JASON AARON On DOCTOR STRANGE’S Magic

Doctor Strange #1 courtesy Marvel
Doctor Strange #1 courtesy Marvel

It’s a new creative team, new look  and weapons for Earth’s Sorcerer Supreme as part of the All-New, All-Different Marvel Now.

Doctor Strange stars in his own solo series this fall by Jason Aaron and Chris Bachalo (the creative team that launched Wolverine and the X-Men).

Aaron worked his magic of Thor and now he’s taking on the Master of the Mystic Arts. The creative team reveal how they will define the Sorcerer Supreme and the challenges they face.

When you potentially have a mastery of magic you can do anything. Aaron explains his approaching to Doctor Strange’s powers. Continue reading JASON AARON On DOCTOR STRANGE’S Magic

PROFESSOR X’S Greatest Secret In UNCANNY X-MEN #25

Uncanny X-Men #25 courtesy Marvel
Uncanny X-Men #25 courtesy Marvel

Professor X’s greatest secret revealed!

 

The Last Will and Testament of Charles Xavier gathered the fractured mutant family for a double shocker from their late mentor.

 

Xavier has been hiding ” a mutant so powerful their very existence was a threat to mutant’s way of life. A destructive force that would’ve wiped out any chance of a peaceful coexistence between humans and mutants.”

 

Marvel shared a first look inside Uncanny X-Men #25 as Cyclops, Storm, Wolverine and all the teams must unite for Xavier’s final “gift” and deal with the powerful mutant that’s been exposed. Continue reading PROFESSOR X’S Greatest Secret In UNCANNY X-MEN #25

UNCANNY X-MEN: Bendis Team Breakdown

Uncanny X-Men #1 courtesy Marvel

   Uncanny X-Men #1  marks the next revolution in mutant evolution!

Cyclops, Magneto, Emma Frost and Magik began recruiting new mutants in All-New X-Men. The mission continues in this week’s new Uncanny series by Brian Michael Bendis and Chris Bachalo. Bendis and Editor Nick Lowe previewed the new volume of Uncanny X-Men on Marvel.com.

“In All-New X-Men, we’ve been able to lay out what the X-Men universe looks like now. We’ve shown in a way what Uncanny X-Men will look like. After the first arc of All-New X-Men concludes with issue #6, Uncanny kicks off with Cyclops, Magneto, Emma Frost and Magik trying to save new mutants across the world.”

“Chris Claremont made X-Men a revolutionary piece about the differences between us. Times have changed and we’re going to see where that fits now.”

“We have existing characters at their darkest points mixing with fresh new characters looking at the Marvel Universe in a new way.”

“When I was doing two Avengers titles, they succeeded because they existed in the same world but were so different. That’s what we’re getting with All-New X-Men and Uncanny X-Men.”

“I’m a big believer that when people go through large changes in life they alter their appearance, whether they realize it or not. Super hero uniforms are a great way to explore that. This is a great way to express that Cyclops, Emma and Magneto are in a very different place with a very different perspective. Cyclops is the face of what he calls the mutant revolution, taking a harder stance than ever before.”

Uncanny X-Men #2 courtesy Marvel

The former White Queen has evolved from villainess to hero. Bendis says Frost’s signature look will evolve.

Emma Frost has evolved immensely over the last 10-15 years. Once she was just this outfit and this look, now there’s so much going on with her. She’s taking a leap into a different direction, and I think her costume design will be the most controversial. It’s no longer just how guys wanted to see her. It’s who she sees herself as. I teach. If I showed up wearing Emma’s outfit, people would be startled. But I could pull it off.”

Bendis teased a major villain for the new series:

“This book will have a Doctor Doom level villain Continue reading UNCANNY X-MEN: Bendis Team Breakdown

UNCANNY X-MEN Revolution Begins!

Uncanny X-Men #1 courtesy Marvel

Brian Michael Bendis and Chris Bachalo relaunch Uncanny X-Men this week.

At one point I thought Scott would be on the road to redemption but now we know Cyclops is not trying to make up for his actions in Avengers vs. X-Men. The new mutant population boom has the fallen leader inspired to save his race – by any means necessary. Magneto, Emma Frost and Magik join Scott on his missions to recruit young mutants and protect them from a world that fears and hates them.

“You will discover in the very first issue of ALL-NEW X-MEN exactly where Scott Summers’ head is at. Of all the X-Men that feel it is their job to further the legacy of Charles Xavier, no one feels it more strongly than Scott Summers,” Bendis told Marvel.com.

“Scott Summers himself is not only trying to save these kids but he is trying to train them and Continue reading UNCANNY X-MEN Revolution Begins!

X-Men Traitor?

Uncanny X-Men #1 courtesy Marvel
Uncanny X-Men #1 courtesy Marvel

   Cyclops, Magneto, Emma Frost and Magik star in the upcoming Uncanny X-Men. Scott’s team is recruiting new mutants for the revolution. Marvel is making it very clear in this new teaser image by Chris Bachalo – there’s a TRAITOR in the new team/book!

  This image shows the heavy hitters plus two brand new characters. The question is not just “who is the traitor?” but who is the traitor working for?

Let’s the TRAITOR theories begin:

  It’s possible Wolverine allowed Cyke to “recruit” one of the new kids to his side to get the inside track on the rival X-Men.

  Could the traitor be working for the Avengers? Just because Captain America formed the Uncanny Avengers to bridge the gap between mutants doesn’t mean someone like Tony Stark wouldn’t want a spy in Cyke’s camp.

  Emma Frost? Scott and Emma are over. Emma has been in the Hellfire Club, lead the Dark X-Men during Dark Reign and has slipped into the role of traitor, seductress and villain to suit her needs. Emma could be secretly working for Tony Stark or Wolverine. Plus, you know the return of Jean Grey is really getting to her!

 Who do you think the traitor is and why?

 Brian Michael Bendis knows! Can’t wait to see how he plays this out! The book is out February 13th. 

By Editor

 

Bendis Previews Uncanny X-Men

Uncanny X-Men #1 courtesy Marvel

  Uncanny X-Men is back in February 2013. The revolution is on as Cyclops, Magneto, Emma Frost and Magik are recruiting new mutants in All-New X-Men. The mission continues in Uncanny. The former Phoenix Five hosts will star in their own series in 2013 by Brian Michael Bendis and Chris Bachalo. Bendis and Editor Nick Lowe previewed the new volume of Uncanny X-Men on Marvel.com.

    “In All-New X-Men, we’ve been able to lay out what the X-Men universe looks like now. We’ve shown in a way what Uncanny X-Men will look like. After the first arc of All-New X-Men concludes with issue #6, Uncanny kicks off with Cyclops, Magneto, Emma Frost and Magik trying to save new mutants across the world.”

   “Chris Claremont made X-Men a revolutionary piece about the differences between us. Times have changed and we’re going to see where that fits now.” 

  “We have existing characters at their darkest points mixing with fresh new characters looking at the Marvel Universe in a new way.”

  “When I was doing two Avengers titles, they succeeded because they existed in the same world but were so different. That’s what we’re getting with All-New X-Men and Uncanny X-Men.”

  “I’m a big believer that when people go through large changes in life they alter their appearance, whether they realize it or not. Super hero uniforms are a great way to explore that. This is a great way to express that Cyclops, Emma and Magneto are in a very different place with a very different perspective. Cyclops is the face of what he calls the mutant revolution, taking a harder stance than ever before.”

Uncanny X-Men #2 courtesy Marvel

   The former White Queen has evolved from villainess to hero. Bendis says Frost’s signature look will evolve.

  “Emma Frost has evolved immensely over the last 10-15 years. Once she was just this outfit and this look, now there’s so much going on with her. She’s taking a leap into a different direction, and I think her costume design will be the most controversial. It’s no longer just how guys wanted to see her. It’s who she sees herself as. I teach. If I showed up wearing Emma’s outfit, people would be startled. But I could pull it off.”

  Bendis teased a major villain for the new series:

   “This book will have a Doctor Doom level villain who I think is a surprise. I don’t think they’ve ever been a villain in an X-Men book, but there’s a connection that makes sense.”

  Magneto, Emma Frost, Magik and now Cyclops have been heroes and been branded as villains.  The theme of who is seen as a good or bad guy will be explored in the new characters for the series.

   “Among the new mutants that show up, there will be villains. New powers cause a lot of chaos in the Marvel Universe. Not everybody is ready to have these powers and some want to get back at the world.”

  “Many people reading Uncanny X-Men will think Cyclops is the villain.” 

    Many fans assumed All-New X-Men would be the only new X-book and the flagship.

   “The last page of Uncanny X-Men #1 is one of my favorite things I’ve laid out at Marvel. It reveals the reason for the book and completely shifts the X-Men universe.”

   For every Gambit there is a Maggot. Remember him?  One of the biggest challenges of writing the X-book is creating new mutants.

  “You’re very aware as a writer debuting new characters, especially mutants, that the first images of them is being judged next to years of another character. People immediately want to know why this character is better than that one. You need to show a lot right away about why they are different and why you should care.”

  “When Peter Parker got bit by a spider, he was excited. When Miles Morales got bit, he was scared. Different people react differently to being given power. Do you really want it or not?”

  “Coming up with unique powers is the hardest thing.”

  “I’ve been collecting ideas for powers and characters for years, waiting for a place to put them. When I found out I was writing X-Men, I pulled out my file.”

  “With training, one power can become something else. Look at Iceman. What are the limits of power?”

  Bendis’s two books are about the opposing sides of how to best protect the future of the mutant race. He teases how they teams and book will crossover:

  “Uncanny and All-New will intersect once in awhile. Where the two teams are physically and emotionally could not be further away, but there are some places where they have to connect. In issue #9 of All-New and issue #3 of Uncanny, Cyclops and his team show up at the Jean Grey School unexpected. You see it from both perspectives. Something huge will happen that affects both book.”

  “The Avengers will show up in Uncanny X-Men with a lot to say about what’s going on and their responsibility for it.”

  “Uncanny X-Men is darker than All-New X-Men, but it’s not Dark Avengers. Everybody in that book was nuts. Some people reading it may feel that way, others will see Cyclops and his goal and be rooting for him, because that goal is full redemption. There’s nothing more noble than that.”

Uncanny X-Men #1 courtesy Marvel

  In All-New X-Men #3 we saw Erik giving Cyclops some hard lessons about his new role and for his actions during AvX:

  “Magneto is an interesting character. He’s made every mistake and given into every villainous desire. He’s done wrong. There are people in this would who get to a certain age and realize they’re the villain of the story and run around trying to make up for it. There’s some of that going on with Magneto. He didn’t do right by his kids and is trying to make up for it in a way with Scott and Emma.”

  “Magneto is the one who could fall the farthest without realizing he’s fallen. He’s also a constant reminder to Cyclops of what happens if he makes the wrong decision one more time.”

  I believed Cyclops would be on a road to redemption after AvX but Scott is becoming more and more like Magneto.

  “He’s making a lot of noise that’s making him very popular with some people and rubbing others the wrong way. There’s always somebody who talks about peace and somebody who takes a more radical stance. Neither is right, neither is wrong, each has their day. I think it’s fascinating to have the lead of the book being equally terrifying and empowering to those around him.”

   Logan rebuilt Xavier’s. Scott is using a haunt of Wolverine’s past as his new base.

  “Using the Weapon X base as a school is taking something horrible and turning it into something positive. Mutants will never go looking for Cyclops in the Weapon X base.”

   A fan asked if Scott picked the Weapon X location because he’s angry at Logan for naming the new school after Jean.

   “I think the opposite. Wolverine is angrier at Cyclops than Cyclops is at Wolverine. You’ll be seeing Wolverine/Cyclops interaction in the crossover I mentioned. I think Cyclops knows Weapon X haunts Wolverine so he wants to make it something better. If Wolverine ever does see it, he might be quite touched, though Cyclops doesn’t ever want him to see it.”

“Although if Cyclops threw out Wolverine’s diary that would have solved all his problems this whole time…”  

  I was afraid Cyclops and Emma were going to be killed off in AvX.

  “In early talks with Brian, I was very pleased when he showed interest in having a book with Cyclops, Magneto and Emma as leads. I was glad he felt these ideas warranted further exploration,” explained Lowe, “When we were planning Schism, we didn’t have the plans for All-New X-Men, but seeing how it has come together is very gratifying.”

  “It’s good to have a plan and there a lot of readers who like to know there is one. Then other things start happening and you go ‘Does my plan fit?’ It’s like your day: You have a plan for your day and then life happens. Sometimes your day goes well, sometimes it completely gets ruined. As a writer you want to be open to either, because both can make for good stories.”

  “Due to the drama with the Phoenix Force, all of these characters’ powers have been broken or shifted. Magik actually finds herself more empowered. She has more control over Limbo and other elements of her powers. The cost of that power will be a big story point moving forward. Also, one of the students immediately falls in love with her.”

  Chris Bachalo has been a frequent X-Men artist and key to co-creating new mutants. Bachalo worked with Scott Lobdell on the creation of Generation X and new looks for the X-Men in the Age of Apocalypse.

Uncanny X-Men #1 by Bendis and Bachalo arrives in February.

By Editor

 

 

Uncanny X-Men Begins Again!

Uncanny X-Men #1 courtesy Marvel

If you thought Uncanny X-Men and Cyclops’s Extinction Team were extinct…think again! Brian Michael Bendis and Chris Bachalo relaunch Uncanny X-Men for the Marvel Now in February 2013. It was confirmed today on Marvel.com.

It appears Cyclops may not trying to make up for his actions in Avengers vs. X-Men. The new mutant population boom has the fallen leader inspired to save his race – by any means necessary. Magneto, Emma Frost and Magik join Scott on his missions to recruit young mutants and protect them from a world that fears and hates them.

  “You will discover in the very first issue of ALL-NEW X-MEN exactly where Scott Summers’ head is at. Of all the X-Men that feel it is their job to further the legacy of Charles Xavier, no one feels it more strongly than Scott Summers.

  Scott Summers himself is not only trying to save these kids but he is trying to train them and get them ready for what he feels is coming mutant revolution These new students represent his only hope for true redemption. And his only hope to make the world the way he really thinks it should be.”

All-New X-Men #1 courtesy Marvel

The new Uncanny X-Men follows after All-New X-Men, both written by Bendis. The writer reveals which is the flagship and how the books connect to Wolverine and the X-Men by Jason Aaron.

  “I feel the audience decides what is or is not a flagship title, but I will say that UNCANNY X-MEN will be the one-stop shop for these very important characters in the mutant [corner of the] Marvel Universe and the Marvel Universe proper. I’m very lucky that I get to write ALL NEW X-MEN and UNCANNY X-MEN at the same time. I can examine this fascinating part of the Marvel Universe from vastly different angles.

  I can’t think of a time where the mutant part of the Marvel Universe has been more exciting. Every character is so complex and there are so many characters interacting. Literally anything could happen,

  It is not unlike the job I had writing NEW AVENGERS and DARK AVENGERS at the same time, even though this is not DARK X-MEN.”

Bendis revealed that the new Uncanny X-Men came out of story planning for AvX.

I love this response from Bendis comparing the friends and family aspect in Earth’s Mightiest Heroes versus the Children of the Atom.

   “Absolutely. If the Avengers are a family, then UNCANNY X-MEN is a very, very, very dysfunctional family.  But these characters really do need each other. And some of them love each other. And some of them don’t.”

Avengers vs X-Men #11 courtesy Marvel

Even though I love Jean I’ve said before that Emma Frost is the best thing to happen to Scott Summers. Bendis confirms that Cyke and Emma are over.

  “The romance is done. They are not together anymore romantically. It’s pretty hard to come back from what they went through in Avengers Vs. X-Men.Things were said, powers were stolen, and as we will discover in the very first issues of UNCANNY X-MEN, some things happen between them that cannot be taken back.

  And because they are Scott and Emma, this breakup is going to take a while. And it’s not going to be pretty, but fun to write.”

Magneto has been the ultimate X-Men enemy, headmaster of Xavier’s and in recent years an ally loyal to Scott. I love Bendis’s teasing answer to the question: Is Magneto reformed?

  “What you are going to see with Magneto is a very specific new chapter in his life. At the last Marvel [creative summit] we were talking about the fact that we often break our heroes but never do much to our villains. We would put the Fantastic Four through the ringer but Doctor Doom  is always Doctor Doom. I gave that conversation a lot of thought.

  What happens in the pages of UNCANNY X-MEN will establish a very bold, new chapter for Magneto.”

Bendis said he’s creating brand new mutant characters for that will be front and center with the main cast. I’m always excited for the debut of new mutants. I won’t name names but some work, some don’t.

The big question for me: Cyclops’s new headgear?

For the entire interview here’s the Marvel.com link.

  All-New X-Men #1 debuts next week! Uncanny X-Men #1 hits in February!

By Editor