2007= The Year of Sinister?

[Erik Lehnsherr]

Next year will mark Sinister's 20th anniversity since being created by Claremont. Will we likely see him have a big crossover story next year or at least a 5 parter like Apocalypse was given this year for his 20th?

[eggie]

I hope so...Sinister is one of my faves and I would really like to see them do something interesting with him. Maybe something to do with Sinister, Remy, and Shiro.

[lcdrifter]

i hope so, he is one of my favorite villians.

[Erik Lehnsherr]

It's CRIMINAL how underused Essex really is. He should of at least had a one shot single issue in Uncanny to reflect on his thoughts about Decimation and what Wanda did.

[Valmore]

Yes, we do need more Sinister. Sinister = good, in an evil way.

[fishtaco]

I'm fine with it, as long as he isn't referred to as "Nathaniel Essex", or if the Victorian origin isn't referenced either. Also, I would prefer not to see a story in which Mr. Sinister shape-shifts into a new student to try to break up Cyclops and Emma Frost so he can hook up Scott with another clone of Jean Grey.

I love Mr. Sinister, but I don't like the limits put upon him in the Further Adventures in Cyclops and Phoenix. From that point, it felt like Mr. Sinister's only goal was to kill Apocalypse. Okay. Apocalypse was killed. So what's next for Mr. Sinister? I hated the idea of connecting him to Apocalypse in the first place, and then Cable to him. All three of them lost a lot of credibility as characters, in my opinion.

[Loestal]

I'm fine with it, as long as he isn't referred to as "Nathaniel Essex", or if the Victorian origin isn't referenced either. Also, I would prefer not to see a story in which Mr. Sinister shape-shifts into a new student to try to break up Cyclops and Emma Frost so he can hook up Scott with another clone of Jean Grey.

I love Mr. Sinister, but I don't like the limits put upon him in the Further Adventures in Cyclops and Phoenix. From that point, it felt like Mr. Sinister's only goal was to kill Apocalypse. Okay. Apocalypse was killed. So what's next for Mr. Sinister? I hated the idea of connecting him to Apocalypse in the first place, and then Cable to him. All three of them lost a lot of credibility as characters, in my opinion.


But Apocalypse has yet to be killed.

[Joe Zool]

Next year will mark Sinister's 20th anniversity since being created by Claremont. Will we likely see him have a big crossover story next year or at least a 5 parter like Apocalypse was given this year for his 20th?

It depends on the editor and whether he will remember that fact.


But I'd really love the return of the big summer X-crossovers.

[Beast]

I agree. Sinister needs to come back and make a major impact on the books again. Lately everytime there's plans for him they seem to peter out. And Marvel needs to crap or get off the pot in regard to the flashback reveal of Gambit being a clone of Mr. Sinister infused with Scott's X-Gene/DNA. It was eluded to in the recent Apocalypse storyline in Adjectiveless, so here's hoping it will finally be stated once and for all.

[Atomic Mongoose]

I love the character of Mr. Sinister, but I prefer writers' use of him to be kept to a minimum. To me, Mr. Sinister has always been to the X-Men what Bullseye is to Daredevil, in that he pops up only rarely, but when he does, you just know some really bad sh*t is about to go down. In a way, I think his "underexposure" (is that a real term?) is what makes him seem more threatening.

[The Sword Is Drawn]

I'd also like to know more of how and why Sinister is losing his powers.

For those who missed that you'll need to read the Colossus: Bloodlines min from last year.

Sorry. It's not the greatest read.:(

[evilheroics]

sinister is one of the best x villians to date...

its a shame writers keep coming up with lame villians (ie austin's werewolves thing), instead of using proven villians....

[damage_inc]

Mr Sinister is an excellent nemesis, sadly they barely use him.

[Valmore]

Mr Sinister is an excellent nemesis, sadly they barely use him.

I don't know. I like that he isn't overly-used, because it makes his appearances special. But I'd still rather see him used a tad more often than he's been lately.

[CE_Rap]

"The future belongs to superior mutants, the ones i shall create. None of you are necessary!!"

-Mr. Sinister-from X-Men Animated series. Episode: "Til death do us part: pt 2


My favorite quote of Sinister from the show. I loved the way they did his voice. Priceless!

[Christopher O]

Am I the only one who dislikes him? He's 1/2 eighties-embarassing and 1/2 bastardized Frank-N-Furter, but without the hotness that is Rocky (sorry, Mad, you just don't do it for me--not like that).

[Joe Acro]

I would only want some kind of twentieth anniversary story if it didn't turn out as crappy as Apocalypse's. That story went in the entirely wrong direction for a commemorative effort.

But what kind of story would it be? What can they do with Sinister at this point? He needs an agenda...

[CE_Rap]

I would only want some kind of twentieth anniversary story if it didn't turn out as crappy as Apocalypse's. That story went in the entirely wrong direction for a commemorative effort.

But what kind of story would it be? What can they do with Sinister at this point? He needs an agenda...

The man (wherever he is) is probably pissed that his mutant guinea pigs are nearly extinct. Yet i'm sure in that same instant he devised a new plan based on this. He's a calculator like that.

[Frodo-X]

"The future belongs to superior mutants, the ones i shall create. None of you are necessary!!"

-Mr. Sinister-from X-Men Animated series. Episode: "Til death do us part: pt 2


My favorite quote of Sinister from the show. I loved the way they did his voice. Priceless!

His was always one of my favorite voices on that show. I also liked Juggernaut and Wolverine. For some reason Storm (both of them) and Cyclops always bugged me. It was like they overacted, which is odd in a cartoon.

[Erik Lehnsherr]

It depends on the editor and whether he will remember that fact.


But I'd really love the return of the big summer X-crossovers.

I NEED more Sinister. I'm getting SICK of there being no Mr. Sinister to gloat at the end of these big storylines and 5 parters like he used to. At least finish the Sinister/Magneto storyline that was building in Excalibur.

Nathaniel Essex and his crimes as a undercover Nazi scientist should be explored BIG TIME. If not the X-books, then Daredevil or Spider-Man. I NEED more Sinister....NOW.

[Omega Alpha]

Next year will mark Sinister's 20th anniversity since being created by Claremont. Will we likely see him have a big crossover story next year or at least a 5 parter like Apocalypse was given this year for his 20th?

The Sinister Year- i like that.

I also like that he's not overexposed, but he should really do more. With the Decimation, Jean dead, Cyke with Emma, Apocalypse and Rachel back, Cable not being a mutant, or not having mutant powers anymore, Vulcan showing up, and Gambit and Sunfire presumedly with him, there's lots of ground for a big Sinister story.

[Erik Lehnsherr]

I would only want some kind of twentieth anniversary story if it didn't turn out as crappy as Apocalypse's. That story went in the entirely wrong direction for a commemorative effort.

But what kind of story would it be? What can they do with Sinister at this point? He needs an agenda...

What if there was a stoy where his goal was to give all the mutants who lost their powers back to them? It's not that far fetched since more than ANYONE, he could figure it out. Being the top geneticist on the planet always serves a purpose. It's DISGUSTING how writers have dropped the ball on Nathan for so long in that regard.

Yeah...and Sinister confronting Vulcan would be a good read too.

[Babylon23]

What bothers me about Sinister is not over/underexposure, but how poor and, in most instances boring, his appearances have been over the past few years. Back in the Mutant Massacre/Fall of the Mutants/Inferno days, Sinister was a major player with a clear plan. He was heartless and ruthless (anybody remember him manhandling Sabretooth?). Somewhere along the lines, he was tied into Apocalypse, and really became a second-string villain.

I'd like to see a return of the ruthless Sinister, the major villain from the late 80's. No more Apocalypse, and no more random experimentation with no other purpose.

[Erik Lehnsherr]

Second string? Boring? Not really. X-Men Annual '95 was a classic book. Kind of like a lighter version of what "I, Magneto" did for Magneto. Sinister always ended up getting the last word on the X-Men and Apocalypse without ever paying for his crimes or his actions. I always appreciated that part of his character. He never lost and that has always kept him credible.

[Babylon23]

Second string? Boring? Not really. X-Men Annual '95 was a classic book. Kind of like a lighter version of what "I, Magneto" did for Magneto. Sinister always ended up getting the last word on the X-Men and Apocalypse without ever paying for his crimes or his actions. I always appreciated that part of his character. He never lost and that has always kept him credible.

I agree that he had his moments, but nothing that really equals his early appearances.

I guess what I'm looking for is "big picture" stuff, more along the lines fo the Mutant Massacre and Inferno. I think that they made a mistake in tying Sinister into Apocalypse, as Apocalypse became the focus of the stories. I'd like to see Sinister in a major story, completely removed from the Apocalypse stuff.

[The Sword Is Drawn]

I NEED more Sinister. I'm getting SICK of there being no Mr. Sinister to gloat at the end of these big storylines and 5 parters like he used to. At least finish the Sinister/Magneto storyline that was building in Excalibur.

Nathaniel Essex and his crimes as a undercover Nazi scientist should be explored BIG TIME. If not the X-books, then Daredevil or Spider-Man. I NEED more Sinister....NOW.

Given that Claremont is now working on New Excalibur (The book which isn't just borrowing the title) and considering Britains semi-close proximity to Germany, and central role in WWII, it would actually make sense to explore Sinister's dodgy Nazi past in this title, now.

[Titan76]

I'd also like to know more of how and why Sinister is losing his powers.

For those who missed that you'll need to read the Colossus: Bloodlines min from last year.

Sorry. It's not the greatest read.:(
I pray to the Gods that this is just ignored and never mention when Sinister comes back.

[The Sword Is Drawn]

I pray to the Gods that this is just ignored and never mention when Sinister comes back.

Likewise Colossus' Bloodline lineage.

[Beast]

Likewise Colossus' Bloodline lineage.
Indeed. He couldn't just be a 3-dimensional character by having some anger issues, which were totally justified especially after his brain damage. Now he has to be retconned into those anger issues being the cause of some mystical bloodline link of madness. Same with Illyana. Bullpoopies. :p

[The Sword Is Drawn]

Indeed. He couldn't just be a 3-dimensional character by having some anger issues, which were totally justified especially after his brain damage. Now he has to be retconned into those anger issues being the cause of some mystical bloodline link of madness. Same with Illyana. Bullpoopies. :p

"My name is Poitr Nicholievitch Rasputin. Rasputin. That's right, Rasputin. As in the Mad Russian Monk! Literally..."

Stupid. Stupid. Stupid....

[Nyssane]

Am I the only one who dislikes him? He's 1/2 eighties-embarassing and 1/2 bastardized Frank-N-Furter, but without the hotness that is Rocky (sorry, Mad, you just don't do it for me--not like that).

I, personally, don't care for the character, but I do like the stories and plots that can be done with him as a villain. I loved the Mutant Massacre, but that was moreso the Marauders doing the villainous deeds. Inferno was okay, but of recent years Mr. Sinister is just...lame. He should whip out those Marauders (seeing as the majority of them are still powered -- then he could assimilate some of the Nasty Boys *coughRuckuscough* and recruit more of the bloodthirsty 198 into his cause) and give the X-Men a (long overdue) beating.

Normally, characters who pull the strings and watch the actions from afar (such as Apocalypse back in the X-Factor days) are very interesting, but I just dont get any attraction to Sinister. The only good stuff that comes from him, for me, is the explosive plots he manages to squeeze out, and they are most in part to the Marauders.

[Joe Acro]

His was always one of my favorite voices on that show.
The voice in the show wasn't right. The voice in X-Men Legends II wasn't right. He should have a British accent. The show's voice did capture the essence of the villain, but not character.

[CE_Rap]

The voice in the show wasn't right. The voice in X-Men Legends II wasn't right. He should have a British accent. The show's voice did capture the essence of the villain, but not character.

He didn't have to sound Brititsh because he's not really even a man anymore. That was YEARS ago and he's transformed into a new being since then. The voice on the show was not a natural human voice. He sounded like a creepy spectre, like he was a void on teh inside. THat's what made it so good. I think Legends II was worse because he sounded like an actor doing a voice over.

[streator]

i'd be up for seeing a good sinister story sometime next year.
i want to see what he's got in store for gambit, mostly.

[Tennoarashi]

Well, if 2006 is the 'the year that stuff happened and then there were lesbians' :p , then sure I can get behind 2007 being the year of Mr. Sinister.

[brundlefly]

The only way I'd like to see a Sinister story arc done would be with a skilled writer at the helm who could give the readers a consistent, intelligent depiction of his character and who had a good idea for a crossover. Something touching on his history in the X-universe and fitting it all nicely together into the "mission" that he's dropped hints about but never spelled out. Something utilizing the Marauders but only giving the briefest mention of Apocalypse (and no cameo by him). Something putting to use the massive database of mutant/superhuman DNA he has at his disposal (which includes the likes of Namor and Rachel Grey)....

What we would probably get instead is Sinister being shoehorned into being the generic bad guy for the X-crossover of the month with no real plan and no logic involved. If that's the case, I'd just as soon he stay in the shadows along with my other 'favorite unused villain' Roderick Kingsley, the original Hobgoblin. As much as I like both those guys, I'd rather they stay on the bench than be subjected to bad writing and characterization like poor Magneto or the recent butchering of Doom at the hands of Reggie Hudlin in Black Panther. If Sinister's going to come out of the shadows in '07 for a big endgame with the X-Men, all I ask is to put some actual thought into it, please, and make it worth doing. Either Brubaker or Carey have the goods to do a great Sinister story arc, but I think Whedon would make a mess of it.

[Erik Lehnsherr]

I agree that he had his moments, but nothing that really equals his early appearances.

I guess what I'm looking for is "big picture" stuff, more along the lines fo the Mutant Massacre and Inferno. I think that they made a mistake in tying Sinister into Apocalypse, as Apocalypse became the focus of the stories. I'd like to see Sinister in a major story, completely removed from the Apocalypse stuff.

Well I loved the early Claremont/Silvestri stuff too but it was done in a way where he was like a crime boss. That's alright and made sense for the time how he had the Marauders go after Madelyne Pryor in full force to cover his tracks but the way he has labs all across the world now, has his tesseract teleportation gimmick, and how he always keeps an watchful eye on important shifts in genetic history is fascinating too. The Nazi Scientist retcon was done with intelligence by Frank Tieri as well in Weapon X.

BTW, I'm ALL for a single "no Apocalypse" connected Sinister extravaganza. It's LONG, LONG overdue. I have total trust that if Ed Brubaker was behind a huge Sinister story, he could pull it off without any miscues or problems.

[steve2275]

"My name is Poitr Nicholievitch Rasputin. Rasputin. That's right, Rasputin. As in the Mad Russian Monk! Literally..."

Stupid. Stupid. Stupid....
would xplain petes anger issues

[Beast]

would xplain petes anger issues
But there doesn't need to be an explaination. Instead of him being a human being with emotions like anger, he's now only angry cause he's of a madman's cursed bloodline. Lame.

[Karli]

WOW am i digging the Sinister love vibe going on in this thread!
My roommate and i always argue on whether he's the total shit (me) or whether he sucks (him).

But how can you not love the madman who orchestrated the Mutant Massacre? Who had the Marauders as pets almost for christs' sake. And that costume?!? Cheese? Maybe so, but glorious cheese!

Sinister is ripe for a resurgence, and if we're REALLY lucky, Mike Carey will get his hands on him and have him do ghastly things while spouting splendid villanous prose. I haven't been this excited about a writer on an X-book since Claremont's days of yore. For my money, dialogue makes or breaks a good book, and Careys' is par excellence!

Sigh. 26 more days.

[mattbib]

I normally prefer Sinister to be in the background, scheming to his own ends...


That said, I think "his own ends" needs to be redefined. The original concept of Sinister has become so convoluted, so watered down, there's no clear purpose to him. Is he still for survival of the fittest? Or is he simply in pursuit of superior genetics? Or is he just obsessed with the Summers? Or Jean Grey? Or Gambit?

Like I said, I liked it better when he was in the background. I remember seeing him for the first time and he was, well, scary. He smacked down Sabretooth. He's not really scary anymore.

[Oliverhannah]

I'd also like to know more of how and why Sinister is losing his powers.

For those who missed that you'll need to read the Colossus: Bloodlines min from last year.

Sorry. It's not the greatest read.:(

Hang on! Are u say Sinister's depowered? :eek:

[Bobster777]

I normally prefer Sinister to be in the background, scheming to his own ends...


That said, I think "his own ends" needs to be redefined. The original concept of Sinister has become so convoluted, so watered down, there's no clear purpose to him. Is he still for survival of the fittest? Or is he simply in pursuit of superior genetics? Or is he just obsessed with the Summers? Or Jean Grey? Or Gambit?

Like I said, I liked it better when he was in the background. I remember seeing him for the first time and he was, well, scary. He smacked down Sabretooth. He's not really scary anymore.
I agree. His evolution over the years has led to him being a very weak character overall. If they are going to bring him back, they have to do so in the most drastic way to make the character relevant again.

[fishtaco]

Hang on! Are u say Sinister's depowered? :eek:He doesn't mean from Decimation. Mr. Sinister is not a mutant. Supposedly, there's this other plotline from a Colossus mini series last year where Mr. Sinister is losing his powers. I'm not sure why people are so interested in the plotline if the same people are saying that the mini wasn't all that good.

[Beast]

He doesn't mean from Decimation. Mr. Sinister is not a mutant. Supposedly, there's this other plotline from a Colossus mini series last year where Mr. Sinister is losing his powers. I'm not sure why people are so interested in the plotline if the same people are saying that the mini wasn't all that good.
Just because the mini wasn't very good, doesn't mean the plot point doesn't need to be addressed.
It is canon after all.

[fishtaco]

Just because the mini wasn't very good, doesn't mean the plot point doesn't need to be addressed.
It is canon after all.I never said it doesn't need to be addressed. I'm just curious why people are expressing a keen interest in it, yet at the same time saying they didn't like the mini. That's different from merely mentioning/recognizing it.

[brundlefly]

I never said it doesn't need to be addressed. I'm just curious why people are expressing a keen interest in it, yet at the same time saying they didn't like the mini. That's different from merely mentioning/recognizing it.

I think it was already addressed at the end of the mini. Sinister makes a throwaway line about how his powers are already returning and Colossus will regret this once he's back to full strength, blah blah blah. That's what made the "Sinister is losing his powers" aspect of BLOODLINES so head-scratching, as it was introduced and seemingly resolved without any real explanation within the same issue. It would seem to have just been a plot device for why he was so interested in using Mikhail and a resurrected Rasputin in that series: to bolster his at-the-time fading power.

[Erik Lehnsherr]

I agree. His evolution over the years has led to him being a very weak character overall. If they are going to bring him back, they have to do so in the most drastic way to make the character relevant again.

Weak character? Jean Grey keeps resurfacing over and over and over again. She's a novelty act yet someone who always gets the last word like Sinister is weak? He's actually one of the strongest and most tactical villians in X-history. That's why it's pathetic that he hasn't been used enough in recent memory. Instead of him, we get Vulcan or a Vargas type. Lame, BORING villians that are contrived and forseeable. Enough. It's time for Sinister to return and take over all of the X-books.

[Omega Alpha]

Sinister never lost to the X-men, how weak can he be?

Sure, you can say Inferno, but read it again and i doubt that you will believe that Claremont wasn't preparing him to come back any time.

[Babylon23]

Weak character? Jean Grey keeps resurfacing over and over and over again. She's a novelty act yet someone who always gets the last word like Sinister is weak? He's actually one of the strongest and most tactical villians in X-history. That's why it's pathetic that he hasn't been used enough in recent memory. Instead of him, we get Vulcan or a Vargas type. Lame, BORING villians that are contrived and forseeable. Enough. It's time for Sinister to return and take over all of the X-books.

I think what Bobster's saying is that Sinister's story has been watered down to the point where the character no longer seems threatening or enigmatic. I have to agree with him and Mattbib. Somewhere along the way, Sinister's motivation became less defined, and the character suffered for it. He's been written in so many different ways that there's no clear vision of the character. Being so closely tied to Apocalypse didn't help, because it made him look like the lesser of two evils.

Personally, I think he's a great villain in desperate need of a great story.

[Atom_basher]

i wouldnt be surprised if Sinister was revealed to be the leader of the children

[fishtaco]

Sure, you can say Inferno, but read it again and i doubt that you will believe that Claremont wasn't preparing him to come back any time....but he was going to bring him back. That's why he introduced Gambit.

[Affinity]

i wouldnt be surprised if Sinister was revealed to be the leader of the children
I wouldn't be surprised either but I wouldn't like it.

[Beast]

i wouldnt be surprised if Sinister was revealed to be the leader of the children
I'm thinking Dark Beast is more likely. He has referred to his creations as 'His Children' before.

[The Sword Is Drawn]

Hang on! Are u say Sinister's depowered? :eek:

He's not been depowered. He's not a mutant either, he's just tampered with himself, from his own research and information he gained via Apocalypse...

In last year's Colossus: Bloodlines mini, when he actually got involved in the fight Sinister appeared weaker, and his poweres slightly less reliable than in the past. It seems like he may be losing them.

as to why? It's not yet been revealed.

[Affinity]

I'm thinking Dark Beast is more likely. He has referred to his creations as 'His Children' before.
Oh! I would like that.

[Erik Lehnsherr]

I think what Bobster's saying is that Sinister's story has been watered down to the point where the character no longer seems threatening or enigmatic. I have to agree with him and Mattbib. Somewhere along the way, Sinister's motivation became less defined, and the character suffered for it. He's been written in so many different ways that there's no clear vision of the character. Being so closely tied to Apocalypse didn't help, because it made him look like the lesser of two evils.

Personally, I think he's a great villain in desperate need of a great story.

Watered down? By what? The appearance in Bloodlines was retconned before the story if ended. He has NOT got physically beaten or had to pay for his crimes in years. Sinister is still the top geneticist on the planet. He has already outsmarted Apocalypse, Cable, and the X-Men on every level. That's why I don't see him being a "weak character" in the least. He's the kind of villian that brings out the best in the various X-teams because he's hard to figure out and his agenda is ever changing.

[Babylon23]

Watered down? By what? The appearance in Bloodlines was retconned before the story if ended. He has NOT got physically beaten or had to pay for his crimes in years. Sinister is still the top geneticist on the planet. He has already outsmarted Apocalypse, Cable, and the X-Men on every level. That's why I don't see him being a "weak character" in the least. He's the kind of villian that brings out the best in the various X-teams because he's hard to figure out and his agenda is ever changing.

The problem, for me, is that he doesn't seem to have a clear goal or motivation. Different writers have given widely varied versions of the character. Really, what is Sinister's overall goal? Why is he doing what he's doing? What's his big plan, so to speak?

I agree that he's hard to figure out, and that his agenda is always changing, but I think these are the weaknesses in the way the character is presented. A good antagonist needs a clear motivation, which is something I think Sinister lacks.

As I said, I think Sinister is a great character. He should be one of the premiere X-villians, equal to Magneto and Apocalypse. He's primed to be a major player, but I think he needs more direction, and a clear motivation.

[fishtaco]

The problem, for me, is that he doesn't seem to have a clear goal or motivation. Different writers have given widely varied versions of the character. Really, what is Sinister's overall goal? Why is he doing what he's doing? What's his big plan, so to speak?

I agree that he's hard to figure out, and that his agenda is always changing, but I think these are the weaknesses in the way the character is presented. A good antagonist needs a clear motivation, which is something I think Sinister lacks.

As I said, I think Sinister is a great character. He should be one of the premiere X-villians, equal to Magneto and Apocalypse. He's primed to be a major player, but I think he needs more direction, and a clear motivation.I agree, although in the 90's his goal was pretty much "Make Apocalypse dead". While he did have a significant and clear goal through most of the decade, it limited him and stopped him short. He had this goal for a long time, and it's all he tried to do, so what happened when Apocalypse died in 2000 or so....what then? What's next for Mr. Sinister? He had this goal and purpose for so long, and then it was fulfilled, but what came next, other than more writers and books? I personally didn't like the "kill Apocalypse" goal because it completely changed his character, and it had a lot to do with Cable being warped into a completely different character than what Liefeld originally planned, but it was still consistent. Since writers go by so damn fast nowadays, Mr. Sinister is just going in a new direction every time he's written. The lack of consistency is destroying him.

And for the record, Mr. Sinister is one of my favorite villains, especially for his apperances in Uncanny X-Men #'s 221-222, Mutant Massacre (behind the scenes), X-Factor (1st Series) #'s 71-75, Classic X-Men #42, Inferno, and future plans post-1991 that never saw the light of day.

[brundlefly]

I agree, although in the 90's his goal was pretty much "Make Apocalypse dead". While he did have a significant and clear goal through most of the decade, it limited him and stopped him short. He had this goal for a long time, and it's all he tried to do, so what happened when Apocalypse died in 2000 or so....what then? What's next for Mr. Sinister? He had this goal and purpose for so long, and then it was fulfilled, but what came next, other than more writers and books? I personally didn't like the "kill Apocalypse" goal because it completely changed his character, and it had a lot to do with Cable being warped into a completely different character than what Liefeld originally planned, but it was still consistent. Since writers go by so damn fast nowadays, Mr. Sinister is just going in a new direction every time he's written. The lack of consistency is destroying him.

And for the record, Mr. Sinister is one of my favorite villains, especially for his apperances in Uncanny X-Men #'s 221-222, Mutant Massacre (behind the scenes), X-Factor (1st Series) #'s 71-75, Classic X-Men #42, Inferno, and future plans post-1991 that never saw the light of day.

It doesn't help that other villains keep stealing his MO (most recently in HERE COMES TOMORROW, when the villainous genetically engineered-pawns just screamed 'Sinister', only to discover in the end that it was just Sublime again)
I agree with your observatian about the writing staffs turning over too quickly to use him consistently (the same problem with having any kind of long-running subplot in the X-Books) and seem to have no grasp of his character beyond "uh, he's the guy who hates Apocalypse, right?" I hope either Brubaker or Carey get a chance to dust him off and do some quality work with him during their runs.


In last year's Colossus: Bloodlines mini, when he actually got involved in the fight Sinister appeared weaker, and his poweres slightly less reliable than in the past. It seems like he may be losing them.

as to why? It's not yet been revealed.

Like I posted earlier, I don't think we're going to see this referred to again. Essex makes a throwaway line in the last issue about how his powers are already returning and it seemed like the whole 'losing his powers' thing was just a plot device for BLOODLINES to explain why he was so dependent on Mikhail and driven to resurrect Rasputin. Another example of inconsistent usage of the character by a writer who just needed a bad guy for a Colossus mini and picked Sinister to fill that role.

[DDM]

What bothers me about Sinister is not over/underexposure, but how poor and, in most instances boring, his appearances have been over the past few years. Back in the Mutant Massacre/Fall of the Mutants/Inferno days, Sinister was a major player with a clear plan. He was heartless and ruthless (anybody remember him manhandling Sabretooth?). Somewhere along the lines, he was tied into Apocalypse, and really became a second-string villain.

I'd like to see a return of the ruthless Sinister, the major villain from the late 80's. No more Apocalypse, and no more random experimentation with no other purpose.

I too miss the early enigmatic Mister Sinister. Besides him throwing Sabretooth as if he was nothing, Sinister flat out lied to Malice--who possessed Polaris at this time--was furious she could not leave Lorna Dane's body. With a smile, Sinister said Malice is free to leave Dane anytime, but Malice now has a "home"--Lorna Dane--as they are permanently bonded thanks to Polaris's energies she wields as Polaris & Malice's unique energy matrix. Sinister then made a odd comment that Malice & Lorna Dane seemed to be made for each other (He probably had a hand in both & a connection to Zaladane).

After Malice leaves, he reminds the reader he has no compassion. Yet Malice bought Sinister's lie.

[fishtaco]

(He probably had a hand in both & a connection to Zaladane). For some reason, I never considered that...

[DDM]

For some reason, I never considered that...

Sinister mentions it in Uncanny X-Men #239.