have closely followed Stegman’s impactful contributions.
Ryan Stegman has established himself as a key figure in the comic book industry, particularly noted for his dynamic artwork during the relaunch of the X-Men narrative after the Krakoan Age with X-Men: From The Ashes in 2024. Fans and collectors have appreciated his distinctive style, which has also graced popular Marvel titles including Venom, Spider-Man, She-Hulk, and X-23. As Stegman departs, Netho Diaz and Tony Daniel are set to illustratively carry the series forward in upcoming monthly issues. In a recent update via his Substack newsletter, Stegman expressed, “I’m no longer drawing X-Men. Well, that’s not entirely true. I’m writing an X-Men Annual that Steve Skroce is drawing, and I’m drawing some of that. But THEN, I’m officially done with the X-Men for the foreseeable future. I had a great time working on the title and love the X-Men fans. Sort of.” Furthermore, he mentioned ongoing projects, including an exciting secret endeavor.
Stegman’s artistic journey began with adapting novels, and he gained prominence after signing an exclusive contract with Marvel in 2010. His work has been pivotal in numerous series, with notable contributions to She-Hulk, Superior Spider-Man, Uncanny Avengers, and Inhumans. His collaboration with writer Donny Cates on the 2018 Venom relaunch highlighted his talents and significantly boosted the character’s market presence, leading to collaborative events like Absolute Carnage and King in Black.
Beyond Marvel, Stegman co-founded KLC Press in 2021, introducing his first creator-owned series, Vanish (co-created with Cates), published by Image Comics, followed by the co-written The Schlub in 2023. He has even contributed as a consultant on the character Knull for the upcoming Venom film, Venom: The Last Dance.
Based on reporting by https://www.facebook.com/richard.james.johnston. Read the full story at https://bleedingcool.com/comics/ryan-stegman-is-off-the-x-men-after-the-x-men-2026-annual-in-march/.