Eric J. Moreels
Feb 7, 2003, 05:50 am
<a href="http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/previews/uxmen423.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/previews/uxmen423t.jpg" align=left alt="Uncanny X-Men #423 preview"></a>by Benjamin Ong Pang Kean, X-Fan Correspondent
Welcome to the second edition of On The Boards, a weekly column wherein X-Fan wrap-ups all the tidbits, teasers, and snippets of information posted by the many creators that grace the X-Fan forums. This week's column features Chris Claremont, Chuck Austen, Frank Tieri, Chris Giarrusso, and David Finch.
<center><hr width=50%></center>
Veteran X-Men writer Chris Claremont has been revealing numerous tidbits about his upcoming stories (see 'CLAREMONT'S 'X-TREME' PLANS' (http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=15567)) in his Cordially Chris (http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/forums/forumdisplay.php?s=&forumid=25) forum, not the least of which is the news that Kitty Pryde, who recently starred in the MekaniX mini-series, is scheduled for an appearance in X-Treme X-Men #25-28.
<a href="http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/previews/0403/Xtreme_Xmen_24.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/previews/0403/Xtreme_Xmen_24t.jpg" align=right alt="X-Treme X-Men #24 preview"></a>Claremont also revealed that the team will be getting a new member, but they won't be a mutant.
"There will be an actual human on the team but at current writing Red Lotus won't be that person. However, it *will* be a character who's already appeared in X-Treme. (You'll find out, assuming all goes well, in #29.)"
Vargas, the villain who killed Psylocke in issue #3, will be making a return to the pages of X-Treme X-Men soon.
On the subject of his Storm original graphic novel with former Soldier X artist Igor Kordey, Claremont said that it is "still in production. Release date, {however} is to be determined. Yukio and Storm are together again in the {OGN}."
Former X-Factor member Strong Guy will also be "integral" to the Storm story.
<center><hr width=50%></center>
<a href="http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/previews/0403/UNCANNY_X_421.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/previews/0403/UNCANNY_X_421t.jpg" align=right alt="Uncanny X-Men #421 preview"></a>Uncanny X-Men writer Chuck Austen has been letting several cats out of their bags in his Austen Powers (http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/forums/forumdisplay.php?s=&forumid=69) forum, including the revelation that he will deal with the long-running third Summers brother plotline "once and for all."
The writer also confirmed that the departing Stacy X will be replaced by two "full" members, "one has been seen already, and the other hasn't shown up yet."
Regarding Bobby Drake's attitude shift of late, the writer posted that there are "many" reasons for this, "although the secondary mutation is a BIG part of it. By #425, you'll know exactly what's bugging him." The next clue on Iceman's secondary mutation will appear in #421.
Havok will be getting a new costume when he wakes from his coma. "You'll see it soon. Just saw a new cover featuring the new look, and it's awesome."
When asked whether he would be chronicling more adventures of the Exiles following the story in this week's X-Men Unlimited #41, Austen revealed that he is currently writing an arc that will have an effect on Uncanny X-Men.
"The book will stick to the pages of Exiles, but it will feature continuity that will affect the Uncanny title. Big continuity. {However,} it won't {crossover with Uncanny}. It's all contained in Exiles. Only three issues {of the five-issue arc} are set in the regular Marvel Universe."
<a href="http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/previews/0103/XMen_Unlimited_41.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/previews/0103/XMen_Unlimited_41t.jpg" align=right alt="X-Men Unlimited #41 preview"></a>The busy scribe explained that his story is set between Winick's stories, saying, "Mine came between stories that had a large gap in between them. So I was able to change and deal with things, somewhat, but I have to leave it as Judd's next story comes in, with all the changes in character that incurs. {It} worked out great. I'm almost done with my scripts and they were a lot of fun. Exiles is a great premise with fantastic characters, owing entirely to Judd's skill and talent."
Austen refuted speculation that he may take over the writing duties on Exiles full time.
"There's no chance of me taking the reigns on Exiles," he replied. "My plate is more than full with everything else I'm doing these days."
<center><hr width=50%></center>
<a href="http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/previews/0203/WEAPON_X_6.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/previews/0203/WEAPON_X_6t.jpg" align=right alt="Weapon X #6 preview"></a>Weapon X writer Frank Tieri posted in his To Be Perfectly Frank (http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/forums/forumdisplay.php?s=&forumid=26) forum that Weapon X is "not a team per se, but a Program." For the uninitiated, Tieri went on to explain that "the Director heads it up, Jackson is his second in command, Dr Windsor heads up the scientific end of things and Kane is the top agent (the agents are many times on their own, but when together, Kane is in charge). The other agents are Mesmero, Washout (who is Hispanic), Sauron, Aurora, Marrow, Wildchild. Agent Zero is the Program's 'cleaner' and doesn't answer to (or really has any contact with) anyone other than the Director and Jackson. People like Box and Sabretooth are special cases and don't fit into any mold (Box is brainwashed and kept in solitary confinement and Sabes is part of the Program against his will)."
Tieri also discussed the upcoming arc, 'The Underground', saying, "Nathan Summers is definitely appearing - and what an appearance it is (issue #6, kids- mark it on your calendar). Good ol' Nate will be in a lot more than just one issue. Nathan Summers will represent the greatest threat from the outside the Program has ever known."
Tieri added that Agent Zero will make a return appearance during 'The Underground'.
The writer also hinted at possibly more deaths to follow the events of issue #5 which saw several characters executed, most notably former X-Man Maggott.
"Issue #12 will shake things up a bit as far as who goes and who stays. {And} despite speculation to the contrary, Diamond Lil and Random are NOT dead - they just got the hell beat out of them, is all."
<a href="http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/covers/wolv-163.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/covers/wolv-163t.jpg" align=right alt="Wolverine (2nd series) #163"></a>Regarding a trade paperback collection for Weapon X, Tieri replied, "To my understanding, the one shots and first five issues will indeed be collected in a trade (when it comes out escapes me). As for the price hike, yeah, I know it sucks, guys and I'm sorry for it. If I can, I'm going to try to do a little something make up for it somehow for the loyal Weapon X readers. I just haven't been able to figure out what yet."
Tieri also divulged that he'd like to do more with the Shiverman, the mysterious bounty hunter that first appeared in the pages of Wolverine.
"As much as I'd like to do a Shiverman limited {series} or one-shot, it seems the current climate at Marvel frowns on either of those formats. Oh well..."
<center><hr width=50%></center>
<a href="http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/previews/spideymm1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/previews/spideymm1t.jpg" align=right alt="Spidey and The Mini-Marvels preview"></a>In his Giarrusso's Bits (http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/forums/forumdisplay.php?s=&forumid=68) forum, Bullpen Bits creator Chris Giarrusso revealed that there will be appearances by other X-Men besides Wolverine and Nightcrawler in March's Spidey and The Mini-Marvels one-shot (see 'MORE MINI-MARVELS IN MARCH' (http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=15050)).
"There's a handful of other X-Men also making very minor appearances - Cyclops, Jean Grey, Angel, Iceman, Spyke, Storm, and Rogue," Giarrusso posted.
<center><hr width=50%></center>
Ultimate X-Men artist David Finch recently posted high praise for inbound writer Brian Michael Bendis (see 'BENDIS TALKS ULTIMATE X-MEN' (http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=15398)) in his Finch Files (http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/forums/forumdisplay.php?s=&forumid=79) forum.
"I can tell you that I'm really looking forward to it," Finch posted. "Brian Bendis is a great, great, great writer. It's going to be a blast! I got his first plot (issue #34), and it's so well done. All the characters have such an individual voice to them... it's perfectly paced, from lots of small tight shots, to big splashes, and back again. It's actually very Chuck Austen-ish for me. They're different sorts of writers obviously, and I don't want to lump them together, but their plots just flow for me. It makes it a pleasure to draw. I can tell I'm really going to enjoy this stuff."
"I've only seen the opening, so I can't tell you who does or doesn't appear during the course of the story. Whoever the baddies are, they do appear in the first issue, but they aren't revealed."
<center><hr width=50%></center>
That's it for the second edition of On The Boards. Remember, you can check in with over two dozen industry professionals such as those quoted above in X-Fan's Creator Discussion forums by clicking here (http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/forums/forumdisplay.php?s=&forumid=22).
Welcome to the second edition of On The Boards, a weekly column wherein X-Fan wrap-ups all the tidbits, teasers, and snippets of information posted by the many creators that grace the X-Fan forums. This week's column features Chris Claremont, Chuck Austen, Frank Tieri, Chris Giarrusso, and David Finch.
<center><hr width=50%></center>
Veteran X-Men writer Chris Claremont has been revealing numerous tidbits about his upcoming stories (see 'CLAREMONT'S 'X-TREME' PLANS' (http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=15567)) in his Cordially Chris (http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/forums/forumdisplay.php?s=&forumid=25) forum, not the least of which is the news that Kitty Pryde, who recently starred in the MekaniX mini-series, is scheduled for an appearance in X-Treme X-Men #25-28.
<a href="http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/previews/0403/Xtreme_Xmen_24.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/previews/0403/Xtreme_Xmen_24t.jpg" align=right alt="X-Treme X-Men #24 preview"></a>Claremont also revealed that the team will be getting a new member, but they won't be a mutant.
"There will be an actual human on the team but at current writing Red Lotus won't be that person. However, it *will* be a character who's already appeared in X-Treme. (You'll find out, assuming all goes well, in #29.)"
Vargas, the villain who killed Psylocke in issue #3, will be making a return to the pages of X-Treme X-Men soon.
On the subject of his Storm original graphic novel with former Soldier X artist Igor Kordey, Claremont said that it is "still in production. Release date, {however} is to be determined. Yukio and Storm are together again in the {OGN}."
Former X-Factor member Strong Guy will also be "integral" to the Storm story.
<center><hr width=50%></center>
<a href="http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/previews/0403/UNCANNY_X_421.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/previews/0403/UNCANNY_X_421t.jpg" align=right alt="Uncanny X-Men #421 preview"></a>Uncanny X-Men writer Chuck Austen has been letting several cats out of their bags in his Austen Powers (http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/forums/forumdisplay.php?s=&forumid=69) forum, including the revelation that he will deal with the long-running third Summers brother plotline "once and for all."
The writer also confirmed that the departing Stacy X will be replaced by two "full" members, "one has been seen already, and the other hasn't shown up yet."
Regarding Bobby Drake's attitude shift of late, the writer posted that there are "many" reasons for this, "although the secondary mutation is a BIG part of it. By #425, you'll know exactly what's bugging him." The next clue on Iceman's secondary mutation will appear in #421.
Havok will be getting a new costume when he wakes from his coma. "You'll see it soon. Just saw a new cover featuring the new look, and it's awesome."
When asked whether he would be chronicling more adventures of the Exiles following the story in this week's X-Men Unlimited #41, Austen revealed that he is currently writing an arc that will have an effect on Uncanny X-Men.
"The book will stick to the pages of Exiles, but it will feature continuity that will affect the Uncanny title. Big continuity. {However,} it won't {crossover with Uncanny}. It's all contained in Exiles. Only three issues {of the five-issue arc} are set in the regular Marvel Universe."
<a href="http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/previews/0103/XMen_Unlimited_41.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/previews/0103/XMen_Unlimited_41t.jpg" align=right alt="X-Men Unlimited #41 preview"></a>The busy scribe explained that his story is set between Winick's stories, saying, "Mine came between stories that had a large gap in between them. So I was able to change and deal with things, somewhat, but I have to leave it as Judd's next story comes in, with all the changes in character that incurs. {It} worked out great. I'm almost done with my scripts and they were a lot of fun. Exiles is a great premise with fantastic characters, owing entirely to Judd's skill and talent."
Austen refuted speculation that he may take over the writing duties on Exiles full time.
"There's no chance of me taking the reigns on Exiles," he replied. "My plate is more than full with everything else I'm doing these days."
<center><hr width=50%></center>
<a href="http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/previews/0203/WEAPON_X_6.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/previews/0203/WEAPON_X_6t.jpg" align=right alt="Weapon X #6 preview"></a>Weapon X writer Frank Tieri posted in his To Be Perfectly Frank (http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/forums/forumdisplay.php?s=&forumid=26) forum that Weapon X is "not a team per se, but a Program." For the uninitiated, Tieri went on to explain that "the Director heads it up, Jackson is his second in command, Dr Windsor heads up the scientific end of things and Kane is the top agent (the agents are many times on their own, but when together, Kane is in charge). The other agents are Mesmero, Washout (who is Hispanic), Sauron, Aurora, Marrow, Wildchild. Agent Zero is the Program's 'cleaner' and doesn't answer to (or really has any contact with) anyone other than the Director and Jackson. People like Box and Sabretooth are special cases and don't fit into any mold (Box is brainwashed and kept in solitary confinement and Sabes is part of the Program against his will)."
Tieri also discussed the upcoming arc, 'The Underground', saying, "Nathan Summers is definitely appearing - and what an appearance it is (issue #6, kids- mark it on your calendar). Good ol' Nate will be in a lot more than just one issue. Nathan Summers will represent the greatest threat from the outside the Program has ever known."
Tieri added that Agent Zero will make a return appearance during 'The Underground'.
The writer also hinted at possibly more deaths to follow the events of issue #5 which saw several characters executed, most notably former X-Man Maggott.
"Issue #12 will shake things up a bit as far as who goes and who stays. {And} despite speculation to the contrary, Diamond Lil and Random are NOT dead - they just got the hell beat out of them, is all."
<a href="http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/covers/wolv-163.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/covers/wolv-163t.jpg" align=right alt="Wolverine (2nd series) #163"></a>Regarding a trade paperback collection for Weapon X, Tieri replied, "To my understanding, the one shots and first five issues will indeed be collected in a trade (when it comes out escapes me). As for the price hike, yeah, I know it sucks, guys and I'm sorry for it. If I can, I'm going to try to do a little something make up for it somehow for the loyal Weapon X readers. I just haven't been able to figure out what yet."
Tieri also divulged that he'd like to do more with the Shiverman, the mysterious bounty hunter that first appeared in the pages of Wolverine.
"As much as I'd like to do a Shiverman limited {series} or one-shot, it seems the current climate at Marvel frowns on either of those formats. Oh well..."
<center><hr width=50%></center>
<a href="http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/previews/spideymm1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/previews/spideymm1t.jpg" align=right alt="Spidey and The Mini-Marvels preview"></a>In his Giarrusso's Bits (http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/forums/forumdisplay.php?s=&forumid=68) forum, Bullpen Bits creator Chris Giarrusso revealed that there will be appearances by other X-Men besides Wolverine and Nightcrawler in March's Spidey and The Mini-Marvels one-shot (see 'MORE MINI-MARVELS IN MARCH' (http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=15050)).
"There's a handful of other X-Men also making very minor appearances - Cyclops, Jean Grey, Angel, Iceman, Spyke, Storm, and Rogue," Giarrusso posted.
<center><hr width=50%></center>
Ultimate X-Men artist David Finch recently posted high praise for inbound writer Brian Michael Bendis (see 'BENDIS TALKS ULTIMATE X-MEN' (http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=15398)) in his Finch Files (http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/forums/forumdisplay.php?s=&forumid=79) forum.
"I can tell you that I'm really looking forward to it," Finch posted. "Brian Bendis is a great, great, great writer. It's going to be a blast! I got his first plot (issue #34), and it's so well done. All the characters have such an individual voice to them... it's perfectly paced, from lots of small tight shots, to big splashes, and back again. It's actually very Chuck Austen-ish for me. They're different sorts of writers obviously, and I don't want to lump them together, but their plots just flow for me. It makes it a pleasure to draw. I can tell I'm really going to enjoy this stuff."
"I've only seen the opening, so I can't tell you who does or doesn't appear during the course of the story. Whoever the baddies are, they do appear in the first issue, but they aren't revealed."
<center><hr width=50%></center>
That's it for the second edition of On The Boards. Remember, you can check in with over two dozen industry professionals such as those quoted above in X-Fan's Creator Discussion forums by clicking here (http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/forums/forumdisplay.php?s=&forumid=22).