As a huge fan of Mike Carey’s X-Men Legacy run, Christos Gage had big shoes to fill, especially when it comes to writing Rogue. I’m thrilled to say that I’m really enjoying his initial issues. I wanted to share some highlights of Gage’s interview with Comic Book Resources.
I really like his take on why choosing between Cyclops and Wolverine (after Schism) was difficult for Rogue and why she’s so comfortable with new role at the Jean Grey School.
“I think Rogue’s struggle with the Schism wasn’t so much over what side to choose but rather the fact that it was happening at all. It hurt her to see two men she liked and respected so much in Cyclops and Wolverine disagreeing so strongly, and to see the X-Men divided. It was especially tough on her to leave Magneto in the early stages of their burgeoning yet largely undefined relationship, before she’d had a chance to sort out her feelings about him.
X-Men Legacy #261 preview art courtesy Marvel.com
That said, I think she was always going to go to the Grey School. She had been working with the X-Men’s younger kids for a long time, and I think it gave her a feeling of doing something positive while at the same time giving kids in situations similar to hers when she was young — often confused and scared by their powers — opportunities she never had. It’s good for her and it’s good for the kids. I think she feels better about her role in the world — what she’s doing with her life — than maybe she ever has.”
X-Men Legacy #262 arrives February 22nd with a stunning Mark Brooks cover.
School’s in session for Christos Gage. He’s not just a popular writer he’s kind of like the Secretary of Education for Marvel’s next generation. The writer behind Avengers Academy and now X-Men: Legacy talked about the difference between attending the Academy and Wolverine’s Jean Grey School.
“Being an Avenger is a choice, being an X-Man is almost part and parcel of being a mutant,” says Gage.
“That wasn’t always the case, but now that there are so few mutants left, that’s how it is. So for the X-Men, it’s more about ‘This is the hand we’ve been dealt—what’s the best way to approach life?’ [where] with the Avengers it’s much more the traditional super hero philosophy of ‘Let’s use our talents to serve mankind.’ Not that the X-Men don’t care about that, but it’s just one part of a whole.
“Being an Avenger is a part-time thing, and when you’re not doing that, you’re being a billionaire industrialist or whatever. Being an X-Man is a full-time job.”
X-Men Legacy #261 preview art courtesy Marvel.com
While Gage will focus on the staff (Rogue, Gambit, Frenzy) of the Jean Grey School, we’ve already seen intense interaction with the students. I really loved Rogue’s lesson that helped Rockslide reach a new level of his mutant power. I’m thrilled to see Gage using the Guthries (Cannonball and Husk) in the book too.
X-Men Legacy #260.1 cover by Mark Brooks courtesy Marvel.com
X-Men Legacy #260.1 arrived this week with a new creative team and direction for Rogue, Gambit and Frenzy as they joined the Jean Grey School. This is the first issue since Mike Carey left the book after 5 and a half years of excellence.
I’m excited to see where I think new writer Christos Gage will take us. Rogue has evolved into a confident mentor of young mutants and she quickly makes one junior X-Man reach a new level of power and potential during a football game.
There’s a new threat to rebuilt school from an ancient enemy that’s right out of Buffy, The Vampire Slayer’s Sunnydale. I actually forgot that the Xavier estate has some nightmarish neighbors down below. Gage writes a dynamic fight with the invaders that shows off Rogue’s mastery of her power and the potential in the new kids.
What’s really exciting is the slow burn then passionate ignition of a new love triangle among these X-Men and the return of Exodus. Given the villain’s history with the reforming Frenzy that should create a different kind of spark.
I absolutely loved David Baldeon’s art which reminded me of Gary Frank on The Incredible Hulk. The first issue is a winner and I’m excited to see how the legacy evolves.
X-Men Legacy: Age of X collection cover courtesy Marvel.com
Mike Carey’s final year on X-Men Legacy took us to the Age of X – one of my top 11 for 2011. In this reality warped tale mutants are on the verge of extinction. The survivors are making a final stand inside Fortress X against constant attack but a conspiracy within threatens mutantkind. Carey tactically reimagined favorites like Cyclops. Scott is known as Basilisk and married to Frenzy. Rogue is called Legacy because Magneto forces her to keep the memories of millions of dead mutants.
The truth behind the Age of X reality is a mindbender and impetus for Carey’s follow-up arcs. I particular loved Carey’s transformation of Frenzy in Age of X and beyond.
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.
X-Men Legacy #260 The X-Men are divided. Magneto chooses Cyclops. Gambit chooses Wolverine. If Rogue survives her mission to save a lost young mutant, who will she follow. This is Mike Carey’s final X-Men issue after five and a half years of epic storytelling.
Justice League #4 Darkseid revealed. Cyborg is born. Aquaman attacks. DC’s big guns are meeting for the first time. Can they stop fighting each other in time to face the real enemy behind the conspiracy.
Batman #4 Batman digs deeper into the Court of Owls and discovers its dark ties to his own family. Scott Snyder keeps delivering intense action and a brutal secret history of Gotham City and the Wayne family that may trap the bat.
Birds of Prey #4 courtesy DC Comics
Birds of Prey #4 Batgirl joins DC’s female crime fighting force. Three bombs in the brains of three passengers on three trains. The Birds of Prey only know two names of the living bombs. How will they prevent the disaster. DC promises this issue will rewrite the rules for the team.
It’s the end of an era for one of my favorite writers on the X-Men creative team. X-Men Legacy #259 arrives Wednesday, November 30th. This issue marks the final X-Men arc of Mike Carey after 5 and a half years.
Mike took over X-Men #108 and took riders on a thrilling ride with the most unlikely but unforgettable team in mutant history. Cyclops gave Rogue the authority to form her own field team…he didn’t agree with her choices. Rogue’s lineup eventually was Iceman, Cannonball, Mystique, Cable, Lady Mastermind, Cable and Karima Shapandar – a human transformed into an Omega Sentinel.
Carey’s first arc was Supernovas. Rogue’s team encountered brand new enemies, The Children of the Vault, a race that wanted to wipe out humanity and mutants. After years of whining about Gambit and the curse of her power, Rogue was finally written as bold, brash and fun. It was Rogue’s improvisation in battles that inspired Cyclops to make her a team leader.
X-Men #192 Courtesy Marvel.com
Carey created more inspired new villains for Rogue’s field team. Pandemic infected Rogue with a bizarre virus that raised her power to deadly levels. Billions of alien psyches invaded her mind as she battled the alien Hecatomb. Some of Rogue’s teammates eventually showed their true colors. Lady Mastermind and Mystique were working for Mister Sinister’s revamped Marauders in Blinded by the Light.
Endangered Species is one of Mike Carey’s most crucial contributions to X-Men history. After the events of House of M and Decimation, millions of mutants lost their powers. The mutant race was on the verge of extinction. Beast was obsessed with finding a cure. Hank reached out to some of the most brilliant scientists on earth including some of Marvel’s most notorious villians.
Messiah Complex was the epic storyline that meant new hope to save the mutant race. During the search to find and save the mutant miracle baby, Rogue had a climatic showdown with her Mystique, her foster mother.
X-Men became X-Men Legacy. Mike made Professor X and Rogue the stars of the book. When Cyclops reunited the X-Men in San Francisco and then moved them to their island base, Utopia, he recruited Rogue to be the mentor to the young mutants in training. In the Second Coming event, the mutant child from Messiah Complex returned a young woman. Cyclops chose Rogue to be the protector of Hope.
Age of X is one of Mike Carey’s pivotal arcs that will have an impact on the X-Men for a long time. Rogue became torn between her feelings for Magneto and Gambit. Age of X marked the transformation of Frenzy/Joanna Cargill, a former villain and longtime back burner character. The experience of being a hero and the wife of Cyclops in the Age of X made Frenzy want to change her ways. Joanna is now part of Wolverine’s post-Schism team.
Mike Carey’s portrayal of Rogue is the best since Chris Claremont first brought her on the team. You could sense his love for the character in every issue. Legacy was a good choice to add to Mike’s X-Men given the legacy he is leaving behind.
Mike Carey is the author of supernatural novels starring Felix Castor. His ongoing series Unwritten is published by the Vertigo imprint of DC Comics. Carey told Comics Newsarama he is leaving X-Men Legacy to work on new novels and screenplays.
