AUSTEN TALKS UNCANNY

[Eric J. Moreels]

<a href="http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/previews/uncanny_x_405.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/previews/uncanny_x_405t.jpg" align=left alt="Uncanny X-Men #405 preview"></a>X-Fan recently caught up with inbound Uncanny X-Men writer Chuck Austen to find out more about his plans for Marvel's premier mutant title when he takes over in July with issue #410.

X-FAN: How did you land the job of writing Uncanny X-Men?

AUSTEN: It started when {Uncanny X-Men editors} Mark Powers and Pete Franco read U.S. War Machine and liked it. That led to Ultimate X-Men #13 and #14, the Gambit 2-parter. We were all really happy and proud of that, and we all liked working together a great deal. We had discussed at different times working together on something else, but nothing came up. Then Uncanny came available and Mark and Pete went to bat for me, a relative unknown. Marvel went for it, and here we are.

X-FAN: Will you be following up on any of the plots laid down by outgoing scribe Joe Casey?

AUSTEN: No. Joe apparently wrapped up most of what he had in mind, so I'm starting from scratch.

X-FAN: What subjects will you be tackling with your tenure on Uncanny X-Men?

AUSTEN: I'll be dealing specifically with the concept of evolution, and is it really a step forward, or a step sideways, or a step backward. I want to explore the ideas behind genetic mutation and what causes it, and where it is intended (by nature) to ultimately lead. I also want to explore just what it is the X-Men are and why they exist, both in terms of Xavier's dream, and in the context of nature.

X-FAN: Who's on art duty for your tenure?

AUSTEN: Ron Garney and Sean Phillips. Both tremendously talented guys whose work I admire greatly. Ron and I even had some of the same ideas and goals for where we'd like to take the X-Men, so it's been fun hammering that stuff out with him.

X-FAN: Will Uncanny X-Men maintain a close relationship with New X-Men?

AUSTEN: I'm not discussing with Grant {Morrison}, but Mark and Pete are, and they let me know. We apparently had some parallel ideas and they're working on helping me in cement them together.

X-FAN: What sort of stories can fans expect from you?

AUSTEN: Stuff like Ultimate X-Men #13 and #14. I tend to write more personal stories about character and relationships. More "romantically", giving the characters' personal motivations more power in why they do what they do. I'll leave the cosmic stuff to Grant.

X-FAN: What characters will you be featuring?

AUSTEN: Angel, because I always loved his character and look. I think there's a lot more that can be done with him than has been. He's more than just a guy with wings. He's a truer hero than some of the others. What he does is braver than say Wolverine because he has no super-strength, no claws, no healing powers. His life is in peril every time he takes a mission, and I plan to deal with that, his bravery, his heroism, and his uniqueness. I have to thank Pete Franco for making me see what an awesome character he really is.

Nightcrawler because I want to get him back to being fun again, like the sensitive prankster I loved as a kid.

Iceman, because Bobby is a great, untapped character with powers that are incredible and unique. He also gives an opportunity to be funny and light, something the series needs, I think. There's more I like about him, but I'll let the series reveal that.

Stacy X. There was some discussion about whether to keep her or not, and I decided I liked her too much for a variety of reasons. 1), she's a great POV character to explain things to the new reader. She's learning as the reader does who these people are and what they do and why. 2) She's also got the "wrong side of the tracks" thing that makes for great conflict, and being a former prostitute, there are levels to her that will be fascinating and interesting to explore. And 3) The team needs more women, not less.

Northstar. What can I say. Arrogant, homosexual, temperamental, wealthy, intelligent, conflicted. How could I NOT use someone with that much potential for tension?

Wolverine. Please. One of the greatest creations in comics history. Take him from my cold dead hands.

Professor X. I plan to make the Prof a more central figure.

You'll have to wait for the others.

X-FAN: Any hints as to who the others might be?

AUSTEN: Hmmm. Nope. Okay, this: One you might expect. The other you never would.

X-FAN: Will Nightcrawler still be a priest-in-training?

AUSTEN: Time will tell.

X-FAN: Will we see Iceman developing his powers more along the lines of what he's capable of as revealed in X-Men Forever?

AUSTEN: Didn't read that. Maybe I should. He will be developing more as a character, though.

X-FAN: Any hint as to villains the X-Men will be facing during your tenure?

AUSTEN: Some new, some old. Some people may be tired of, but with a different spin. No specific hints. I want some surprises.

X-FAN: What's it like being the writer for the original X-Men title?

AUSTEN: Pretty cool for me. I have no idea how the fans feel about it, Hopefully they like it, 'cause whether they do or don't, I'm the guy for the foreseeable future. I imagine it makes some of them nervous, since I'm a relative unknown.

X-FAN: Any nervousness on your part?

AUSTEN: Not since meeting with Mark and Pete.

X-FAN: How long do you envision staying on the title?

AUSTEN: As long as they'll have me. I have enough ideas to keep me going for a couple years, and I've only been thinking about it for a few weeks, now. It all depends on sales.

[atxbomber]

Great interview!

Even though I'm sad to see Casey go, I'm really looking forward to the Chuck Austen era. Also, glad to see that my suspiscion that he was talking about Warren when he said Angel was right. Hopefully he'll be using that codename on a permenant basis, as I've always liked that better that "Archangel" anyway.

[shadowmagik77]

Originally posted by atxbomber
Great interview!

Even though I'm sad to see Casey go, I'm really looking forward to the Chuck Austen era. Also, glad to see that my suspiscion that he was talking about Warren when he said Angel was right. Hopefully he'll be using that codename on a permenant basis, as I've always liked that better that "Archangel" anyway.

I too am glad to see that it was (as I stated ad infinitum) Warren he was referring to and not Morrison's "Angel."

I'm looking forward to Chuck's run on Uncanny!

-Shadowmagik

[cet]

Cool interview. I'm actually really excited about this! Not something that happens often for me. :) His ideas sound great, and I'm in complete agreement with him on a lot of his character stances (especially with Warren and Kurt). I'm very interested in this in particular:

I tend to write more personal stories about character and relationships.

I've always been a sucker for these types of stories, so I can't wait to see how he does with them. I'm enjoying his Gambit story in Ultimate right now, so hopefully that's a good sign. :)

[Bamfette]

defender of Casey or not, i think i will like Austens run.... he siad some things that i really like. the stuff about Angel (Archangel, whatever) was really great and i am very glad that it is now oficially cleared up that it IS indeed Warren.

but my very very favourite bit (well, duh) " Nightcrawler because I want to get him back to being fun again, like the sensitive prankster I loved as a kid. "

:D THANK YOU CHUCK!!!! :D I have wanted him to get back to his roots for so long it's not even funny... THAT'S the character i fell in love with... the priest gig just does not suit him, he neds a lady fair too ;) oh oh! and swords :D

the last two naturally are if Chuck plans on him not being a priest anymore (or Casey, the Supreme Pontiff thing is still not concluded, he said time will tell, but he did not say how much time... the priest bit may be over and done with before he starts)

hey, we get our avatars back! woo!

[blue]

I never like Casey and I am happy about Austen takes uncanny x-men even if I will prefer someone else for this job like claremont or lobdell but I do not judje Austen before I read his x-men.I like the way he see nightclawler and angel and I am curius about the new members.He says that the team needs more women so I hope one of the new members will be Dazzler or Cecelia.

[Neolithic]

Looks as though Austen wants to bring Nightcrawler back to his swashbuckler days. Hooray! Claremont is incredibly talented, I felt that Nightcrawler's personality was traded for a 2d character in a collar.

I now know why nobody at Marvel acknowleged X-MEN FOREVER! NO ONE READ THE DAMN BOOK! Juggernaut is back to a life of crime and Iceman's abilities were forgotten. Morrison is dealing with Jean's experiences, however. I don't hold this against Chuck, but I wish Marvel would brief their writers a little more extensively.

I never really liked Archangel (I prefer that codename). He was just a guy with a weak mutation. I can fly over your heads! Be afraid! Weeeee! I don't dislike him but then again I don't have any reasons to love him yet either.

Chuck, if you're reading this: The new member better be Jubilee!

[Brian Wilkinson]

The only thing that I'm not pleased about with this move is the obvious lack of Chamber. If Austen was adding and removing several members, I could take it a bit easier... but since Chamber is one of my favorite characters and there is NO explanation for his removal, i'm a little disappointed.

This will make virtually EVERY member of Gen-X stuck in Limbo with old X-Force.

and that, my friends, is a suck.

[Pigster]

Well, so far I've really liked Austen's Ultimate Gambit, so I know he can really make Uncanny X-Men great!

[loganalpha30x3]

To me the "one you might expect" means that it's someone that has a history with this group of guys, like somebody that people thought should have been here, thus to me that lineup includes(but in no particular order): Psylocke, Dazzler, Jubilee, Magik(new one), Avalanche, Havok, Polaris, Banshee, Cecilia Reyes, an old Xforce member. Me I'm hoping it's Betsy, she'd fit in perfectly, would help with the family feeling and just get her back with Warren and the whole romance part is taken care of, their relationship would be enough for the book, although I'd rather see more than one couple in the book, but that doesn't mean that a couple has to be two teammates, like say if Bobby and Opal got together, something like that. But I'd be giddy beyond belief if it's Betsy. Now as to the other one, I'd say it's probably a villian, someone who's probably been one of the Xmens oldest and worst villians, quick question, since Austen is an old school Xfan, maybe it'll be a villian from that time period, so who were the villians back then and would any of them work here. In closing I hope it's Betsy and somebody else that join. I'll go now...........

[Firelion]

I'm glad to see Casey will be tying up all of his loose ends before he leaves. Nothing's worse than a dangling plotline.

Other than that, I'm not really all too interested by what was said in the interview. Sure, Austen seems to have some grasp of the characters, but that doesn't mean he'll be able to write them very well. Danny Abnett and Andy Lanning seemed to have a great understanding of Iceman, for example, but their work on his Icon series has left me cold and colder with each passing isssue. It's best to judge a writer on what he writes, not what he says, anyway. And, so far, I've only seen Austen write things I didn't like. Not very reassuring. Hopefully, his run will be a pleasant surprise, but time will tell.

[Moe]

Originally posted by loganalpha30x3
To me the "one you might expect" means that it's someone that has a history with this group of guys, like somebody that people thought should have been here, thus to me that lineup includes(but in no particular order): Psylocke, Dazzler, Jubilee, Magik(new one), Avalanche, Havok, Polaris, Banshee, Cecilia Reyes, an old Xforce member. Me I'm hoping it's Betsy, she'd fit in perfectly, would help with the family feeling and just get her back with Warren and the whole romance part is taken care of, their relationship would be enough for the book, although I'd rather see more than one couple in the book, but that doesn't mean that a couple has to be two teammates, like say if Bobby and Opal got together, something like that. But I'd be giddy beyond belief if it's Betsy. Now as to the other one, I'd say it's probably a villian, someone who's probably been one of the Xmens oldest and worst villians, quick question, since Austen is an old school Xfan, maybe it'll be a villian from that time period, so who were the villians back then and would any of them work here. In closing I hope it's Betsy and somebody else that join. I'll go now...........

Uh...didn't Bets like die? I realize this is marvel and all death being figuritively a short vacation and all...but I doubt she'll be coming back anytime soon.

Bobby and Opal? Opal? Oh dear lord, there are Opal fans in existance? Talk about learning something new everyday...

[loganalpha30x3]

I'm not an Opal fan, I just used her as an example. And it'll be a few months before Austen takes over so plenty of time to bring Betsy back. I'll go now...........

[Ryan Scott]

Originally posted by Bamfette
defender of Casey or not, i think i will like Austens run.... he siad some things that i really like. the stuff about Angel (Archangel, whatever) was really great and i am very glad that it is now oficially cleared up that it IS indeed Warren. w3rd, Bamf. w3rd. :D I kept saying that he meant Archangel and I'm glad that we finally have some confirmation. He SEEMS to have a grasp on the character (except that it sounds like he doesn't really know that Warren's wings have super-strength, but then again, most writers forget that, too. And a very small healing factor, but that's just the nerd in me. hehehe), but I have to wait to see the actual execution to truly judge.

X-MEN FOREVER should be required reading, dangit. :)

As to the two new members, hmmmmm....I just don't know. And LoganAlpha, for the love of god, we know you miss Betsy. Need you state it every thread??? LOL, jk ;)

[loganalpha30x3]

Yah I miss her, mostly her name just somehow works her way into a lot of my posts, unless the thread has nothing to do with her, although this one has the possibility. I'll go now..........

[loganalpha30x3]

Well Austen did say that one of the characters would be somebody that we'd expect. And if you brought a character back not only from limbo but from the dead as well, I'd say that would contitute a surprise. I hope everybody knows who I want it to be, so I won't go on about her. I'll go now.......................

[BarbelithXavier]

re: New members

Toad and Jubilee

[KidX]

This team is full of great characters, that along with the personal, character driven approch Chuck is going for sound really cool.
I am very happy about everything I've heard so far.
Besisdes, having Northstar on the team is like a dream come true!

[Bamfette]

Originally posted by MabusRex
w3rd, Bamf. w3rd. :D I kept saying that he meant Archangel and I'm glad that we finally have some confirmation. He SEEMS to have a grasp on the character (except that it sounds like he doesn't really know that Warren's wings have super-strength, but then again, most writers forget that, too. And a very small healing factor, but that's just the nerd in me. hehehe), but I have to wait to see the actual execution to truly judge.


gret minds think alike, eh? ;) I always assumed he meant Warren, it made no sense for it to be that fly girl.

sounds like Chuck still needs a bit of catching up to do regarding learning all that has gone down recently, and some of the finer details of the characters powers.... and i don't fault him for this, i mean there is a LOT of material out there, spanning many years and several titles. I certainly haven't read all of it, and don't plan to, unless it becomes available in Essentials... maybe he should find himself 'character advisors' i'll be his advisor for Nightcrawler, you for Archangel, LTX for Wolverine... well think of some others for the rest of the characters... hehehe... as if. but i am sure he will do fine, i am sure the editors gave him required reading, and or flat out told him certian details that will keep him on track.

[Xtence]

I think the member we expect is Gambit. Chris said he wasn't on the team (but member of the cast). And Austen wrote the Ultimate version.

As for the other, probably a woman.

[eric731]

I would say since austen said they would be new members
1)Husk(she always wanted to be a xman like sam,plus she is just a farm goody girl from kansas compared to xstacy who is the bad girl prostitute)

2) Blob(does everyone have to be physically fit ?)
hes just a bully but he never actually killed someone.

[loganalpha30x3]

Actually all the Guthries are from Kentucky, not Kansas. I'll go now..............

[shadowwave]

Originally posted by X-Fan
Wolverine. Please. One of the greatest creations in comics history. Take him from my cold dead hands.


For the sake of fixing the Wolverine over exposure problem me thinks we might have to arrange for a small "accident" ;)

[shadowwave]

Originally posted by The7thParallel
The only thing that I'm not pleased about with this move is the obvious lack of Chamber. If Austen was adding and removing several members, I could take it a bit easier... but since Chamber is one of my favorite characters and there is NO explanation for his removal, i'm a little disappointed.

This will make virtually EVERY member of Gen-X stuck in Limbo with old X-Force.

and that, my friends, is a suck.

I agree, even though I know that Austin will do a great job on the series, I'm still going to miss Chamber.

BTW - This is my 50th post!

[Fusion]

"M", Cannonball, Racheal..... any one of those three would be fine with me but I'm sure there is more. :D

[Michael Fisch]

I hope that he doesn't use Northstar as exclusively a device to create tension. There could (and should) be some great friendships on the team with Jean Paul--I'm thinking Kurt or Bobby, and no, not in the way everyone is thinking. Otherwise, there would be no reason for him to be on the team.

As far as the new members are, I think they'd have to be really shocking to top the news of Northstar joining. When the Scarlet Witch joins, I want it to be remembered that I said it first ;) . The other one I'm all for Longshot or Havok.

[nmoc x]

I have nothing against Austen, as I hadn´t against Casey, but sincerily, I think this book will not gonna make it.

Can´t you see that there are too many core X-books, 3 of them set in the regular M.U, 1 Ultimate, and still 1 more, X-Men evolution, there´s no market for so many books, some of them, will prevail, the ones with the best characters, others will fail, UXM has the weackest X-Men characters, as much I like the X-Men, I don´t want to buy 5 books of the same, maybe 2, if they are really good, there are other good comics out there, Marvel or not.

Don´t you miss the old times, when we have just one bok (Uncanny X-Men), with just one team, we don´t need 2 or more X-teams, it makes more dificult and inacessible to new readers, and even for old ones like me

[atxbomber]

Originally posted by nmoc x
...as much I like the X-Men, I don´t want to buy 5 books of the same, maybe 2, if they are really good, there are other good comics out there, Marvel or not.


That's why the books are currently structured they way they are though, so you don't have to buy all 5 books. You pick the one(s) that appeal to you and enjoy them without worrying about the others that don't appeal to your personal tastes.

[Al Harahap]

I'm hoping that one of them is Amanda Sefton. Not only does she provide more to the sorely lacking femininity of the team, she'd also be a great asset in mystical adventures. Plus, with Kurt's recent turn to celibacy, it'd make for some interesting self-conflict within him.

[granada_girl]

Loving the idea of a lighter more fun Iceman. While I don't want him to lose all seriousness as he is an adult now, I'd like to see him go back to his roots.
Nightcrawler, god, the reason I started liking this charachter was his happy friendly attitude inspite of his physical state. I hope we can get a happier fuzzy after all.

[Al Harahap]

Originally posted by granada_girl
Loving the idea of a lighter more fun Iceman. While I don't want him to lose all seriousness as he is an adult now, I'd like to see him go back to his roots.
Nightcrawler, god, the reason I started liking this charachter was his happy friendly attitude inspite of his physical state. I hope we can get a happier fuzzy after all.

I liked the old carefree fuzzy elf too, but I dunno, he's changed into a brooding figure, and I think it'd be inconsistent to change him back, at least this soon. Plus, this more mature side of him suits him if he's to become leader--or at least the one they look onto for answers.