Brian Wood and David Lopez deliver their final issue of X-Men this week. I hate to see this end of this creative team. They have crafted one of my favorite Storm stories of all time. Wood writes her as the strong, decisive leader that Chris Claremont made her.
Storm and her unit (Colossus, Psylocke, Domino, Pixie) discovered the remains of a race of proto-mutants that lived on the planet before modern mutants. The team’s search for the truth led to a ruthless scientist, a deranged cult and finally to the one proto-mutant left alive on Earth.
Storm felt this discovery was so powerful she kept it from Cyclops and Wolverine. The tension between Ororo and a disapproving Colossus has been building. In each previous issue you can feel the confrontation building. In this issue the tension explodes into a bitter, violent confrontation between the old friends.
Pixie confronts Gabriel hoping he can give her answers missing links in mutant evolution. In a masterful exchange the young mutant tries her best to argue with this ancient solitary ancestor.
David Lopez’s art is beautiful and powerful. He conveys the shifts of confidence and conflict in Storm, the hope and desperation in Pixie, the anger and pain in Colossus.
I’ve said it before – this storyline reminds me of the classic Chris Claremont/Paul Smith era with generous twists of a Torchwood or X-Files case to create a compelling mystery of corrupted science, the burden of secrets and search for answers about the origin of mutants.
I hope Brian Wood and David Lopez will soon be added to a Marvel Now book. The revamp is about new ideas and new takes on Marvel characters – they already delivered this year in a big, creative and satisfying way.
Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season 9 Freefall #14 A new kind of slayer joins the fight against evil in a world without magic. A young gay man proves you don’t have to be chosen to be a hero.
The Massive #5 In a world gone to hell Mary leads the desperate crew to a remote station in Antartica. A supply run goes horribly wrong and becomes a fight for survival.
Uncanny Avengers #1 courtesy Marvel
Uncanny Avengers #1 A brand new kind of team for a dangerous old enemy! Can Captain America, Thor, Wolverine, Rogue, Scarlet Witch and Havok heal the wounds of AvX? The Red Skull is reborn with new powers and a deadly agenda against the mutant race.
X-Men #37 Storm’s team unravels. Colossus challenges her leadership and questions her real intentions. Pixie is on her own trying to find the last living Proto-Mutant.
Famke Janssen as Jean Grey/Phoenix in X-Men: The Last Stand courtesy 20th Century Fox
Famke Janssen holds a very special place in the heart of this devoted geek. The beautiful Dutch born actress beautifully played two roles in two genres that are very important to me. I’m thrilled to see her back on the big screen in Taken 2 out this week.
In Pierce Brosnan’s first 007 film Goldeneye, Janssen played my all time favorite James Bond villainess. Xenia Onnatop was a Russian femme fatale who could slink across a casino in an evening gown, pilot a military helicopter, get turned on while she’s killing and strangle a man with her thighs. Pure evil.
Janssen brought Jean Grey to life in X-Men, X-Men United and X-Men: The Last Stand. She was perfect as the good girl attracted to the bad boy and always holding her power and passion in check – until the final film.
Janssen reprises her role as Liam Neeson’s ex-wife in Taken 2 but will we see her as Jean Grey in a future X-Men role? Janssen talked about her directorial debut Bringing Up Bobby with MTV News and was asked about returning to the X-Men movies.
“One never knows,” she said coyly. “Jean Grey, the Phoenix … she finds a way to reincarnate herself constantly, so one never knows.”
“I have no idea,” she said. “Stay tuned.”
In the comic books – the original pre-Phoenix Jean Grey is returning to the Marvel Now in All-New X-Men.
The X-Men: First Class sequel is based in part onDays of Future Past. Patrick Stewart has hinted he may appear in that film. If the film follows the comic story Hugh Jackman could appear as a Wolverine of the future. I’d love to see Janssen and James Marsden return to erase the events of The Last Stand and restart the franchise. If all this talk is making you nostalgic let’s take a look at Famke as Dr. Jean Grey in the trailer for the first X-Men movie.
For giving us Jean and Xenia I will always love and welcome Famke Janssen on the big screen!
This Op/Ed followup should not be read unless you’ve read Avengers vs. X-Men #12.
Avengers vs. X-Men could be retitled Operation: Hate Cyclops. When AvX was first announced I was on fully on board with Cyclops and the mutants. I posted “Cyke Is Right!” on my blog and all over rallying my fellow X-Men fans. X-Men were my first comic book and I’ve always identified with them. Captain America and the Avengers were yanking away the one Hope the mutants had to save their species.
The architects of AvX turned the greatest hero and leader in comic books into an arrogant, power mad egomaniac. The Marvel masterminds even did the unthinkable – turn me against Scott! I’ve actually rooting for the Avengers. Cyke was right. Now I’m not so sure.
AvX is a dark and critical chapter in Scott’s life. The man Professor Xavier chose to lead the mutants has never had it easy. He’s been put in incredible scenarios against impossible odds and faced tragedy after tragedy. His fellow mutants have constantly been under attack and he’s been forced to make tough calls without a single Avenger coming to his aid. That’s what I love about him.
Scott Summers must always been in control. Holding back his optic blasts is a symbol of the life Scott has been forced to lead. Professor Xavier made him team leader. Cyke pushed himself to be a better leader while the other X-Men got to laugh and escape from training at Harry’s Hideaway. Scott is always living in the Danger Room.
Scott has lost Jean, Madelyne, Nathan. Cyke has held firm despite insults from Wolverine and wavering support from longtime friends. He’s a better X-Man than any mutant…including Logan.
Avengers vs. X-Men #11 courtesy Marvel.com
In AvX #11 the Phoenix possessed Cyclops and Emma Frost turn on each other because there can be only one. AvX appears to be the end of a powerhouse Marvel romance. Grant Morrison slowly separated Scott and Jean and paired Cyke with the reformed Emma Frost during his New X-Men run. Joss Whedon united Scott and Emma as the mutant power couple in his Astonishing X-Men epic. As much as I love Jean, Emma is the one true woman for Scott.
The Phoenix Force is now divided between Scott and Emma. Scott has been transformed into arrogant cosmic level zealot. The God-like power of the Phoenix Force has twisted Scott’s intense dedication to save his race. Emma’s behavior is now dangerously similar to the Dark Phoenix. The reformed White Queen has always kept her ruthless streak and it’s been necessary and easy for her to slip back into the role of a villain (Dark Reign & Dark X-Men Saga) to use it for the sake of saving the mutants.
I kept hoping Scott and Emma’s extreme and ruthless behavior was a result of having slivers of The Void (The Sentry’s evil alter ego) in their minds. It was these two mutants who sacrificed to trap the Void when the Avengers couldn’t stop him. I wanted some excuse so it would be easy to redeem Scott and Emma for their actions. Alas, I can blame the Phoenix Force but isn’t the entity just feeding off and empowering the emotions and motivations existing in my favorite Marvel power couple?
Avengers vs. X-Men #12 courtesy Marvel
Cyclops betrayed Emma and stole her Phoenix Power, killed Professor X, became Dark Phoenix and began burning the earth. In this week’s final chapter Hope and Scarlet Witch (with an assist from Jean Grey?) forced the Phoenix out of Scott. The leader of the X-Men now sits in prison as the most hated man in the Marvel Universe. Cyclops is taking all the blame even though he was right about Hope, The Phoenix and how to save the mutant race.
Every hero falls. Every fan loves redemption. I hope Scott and Emma survive AvX to rise to greatness again in the Marvel NOW.
Did Brian Michael Bendis insert a teaser for this upcoming All-New X-Men run in the first issue of Daredevil: End of Days?
Daredevil End of Days courtesy Marvel.com
Bendis and David Mack are telling the final story of The Man Without Fear set in the near future. Reporter Ben Urich is writing a tribute to Daredevil and is reflecting on superhero related events he’s covered including Avengers Disassembling, The House of M, The Civil War and Xavier’s Rebellion.
Bendis is taking over the X-Men franchise and bringing the original five students from the past and into the here and Marvel Now in All-New X-Men #1. Xavier is dead. The former Xavier School is now the Jean Grey School. So what is the Xavier’s Rebellion? A hint of storylines to comes in the upcoming Bendis X-Men era?
All New X-Men #1 courtesy Marvel
All-New X-Men #1 arrives in November by Bendis and Stuart Immonen and the past/future of the Children of the Atom begins.
This Op/Ed/Review contains key plot points of Avengers vs. X-Men #12.
You don’t want to keep reading this post until you read AvX #12
Seriously
OK
Here it comes.
Avengers vs. X-Men #12 courtesy Marvel
The Avengers and X-Men united against Cyclops. The man trained to lead the mutant race had become the Dark Phoenix, killed Professor X and was burning the world to recreate it.
The climax came down to Scarlet Witch and Hope Summers. This showdown is the culmination of storylines starting back in House of M. We learn Hope’s purpose and why the Phoenix returned. Wanda and Hope beat the Dark Phoenix out of Cyclops. When Jean Grey reached out to Scott (from the Great White Room?) I thought Cyke was about to die and join her.
courtesy Marvel
Cyclops was right. The Avengers and Wolverine were wrong. Scott will pay a terrible price. I’m a little befuddled over Scott’s reaction. As Cyclops sits in interrogation with Steve Rogers he appears to feel like the murder of Professor X was worth it in order to save the mutant race. It makes me wonder if the dark influence has truly left Scott? I’ve always thought Cyclops could still be under the influence of The Void.
Cyclops sits in prison but is he the only guilty one? Captain America and Iron Man’s actions are what created the Phoenix Five and the Dark Phoenix Cyclops. Emma Frost, Namor, Colossus, Magik and Magneto are in hiding – is this a hint of a new mutant team. (Yes it’s time to pitch my Avenging X-Menidea again!)
The Marvel Universe is reset. New mutants are being born. A new kind of team (Uncanny Avengers) is being created. The search for a new leader of the X-Men begins. The fate of Hope is up in the air. The Phoenix brought death and rebirth.
Overall I’m mixed on the final chapter but intrigued about the aftermath and consequences.
Avengers vs. X-Men #12 The final chapter! Who can stop a Cyclops possessed by Dark Phoenix? How will Hope and Scarlet Witch factor in the final battle?
Daredevil: End of Days #1 How does it end for The Man Without Fear? An all-star creative team in a story decades in the making. Reporter Ben Urich tells one last story – the final fate of Matt Murdock.
Doctor Who #1 A brand new series starring the Eleventh Time Lord? Who will be joining the Doctor in the Tardis for his first adventure?
Fatale #8It’s Hell in 1970’s Hollywood as the crime noir/horror series takes a huge turn. Will Josephine’s lost years on the year from the 1950’s to the 70’s be revealed. How will the seemingly immortal mystery woman escape the demonic man that’s been stalking her through the decades?
Uncanny X-Force #32 Claws will rip! Wolverine’s covert team vs. the new Brotherhood of Evil Mutants as Rick Remender’s Final Execution continues.
Arrogance Rex! Namor the Sub-Mariner is one of my favorite Marvel characters. He can come across as an arrogant, belligerent, vain snob. I love this guy.
Namor is a man of two worlds but uncomfortable in both. A ruler faced with an impossible duty. A romantic always falling for the wrong woman – especially brainy blondes belonging to another man.
Having Namor join the X-Men was genius. Marvel’s First Mutant allied his defeated Atlantean forces with Cyclops and the mutants of Utopia. Namor and Emma’s passionate past was an attraction they kept in check until the Phoenix Force threw gasoline and lit the match. I think Emma used her wiles the keep Namor in check but the Phoenix Force fed off their buried passion.
The Phoenix possessed Namor went too far. After coveting Emma Frost for years Namor defied Cyclops and tried to seduce her. Namor invaded and devistated Wakanda in an effort to wipe out the Avengers.
Namor is appearing in The Defenders which is coming to an end. He’s likely out of both X-Men and Avengers. So is Namor a fish out of water in the Marvel Now? Or could this be a bold new chapter for Marvel’s first mutant?
Namor will be isolated and hated by some. It’s time to have the Sub-Mariner play the villain again. I think Ben Grimm would say he was never that heroic!
Uncanny X-Men #12 courtesy Marvel
In the past Namor has allied with Doctor Doom, attacked New York City and been an enemy of the Fantastic Four. I consider Namor be in the same league with old school Magneto. Namor was fighting to save his people and his kingdom no matter what it took. There’s an old theory about his boiling Atlantean/human blood driving him mad and into his extreme measures.
It’s safe to say Black Panther will not be forgiving Namor for the destruction of his homeland, Namor’s alliance with the X-Men has been shattered and even old friend Steve Rogers may not let Namor off for his crimes.
Namor: The First Mutant #1 courtesy Marvel
Where does that leave this classic character in the Marvel NOW?
A villain?
A rogue antihero in a new solo series – think Punisher but with winged feet?
Part of a movement born in the aftermath of AvX? Scott and Emma’s relationship is probably over so could the former White Queen finally give in to Namor and form the Avenging X-Men?
A love interest for She-Hulk in FF?
Because of his actions in AvX and his history Namor is an iconic character could lead to a flood of story potential in the Marvel Now.
