Raising Hellions in New Mutants

New Mutants #47 courtesy Marvel

  A blast from the past in this week’s New Mutants #47 in Fear the Fututre Part 1. Andy Lanning and Dan Abnett ignite an old rivalry by raising the Hellions!

  Back when Emma Frost was still the White Queen of the Hellfire Club she had her own students that often clashed with Professor Xavier’s New Mutants. The original Hellions debuted in New Mutants #16 – volume one of the series. In Uncanny X-Men #281 the Hellions were brutally slain by Trevor Fitzroy and his Sentinels. This massacre led Frost to see their error of her ruthless ways and began her path to redemption and partnership with the X-Men. Empath was the only known survivor. Warpath was an original member of the Hellions because he blamed Professor X for the death of his brother, the original Thunderbird. James Proudstar eventually came to terms with his anger and later joined the X-Men and Wolverine’s X-Force.

Some of the dead Hellions were revised by Selene in the Necrosha epic. No word on

New Mutants #16 courtesy Marvel

You can see the old school Hellions on the cover of New Mutants #48  Marvel.com New Mutants #48.

New Mutants #48 courtesy Marvel.com

  The Hellions are back (looking all techno zombie resurrected like they did in the Necrosha event!) For more of the Abnett and Lanning interview here’s the Marvel.com link.

Here’s an earlier post talking about the possibility of a New Mutants movie, my hope some of the characters appear in the next X-Men: First Class film and The Hunger Games star who’d be perfect for one of the kids.

By Editor

Updated: X Marks Diversity & Northstar’s Wedding

Astonishing X-Men #51 courtesy Marvel

The wedding of Jean-Paul Beaubier and Kyle Jinadu in Astonishing X-Men#51 this week is the latest reason to celebrate our love of mutant super heroes. The X-Men represent diversity and overcoming differences. These heroes don’t just fight bad guys. They fight discrimination and intolerance.

 

When Stan Lee created X-Men #1 his young heroes had powers because of genetics. You might say Stan the Man came up with “Born This Way” before Lady Gaga made it a pop anthem. Professor Xavier taught his students how to use their powers for the good of all humanity. Erik Lensherr was a Jew and his horrific experiences in World War II brought him into direct conflict with Xavier’s teachings and he became the X-Men’s number one enemy: Magneto.

 

In the 1970’s Len Wein and Dave Cockrum helped introduce the “all new, all different” X-Men. The team’s new additions reflected the changing world. Ororo Munroe aka Storm was an African (later revealed to be African-American) woman. John Proudstar/Thunderbird was an Apache Native American. His brother James would eventually take the code name Warpath and become an X-Man. Shiro Yoshida was the first Asian X-Man called Sunfire. The Japanese hero who later lead his own team and title: Big Hero Six.

 

German Kurt Wager is still my favorite X-Man. Nightcrawler lived the ultimate in irony. Kurt was a compassionate, devoted Catholic. Kurt had a sweet soul but genetics gave him the appearance of a demon. My other favorite is Kitty Pryde, a Jewish girl from Chicago who joined the X-Men as a teenager. Kitty was frightened of Kurt for years and their evolving friendship was one of my favorite ongoing storylines.

 

Bishop & Storm from X-treme X-Men #30 courtesy Marvel

 

Writer Chris Claremont was the creative force behind the X-Men for nearly two decades. Claremont made Storm leader of the team. In the early 1980’s having an African-American female in charge of the team was a breakthrough moment. Storm would fall in love with Forge, a Native American mutant and Vietnam veteran. Storm would later become leader of X-Treme X-Men, the Queen of Wakanda (she married the Black Panther) and became an Avenger. Storm is currently leads the security team in X-Men.

 

Claremont explored the issue of apartheid with the creation of Genosha. On this island nation off the African coast mutants were enslaved and considered natural resources not equal citizens. The X-Men were involved in liberating the mutants of the nation over several storylines.

 

Claremont was creator of the future generation of X-Men. The New Mutants continued the legacy of creating diversity. Danielle Moonstar was a Cheyenne Native American and became team leader. Karma was a devout Catholic from Vietnam. Karma is now a lesbian and part of the Astonishing X-Men team. Sunspot was Brazilian. An attack and racial remark on the soccer field is what first triggered Roberto DaCosta’s mutant power. Danielle and Roberto are part of a team living in San Fransisco.

 

The New Mutants graphic novel cover courtesy Marvel.com

 

John Byrne was a co-plotter and artist on the early Claremont era. Byrne created the Canadian team Alpha Flight including Northstar. Byrne said he intended to have Jean Paul come out back in the 1980’s but it was against editorial policy at the time and the comics code authority. In 1992 Northstar came out in Alpha Flight #106 under writer Scott Lobdell.

 

The 1990’s saw a new explosion of diverse characters. Lobdell and Fabian Nicieza were the primary writers of the X-Men in this decade. Lobdell co-created Generation X which included Skin, a Hispanic American who escaped from gang life in Los Angeles to join the team. M (Monet St. Croix) is Algerian, Muslim and is now a popular member of X-Factor. The X-Men welcomed Bishop, an African-American X-Man from the future. Dr. Cecilia Reyes is a doctor of Puerto Rican background. She reluctantly joined the team but focused on her career as a surgeon instead of being a superhero. Neal Shaara is a Hindi from India who joined the X-treme team. Jubilee is an Asian-American “mall rat” who joined the X-Men and Generation X. Wolverine’s former sidekick is now a vampire. This is yet another example of how X-writers explore differences while telling a compelling action story as Jubilee fights to control her vampire hunger and hold on to her humanity.

 

Generation Hope #10 courtesy Marvel.com

 

The 21st century saw the creation of more mutant heroes from diverse backgrounds. Dust is a devout Muslim girl who always wears her burka. Wolverine rescued Sooraya from Afghanistan. Oya of Generation Hope is from Kenya and her religious beliefs make her think of she and all mutants a monsters. Oya is currently in Wolverine and the X-Men as the new Jean Grey School. Frenzy is an African-American ex-villain who recently joined X-Men Legacy in her search for redemption.

 

X-Factor’s Shatterstar and Rictor courtesy Marvel.com

Peter David pushes boundaries in X-Factor. After years of hinting that they were attracted to each other Shatterstar (a warrior from another dimension) and Mexican mutant Rictor fell in love. It’s not all perfect for this mutant couple because they often fight because of Shatterstar’s flirting. X-Factor has been nominated by GLAAD for Outstanding Comic Book Series. Other GLBT characters in the X-family include Anole, Bling and Graymalkin.

 

The X-Men writers and editors have always reflected our world. Characters and storylines have been a way to directly or indirectly explore the issues of race, religion and sexual orientation. X-Men will always be a best-selling title because we can see ourselves, the conflict and the hope that we’ll learn from our differences, survive and thrive.

 

By Editor

 

I know there’s probably a favorite mutant I may have left out of this story. Please add a comment or email me who you think deserves to be added.

New Mutants Fight The Future

  The New Mutants and Kid Loki (in Journey Into Mystery)are currently magically mixed up in the Exiled crossover. Writers Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning will follow up with Fear the Future guest starring Doctor Strange and the Defenders in issue #44.

“Something’s up, and the Defenders intend to defend against it, like they do,” previews Abnett. “The New Mutants are right at the heart of it all. There are some pretty big surprises and reveals coming along.

“The Defenders are all serious and grown up; there’s some amusement to be had when they all hang out in the New Mutants’ house.

New Mutants #47 courtesy Marvel.com

Fear will be followed by Fight the Future. Marvel.com revealed these covers for  New Mutants #47 and #48 by John Tyler Christopher coming in August.

New Mutants #48 courtesy Marvel.com

  The writing duo confirm Cannonball, Karma and Blink will be making appearances in the upcoming story. Looking the cover – it looks like the Hellions are back (looking all techno zombie resurrected like they did in the Necrosha event!) For more of the Abnett and Lanning interview here’s the Marvel.com link.

Here’s an earlier post talking about the possibility of a New Mutants movie, my hope some of the characters appear in the next X-Men: First Class film and The Hunger Games star who’d be perfect for one of the kids. 

By Editor

Geekcasting: Hunger Games Actor For X-Men: First Sequel UPDATED

The New Mutants graphic novel cover courtesy Marvel.com

Updated! I promise I had this draft long before I saw this recent story teasing a possible New Mutants movie. Here’s the Collider link so you can read it for yourself. Basically when pressed Fox’s Tom Rothman is smartly coy in his response. You can be the judge.

Original story:

  It’s time Fox show some love for the New Mutants era for the sequel to X-Men: First Class. Cannonball aka Sam Guthrie would be a perfect addition to Xavier’s School for Gifted Youngsters.

 The film series has mixed and matches X-Men from various eras. First Class included everyone from original X-Man Beast and Angel Salvadore from the Grant Morrison New X-Men run. Time for the

  Jack Quade played the Tribute ironically named Marvel in The Hunger Games and now that I’ve seen more photos of him I keep picturing him as the poor miner kid from Kentucky who blasts his way into the Xavier school.

  The New Mutants graphic novel by Chris Claremont would be a great source of inspiration for the sequel script. X-Men books and films have always demonstrated diversity. Having Danielle Moonstar (Mirage) or Xian Coy Manh (Karma) in the next film would continue that tradition. Dani is a Native American had the power to create illusions of her enemies’ fears or wishes and co-lead the team with Sam. Karma is of Vietnamese descent and has the power to possess minds. In recent years Xian or Shan came out as a lesbian.

 Sam and his sister Paige (aka Husk) are currently teaching at the Jean Grey School under headmaster Wolverine. Dani and Karma are on a New Mutants team based in San Francisco.

By Editor

This Geek’s Updated Opinion: Of course I’ll go see any X-Men related movie but with the X-Men: First Class franchise firmly set in the past would it make sense to have another X franchise set in the present? No disrespect to the New Mutants fans, creators or characters but I don’t think they can hold up on their own as a film franchise. I would be curious how Fox would pull it off. Professor X founded the New Mutants but Magneto served as their instructor and eventually the Cable turned the team into X-Force.  As I stated above I would love to see Sam, Dani or Karma in an X-Men: First Class sequel or rebooted present day X-Men film.

New Mutants Journey Into Mystery

Exiled courtesy Marvel.com

  The New Mutants will take a Journey Into Mystery in Exiled, a crossover between the two books. A one-shot will kick off the 5-part story in May.

  Kieron Gillen (Uncanny X-Men, Journey Into Mystery) and Andy Lanning (New Mutants) joined Marvel’s Next Big Thing event to reveal more of the story.

  “This developed quite quickly and quite easily given the long history of the New Mutants in Asgard. We wanted to bring that to Earth rather than take them back to Asgard. It’s a little twist on how past stories have played out. There are some really cool reveals and surprises along the way that will hopefully play against type and expectation.” Andy Lanning

  Carmine Di Giandomenico will provide interior art.  Stephanie Hans will create covers. Gillen teases the art fans will see in this mythic collaboration.

  “Carmine’s image of Hell, for example, is unlike any other Hell I’ve ever seen in a Marvel book. I stared at one his panels for 10 minutes. He’s a very powerful artist.” Kieron Gillen

  “The Asgardians are fish out of water in this story, and that’s part of the fun.” Andy Lanning

  “The New Mutants are now older than the last time they were in Asgard, but Loki is younger. They’ve almost taken on the parental role. It’s fun.” Kieron Gillen

New Mutants #11 courtesy Marvel.com

  This is exciting news given the compelling history between the mutants and Norse Gods – especially Danielle Moonstar fans. This will continue subplots started in Siege when Dani made a deal with Hela to gain her Valkyrie powers back.

I highly recommend The Asgardian Wars trade paperback featuring X-Men, New Mutants and Alpha Flights’s adventures in Asgard caused by the adult Loki’s manipulations.

  For all the quotes from today’s event here’s the Marvel’s Next Big Thing link.