VAN SCIVER ANNOUNCES PHOENIX ICON MINI

[Eric J. Moreels]

{Originally posted at X-Fan v3.1 on January 20, 2002}

Regular New X-Men fill-in artist Ethan Van Sciver recently announced on his Yahoo! Club (http://clubs.yahoo.com/clubs/ethanvansciverfanclub) that he will be pencilling a four-issue Phoenix mini-series, starring Jean Grey, as part of the X-Men Icons line.

"I'm really in the mood to break out and produce something lovely," Van Sciver posted. "Blowing deadlines with my masochistic, meticulous pencilwork has just brought things to a head. I've been working on X-Men for 6 months, and I've got 3 books to show for it, none of which I'm entirely pleased with. I don't care about time. I don't like to feel rushed. I really just want to float on air when I'm drawing, and feel inspired and free. Does all of this sound like sappy fluff? Yes, well, this is all I do all day long. Indulge me."

"I decided that I need to pick a project outside of the pace of New X-Men, and just enjoy it. Something I really cared about. And so I'm drawing and co-plotting a four part Jean Grey: Phoenix miniseries for 2002. I'm taking my time with it, and letting go of New X-Men for the time it takes to complete it. I want to devote my entire energy to 100 pages of the most beautiful artwork I am capable of. Properly honoring my favorite Marvel comics character. My writer will remain undisclosed for now."

"The Phoenix miniseries is going to be a blast. We're still hammering out the plot, frankly, since I'm not positive what I'd like to do with this. I'd like to do 800 issues of Jean, honestly, but we only have 4, so the story has to be briefer than I'd like it to be."

Van Sciver then asked subscribers to the list for their input as to what they would like to see in the limited series.

"I was wondering what kind of stuff you'd like to see in a Jean Grey miniseries. Other X-Men who should (briefly) appear? A villain maybe? Please don't post plot ideas, just little tidbits that might warm your hearts. :) "

[GnR]

Looking forward to it. :yes:
About time Jean gets a Limited Series on her own. :kiss:

[Monolith]

This is great. Jean started out very much in the background in Morrison's first few issues. She's been moving into the spotlight more, and a (GOOD) Icon series will clinch it.

[xtremexman]

Yes, it is about time that Jean Grey gets a spotlight all her own. The last time we saw her in a more pivotal role was in the "Eve of Destruction" storyline. In it, she brought together her own team of X Men and lead them herself in a battle against Magneto. Her team consisted of Frenzy (former member of the Acolytes), Northstar (former member of Alpha Flight), Hector Rendoza (neophyte), Paulie Provenzano (neophyte), Sunpyre (Leyu, sister of the original Sunfire), and Dazzler (former member of the X Men). To put together such a rag tag team of X Men took a lot of courage, but she pulled it off.

Not since then have we truly seen her in the spotlight, and this upcoming mini series will be something fans have been waiting for for a very long time.

[AlyxNsac]

This is wonderful news! His work is great, I just prey that her becoming "Phoenix" again in name and power is addressed. Jean is my all time favorite x-man (even more than Sage, can ya believe it?) it's about time she gets her own book!

[xtremexman]

You know what I would like to see? A while back it was mentioned that if some of the Icons series sold well enough, those individual characters could get their own monthly titles. This would fit in well with the release of X Men 2, because all of the characters in that film that by that time have had their own Icons mini series (depending on how well each of them sold) would get their own ongoing. Think about it - it would be perfect timing.

[Seventh Sense]

Yeah!! This is great news!! Jean is one of my faves, but having read some of the icons, this also makes me VERY nervous about the outcome. I know already the art will be superb (I love Van Sciver's art!:D), but I'll wait till I hear about the writer....

[xtremexman]

As far as I know, Cyclops and Rogue will be the first two X Men Icons to get their own ongoings. I don't know exactly how that is going to turn out, but I can't wait to see it happen. I want Cyclops to be done by the man behind Deadpool as of late. Since Scott Summers supposedly returned from the dead, he hasn't been pulling any of his punches. Cyclops is now acting like the bad ass we all thought he would never be, and I for one am happy about the change.

Giving his ongoing to the current creative team of Deadpool would be an interesting sight to behold. As for Rogue, I am not so sure. Hand her ongoing over to the original creative team of Gambit's. That would make sense, seeing as how the two characters share a deep connection. Other than that, I really don't know what to say.

[Bradmon]

I just hope they don't try to rehash the Phoenix Force thing to death in this Icon series. I mean...when is it enough? Ok, Jean's powerful, we get it.

[xtremexman]

Originally posted by Bradmon
I just hope they don't try to rehash the Phoenix Force thing to death in this Icon series. I mean...when is it enough? Ok, Jean's powerful, we get it.

What confused me the most is that after Operation: Zero Tolerance Jean Grey became known as Phoenix again, but she wasn't possessed by the Phoenix Force. To tell you the truth, I don't think that was ever explained.

[Bradmon]

Originally posted by xtremexman


What confused me the most is that after Operation: Zero Tolerance Jean Grey became known as Phoenix again, but she wasn't possessed by the Phoenix Force. To tell you the truth, I don't think that was ever explained.

Oh, Jean's been known as Phoenix since her honeymoon with Cyclops. Brace yourself...it's explanation time:

On their honeymoon, Scott and Jean were pulled into the future, inhabiting different bodies. There, they raised little Nathan Summers for about 12 years. When a very aged Rachel Summers died, she passed on the Phoenix title to Jean. When Jean returned to the present in her real body, she kept the name in Rachel's honor, but she didn't have the Phoenix Force.

Now that Rachel has returned, Jean gave up the title (I'm speculating). The whole "Phoenix effect" Jean did during Claremont's second run was a mere telepathic light show, kind of like Psylocke's "butterfly effect".

[Monolith]

Originally posted by Bradmon


Oh, Jean's been known as Phoenix since her honeymoon with Cyclops. Brace yourself...it's explanation time:

On their honeymoon, Scott and Jean were pulled into the future, inhabiting different bodies. There, they raised little Nathan Summers for about 12 years. When a very aged Rachel Summers died, she passed on the Phoenix title to Jean. When Jean returned to the present in her real body, she kept the name in Rachel's honor, but she didn't have the Phoenix Force.

Now that Rachel has returned, Jean gave up the title (I'm speculating). The whole "Phoenix effect" Jean did during Claremont's second run was a mere telepathic light show, kind of like Psylocke's "butterfly effect".

Problem is, Jean doesn't know Rachel is back yet and Rachel has made no claims to the Phoenix identity.

[xtremexman]

Originally posted by Bradmon


Oh, Jean's been known as Phoenix since her honeymoon with Cyclops. Brace yourself...it's explanation time:

On their honeymoon, Scott and Jean were pulled into the future, inhabiting different bodies. There, they raised little Nathan Summers for about 12 years. When a very aged Rachel Summers died, she passed on the Phoenix title to Jean. When Jean returned to the present in her real body, she kept the name in Rachel's honor, but she didn't have the Phoenix Force.

Now that Rachel has returned, Jean gave up the title (I'm speculating). The whole "Phoenix effect" Jean did during Claremont's second run was a mere telepathic light show, kind of like Psylocke's "butterfly effect".

Oh, I knew about the whole Cyclops/Phoenix thing already. But the last part of your explanation I knew nothing about.

[Lauren Dougherty]

Hell yeah! :smirk:

Finally, Jean gets a limited series! *breathes* I truly can't contain my joy at this lovely news. :yes:

It's really nice to hear an artist, such as uber-talented Ethan Van Sciver, talk about a project with such passion and excitement. I also can't wait to find out who's going to be writing this series.

I will definitely be picking up copies of this one. ;)

[Blink]

Like everyone else, I'm thrilled that Jean is getting her own limited series & I'm equally as thrilled to know that a passionate fan of the character is the artist & co-writer. :cool:

As for what I'd like to see, I've already stated my main desire on Ethan's Yahoo club about giving Jean a nemesis that will physically, emotionally, & psychologically challenge her.

The only other thing I can think of is for me to appear in a panel. It's just a thought. ;):joker:

[JMP]

When Did Rachel Summers Come Back? And how do you get a Blink Smiley?

[evenstar]

I posted a whole list of things I would like to see on the previous board. I only hope Mr. van Sciver got the chance to read it! :(

[hawksquill]

You know what I would like to see? A while back it was mentioned that if some of the Icons series sold well enough, those individual characters could get their own monthly titles. This would fit in well with the release of X Men 2, because all of the characters in that film that by that time have had their own Icons mini series (depending on how well each of them sold) would get their own ongoing. Think about it - it would be perfect timing.


This here is a BAD, BAD, BAD idea.

Too many X-Books already messed up the X-Men already, right? The only thing that's keeping them together right now is Quesada's commitment to keeping books autonomous, i.e. you don't have to read NXM to follow UXM and vice versa. Throwing monthly series around for the sake of characters as opposed to the sake of creators will screw up the X-Men again.

Now if someone really cool like Neil Gaiman, Alan Davis or Chris Bachalo comes along and says, I want to do a monthly series with, say, Nightcrawler, than cool, do it for that reason. But I can't think of something WORSE for the X-titles than a meaningless Cyclops monthly series staffed by a rotating cast of creators who don't care about the story, just as long as the guy with the Red Visor from the movie is on the cover.

[John C]

Phoenix is my favorite character (shame to all you who didn't know that!!) and it is about time she's gotten a mini-series devoted all to her! Every character other than Jean Grey has had at least one mini-series before (in some cases other X-Men have had 2, ie: Gambit, Bishop, Rogue, etc.). I hope this will have a positive outcome for Jean's characterization, one that will have meaning to her character in the core titles.

I REALLY hope this mini-series will bring back Jean's Phoenix effect and Phoenix symbol. I also hope that Jean will be the ONLY character in her mini. Maybe have Cyclops in 5 panels (at most) being he is her husband.

I can't wait to see who the co-writer is! Being Ethan is a such a huge Phoenix fan, I'm sure this mini-series will be great no matter who his partner is. (Please Claremont, pleeeaaaase!)

That's enough from me for now. :)

[JMP]

Uhm...the Phoenix effect is soooooooo 1980's. And I know the eighties are back in a big way, but please...let the Phoenix go. It's old. It's boring. It's a dead horse that too many people have beaten.

[xtremexman]

Originally posted by hawksquill



This here is a BAD, BAD, BAD idea.

Too many X-Books already messed up the X-Men already, right? The only thing that's keeping them together right now is Quesada's commitment to keeping books autonomous, i.e. you don't have to read NXM to follow UXM and vice versa. Throwing monthly series around for the sake of characters as opposed to the sake of creators will screw up the X-Men again.

Now if someone really cool like Neil Gaiman, Alan Davis or Chris Bachalo comes along and says, I want to do a monthly series with, say, Nightcrawler, than cool, do it for that reason. But I can't think of something WORSE for the X-titles than a meaningless Cyclops monthly series staffed by a rotating cast of creators who don't care about the story, just as long as the guy with the Red Visor from the movie is on the cover.

Sorry, but it is a known fact that Marvel is seriously considering giving Cyclops and Rogue their own ongoings. Despite the fact that you may think a Cyclops ongoing would be meaningless, it just might happen. It all depends on the timing. Right now I don't know what is going on other than the fact that it is being considered. The ongoings could come at any time, and that means whenever Marvel decides to publish them.

Iceman is another possibility, as is Nightcrawler. It is just up to Marvel to choose when those ongoings should come out.

[Brian Wilkinson]

so many mini's... not enough cash.


I'll wait until I see the solicits before making a firm decision, though. I usually prefer to stick to ongoing books overall.


Anyone have a fish?

[xtremexman]

Originally posted by The7thParallel
so many mini's... not enough cash.


I'll wait until I see the solicits before making a firm decision, though. I usually prefer to stick to ongoing books overall.


Anyone have a fish?

I don't have that much cash, either. That is one of the many reason why I prefer ongoings - because of the money it takes to buy into mini's. It's just too much. I just recently blew four paychecks on subscriptions to X Treme X Men and Exiles, and at the moment I am broke. Next Friday I will be getting paid again, so I figured I would subscribe to Thunderbolts seeing as how I can't find any issues of the ongoing anywhere.

Other titles I intend on subscribing to are Avengers, Fantastic Four, Captain America, Iron Man, Thor, Black Panther, Amazing Spider Man, Peter Parker: Spider Man, The Incredible Hulk, Wolverine, and Cable. Mini series' just don't fit into my schedule, and I don't think they ever will. As far as your rather unusual request goes, you are in luck. I just caught a 20 pound fish yesterday.

[CPunkDude]

Jean has been a mainstay of the X-men for four decades, and it's about time she got her due with a mini. Normally, I'm not a big fan of the mini's, but if they can pull a good writer in, just having a story arc of Jean's all to herself will be well worth it.

[xtremexman]

Originally posted by CPunkDude
Jean has been a mainstay of the X-men for four decades, and it's about time she got her due with a mini. Normally, I'm not a big fan of the mini's, but if they can pull a good writer in, just having a story arc of Jean's all to herself will be well worth it.

She has been a part of mini's before, but they were always with other X Men characters. She was never really on her own in a mini, but rather in Cyclops' shadow. It would be a quick change of pace to see Jean in her own mini, because this is something that has never happened before. I won't be collecting the mini, but I will be paying attention to it when it comes out. Just imagine what will happen to Jean's character after the mini is over with.

Now that would truly be well worth it.

[Blink]

Most of the time when we see Jean she's potrayed as a mother-figure: always caring & helpful.

I have no problem with showing that Jean loves and cares for her friends & teammates, but what is always forgotten is that she was one of Xavier's first students & X-Men; she's learned how to be tough when needed. It's been easier for X-writers to make other women like Storm or Psylocke be the "tough one."
Plus it's been rare to see Jean use her telekinesis as an offensive weapon.

Jean has so much potential as a character because she has the experience & heart to be a leader or for that matter a woman who can go on a solo mission. She showed a little of this side of her in the original Adventures of Cyclops & Phoenix and in Scott Lobdell's most recent run on the X-Men. Note, this side of her has only been seen with others, never on her own.

It's about time we, the Jean fans & X-Men fans, got to see what Jean "Phoenix" Grey-Summers can do on her own.

Here's Ethan Van Sciver's response to a suggestion and thoughts on his limited series from one of his posts on his Yahoo Club:
I like the tatoo idea, but not as such. I'm not sure Jean would do it. Jean's wildside isn't about defacing her body. That's more Roxy from Gen 13. I think Jean's tasted the kind of power that swallows planets, and little rebellions like body art wouldn't do much for her. But I am thinking about the Phoenix symbol alot.

I too don't care for alternate reality story arcs and characters. I don't understand the point of them. They seem cowardly, like, here's a wild idea that we're afraid to make continuity, so let's do it without DOING it. That bores me. Either have a daughter for Wolverine or don't. Either have a baby for Scott and Jean or don't. Make things COUNT. If you think about it, nothing huge has happened to Jean since X-men 137, which is why every keeps referring back to it, even 20 years later. I'm not saying that I want to do something as massive as Dark Phoenix with this, but come on. Enough clones and future bi-dimensional blah blah blahs.

[xtremexman]

Originally posted by Blink
Most of the time when we see Jean she's potrayed as a mother-figure: always caring & helpful.

I have no problem with showing that Jean loves and cares for her friends & teammates, but what is always forgotten is that she was one of Xavier's first students & X-Men; she's learned how to be tough when needed. It's been easier for X-writers to make other women like Storm or Psylocke be the "tough one."
Plus it's been rare to see Jean use her telekinesis as an offensive weapon.

Jean has so much potential as a character because she has the experience & heart to be a leader or for that matter a woman who can go on a solo mission. She showed a little of this side of her in the original Adventures of Cyclops & Phoenix and in Scott Lobdell's most recent run on the X-Men. Note, this side of her has only been seen with others, never on her own.

It's about time we, the Jean fans & X-Men fans, got to see what Jean "Phoenix" Grey-Summers can do on her own.

Here's Ethan Van Sciver's response to a suggestion and thoughts on his limited series from one of his posts on his Yahoo Club:


It hasn't been forgotten that Jean Grey was one of the original X Men. Anybody who has ever been a fan of the X books can remember that. It has just been forgotten that if necessary, Jean could walk away from the team and take care of herself. She doesn't need Cyclops for that. She can do just fine on her own, and it is about time that something like that happens.

[Blink]

Originally posted by JMP
And how do you get a Blink Smiley?

Sorry, JMP, but the Blink Smiley is my secret. However, what do you think of these guys:

Beast http://www.homestead.com/kittaria/files/Beast01.gif Roguehttp://www.homestead.com/kittaria/files/Rogue01.gif White Queen http://www.homestead.com/kittaria/files/EmmaFrost01.gifMystique http://www.homestead.com/kittaria/files/Mystique02.gif Toad http://www.homestead.com/kittaria/files/Toad01.gif


Originally posted by xtremexman
It hasn't been forgotten that Jean Grey was one of the original X Men. Anybody who has ever been a fan of the X books can remember that. It has just been forgotten that if necessary, Jean could walk away from the team and take care of herself. She doesn't need Cyclops for that. She can do just fine on her own, and it is about time that something like that happens.

I guess what I mean is that since Jean was the first girl on the team, it was easier for the X-writers to give her all the conventional girl attributes (caring, giving, ladylike, etc) & somewhere along the way this ideal stuck for Jean. Making a "tough" X-Woman was easier to do to a "newer" woman.

I didn't mean to say that people have forgotten where Jean came from. I just meant that it's hard or next to impossible to change people's perception of a well-established character.

[xtremexman]

Originally posted by Blink


Sorry, JMP, but the Blink Smiley is my secret. However, what do you think of these guys:

Beast http://www.homestead.com/kittaria/files/Beast01.gif Roguehttp://www.homestead.com/kittaria/files/Rogue01.gif White Queen http://www.homestead.com/kittaria/files/EmmaFrost01.gifMystique http://www.homestead.com/kittaria/files/Mystique02.gif Toad http://www.homestead.com/kittaria/files/Toad01.gif




I guess what I mean is that since Jean was the first girl on the team, it was easier for the X-writers to give her all the conventional girl attributes (caring, giving, ladylike, etc) & somewhere along the way this ideal stuck for Jean. Making a "tough" X-Woman was easier to do to a "newer" woman.

I didn't mean to say that people have forgotten where Jean came from. I just meant that it's hard or next to impossible to change people's perception of a well-established character.

Not only was Jean the first girl on the team, but she was the only girl on the team at the time. Being the only girl was a big stretch for her, at least I seem to think so. Jean was constantly misused, though. She was rarely ever given her own spotlight, and even then it was with at least 1 or more fellow X Men.

It just wasn't right. Thank God they are giving Jean her own mini. It's about damn time.

[Blink]

Originally posted by xtremexman


Not only was Jean the first girl on the team, but she was the only girl on the team at the time. Being the only girl was a big stretch for her, at least I seem to think so. Jean was constantly misused, though. She was rarely ever given her own spotlight, and even then it was with at least 1 or more fellow X Men.

It just wasn't right. Thank God they are giving Jean her own mini. It's about damn time.

I agree with you 100%, xtremexman; over the years, Jean has been misused. Now that a Jean fan will be co-writing her first limited series, I have faith that Jean will have a better portayal than in the past.

[xtremexman]

Originally posted by Blink


I agree with you 100%, xtremexman; over the years, Jean has been misused. Now that a Jean fan will be co-writing her first limited series, I have faith that Jean will have a better portayal than in the past.

I love to write women characters myself. Even when I do, I don't misuse them. I treat them as if they are real women, and I make sure to give them all the respect they deserve.

[Blink]

Originally posted by xtremexman


I love to write women characters myself. Even when I do, I don't misuse them. I treat them as if they are real women, and I make sure to give them all the respect they deserve.

You mean you make your female characters 3-dimensional, not just sugar & spice & everything nice.

[xgene]

It's about time! :) Out of the ICONS mins, I've enjoyed Nightcrawler the most, as I can easily identify with him as I'm a christian as well. Of course, Iceman's has been a good action story.

Jean has really come into the spotlight since Morrison has started writing her in NEW, especially the silent issue when her hair turns into the Phoenix shape and of course in the end of GERM FREE GENERATION when her Phoenix powers seemed to have returned .

I'm definately looking forward to this one.

[xtremexman]

Originally posted by Blink


You mean you make your female characters 3-dimensional, not just sugar & spice & everything nice.

If that means that not all my female characters are your token good girls, then that is a yes. When I create a female character, I try to make them as real as possible. If I create a good girl, there will be a reason as to why she is good. If I create a bad girl, there will be a reason as to why she is bad. It's that simple.

Every woman has a story, and my characters are no acception to the rule. Jean Grey is one of those women that can be either good or bad, or perhaps both at the same time. One thing that has been done too often though is the fact that for most of her career Jean has been portrayed as a good girl. The whole Dark Phoenix storyline was great, but when else have we seen her that evil? I think her attitude needs to be balanced out more, between good and bad.

That would make Jean's character even more interesting to work with.