CBR NEWS: Mike Carey Talks "Endangered Species" & The X-Men

[Arune Singh]

We went in-depth with Mike Carey to talk about this year's big X-Men event and to learn just what it means for the mutants. Also, don't miss the scribe's answers to some classic X-debates!

http://www.comicbookresources.com/news/newsitem.cgi?id=10031

[Beast]

Cheers Arune. Good stuff ahead. :)

You can tell from how genuinely excited he is in interviews, that Carey really loves writing the X-Men. :D

[We R. Venom]

Well at least it'll be hella cheaper. I'm gonna need a list of what issues to but though. This is gonna be so hot!

[Pach!]

"Radioactive wikipedia" made me laugh so hard.:D

[Beast]

Mike Carey sure knows how to earn my loyalty. And this just screams DARK BEAST. :D
Also playing a major role will be Beast, one of the original X-Men and their own resident scientific genius. Carey says that Hank McCoy is one of his favorites and when asked why, explained, "I can give you an answer, but it's only going to be a partial answer. There's just something about Hank that really works for me. Maybe it's the tension between his animal strength and appearance and the fine, cultured mind that lies beneath. Or maybe it's just that I can get behind the idea of a scientist hero (I'm a big Reed Richards fan too). You know, now that I think about it, it's probably because of my atheist, rationalist world view: Hank is the post-Enlightenment superman par excellence.

"And having said that, oh man are we going to put his cool detachment to the test. In Endangered Species he's pushing himself to the limit trying to find a solution to mutant extinction - and 'the limit' is going to lie way, way outside his comfort zone."

[Frodo-X]

look on my works, ye mighty, and give me props.

*looks on Supernovas and Primary Infection*

*gives Mike Carey props*

[Frodo-X]

Mike Carey sure knows how to earn my loyalty. And this just screams DARK BEAST. :D
Between this and First Class, this has to be like, THE greatest news weekend you've had in a long time. :D

[Red Lotus]

After reading this I dont think the Marauders are the ones killing off Mutants. And if they are then they are not working for Sinister. I think Sinister will be trying to save mutants.

But as a Gambit fan hearing this "Gambit is a very cool character, too, and one that I'm very much looking forward to getting my hands on. I think his personal odyssey has taken some curious turns in recent years, but what we're going to see this year and next is a restatement of what made him such a fascinating character in the first place. Kind of a rebirth, in some ways at least. But not a ret-con or a re-invention."

Is a good thing. This might be a hint that Carey is going to put Gambit on his book. After reading what Carey did with X-men that I didn't like going in I can't wait to see him get a hold of ones I do like.

[Beast]

Between this and First Class, this has to be like, THE greatest news weekend you've had in a long time. :D
Yeah, I've pretty much filled the cup. Now if they confirm turning Beast back to an Apeman, I'll die from a pleasure overdose with a massive smile on my kisser. :D

[Frodo-X]

Yeah, I've pretty much filled the cup. Now if they confirm turning Beast back to an Apeman, I'll die from a pleasure overdose with a massive smile on my kisser. :D
Seems like there'd be no better time than when he's messing around with genetics with some less-than-reputable characters. ;)

[blinkinrogue]

I agree, most probably Mr. sinister's agenda, if he does intend to "save" mutantkind, would not include killing more mutants as it is, so it has to be somebody else..... hmmm....
Hopefully M. Carey doesnt run out of creative juices soon, he's writing a LOT of titles at the moment...:)

[Frodo-X]

I agree, most probably Mr. sinister's agenda, if he does intend to "save" mutantkind, would not include killing more mutants as it is, so it has to be somebody else..... hmmm....
Hopefully M. Carey doesnt run out of creative juices soon, he's writing a LOT of titles at the moment...:)
Perhaps it's the remnants of Stryker's group.

And what ever happened with the Leper Queen? Could it be her?

[xakko]

depressing to me:

With some fans feeling burned out by all the "events" of late, they may be tempted to only buy "core" titles from this crossover, but Carey maintains they're all essential—and affordable. "There aren't very many chapters at all, in absolute terms, and every one is part of the core story. I repeat - no tie-ins, no spin-offs. It's all meat. And it's the culmination - the climax - of everything that's happened in the X-verse since 'House of M.' This is where it all happens."
to me, given some of the writers and titles, there's built in gristle and fat

[Red Lotus]

Perhaps it's the remnants of Stryker's group.

And what ever happened with the Leper Queen? Could it be her?

Apocalypse had her last.

[Beast]

depressing to me:


to me, given some of the writers and titles, there's built in gristle and fat
The back-up stories appear to be written by Mike Carey you know.

Ah, you're referrng to the crossover in general. I don't think you have anything to fear.

[xakko]

The back-up stories appear to be written by Mike Carey you know.

Ah, you're referrng to the crossover in general. I don't think you have anything to fear.

i have a lot to fear. Carey hasn't impressed me - albeit more so than 3 of the other writers at the conference - and the idea that the backup stories are sequential and are in two titles i won't buy means that even if i was excited about this crossover, i will be missing out on potentially important information.

[Canemacar]

"Gambit is a very cool character, too, and one that I'm very much looking forward to getting my hands on. I think his personal odyssey has taken some curious turns in recent years, but what we're going to see this year and next is a restatement of what made him such a fascinating character in the first place. Kind of a rebirth, in some ways at least. But not a ret-con or a re-invention."


SWEET!


Made my day.:D

[The Fury]

Not read all interview but I love the fact Marvel are pushing Mike Carey's stories. With Uncanny off on their own and Astonishing randomly late, Carey's book is the only one that keeps with the actual X-men feel at the moment.

He's dealing with the many issues that the X-men face.

[Brian M.]

"Gambit is a very cool character, too, and one that I'm very much looking forward to getting my hands on. I think his personal odyssey has taken some curious turns in recent years, but what we're going to see this year and next is a restatement of what made him such a fascinating character in the first place. Kind of a rebirth, in some ways at least. But not a ret-con or a re-invention."


SWEET!


Made my day.:D

Guess Carey can't be right all the time.

[Canemacar]

Guess Carey can't be right all the time.

Congratulations on getting the First Class ongoing.:)

[blinkinrogue]

from newsarama:

http://forum.newsarama.com/showthread.php?t=105460

[Brian M.]

Congratulations on getting the First Class ongoing.:)

You make it hard to be a dick with nice comments like that. Damn.

[Faded]

The back-up stories appear to be written by Mike Carey you know.

Ah, you're referrng to the crossover in general. I don't think you have anything to fear.

I thought Carey was just structuring all the back-ups? If he's writing all of them, then...wow. :)

[Hi-Fi]

Here's what I liked:

“And the beauty of it is that because we started planning so far in advance, we’ve all in our different ways been converging on the big story, so that when we launch into the crossover it’s going to seem like the most natural, most inevitable thing in the world. ”

I’m so on board for this. This countdown feeling, like the walls are closing in your direction. It should and will be great. And since it looks like Mike is the guy bringing it all together, I’m even more confident.


Mike Carey sure knows how to earn my loyalty. And this just screams DARK BEAST. :D
Be prepared, though. Mike likes to put his favorite characters through hell. I mean, look at Rogue! And it looks like he learned that from CC!

Congratulations on getting the First Class ongoing.:)
Aw, that was cute.:p

[Hi-Fi]

I thought Carey was just structuring all the back-ups? If he's writing all of them, then...wow. :)
He's not writing all of them, but a big part of it, I think.

[Beast]

Be prepared, though. Mike likes to put his favorite characters through hell. I mean, look at Rogue! And it looks like he learned that from CC!
Oh, I totally welcome that. At least he'll be written by someone who loves the character and isn't going to dump angst on him simply because he has no other good plans for him. :D

[blinkinrogue]

NRAMA: And the short stories that follow the one-shot -- are they going to be completely different, self-contained stories, or is there an ongoing storyline running through them?

MC: There is a thread running through the stories that has one of my favorite X-Men, Beast, very much at the heart.

NRAMA: Is Beast at the center of the one-shot?

MC: Not so much. There are a lot of characters from all of the X-books who come together on this significant occasion. And it's a strange mix of characters. Not necessarily ones you'd expect to see, and not necessarily the big headline-grabbing characters.

NRAMA: Such as?

MC: OK, you'll have Rictor and Wolfsbane there, and Madrox from X-Factor. And Mercury and X-23. And Xavier will be there, as well as Cannonball from the adjectiveless team. Wolverine will be there, and Cyclops, Emma and Beast will all be there. So will Iceman.

NRAMA: You have mutants who kept their powers and some who lost them, with, for example, Iceman having temporarily lost his powers and Rictor not having mutant powers anymore.



hmmmm.... no mention of M....:(

[Faded]

Don't worry, as long as she'll still be in X-Factor it should be all good.

Though I would've loved to see M and Lady M have a battle of words. :D

[Hi-Fi]

hmmmm.... no mention of M....:(

Rogue wont be there as well. Don't worry, though. It isn't suposed to have all characters, just a bunch from each team.

[blinkinrogue]

Don't worry, as long as she'll still be in X-Factor it should be all good.

Though I would've loved to see M and Lady M have a battle of words. :D


ohhhhhh... shivers down my spine.... Lady M will have a hard time though, Emma hardly stood a chance against M hehe...

Also, Mike said that Exodus and Sinister WONT be integral to the event... and with this statement:

MC: It's not that kind of a story. There will be at least one major villain who will appear in the story -- not as an antagonist for the X-Men. He's there for the same reason that they are, and they don't fight him.

Maybe he means Magneto? Nobody is more protective of mutants than him.

[Beast]

Also, Mike said that Exodus and Sinister WONT be integral to the event... and with this statement:

MC: It's not that kind of a story. There will be at least one major villain who will appear in the story -- not as an antagonist for the X-Men. He's there for the same reason that they are, and they don't fight him.

Maybe he means Magneto? Nobody is more protective of mutants than him.
That's referring to the Endangered Species One-Shot and back-up stories. Not the Crossover.

[Hi-Fi]

Guys, I'm pretty sure the major villain that will appear in the One-Shot, but NOT as an antagonist will be Magneto.

I mean, think about it, the mutant population is vanishing. He'd be as worried as the X-Men about it.

[Beast]

Guys, I'm pretty sure the major villain that will appear in the One-Shot, but NOT as an antagonist will be Magneto.

I mean, think about it, the mutant population is vanishing. He'd be as worried as the X-Men about it.
Nah. I have a feeling it's more likely to be Dark Beast. Especially after the answer about Magneto at WWLA.

Carey's been wanting to stick Beast and Dark Beast in a room together with a reason to uncomfortably work together, going by his posts on his board. This would be the perfect reason for that to happen. :)

[Frodo-X]

Guys, I'm pretty sure the major villain that will appear in the One-Shot, but NOT as an antagonist will be Magneto.

I mean, think about it, the mutant population is vanishing. He'd be as worried as the X-Men about it.
If you are right, I will be :D.

[Hi-Fi]

Nah. I have a feeling it's more likely to be Dark Beast. Especially after the answer about Magneto at WWLA.

Carey's been wanting to stick Beast and Dark Beast in a room together with a reason to uncomfortably work together, going by his posts on his board. This would be the perfect reason for that to happen. :)

But... I don't like Dark Beast. And I like Magneto :o

[xakko]

Nah. I have a feeling it's more likely to be Dark Beast. Especially after the answer about Magneto at WWLA.

Carey's been wanting to stick Beast and Dark Beast in a room together with a reason to uncomfortably work together, going by his posts on his board. This would be the perfect reason for that to happen. :)

both could potentially be at the funeral. to Mags, whose attitude and guilt about decimation should make him a prominent figure in this post-HOM world, he should be there, mourning the loss.

Dark Beast, to whom mutants were nothing but tinker toys, might be there to see if he can graverob...

[Frodo-X]

But... I don't like Dark Beast. And I like Magneto :o
I like both, so I hope you're both right!

[Hi-Fi]

I like both, so I hope you're both right!
LOL, you will have to get off the fence someday!!

[Kalen O.]

Well you're both wrong anyways.

Clearly, its Mojo.

THINK WHAT THIS MEANS FOR HIS RATINGS!!!!!

[Frodo-X]

LOL, you will have to get off the fence someday!!
If it has to be one, I'd prefer Dark Beast, only because the story fits him in perfectly and it'll only be a matter of time before Mags is back, anyway.

[Hi-Fi]

Well you're both wrong anyways.

Clearly, its Mojo.

THINK WHAT THIS MEANS FOR HIS RATINGS!!!!!
Or maybe it's Cylla, the Cyborg!!

If it has to be one, I'd prefer Dark Beast, only because the story fits him in perfectly and it'll only be a matter of time before Mags is back, anyway.
:evilangry

Beast's sidekick.;)

[blinkinrogue]

Well you're both wrong anyways.

Clearly, its Mojo.

THINK WHAT THIS MEANS FOR HIS RATINGS!!!!!

Lol, he could hire M, Lady Mastermind, and Emma for a classic 3-way verbal tussle complete with hair-pulling and/or mud wrestling...
:D

[Beast]

It does fit with what Mike Carey said a while back in his LWW interview. :)

Q: And how do you feel about his counterpart, McCoy, Dark Beast?

MC: I’ve always had a yen to bring them together again, to have some kind of situation where they have to work together to achieve some kind of goal; but for now it’s just an idea, there are no firm plans.

[Beast]

If it has to be one, I'd prefer Dark Beast, only because the story fits him in perfectly and it'll only be a matter of time before Mags is back, anyway.
Exactly. Especially since he's been basically confirmed for Uncanny at WWLA. :)

[Frodo-X]

:evilangry

Beast's sidekick.;)

True colors come out when you knock me off my fence. :p

But, hey, I still hold out hope that they're both coming. Carey'll probably use Dark Beast as we've described, and Brubaker will bring in Magneto.

[Hi-Fi]

I think that by the year's end, I'll have fullfilled my wish of seeing Mike writing all the major X-Characters!!

Well, except the people that get left behind in space. :(

[Erik Lehnsherr]

Great interview and I'm VERY excited about this one. Probably just as excited as Magneto's family reunion in "House of M". I have been wanting..DEMANDING a Sinister story of epic proportions since 2004 at least. It's finally here. I love how he may be the one who has the answer to saving mutantkind by the end of the story. And it seems we're gonna have Sinister/Beast moments that puts their genius against each other as well. Works for me. Too bad Dark Beast won't get to chime in so we could have the the 3 best geneticists on Earth in one full out story. But I won't complain. All hail 2007..the year of Sinister.

Nah. I have a feeling it's more likely to be Dark Beast. Especially after the answer about Magneto at WWLA.

Carey's been wanting to stick Beast and Dark Beast in a room together with a reason to uncomfortably work together, going by his posts on his board. This would be the perfect reason for that to happen. :)

I would LOVE to see Dark Beast be the villian that is forced to work with X-Men. Beast probably wouldn't be able to control himself around him. As for if Magneto is gonna be making an appearance? I think he might make a cameo and it would be fitting as there is no mutant in history more concerned about the well being of mutantkind than him. Still..they might be saving his surprises for 2008 instead.

[TheDrizzt]

Global warming? Oh, geez. :rolleyes:

Guess it was too much to hope he'd notice that the "red line" effect (birth rate being drastically below replacement rate) is actually happening in most of the industrialized world. Only the US and India remain around or above replacement rate, and India's been plunging for decades.

[Beast]

Global warming? Oh, geez. :rolleyes:

Guess it was too much to hope he'd notice that the "red line" effect (birth rate being drastically below replacement rate) is actually happening in most of the industrialized world. Only the US and India remain around or above replacement rate, and India's been plunging for decades.
Yeah, but the human race has already over-populated the planet. So a lower birthrate isn't exactly a bad thing.

[Red Lotus]

Global warming? Oh, geez. :rolleyes:

Guess it was too much to hope he'd notice that the "red line" effect (birth rate being drastically below replacement rate) is actually happening in most of the industrialized world. Only the US and India remain around or above replacement rate, and India's been plunging for decades.

I dont know why but I can't get the thought of Al Gore writing a Global Warming series for marvel out of me head.

[Brian M.]

Yeah, but the human race has already over-populated the planet. So a lower birthrate isn't exactly a bad thing.

It's not overpopulated. There are places that are too damn crowded yes, but not overpopulated. When I can drive across the state of TN and go 2 straight hours and all I see is dinky rest stops, that's not over populated.

[MartinRedmond]

i have a lot to fear. Carey hasn't impressed me - albeit more so than 3 of the other writers at the conference - and the idea that the backup stories are sequential and are in two titles i won't buy means that even if i was excited about this crossover, i will be missing out on potentially important information.

But you have to buy them so they can all have a fake sales boost from people not usually buying them. Thus making it the greatest piece of comic book literature of all time.

[TheDrizzt]

Yeah, but the human race has already over-populated the planet. So a lower birthrate isn't exactly a bad thing.
Er, no. Not even close. This is one of those 1960s/1970s sci-fi scenarios that just won't die.

2006 estimated world population is 6,525,170,264 (per CIA factbook).

Let's say you wanted to be a "new urbanist" and pack that population in at the density of NYC (26,403 people per square mile). You'd need a city-state of a little over 247,137 square miles... basically the size of Texas with 20K square miles (Massachusetts plus Vermont) left vacant. Oh, plus the rest of the globe.

The problem isn't too many people or not enough space. It's not enough honest, responsive, representative governments with free market economies.

[TheDrizzt]

I dont know why but I can't get the thought of Al Gore writing a Global Warming series for marvel out of me head.
He does seem to have a talent for best-selling fiction.

[We R. Venom]

Is it just me, or does Mike Carey like talking and doing interviews and such more than other writers? Just seems he does a lot.

[Beast]

Is it just me, or does Mike Carey like talking and doing interviews and such more than other writers? Just seems he does a lot.
Agreed. He seems to enjoy his job more than most of the other X-Writers now also.

[We R. Venom]

Agreed. He seems to enjoy his job more than most of the other X-Writers now also.

I thought I wasnt crazy. I mean the first time i heard the people on the X-forums saying they talked to Mike Carey, asked him questions and read his blogs and such on his sight i just drew a blank because i couldnt think of why he would. No other writers that i know are so dedicated to sharing feelings and ideas with the fans that have both good and bad to say about his book. *shrugs* I guess he is just cool. I know Whedon and Brubaker are busy as hot hell, but still.

[Arune Singh]

Is it just me, or does Mike Carey like talking and doing interviews and such more than other writers? Just seems he does a lot.

He's also a dear friend, so I'm always trying to interview him for CBR. I've actually got another Carey interview coming up soon, about some of his other work.

The man is pure class-- you won't meet a cooler comic creator.

[Beast]

He's also a dear friend, so I'm always trying to interview him for CBR. I've actually got another Carey interview coming up soon, about some of his other work.

The man is pure class-- you won't meet a cooler comic creator.
Agreed. He seems to enjoy continuity and the X-Men fans. Which is rare. ;)

[Hi-Fi]

He's also a dear friend, so I'm always trying to interview him for CBR. I've actually got another Carey interview coming up soon, about some of his other work.

The man is pure class-- you won't meet a cooler comic creator.
So agree. He has the patience of a saint. I have been annoying him with e-mails for the past months and he's always nice and polite. A great writer and a great guy.

[Canemacar]

If the editors don't screw him over, I think he's got what it takes to become the next Claremont.

[Kalen O.]

Mike Carey for President!


Ahem.

Sorry, got a tad caught up in the enthusiasm. Lol. (Clearly, I'm in agreement though, so all's good).

[jen]

If the editors don't screw him over, I think he's got what it takes to become the next Claremont.

Well only if folks actually buy his book... ;)

[Canemacar]

Well only if folks actually buy his book... ;)

I've already got a subscription. :)

[jen]

I've already got a subscription. :)

:eek:

*faints*

Wow, now that is impressive. The Carey must be spreading! It is highly contageous! Everyone will soon get Carey-fever! I think it is part of Strain 88 or something. :evilsmile

[Niro]

This line had me laughing:

"it makes mutants measurably hotter than homo sapiens. Except for Mammomax, god rest him."

funnyass line :D