Mike Carey’s final X-Men story is here. After five a half years Carey is saying goodbye and setting up the future for Rogue, Gambit, Frenzy and Magneto in X-Men Legacy #260
Mike’s portrayal of Rogue is my favorite since Chris Claremont. You could sense the affection for the character in every panel.
Here’s a look back at Mike Carey’s X-Men Legacy. You will be missed.
Axel Alonso is revealing more about Avengers Versus X-Men. In this week’s Axel-In-Charge column on Comic Book Resources this quote got my brain spinning when Marvel’s Editor in Chief was asked which team he wants to win:
“…even though there will be a winner in this story – AVX was never about who would win, but how they would win, why they would win and what they would win. It’s an epic story that will most fast: Each act takes places in two months and ends with a game-changing moment that will kick readers on their butts. And like our most successful events, there will be big moments, big revelations. In Civil War there was Spider-Man unmasking. This story’s got even bigger moments. It’ll be interesting to see how people respond.”
Opinion: I have this feeling an X-Woman is going to be sacrificed. I don’t even want to say who…but I think this series will be the breaking point for Cyclops.
For more of this week’s column here’s the Comic Book Resources link.
Bryan Singer, Director of X-Men and X2: X-Men United, has a giant of a 3D summer movie coming next year. Singer recruited from the cinematic X-Men family for an actor to play his hero.
Nicholas Hoult, who played Hank McCoy in X-Men:First Class and a giant of a guy, will play Jack in Jack the Giant Killer based on the classic fairy tale. Stanley Tucci and Ian McShane also star. Christopher McQuarrie, a frequent Singer collaborator, worked on the script.
Warner Brothers released the teaser trailer:
Cable is back with this week’s Avengers: X-Sanction #1. Cable died saving the life of Hope, the mutant messiah and his adopted daughter. How is Cable reborn and why must he eliminate the Avengers? It’s connected to the return of the Phoenix Force and this series acts as a prelude to Avengers Versus X-Men in 2012.
With the mutant hero from the future attacking Earth’s Mightiest Heroes in such a crucial storyline here’s what you need to know about the fan favorite mutant with a complicated origin and future history.
Cable debuted in New Mutants # 87 as a cyborg warrior who took the kids of New Mutants and made them a pro-active fighting force. The title was soon reborn as X-Force.
The origin: X-Man Cyclops was married to a woman named Madelyn Pryor (she was actually a clone of Jean Grey/Marvel Girl created by Mister Sinister) and they had a baby named Nathan.
In the pages of X-Factor (the original five X-Men reunited) Nathan was infected by a techno-organic virus from the future by Apocalypse. Just when all hope was lost, a woman from the future appeared to Cyclops and said she could save his baby if she let him take the child into the future where they had the medical technology to save him. That woman was sent by Rachel Summers (the daughter of Cyclops and the real Jean Grey from the future.)
Nathan’s life was saved but he became a cyborg. His mutant powers of telekinesis help keep his body together and the virus at bay. Nathan grew up in a war-torn future ruled by Apocalypse.
Cable went back in time to prevent his future. Stryfe was Cable and X-Force’s archenemy and during the X-Cutioner’s Song storyline Stryfle revealed he was a clone of Nathan.
Hope was the first baby born after the decimation of mutants and elimination of the mutant gene from humanity. The baby was hailed as a mutant messiah by some and the harbinger of a future apocalypse by others. Cyclops let Cable take the baby into the future to protect her. Hope returned as a teenager. Cable sacrificed his life to save her.
The Phoenix Force is speeding towards Earth. The Phoenix image manifested around Hope in the past so could the entity be coming to make her its new host? Marvel has said a surprise decision by one team related to the impending return of the Phoenix is what causes the AVX war.
Could this actually be Styfle attacking the Avengers? Has Cable returned only to be sacrificed again?
It seems way too soon for Cable to return. Honestly I was a fan when he first appeared in New Mutants before learning his real identity and origin. The only other time I enjoyed the character is during Second Coming when he was about to die. Cable’s scenes with his father and adopted daughter were moving. For such a man of action the best moments I like were very quiet and still encounters with Cyclops and Hope.
Marjorie Liu and Mike Perkins are the next creative team on Astonishing X-Men starting with issue #48. Marvel announced the changes today in their Next Big Thing presser. This will be Liu’s first official team book. The lineup is Wolverine, Warbird, Northstar, Gambit, Iceman, Cecelia Reyes and Karma.
“We’ve got Northstar moving back to New York and he’s going to be living with his boyfriend, Kyle,” Liu said. “Another side of it, we’ve got characters like Cecelia and Gambit circling each other and [Gambit] moving into his own apartment in Westchester.”
Liu’s first issue will settle in the team and introduce the villains, the Marauders. Liu has added the Vanisher and Chimera to the Marauders, but did not comment on the rest of the current team line-up. The Marauders were last seen in Messiah Complex. Chimera was part of the Sisterhood of Evil Mutants. Vanisher was a uwilling member of X-Force. The Marauders have always worked for Mister Sinister but Liu confirmed Sinister will not be part of this storyline. No word on who is pulling the strings on this incarnation of the mutant mercenaries.
I’m excited to see Northstar back with the X-Men. You may have read my post on why Jean Paul should join Logan’s school. Seeing Cecilia and Karma on board is a thrill too. Warbird is a Shiar bodyguard to Kid Gladiator who just joined the Jean Grey School in Wolverine and the X-Men.
I’m a huge fan of Liu’s previous work on NYX: No Way Home, X-23 and Daken: Dark Wolverine and I’m eager to read what she will do with a larger cast in a new corner of the X-Men universe.
“Oh My Stars and Garters!” which side will Beast take in Avengers Versus X-Men? Marvel’s hairy hero shares a history with both teams. Hank McCoy is a brilliant scientist but he often goes with his heart over his head when it comes to a fateful decision.
Hank is one of Professor X’s original X-Men. After leaving Xavier’s Hank worked for the Brand Corporation where an experiment turned him into the blue hairy beast he is now. The Avengers recruited Hank where he made lifelong friendships with Captain America, Iron Man and other iconic Avengers. Hank always came to help the X-Men in their time of need like the Dark Phoenix Saga but always returned to the Avengers.
Because of government intervention of the Avengers, Beast leaves, briefly joins the Defenders along with original X-Men Angel and Iceman. When Jean Grey is found alive, all 5 original X-Men reunite to form X-Factor for a long run of adventures.
All 5 rejoin the X-Men for many years. Beast used his brains and brawn to help protect the mutant race while facing several ethical dilemmas. Shortly after establishing Utopia, Hank became disillusioned with Cyclops leadership and vision for the X-Men.
Captain America recruited Hank for the Secret Avengers but when Wolverine decides to split the X-Men, Hank answers his call for help. Hank rebuilds the old Westchester school now named after Jean Grey.
Wolverine and Storm are members of both X-Men and Avengers. Beast is back with the Logan’s X-Men but could he go against Captain America and his old friends in the Avengers?
As the Phoenix targets Earth looking for a host, I expect Hank push himself to find a scientific solution even if it means exploring unethical options. Hank has been tested so many times: trying to find a cure for the Legacy Virus knowing that a mutant would have to die in order to save millions or reaching out criminal geniuses like Doctor Doom and Mr. Sinister in order to save the mutant race from extinction after M-Day.
I think Beast will try to be the peacemaker. Hank is a natural bridge between the teams. A shocking decision related to the impending return of the Phoenix is what triggers the war. Cyclops is willing to make more drastic decisions and sacrifices than Captain America. Hank’s disillusionment with Scott has only grown so I would expect him to side with the Avengers. I expect Marvel’s most brilliant yet thoughtful scientist hero to be tested to his limit in AVX.
The Phoenix is coming. Marvel’s biggest teams are going to war. The men behind the event of 2012 took fan questions and delivered details and teases sure to generate excitement.
Marvel presented the Avengers Versus X-Men writing team (Brian Michael Bendis, Ed Brubaker, Matt Fraction, Jason Aaron, Jonathan Hickman) along with X-Men Editor Nick Lowe and Avengers Editor Tom Brevoort.
Here are some of the rapid fire highlights. My thoughts follow in italic:
“Wolverine and Storm have to redefine themselves in the Marvel Universe.” Bendis. This could be an opportunity to rethink their decisions after Schism which could be sever or mend their friendship with Cyclops.
“New armor for Iron Man with a specific foe in mind.” Fraction. Could this be a suit that can take a beating from the Juggernaut powered Colossus or a stab from Wolverine’s adamantium?
Thor gets up to come big time cosmic colossal shenanigans. Fraction. Now that Colossus is nearly God like thanks to Cytorrak, he could be a match for Thor.
“Cyclops is willing to make more sacrifices than Steve Rogers.” Brubaker.
“A new reader friendly take on the Phoenix.” Aaron.
X-Sanction starring Cable is a prelude and leads up to AVX. “Specific events Cable has come back in time to prevent are connected to AVX. It’s the opening shot of AVX.” Brevoort. Cable will do anything to protect his daughter Hope. This could be a clue that Hope is the target host for the Phoenix Force.
AVX #0 is in March. The Prelude is brand new material. Not a recap. Art by Frank Cho. Bendis.
Black Panther and Storm’s marriage. “Storm’s allegiance is very much split down the middle. Her choice will be heard very loudly. A big one for Storm.” Bendis. Storm is my all time favorite female hero. I have an ominous feeling Bendis could sacrifice her. There’s a reason she joined Avengers.
“Storm joining the Avengers was a separate decision” not predicated on AVX. Bendis
“The end of Avengers: Children’s Crusade will set up and calibrate how the X-Men, Avengers and the world feels about Scarlet Witch.” Yesterday I posted my thoughts on a Dark Phoenix Versus Scarlet Witch battle.
Professor X stayed out of Schism. “He can’t just stand on the sidelines.” Aaron. I immediately thought of the classic psi war between Charles and Jean in the Dark Phoenix saga. Can the greatest mutant mind – if Professor X still is – take on the Phoenix and win if needed? Charles has stayed out of Cyclops way but this conflict could lead to a showdown between the Professor and Scott.
How will SHIELD be involved? “There’s an opportunity for a lot of players in Marvel universe to pick new allegiances” Bendis hinted there could be a “potential reinvention” of a law enforcement group like SHIELD.
Those are some of the highlights, more to come!
It’s not just the Phoenix coming…it’s war between two of the most powerful brands in comics. Marvel announced Avengers VS X-Men today. War begins April, 2012. Today’s huge reveal follows this post about Wednesday’s Live Press Event.
Marvel assembles their big guns: Brian Michael Bendis, Jason Aaron, Jonathan Hickman, Ed Brubaker and Matt Fraction. This powerhouse team of writers will work with this trio of superstars: John Romita Jr., Olivier Coipel and Adam Kubert.
The Avengers and X-Men learn the Phoenix Force is speeding towards Earth and needs a new host. Why do Marvel’s biggest heroes go to war with each other?
Fans can watch AVENGERS VS X-MEN Live Kickoff tomorrow at 3:00pm ET, on Marvel.com and http://new.livestream.com/marveluniverse. For more on AVENGERS VS X-MEN visit this link.
My mind is blown and buzzing with theories. I need to collect myself but stay tuned for more on the story of the year!