Wolverine and the X-Men became my favorite post-Schim X-book. Jason Aaron was pitch perfect balancing action with dark humor, romance, teen angst and ultimately a shocking tragedy.
It’s back to school time. Writer Jason Aaron and Editor Nick Lowe share their lesson plan for the students and staff of the Jean Grey School. One character that experienced huge growth was the arrogant heir to the Shi’ar throne. Kubark learned to love his human classmates and was humbled when his father was brutally beaten by the Phoenix Five during AvX. Kubark will be back.
“We will see Kid Gladiator again, not necessarily at the school. He will be popping up again. It’s all part of the plan,” said Aaron, “One of my proudest father moments was my son telling me he wanted to be Kid Gladiator for Halloween. Then I had to tell him I had no idea how to make a Kid Gladiator costume.”
I never thought I call a Brood lovable but Jason Aaron made everyone fall for Broo. This other alien refugee was the center of a major storyline last year involving Kitty’s “pregnancy” and one of the most heartbreaking issues I’ve read in a long time. As you can see by the preview art for this week’s Wolverine and the X-Men #19 Beast and Abigail Brand are trying to save Broo after the alien was shot by the Hellfire Club last issue.
Broo, Kid Gladiator and even Krakoa quickly became fan favorite characters of the series. Aaron says to expect more additions to the roster.
“I like injecting new characters into the book. I know people who are fans of the previous generations can get frustrated, but to me, I think we forget sometimes that you need your entry point into the X-Men. As a fan, your ideal dream team of X-Men is usually the one from when you started reading. Every generation needs that. It’s nice to have somebody on the ground floor.”
“I want the Jean Grey School to be a big part of the Marvel Universe. I liked writing a book that’s different and in its own corner, but that school and these characters are a big part of what’s going on, especially with Marvel NOW!,” Aaron said,” I like referencing and tying into stuff like FF and Daredevil whenever I can.”
The cast will go on a field trip to one of my favorite parts of the Marvel Universe. X-Men in the Savage Land is a tradition. My first comic book was Uncanny X-Men #116 To Save the Savage Land. so I always enjoy a return trip.
“The arc drawn by Ramon Perez in the Savage Land is not your typical Savage Land arc. It’s about Wolverine’s brother, Dog, showing up. Though if you’re an X-Man, fighting dinosaurs in the Savage Land is a rite of passage,” Aaron said.
You heard right – Wolverine’s brother.
“Dog is a tragic character. He was raised by an abusive father, watching his brother grow up in the house on the hill. I’m enjoying writing Wolverine’s rowdy redneck brother,” said Aaron.
“We’ve seen Wolverine’s family members in the past, and often they have similarities, but I think you’ll find Dog is unlike any of them.” adds Lowe.
Brian Michael Bendis is bringing back the original five students of Xavier’s in All-New X-Men.
“Jean Grey from All-New X-Men pops up in Wolverine & The X-Men #24. I won’t say who she’ll be interacting with. I can’t not have 16-year-old Jean Grey show up and interact with some of my characters,” said Aaron.
Wolverine and the X-Men #19 arrives this week. Storm will be joining as a teacher and expect new villains – Frankenstein and his murder circus on the way!
Here’s the Marvel.com liveblog link to see more.
By Editor