What if you were in charge of the X-Books

[cowboyfunk]

So here's the deal. Imagine that by some act of God, Joe Quesada steps down and makes you Marvel's EIC. Now imagine that you have the entire companies support to makes the highest quality books possible. Rather than producing more titles, Marvel wants to consolidate it's line and only publish titles with A list creative talent. As it just so happens, you get to call the shots. What would you do? Create a title and a premise, give your roster, and give your ideal creative team. Keep this plausible (for example...as awesome as it might be...alan moore will never write the x-men). Also, try and keep posts short, but feel free to post multiple times if you have ideas for more than one book.

[cowboyfunk]

Title: X-Force (or maybe 6 Pack)

Roster: Cable, Domino, Juggernaut, Deadpool, Mystique, Forge

Premise: After Magneto's rampage in New York, anti-mutant sentiment is at an all time high. Numerous factions within the government are at each other throats regarding what is to be done about the mutant problem. Some high ranking individuals have even taken matters into their own hands, reinstituting the sentinal program and worse. Nick Fury, fearing an all out war, creates his own mutants black ops squad to stop problems before they start...taking on the questionable jobs that the x-men never could. Essentially, this is Fury's handpicked dirty half-dozen. They don't exist on paper...and with the exception of Cable, they don't even know who they are working for. Stories would be very political and fairly gritty. As for characters...Cable takes the job on voluntarily, realizing that desperate times call for desperate measures. Not surprisingly, Domino follows. Juggernaut, Deadpool, and Mystique are all forced into service as a result of their questionable pasts. Like in the book Mystique, Forge is the Q character. Beyond that, his presense on the team is a mystery.

P.S. This book would replace Mystique, Cable/Deadpool, and X-Force

Writer: Bendis or Vaughn
Artist: ideally Yoji Shinkawa of Metal Gear Solid fame. if nothing else, he would be hired to do character designs and covers.

[Cable2X]

Title: X-Force (or maybe 6 Pack)

Roster: Cable, Domino, Juggernaut, Deadpool, Mystique, Forge

Premise: After Magneto's rampage in New York, anti-mutant sentiment is at an all time high. Numerous factions within the government are at each other throats regarding what is to be done about the mutant problem. Some high ranking individuals have even taken matters into their own hands, reinstituting the sentinal program and worse. Nick Fury, fearing an all out war, creates his own mutants black ops squad to stop problems before they start...taking on the questionable jobs that the x-men never could. Essentially, this is Fury's handpicked dirty half-dozen. They don't exist on paper...and with the exception of Cable, they don't even know who they are working for. Stories would be very political and fairly gritty. As for characters...Cable takes the job on voluntarily, realizing that desperate times call for desperate measures. Not surprisingly, Domino follows. Juggernaut, Deadpool, and Mystique are all forced into service as a result of their questionable pasts. Like in the book Mystique, Forge is the Q character. Beyond that, his presense on the team is a mystery.

P.S. This book would replace Mystique, Cable/Deadpool, and X-Force

Writer: Bendis or Vaughn
Artist: ideally Yoji Shinkawa of Metal Gear Solid fame. if nothing else, he would be hired to do character designs and covers.

I like. Except for cancelling all the other books with Cable.

[mike626]

X-Men: Evolution I wolud break up the X-men heres how:Beast will admit that there is no cure for the E-gene that will kill the human-race,the news gets out and Human-Mutant relations go to hell,and some X-men start to have the opinion(Why try to intergrate with a dying race?).Emma and Soctt do their best but,Logan,Rouge.Gambit,Bishop,Marvel Girl (Rachel Summers) and Havoc leave Westchester and set up shop in Mutant-Town,thus a split is born.

M-T faction:

1.Wolverine

2.Rouge

3.Gambit

4.Bishop

5.Marvel Girl

6.Havoc
Note: the M-T faction wear the leather uniforms or Street-Colthes

Westchester faction:
1.Cyke

2.the White Queen

3. Beast

4.Iceman

5.Nightcrawler

6.Shadowcat
Note:the Westchester faction wear the spandex

New X-men writer:Ed Burbaker artist: Sean Phillps

Uncanny X-men writer:Mark Millar artist: JRJR

[mattbib]

An idea I had awhile back (and posted about) would involve the Shi'ar Imperial Guard. It'd be a politicial thriller type book focusing on Lilandra's struggle to maintain peace in her empire.

Certain members of the guard would begin to question the Shi'ar government, especially how it treats its non-Shi'ar subjects.

Playing a large role in the book would be the Kree, obviously, and their genetically-advanced offshoot, the Ruul.

Oracle and Flashfire, who I believe got married and retired from the Guard, would publicly decry Lilandra's actions and defy Gladiator's blind allegiance.

I'd also involve the Supreme Intelligence to a degree, as well as a few other cosmic heroes who'd be dragged into the ongoing conflicts (because Earth would inevitably become involved): Captain Marvel, Warbird, Rick Jones, Cerise, Lyja, Super-Skrull, Nova...

Ideally it'd be very Jack Ryan-esque.

[DrDoomX]

My idea, my idea would be this....

First and Foremost....NO WOLVERINE!

Second it would be about a group of mutants that are not affiliated (and I mean no funding, though as later on I mention their leader would be a former x-man)with the X-Men, its about a group of Mutants who wish peace as Xaviers institute but would conflict with the X-Men from time to time...They would also be led by a former X-Men, and in this case I would have that former X-Men or New Mutants I should say Cannonball...I think he makes a great leader....They would travel the world trying to mend the damage of Human and Mutant relations after the New York incident in NXM....

[Huzzah!]

sorry doom x. No wolverine, your book wouldnt sell :p

[Charagon]

Lockhead's Angel's


Kitty Pryde, Rachel Summers, and Illyana Rasputin travel around the world getting into various adventures that usually end up with them in scaintly clad outfits and performing suductive ploys before kicking ass and taking names.

[Smarty Jones]

With the changes in the X-Universe (more pronounced mutant hysteria, the E-gene, etc.) it seems ripe for a rise in the philosophies of Apocalypse. I thought Apocalypse conceptually was a great villain who was poorly executed.

In "The Rising," there are forces moving to bring back Apocalypse from the dead. Holocaust, remembering the teachings of the Age of Apocalypse ruler, sets up shop in Genosha. From the ashes of the country, he and his mutant cohorts begin their first acts of terrorism against humanity. He sets up underground concentration camps against humans and sympathetic mutants. Eventually, Holocaust understands that he needs technology to acheive his ultimate goal -- and thus plans to lead a movement against Wakada, the home of The Black Panther.

Meanwhile, The Dark Riders are searching throughout Eastern Europe for the burial site of Exodus, the enhanced mutant created by Apocalypse who once swore allegiance to Magneto. However, it is unclear whether The Dark Riders want to kill Paris Benet or make him the new leader of homo superior.

Ozymandias and Anais are searching in Egypt, looking for the remains of the original and eternal body of En Sabah Nur. It is revealed that Apocalypse's first body did NOT die; it has been held in stasis for centuries while his essense absorbed bodies as hosts. However, the secrets of Apocalypse's first form may lie in the hands of Mister Sinister.

And finally, there is a new Death roaming Morocco. Based on the Death featured in the abysmal "The Twelve" storyline, this version of Death has the same abilities -- however, this one is Arabic. What are his motives? What is his connection to Apocalypse?

Four different factions, all with a connection to Apocalypse. What will happen when they all cross paths? Will Mister Sinister, Holocaust, Exodus and Death become the new Horseman -- or try to eliminate each other? And moreover -- will En Sabah Nur rise from the dead?

CREATIVE TEAM: Ethan Van Sciver - art, Jimmy Palmiotti - writer, Scott Hanna - inks

[mike626]

Hey Smarty,I like your pitch!

[SUPERECWFAN1]

To me the X-Line has became to clogged with with extra books.You can't put out 15 X Books and not expect fans to barf It all up.Heres my Idea.


Uncanny X-Men- Its time for new blood writer wise.You can't pull Claremont out every 3 years and expect newer fans to follow.This Is the book I'd hand to Geoff Johns & Scott Kolins.

Wolverine-I want brutal Wolverine stories.I'd approach Garth Ennis and Cassaday to make Wolvie brutal.He's not afraid to kill.In fact the guys a pure animal when he needs to be.

New Mutants- I'd hand this to Gail Simone or maybe Joe Kelly.

X-Men:Keep Austen on this.He would bring newer soaper stories on this book.

Astonishing X-Men:Like Wheldon & Cassaday on this.

Legends of the X-Men:Various arcs done by different creators & artists.This book would help launch newer writers & artists!

[JeffreyWKramer]

I've never been a fan of Apocalypse, but I like Smarty's characterizing him as "conceptually a great villain who was poorly executed." Since there can never be enough good villains, I'm all for a story that would make 'Pocy not suck.

The outline/plot suggested might well do that. Mysteries are always good, and I'm all for big plots that somehow bring Wakanda and the Panther into the story. If nothing else, it would be great to have a really epic X-story that happens outside the US but doesn't end up on Muir Island, the Savage Land or Canada.

The downside is that if not written carefully, this could read a lot like an X-Men Trivia series... lots of dialogue along the line of "oh, this is so and so who used to work for this guy", in order to remind longer-time readers and provide the needed history lesson for the current one. That is something the X-Books really need to avoid, IMHO. Too often, history lessons bog down the story.

One can draw on the past without having it be tedious. For example, when Jason Wyndarde was revealed to be Mastermind during the Dark Phoenix Saga, long-time X-Fans got a clue in the form of his shadow, and the revelation itself took about a panel, maybe two - the reader was told that Mastermind was a long-time X-Foe with illusion powers.

I worry that any story drawing upon this much X-History will get very wordy, along the line of "Yeah, this guy is the second cousin of that one guy who fought Iceman in that 1984 miniseries... and he's hanging out with the alternate future version of that guy who is a clone of the Weapon X project's chief dentist."

So, yeah, the premise seems interesting, even given my lack of interest in the X-Books during the time Apocalypse was a major player... but whether it worked might well come down to the execution.

[Smarty Jones]

Hi, JeffreyWKramer.

Thank you for the input on "The Rising." The whole premise on the book is that it will focus on characters who were part of En Sabah Nur's past and possible future. There would not be the presence of the Merry Mutants, but characters like The Dark Riders, Ozymandias, Holocaust and Mister Sinister, who would have a hand in spreading his legacy and maybe his resurrection.

I also would clean up Apocalypse's past, which I felt were filled with inconsistencies. In previous books such as "X-Men: The Search for Cyclops," En Sabah Nur was portrayed as a savage fighter who had near eternal-life. Conversely, it had been established that he stole Celestial technology, presumably to change his abilities and boost his technology. But what I felt weakened the character was in "The Twelve," where he was depicted as some vampire who needed to absorb host bodies to make himself stronger.

P.S. This likely would be a finite series (about 50 to 75 issues, but no more than 100). Eventually, people would want some closure to this storyline, given the premise. The final issue would reveal whether Apocalypse comes back from the dead.

[Pepsigirl]

X-Over. Who came up with that over in the Liefeld X-Force thread? Sorry I'm not looking at it right now. That would be great. We could call it "X-Over: Mutant Eye for the Static Guy".

[Adam Crocker]

Here's a straight-up pitch on a title that has already been suggested in this thread, but the idea has been nibbling at me nonetheless because it was apparently meant to be the original concept behind it, yet was never satisfactorily explored for my liking.

Purpose: Pitch for X-Men comic with an espionage, political intrigue bent that explores the gray area inbetween the X-Men and the terrorism of Magneto.

Potential creative teams: The likes of Ed Brubaker or Warren Ellis during his so-called year of whoredom would suit this. Artists best suited to the project would be the perenially late, yet excellent Frank Quitely, Phil Jimenez, J.G. Jones, Sean Philips, and even Igor Kordey (or especially Kordey, this thoughts on Marvel notwithstanding).

----------------------------------------------

Since the 9-11 terrorist attacks attempts have been made by the government to greater regulate both mutants and superhumans. Now, after years of hardwork, the unveil a new program for tracking superhumans known as project Praetorian. A new specially designed police force for superhuman (but particularly mutant) crimes with a new line of Sentinels to bring all suspected superhuman criminals (though particularly mutants).

Within the first month of operation Praetorian seems hamstrung. Several of their missions have been attacked by unknown mutant terrorists. Twenty Sentinels have been lost under mysterious circumstances. A Sentinel facility at Arlington was bombed to pieces, the records destroyed and computers completely wiped. There has even been an jailbreak at the newly established superhuman prison in Virginia. The authorities are baffled as to who is behind this.

Leee Heddon knows who was behind these attacks, because he carried them out with a mutant named Cable, and several other mutants under his command including a white skinned woman named Domino, an inventor named Forge, and Rachel Summers, a woman with telekinesis and telepathy who either comes from a dystopian future run by Sentinels and is willing to do anything to prevent it or is just plain nuts in Leee's eyes. Leee however, is not a mutant. He is an ordinary human. So former marine Luis Chao, as well as medical expert Johnathan Salisbury. Hokumi Yukimura was a former operative of the hand. And while Elise Shepp has invunerability and super-strength, they were the result of a scientific experiment, which means he ain't a mutant. However, what these people have in common is that they believe humans and mutants can co-exist, and they are willing to do everything to help ensure this happens. Whether it means taking down a mutant-supremacy terrorist group and assasinating its leader, breaking into government buildings to gather dirt on anti-mutant politicians (or just politicians who support things like the Sentinel program), or conduct covert operations against any nation using its military power to undermine Genosha, they will be there. This is the sword of the dream, and its open to anyone who shares it and is willing to be ruthless about it.

Welcome to X-Force.

[The Lucky One]

Well, I had two ideas for books that I absolutely needed to write in my lifetime, and Peter David's now doing one of them (well, replace "Madrox as private eye" with "Madrox as secret agent," but you get the idea), so I guess I'll have to go with the other. I'll preface it, however, by warning you that it has nothing at all to do with the X-Men. In fact, it's not even tangentially related; the ONLY common thread is that the main character was once an X-Man. But even that wasn't the character's best moments. Nope... ladies and gentlemen, I'm proud to announce to you that- Longshot's getting his own Marvel Knights solo book.

Well, not really. But in this imaginary scenario, he would be. The book primarily revolves around Longshot being sent off on exactly his type of off-kilter, surreal, mystical quest, thrown into various different genres of books, TV, and movies, not to mention time periods, to play around in and do some good. (And if you're thinking that it sounds a hell of a lot like the Exiles... well, I can't deny it. In all fairness, though, I had the idea for this well before Judd came along with one of my favorite comics.) It wouldn't all be lighthearted, of course; some stories would be, obviously, but others would be quite grim and unnerving, much like his original mini. Longshot's a much deeper character than most who've only read his memory-loss days in UXM might assume, and he'd really be displaying it in this series. In essence, think of it as sort of a cross between the Exiles and Sandman, with various artists (and even guest writers) free to come in and bring their own take to whatever genre they care to put Longshot into. Gritty crime noir story? Bring me Bill Seinkiewicz. Lighthearted romp through the land of the X-Babies? I'll take Todd Nuack, thank you very much. Longshot would be both adventurer and detective- obviously he's trying to do good and help as many people as possible, but at the same time, he's deciphering clues and following leads on a Holy Grail-esque quest, though for exactly what he knows not. There would be familiar faces helping him along the way, though actual recurring characters might not be many (Doctor Strange, possible Quark... Spiral?) Only two things are for certain- he's not going to be done with it for a good long time, and he (and readers) will have plenty of excitement along the way!

Anyway, I don't think I did a very good job explaining it, but regardless- it's gold, Jerry, gold! I can't guarantee it would be a huge seller, but since I'm EIC now, I'm allowed to have my little pet projects. The higher-ups can have another Wolverine book if they really want it, just so long as I get my Longshot Marvel Knights series.

-D

[I_am_scifi]

The X-Men are dead.

Long live the X-Men.

In the final battle with Magneto, every single active member of the X-Men perished on re-entry into Earth's atmosphere. It was Megneto's final act of betrayal. He deactivated their shielding. No one survived. Cyclops. Beast. Kitty Pryde. Nightcrawler. Wolverine. Gambit. Rogue. Havok. Many more of the world's most gifted and powerful; all gone.

In their dying breaths, Jean Grey and Emma Frost emitted a psychic scream which could be felt by every mutant left on Earth. It was one word. One powerful word: PEACE.

Those retired, those inactive, those who passed on becoming X-Men in the past were the ones who decided to take action on the word. Even without the X-Men, there was still a need to teach, to learn, to better society.

Cerebra, the first sentient mutant computer heard the call as well. Cerebra sent out messages of her own to an elite list of mutants she deemed worthy of wearing the X.

These are their stories.

The dream lives on.

X-Men: The Dream.

Cast of Characters:

Alpha Team-X
Team Leader: Forge
Madrox the Multiple Man
Dani Moonstar
Venus Dee Milo
Scarlet Witch
Adam Summers (alias X-Treme)
M
Hydrox (Real name Sandra Clemons. Recruited by Cerebra.)
Vivisector

Delta Team-X
Team Leader: The Orphan (alias Mr. Sensitive)
Chamber
Meltdown
Deadgirl
Sasquatch
Syren
Mimic
Josh Guthrie (alias Angel)
Techno (real name Roger Timmons. Recruited by Cerebra.)

Agency X
Team Leaders: Cable (alias Soldier X)
Mystique
Domino
John Proudstar (alias Warpath)
Northstar
Maverick
Deadpool
The Anarchist

X-Factor
Team Leader: Quicksilver
Jubilee
Justice
Sunfire
Marrow
Longshot
Magma
The Alchemist (alias Erin Cartright. Recruited by Cerebra.)
Quagmire (real name Devon Hawkins. Recruited by Cerebra.)


They are the second wave. Will they live up to the legacy of the originals?

The time for them to prove themselves is now.

[The Lucky One]

A question, Sci-Fi (out of genuine curiosity, not sarcasm or malice, I promise): this is the 616 Mimic you're using, right? Not the Exiles version? And if so, how would you overcome the challenge other writers have faced to keep him/his teammates from being superfluous to each other? Don't get me wrong, I love the 616 Mimic- but since he automatically duplicates everyone's powers at full strength, he has to have an extremely interesting personality to be viewed as necessary to the story. (Or be de-powered, as Judd did for the Exiles version.) Indeed, he's so insanely powerful that he could handle most situations on his own while the other X-Men went to get coffee, or anywhere else within a mile radius; since he duplicates both powers and knowledge, not to mention has additional permanent powers, he's automatically the better of pretty much anyone the X-Men would ever face off against. Which is fine, it just goes a long way toward explaining why he's generally used as the villain of stories, not a hero. Don't get me wrong, I think it's a very cool idea that I'd love to see played out in an interesting manner, I'm just curious as to what ideas you have as to how to make it work.
:)

-D

[Sean S]

My X-Story would be Wolverine: The Truth. It would recycle a couple of old Jemas gems. First, this comic would reveal some dark hidden truth about Wolverine's life in the 40's. That, combined with Rawhide Kid. My crystal ball says this mini would sell like hotcakes on groundhog's day.

-Sean

[cowboyfunk]

wow...some sweet ideas all around. my random feedback...

smarty...i really like the rising idea. the focus on villains make me think of the present weapon x book...but with a premise that would make it worth reading.

dj ghetto...brubaker would be awesome...i totally forgot about the guy...but i'd put him on my title as well.

the lucky one...dang...why ISN'T longshot leading the exiles right now? he'd be great...and a helluva lot better than the uninspired mr. i-can-do-everything mimic.

i_am_sci fi...i'd be all for a giant size x-men #2 to establish a fresh new team...and i wasn't even thinking about characters like the orphan and venus demilo...they definitely need to stick around.

[SUPERECWFAN1]

If I was doing my own X-Book however...


New X-Men:
JUBILEE-Co-Leader
STORM-Co-Leader
CANNONBALL
ICEMAN
DEADPOOL
WOLVERINE:Reserve Member

I would craft a series about the X-Team rebuilding themselves.Jubilee wants more authority after turning 18 In my series and Prof.X decides to make her a Co-Leader of a Team.

The book Is about different things.Part of It Is about the growth of Jubilee.She no longer cares for shopping non-stop.She wants to be treated serious.

Sam Guthrie tries to not fall for Jubilee.But he does.The thing Is , Sam's a shy Southerner.Jubilee Is a brash , New York Kid.So theres that traingle to play off!

In the 1st arc a wounded Deadpool arrives at the Mansion.To the shock of everyone Charles takes him In!This makes the kids wonder If Prof.X Is losing his judgement.

But Prof.X knows that deep In Wade Wilson Is a Human person.He wants to be a Hero.In fact he knows Wade has snuck close to the Mansion to spy on Siryn before.He just never brought It up before.

Storm Is the steady rock for Jubilee to fall on.In fact no one likes Wade except for Jubilee who accepts him.Wolverine thinks Its a con and the 2 In one Issue go mano...to mano In the Danger Room.

Thier healing factors amped they cause plenty of choas and blood loss.

I would concentrate on a New Version of Sinester.In my stories he's become a better genenic Doctor.He creates an Army of kids who can amp the X-Men's powers.Problem Is ala the Jackel with a flick of his finger he can cause them to degenerate.

Sinester doesn't want to rule Earth.He wants to remake Earth Into his twisted Image.He forces the X-Men to face him In LA where he's make Hollywood Into something outta a Horror Film!

[I_am_scifi]

A question, Sci-Fi (out of genuine curiosity, not sarcasm or malice, I promise): this is the 616 Mimic you're using, right? Not the Exiles version? And if so, how would you overcome the challenge other writers have faced to keep him/his teammates from being superfluous to each other? Don't get me wrong, I love the 616 Mimic- but since he automatically duplicates everyone's powers at full strength, he has to have an extremely interesting personality to be viewed as necessary to the story. (Or be de-powered, as Judd did for the Exiles version.) Indeed, he's so insanely powerful that he could handle most situations on his own while the other X-Men went to get coffee, or anywhere else within a mile radius; since he duplicates both powers and knowledge, not to mention has additional permanent powers, he's automatically the better of pretty much anyone the X-Men would ever face off against. Which is fine, it just goes a long way toward explaining why he's generally used as the villain of stories, not a hero. Don't get me wrong, I think it's a very cool idea that I'd love to see played out in an interesting manner, I'm just curious as to what ideas you have as to how to make it work.
:)

-D

I've kind of had this idea going for a while in my head that ever since we last saw Mimic, he has been training himself rigorously in the mountains in Tibet. He saw the mistakes he made in life and desired to better himself not only as a person, but also as a mutant. He recognized how out of control he was, and desired to change that.

After years of training with Tibetan monks, and deep meditation, Mimic hears the psychic scream and realizes now is the time for him to help make up for past crimes, and make a difference in the world. He has fine-tuned his powers to the point where he can pick which powers he absorbs when around others. In order to keep his powers fine-tuned and stop them from overloading, Mimic only allows himself to absorb four mutant's powers at once. The psychic scream left a physic residue, giving him half of Jean Grey's psychic and telekinetic abilities. Mimic has kept Cyclops' force beams as a symbol of the dead X-Men, and a reminder of their cause. He also has Wolverine's bone claws (from an off-screen confrontation the two had years prior) and a bit of his healing factor and heightened senses, and Cannonball's ability to fly and the imperviousness that goes along with it. Limitations are found with his accessing these abilities. For instance, Mimic can’t use his eye beams while using telepathy, can’t use Wolverine’s senses or his telekinesis while flying, as it threatens the control of his powers too much to try.

As battles go on, Mimic will adapt his powers accordingly, losing one power in his catalogue in favor of another when the time comes.

How's that for you Lucky? :D

[Adam Crocker]

First and Foremost....NO WOLVERINE!

Amen brother!

sorry doom x. No wolverine, your book wouldnt sell :p

Silence hairball loving scum! My meglomanical dream of a world where every man, woman, and child is free of his ubiqituous and obnoxious presence WILL come to fruition! http://www.infoshop.org/forums/phpBB2/images/smiles/icon_mad.gif

I've never been a fan of Apocalypse, but I like Smarty's characterizing him as "conceptually a great villain who was poorly executed." Since there can never be enough good villains, I'm all for a story that would make 'Pocy not suck.

Out of curiosity how was Apocalypse poorly executed? I am curious but not overly familiar with the villain other than he strikes me as the X-Men's answer to millenarian, religious zealot spouting ridiculous lines that were extreme version of Darwinism with a really stupid looking character design.

And Mike626;

I really like your idea that Xavier's dream is sundered, not by mutant hysteria or terrorists like Magneto, but the fact that nature has deemed it irrelevant since the human race will be daid anyways. Funny how Morrison, while using that to help break away from the gloomy "we're doomed" mentality that had been dominating the X-Men for awhile never explored that.

(What's Mutant Town though?)


In their dying breaths, Jean Grey and Emma Frost...

But Jean Grey's already dead...

*Grabs I_am_scifi dramatically by the arms and starts shaking him*

GET AHOLD OF YOURSELF MAN!!!! You're....HYSTERICAL! We...all...miss...her...


:D

[The Lucky One]

How's that for you Lucky? :D

It's a creative way of addressing the problem, but now I'm curious about these limitations you mentioned. Why does he have only half of Jean's telepathy, when before he had it all (plus Xavier's)? Why can he only use one power at once? Why only 4 in his body at a time, when he's been handling 6 with no trouble for years? (And he permanently has the 6 original X-Men's power templates, so what causes them to be wiped out?) You'd think the meditation would make him more proficient in the use of his powers, not less; what's changed? (And again, I'm playing devil's advocate here because I genuinely am interested in it and how you would be addressing these aspects of your story, not to be a killjoy; I hope that's clear, and that this doesn't come across in a negative way.)

(Oh yeah, and just on a personal note, I really hated it when Exiles Mimic lost Angel's wings... those are a great visual that, combined with the glowing eyes and massive musculature, I always enjoy whenever "our" Calvin makes an appearance. Too bad he has to abandon them for Sam's powers, though I will agree they're more versatile, if not as precise; still, it IS a great look for him.)

-D

[I_am_scifi]

It's a creative way of addressing the problem, but now I'm curious about these limitations you mentioned. Why does he have only half of Jean's telepathy, when before he had it all (plus Xavier's)? Why can he only use one power at once? Why only 4 in his body at a time, when he's been handling 6 with no trouble for years? (And he permanently has the 6 original X-Men's power templates, so what causes them to be wiped out?) You'd think the meditation would make him more proficient in the use of his powers, not less; what's changed? (And again, I'm playing devil's advocate here because I genuinely am interested in it and how you would be addressing these aspects of your story, not to be a killjoy; I hope that's clear, and that this doesn't come across in a negative way.)

(Oh yeah, and just on a personal note, I really hated it when Exiles Mimic lost Angel's wings... those are a great visual that, combined with the glowing eyes and massive musculature, I always enjoy whenever "our" Calvin makes an appearance. Too bad he has to abandon them for Sam's powers, though I will agree they're more versatile, if not as precise; still, it IS a great look for him.)

-D

He has gone with 4 for precision's sake alone. Sure, he might have been able to handle all 6 original's powers once upon a time, but he did not have the skill possessed by these individuals to go along with the powers. The 4 powers is a limit which is self imposed. He could handle more than 4, but he will have to sacrifice the control in order to do so.

The half of Jean's powers comes from the fact that he had absorbed her powers originally a long time ago, and had since moved on to a new power in place of Jean's. When the psychic scream reached Calvin, the backlash combined with the residue of her powers that was left within him, and he was able to use these powers in his catalogue.

He can use more than one power at a time, just not certain ones. Certain powers simply interfere with the one he is currently using. For instance, the focus needed to fly makes it near impossible for him to lift objects with his mind while doing so. Again, as time goes on situations might arise where Mimic must use these powers simultaneously, but it is very possible that they might not work correctly, or at all. It is all about concentration, control, and precision with Mimic now. These were all aspects that were missing from the character back in the old days.

As for the Angel wings, they could possibly make a comeback at one point. Josh Guthrie is an X-Man now...


And to address DJ, Jean's died twelve times before! What makes you think she couldn't have come back one more time? :P

[Adam Crocker]

And to address DJ, Jean's died twelve times before! What makes you think she couldn't have come back one more time? :P

True.

What makes you think that the editors won't bring her back six issues after this lil' revamp? :eek:

(Or the entire X-Men judging by the recent comics...)

[mike626]

Amen brother!



Silence hairball loving scum! My meglomanical dream of a world where every man, woman, and child is free of his ubiqituous and obnoxious presence WILL come to fruition! http://www.infoshop.org/forums/phpBB2/images/smiles/icon_mad.gif



Out of curiosity how was Apocalypse poorly executed? I am curious but not overly familiar with the villain other than he strikes me as the X-Men's answer to millenarian, religious zealot spouting ridiculous lines that were extreme version of Darwinism with a really stupid looking character design.

And Mike626;

I really like your idea that Xavier's dream is sundered, not by mutant hysteria or terrorists like Magneto, but the fact that nature has deemed it irrelevant since the human race will be daid anyways. Funny how Morrison, while using that to help break away from the gloomy "we're doomed" mentality that had been dominating the X-Men for awhile never explored that.

(What's Mutant Town though?)



But Jean Grey's already dead...

*Grabs I_am_scifi dramatically by the arms and starts shaking him*

GET AHOLD OF YOURSELF MAN!!!! You're....HYSTERICAL! We...all...miss...her...


:DHey, DJ! Mutant Town is all mutant section of NYC it was introduced in NYX in my story-line Logan and the others a isolationist point of view at the begining of this story. :cool: anywho,I wolud like your sugestions as to how to fit Xavier into this right now he is watching this from Genosha.

[Adam Crocker]

Hey, DJ! Mutant Town is all mutant section of NYC it was introduced in NYX...

You mean that place that District X is set in?

anywho,I wolud like your sugestions as to how to fit Xavier into this right now he is watching this from Genosha.

Right now? I'm not sure there's a heckuva lot he could do since he's basically isolated on an island where a lot of the techology isn't working, nevermind being occupied with rebuilding a nation. I'm sure that once the news got to him though he would try and step in and make peace between the X-Men as well as emphasizing their duty to find a cure for the E-Gene or at least ease the transition. (Basically make a speech about how we should hug each other more often, which is all I can come up with right now in terms of dealing directly with the X-Men.) However, if he got ahold of this I'd also think he'd try and look at ways to incorporate humans into rebuilding Genosha including bringing back its former human population. Of course if Magneto is indeed alive, he might try and undermine Xavier on that point (but I imagine he would argue more that they would be a security liability on Genosha since the E-Gene would make them desperate) and try find a way to capitalize on the fact that the human race is dying out among the world's mutant population. Though I'd doubt he'd find any need to resort to his old acts of terrorism and mutant human war since the outcome is pre-determined. It would probably be more of a political campaign designed to rally mutants to become politically active so they are ready to inherit the earth.

On the other hand, the E-Gene might just embolden him to carry out his world conquering ways figuring that mutants should just take over anyways since there will be less of a mess left over once all the humans die off.

[Siddon]

My pitch would be to have our favorite reality hoping AOA badass has finally settled on 616 Earth along with the exiled Exiles Namora, Blink, Mimic, Morph, and Beak. Most of the team dispursts only to have Ironfist pop up and try and kill Creed. Ironfist kills Namora and Creed in a rage kills Ironfist. Alone, wanted for murder, and perceived as the other Sabertooth, Creed goes spends the series searching for peace and the 616 Sabertooth. At the end of the year I would have a three issue dragout battle between Creed and Sabertooth which will lead to Sabertooths death. I would have it as a limited series that may lead him into an ongoing with Mimic, Blink, Deadpool and Syrin.

[mike626]

You mean that place that District X is set in? Yup thats the one.So ya really think Marvel wolud let any of these ideas happen? :D

[Adam Crocker]

Yup thats the one.So ya really think Marvel wolud let any of these ideas happen? :D

Marvel would never let the main X-Men characters, especially Wolverine, get killed off. So if the X-Men get killed off and replaced scenario ever got into published comics I see this as being temporary, with the eventual revelation that Magneto saved them with his Magnetic powers and has been holding prisoner in his secret base or something equally inane.

[mike626]

Marvel would never let the main X-Men characters, especially Wolverine, get killed off. So if the X-Men get killed off and replaced scenario ever got into published comics I see this as being temporary, with the eventual revelation that Magneto saved them with his Magnetic powers and has been holding prisoner in his secret base or something equally inane. Sadly, that wolud happen :( BTW: I have an other plot but its a alt-timeline one.

[Adam Crocker]

Sadly, that wolud happen :(

Not only that, but with the sudden return of both Magneto and Xorn it would happen in six issues or less. :p

[Rich L]

Well I had my original idea all prepped out and scripted for Epic to stomp all over but unfortunately (or fortunately, I guess) didn't get round to submitting it...and now most of the characters are being used elsewhere but here you go...

It starts with Banshee being recruited as he leaves the hospital by a man in shadows to join the revived Black Air based in England. He believes that as his scream's gone he'd be no use, but the stranger pulls him in by saying that they've already recruited Siryn, and that as Xavier is now employing Mystique...needless to say this ticks Sean off, and he agrees.

Meanwhile in a pub in the north of England, Pete Wisdom is approached by Joey Chapman (Union Jack) and asked to join Black Air. He refuses, and Joey drops pictures of Pete and a 15 year old girl infront of him, saying that negatives will get to Kitty Pryde if Wisdom doesn't play ball. Pete claims it was a set up but agrees to come along, but this isn't over...

Wisdom, Union Jack, Banshee, Siryn and a woman called Blur (superspeed, former Marvel UK character, but amnesiac) are briefed by the man who recruited Sean, who still stays in shadows though its clear that most of them know him, Wisdom especially. They're being despatched to New York to examine a murder scene where evidence points towards one of their countrymen - Micromax.

In New York, Banshee, his throat injured from the wound he received from Mystique, uses his scream in a new way suggested by his employer. He modulates it to a hum whilst in the crime scene, and effectively brings up 'echoes' of what happened there in the past - freeze frame ghosts of the past, running backwards (could be explained as a secondary mutation, but also fits with the Banshee motif to some extent and separates his powers from Siryn). The images are clear - Micromax grew to giant size and murdered a hooker when she made fun of the size of his manhood - apparently, he's 'micro' in more ways than one...

Siryn and Blur search the city for him while Wisdom and Union Jack search his apartment. He returns and beats the crap out of them, growing to giant size and losing his clothes in the process (think Ultimate Hank Pym). The team converges on the location and stagger him, but Banshee calls in a secret weapon as it soon becomes clear that they're losing. Before long, a shadow appears; and Micro max, right arm raised looks up...just as the shell of the Statue of Liberty lands on him! (We just see a speck way up high dropping it onhim, not who does it.) He's stunned, and parts of him are peering through rips in the shell. Wisdom turns his hot knives on - evolved somewhat so that they're also electricity - and charges the copper skin of the statue, shocking MM into unconsciousness.

After the mission and back in England, the team is discussed by the mystery man and his superior. The resident psi on staff is manipulating the team and MM's memories so they don't remember the murder or the fight; they'll all work together to further their goals. The man leans into the light - Brian Braddock! It was him who dropped the statue on MM. But his employer...well I had two possibilities in mind for a big reveal at the end of ish 1 which would spin the story in different directions - one was Jim Jaspers but I abandoned that and went with the other - Psylocke.

Of course, this wasn't the real Brian and Betsy - they would be revealed to be from another Earth (161) where they had already been beaten. The first year would revolve around MM regaining his memory and realising what he'd done, then working with Banshee against Brian. Eventually, this would have lead to the return of the real Brian back to the MU, and during the battle the false Brian would be killed - although 616 Betsy's spirit would take over the alternate Psylocke, putting her back in her Brit body without the ninja/Crimson Dawn rubbish...

There were other points as well - Blur's memory had been removed because she knew Brian and Betsy's secret; Joey was heavily after Siryn; Banshee and Siryn trying to reconnect as family; Wisdom's penchant for younger women was going to come back and haunt him; his sister Romany (Joey's ex) would come into play...oh, and Damage Control were referenced to fix the Statue of Liberty...

Ah well, 'tis to dream... :rolleyes:

[xorn87]

The Pitch:
The X-Men, after the Magneto affair, find most of their ranks leave to reasses their lives and if continuing to be part of the X-Men is truly what they want. Cyclops stays and keeps the team running in hopes of avoiding a repeat of what Mags did. Meanwhile... Toad, feeling the genocide in Genosha was ignored by the world and that Magneto's death was in vain, puts out the call to all mutants who despise humans to come to a meeting in Genosha. There Toad surprisingly convices the "Brotherhood" to reform once again, in Toad's words "Humans hate us and view us as slime. THEY SHOULD FEAR US!! So, my brothers... let us make them fear us!" During his speech a laugh comes out from the shadows and Toad demands to know who it is. Exodus appears and tells Toad no one demands anything from Exodus. After telling Toad how no one will follow a "toadie", he tells everyone to follow him, Magneto's hand picked sucessor. And Exodus leads the New Brotherhood (which would be a band of terrorist mutants) into a full blown war against all humans and mutants who help them.
After hearing about this Cyclops calls on the X-Men to help him stop Exodus and his Brotherhood. Not many respond. The book would deal with war and it's repurcusions on both sides. I would try to show the story from both sides. And there would be losses as there is in real war. Characters would die and some will quit all together, but the story if done right could be doozy.

The Roster:
Team Leader: Cyclops
Havok
Storm
Bishop
Juggernaut
Emma Frost
Sunspot
Cannonball
and a rotating cast of mutants some who will die, some who will turn.

The Brotherhood:
Exodus
Holocaust
Toad
Unus
Polaris
Mimic
and a bevy of lesser known evil mutants and a few good ones who decided to join the Brotherhood.

Art: Frank Quitely ( it would be bi-monthly and double sized)
Writer: Mark Millar

[nooocandy]

X-Men: The Shadows

The book would focus on a group of X-Men who leave the main teams. An event, such as one that causes X-Men to fight each other, would make the atmosphere for some mutants unbearable at Xaviers and subsequently they will have realised that sometimes extreme measures are required.
Xavier will contact each of them, telling them of a black ops team he has that are part of the Mutant World Underground. The outcast X-Men accept the offer and join up, taking on missions of higher risk and greater importance. Basically it would be a dark book with X-Men that realise sometimes the ends justify the means.
The X-men would work with some other mutants and humans already part of the black ops group.
X-Men:
Iceman
Beast
Angel
Rouge
Banshee

[Smarty Jones]

Out of curiosity how was Apocalypse poorly executed? I am curious but not overly familiar with the villain other than he strikes me as the X-Men's answer to millenarian, religious zealot spouting ridiculous lines that were extreme version of Darwinism with a really stupid looking character design. :D

There were a lot of conflicting and inconsistent aspects of Apocalypse that weakened the character. In his earlier issues of X-Factor, En Sabah Nur was shown as a mutant heavily dependent on Celestial technology. It also was apparent that Apocalypse's powers were augmented and enhanced by said technology, such as his ability to control his molecular structure. He was an example of the uber-powerful yet ill-defined characters of the 1990s.

When you read books such as the four-part miniseries on his origin and "X-Men: The Search for Cyclops," En Sabah Nur was shown as a shunned warrior and mercenary who applied his theories in war. This was the time period before he found the Celestial technology that he used. I personally thought a mutant who depended so much on alien technology didn't really seem to adhere to his own rules of self-sufficiency. Not to mention that for someone who has possessed technology that is still far more advanced than anything Reed Richards can create, and En Sabah Nur STILL had not gotten anywhere?

Another thing that weakened him was all the back story stuff that was attributed to him. The transformation of Nathan Essex to Mister Sinister and the revelation that he was behind the creation of the Living Monolith are just two examples. It seems like most of Apocalypse's biggest accomplishments happened retroactively (the possbility of having a hand in the Weapon X program to lace Wolverine's skeleton with adamantium) or in alternate reality-type settings, such as the "Age of Apocalypse" storyline.

I also thought there were some contradictions among his choices for his Horsemen. If Apocalypse believed in the "survival of the fittest," why were most of his allies so lacking? It was neat how he made Warren Worthington into Archangel in the old X-Factor series, but it was nonsensical to have him try to make Wolverine a Horseman in "The Twelve" (other than a plot device to bring back his adamantium skeletion). And for someone who wanted to prove mutant ascendancy, why did he have humans (The Hulk and Ahab) and aliens (Deathbird) among his Horseman?

Add the revelation that he was shown as a parasite that needed to take over host bodies to rejuvenate himself as opposed to a nigh-immortal mutant, and I thought Apocalypse was damaged goods by the end of "The Twelve." If anything, my idea for "The Rising" would strengthen his character.

[greenman]

Lockhead's Angel's


Kitty Pryde, Rachel Summers, and Illyana Rasputin travel around the world getting into various adventures that usually end up with them in scaintly clad outfits and performing suductive ploys before kicking ass and taking names.

Sorry didn't J. Scott Campbell try that with Danger Girls?

[Smarty Jones]

Sorry didn't J. Scott Campbell try (Charagon's idea) with Danger Girls?

I think it could work with three X-females playing the roles, but my main question would be with one of its characters. Illayana Rasputin died from the Legacy Virus in the 1990s, so wouldn't it make sense to use another character?

[Grendel0606]

I think it could work with three X-females playing the roles, but my main question would be with one of its characters. Illayana Rasputin died from the Legacy Virus in the 1990s, so wouldn't make sense to use another character?
MAny fans have the theory that the "deaged" Illyana who emerged after Inferno actually wasn' "our" Illyana but an alternate version. Happened to the X-Men in Limbo, why not to her? So the "real" Illyana would still be alive somewhere. Apparently that was a backdoor left intenionally open to bring back the character, which even Louise Simonson admitted on usenet.

[greenman]

I think it could work with three X-females playing the roles, but my main question would be with one of its characters. Illayana Rasputin died from the Legacy Virus in the 1990s, so wouldn't it make sense to use another character?

MAny fans have the theory that the "deaged" Illyana who emerged after Inferno actually wasn' "our" Illyana but an alternate version. Happened to the X-Men in Limbo, why not to her? So the "real" Illyana would still be alive somewhere. Apparently that was a backdoor left intenionally open to bring back the character, which even Louise Simonson admitted on usenet.

To think of it that way then, I'd replace Kitty with Rogue. I never found Kitty to be able to do the outrageous vamping like the other could. I mean Ray's always been that way since she got over the whole displaced time thing and Rogue also bucked the trend. Magik with her somewhat demony side would fit, but Kitty... not really.

[Smarty Jones]

MAny fans have the theory that the "deaged" Illyana who emerged after Inferno actually wasn' "our" Illyana but an alternate version. Happened to the X-Men in Limbo, why not to her? So the "real" Illyana would still be alive somewhere. Apparently that was a backdoor left intenionally open to bring back the character, which even Louise Simonson admitted on usenet.

I hear you, but I think to bring back Illyana Rasputin from the dead -- much older, on top of that -- would make it another convoluted, rehashing-the-dead X-Men story that has choked off the franchise. Look no further than the numerous times Jean Grey and Magneto have "died," which have sapped the life out of the X-books.

Just like you could make the argument that it was another Illyana Rasputin who emerged from "Inferno," you could make the argument that the first Illyana who emerged from The X-Men's battle with Belasco was not the mainstream universe's Illyana, but an alternate reality's version. Also, if the "one, true Illyana" (the teen-aged one) is still out there and based on her last appearance, she pretty much turned. I find it a harder stretch she would come back after all these years seemingly as a demonic leader of Limbo and resurface uscathed, much less come back as some sort of cupcake-type babe in action.

I think Charagon's concept of a "Charlie's Angels"-type of adventurers works without having to bring back a dead character, which naturally brings the baggage associated with X-books. There are plenty of young, female X-characters who could be used with Kitty Pryde (Moonstar, Karma, M, Magma, Wolfsbane, Rogue, even a grown-up Jubillee) without resorting to Illyana.

P.S. I think Kitty Pryde could work in a concept without having to change her character, a la Kate Jackson in the original "Charlie's Angels" TV series

[The Lucky One]

Just like you could make the argument that it was another Illyana Rasputin who emerged from "Inferno," you could make the argument that the first Illyana who emerged from The X-Men's battle with Belasco was not the mainstream universe's Illyana, but an alternate reality's version. Also, if the "one, true Illyana" (the teen-aged one) is still out there and based on her last appearance, she pretty much turned. I find it a harder stretch she would come back after all these years seemingly as a demonic leader of Limbo and resurface uscathed, much less come back as some sort of cupcake-type babe in action.

Ah, but you're forgetting that in her last action during Limbo, Illyana finally purged herself of her demonic nature and was redeemed by light, becoming the pure sorceress she might otherwise have been, right before she was sucked back into Limbo. She may still be around, but probably not as the Darkchilde.

As for the alternate Illyanas, you would have a point, except that the Magik miniseries showed us what happened to her from the point when she first entered Limbo to her eventual escape 7 years later. Since we saw her through all of that, we know she's the same one. (As opposed to the child Illyana found in the Darkchilde's armor right after Limbo, who was wearing different clothes than the outfit worn by "our" Illyana when she first fell into, and was eventually pulled out of, Limbo.)

-D

[Fastballspecial]

To me the X-Line has became to clogged with with extra books.You can't put out 15 X Books and not expect fans to barf It all up.Heres my Idea.


Uncanny X-Men- Its time for new blood writer wise.You can't pull Claremont out every 3 years and expect newer fans to follow.This Is the book I'd hand to Geoff Johns & Scott Kolins.

Wolverine-I want brutal Wolverine stories.I'd approach Garth Ennis and Cassaday to make Wolvie brutal.He's not afraid to kill.In fact the guys a pure animal when he needs to be.

New Mutants- I'd hand this to Gail Simone or maybe Joe Kelly.

X-Men:Keep Austen on this.He would bring newer soaper stories on this book.

Astonishing X-Men:Like Wheldon & Cassaday on this.

Legends of the X-Men:Various arcs done by different creators & artists.This book would help launch newer writers & artists!

I agree with you on Wolverine I want to be bad to bone and someone to get the dirty work done especially when it gets bloody.

I also like your pick of Johns to write the X-men as I would be very interested in his take as usually he brings in a wealth of hidden history to all his comics. I love his JSA.

I would disagree though that Claremont needs to be in here somewhere as his followers really can drive sales of one book by themselves.

[The Dosadi Experiment]

One faithful morning the body of a young mutant girl is found on a rocky beach, face down, wrapped in plastic. Paura Lalmer.
The local Sheriff calls in the help of the FBI, a somewhat odd man arrives at the town, with strange new methods and an even stranger set of habbits.

I call it Pwin Teaks.

[Adam Crocker]

One faithful morning the body of a young mutant girl is found on a rocky beach, face down, wrapped in plastic. Paura Lalmer.
The local Sheriff calls in the help of the FBI, a somewhat odd man arrives at the town, with strange new methods and an even stranger set of habbits.

I call it Pwin Teaks.

I smell Eisner. http://www.infoshop.org/forums/phpBB2/images/smiles/icon_eek.gif

[The Lucky One]

One faithful morning the body of a young mutant girl is found on a rocky beach, face down, wrapped in plastic. Paura Lalmer.
The local Sheriff calls in the help of the FBI, a somewhat odd man arrives at the town, with strange new methods and an even stranger set of habbits.

I call it Pwin Teaks.

Brilliance! We could have a video game spinoff, too... call it Hilent Sill. Who else is thinking "franchise"?

-D

[Smarty Jones]

Ah, but you're forgetting that in her last action during Limbo, Illyana finally purged herself of her demonic nature and was redeemed by light, becoming the pure sorceress she might otherwise have been, right before she was sucked back into Limbo. She may still be around, but probably not as the Darkchilde.-D

I hear you, but it's still the same old bringing-back-an-X-Man-from-the-dead theme that has been done ad nauseum with X-characters. There would be too much manuveuring to bring back a character for a concept that would not suit her.

I haven't even mentioned Rachel Summers. Last I saw of her, she was flung 1,000 years into the future and eventually became Mother Askani of the Askani Clan. How would you explain her coming back? I think it would be too much wrangling to bring back a person who is dead and another who is in the far future as "Charlie's Angels"-type of adventurers.

I apologize to Charagon, for too much critical analysis of his or her concept.

[mattbib]

I haven't even mentioned Rachel Summers. Last I saw of her, she was flung 1,000 years into the future and eventually became Mother Askani of the Askani Clan. How would you explain her coming back?It was explained in the pages of Cable.

from UncannyXMen.net (http://uncannyxmen.net[/url)
The outcome of the Twelve Saga and Apocalypse’s death in X-Men: Search for Cyclops #4 erased the Askani future from existence and while Jean, Scott, Cable and other people, who spent some time there, still remember it, it did not happen for Rachel. She wound up somewhere else in the timestream; probably because her (dead) body was still in that future timeline in the instant it ceased to be. Rachel retains some pale memories of her life as Mother Askani, but that‘s it.

[Smarty Jones]

Hi, Mattbib.

Thank you for the link. So Rachel Summers is alive, and back in the current timestream. I'll move along. Again, my apologies if I seemed to have asked too many critical questions on Charagon's concept.

[The Dosadi Experiment]

ok but seriously...

If I had control over the X-line, I would act like a grim Reaper on speed and kill all titles save three.

I like it simple and I like it clear.

Uncanny X-men, the title which features a more heroic approach, going out into the world and actively preventing distasters from happening. Disasters of course being renegade mutants with an agenda that could harm the relationship between humans and mutants. They battle the "evil" mutants, the ones who want to destroy and alter to force the world to fit into their views of what is right.

X-men will deal with the more down to earth threats, it will be what New X-men was, a title that focusses on problems that are tied into the school. They operate from the school, they're more passive than the Uncanny title.
This is the title between superheroics and the down to earth approach of the third title.
It deals with big events and smaller events, using the school as a picture of the outside world, a miniature mutant world so to speak.


The third title will be X-men Unlimited, or Unlimited X-men or whatever they call it these days.
The main goal of this title will be to deal with the actual setting of the other two titles, this will deal with what goes on in the streets. It'll be used to flesh out the setting, to give depth to the world in which mutants exist as part of the population, a minority group that is growing and becoming more vocal on a socio-political level.
What is this mutant culture that's brewing in the background, what about the human perspective, how do mutants perceive eachother, the theme of this title is to explore the world of the average day citizen, no battles of epic proportions, no earth shattering events.

I don't really care who writes Uncanny X-men as long as it is written well. Interesting characters, conflicts, and larger than life situations that are still believable inside the fictional universe it's situated in.

X-men, see Uncanny, I'm not someone who goes by names, it's the story that matters, not the name.

X-men Unlimited, I haven't decided yet, it can be a rotating cast of artists and writers, which has as an advantage that each story has a unique point of view. But if I choose to go with one creative team, I'll get stability.

All three titles can be read apart, they do not cross over. You do not need to read X-men to understand Unlimited, and you don't need Unlimited to understand Uncanny.

[Siddon]

The pitch:

X-tension

think Exiles meets Quantum Leap

The X-boys of Hank, Warren, Bobby, Scott and Logan tired of waiting for Jean to come back jumpstart the process and mess with the timeline. However the Jean they bring back is not the real Jean Grey but the Jean Grey from X-man's alternate universe. Because they played with the timeline one to many times the timeline colapses and breaks apart unleashing a holy hell of dead, aged and crazy versions of the marvel characters. Heros and Villians alike are brought out throuh-out the globe with teh goal to kill off all of the mistakes of this timeline.

Sych- Aged well into his 60's yet the most powerful of the group. Can sych up with any power he wishes yet when he does he slowly gets weaker and weaker. Everet knows he is on borrowed time but he still wants to make things right because he is a hero.

Thunderbird- pulled right out after his death he is seriously pissed off at his team for letting him die. We find out that he was sent to hell for crimes he did when he was in the army. This is his chance to find redemtion.

Cypher- In the future a reanimated Douglas Ramsey aquires a great deal of Telekinisis to go along with his language skills. As he is brought into this timeline he knows he must repair this world so that he can be reborn. He knows at any time he can go back to being dead yet he is also drawn to the girl he has fallen in love with but will never be with, Rahne. He must choose between the garenteed life in the future or a chance at short hapiness with the girl from his youth.

Destiny- 15 year old Irene discovers her powers only to have them flare up and go blind. This time she is pulled out right before her loss of sight and with the help of Xavier is able to hone her powers and keep her sight. She knows what is going to happen right before it happens and she is now a warrior not to be messed with. She is now being stalked by the mad woman who loved her dearly.

CopyCat- Slain in a zoo by Sabertooth Copycat awakes pissed off and ready for action. Her only goal is to seek revenge against those that hurt her in her earlier life. For her this journey is more about her own revenge and bloodlust as she is only with this team to manipulate them into doing her wishes.

[Karl J. Barnes]

I'd wipe out the old gang with deaths, just getting too old or whatever in one big prestige mini-series and then start from scratch. Bring in new characters, new situations and give the old fans and new something different.

[Mister Mets]

For a book that would really sell.

Spider-Man/ Wolverine
Writer: Brian Michael Bendis or Mark Millar or Paul Jenkins or Priest or Jodd Whedon
Artist: John Romita Jr or Mark Bagley or Adam Kubert or Joe Madurari or any good/ popular artist

It'd be a regular series similar to DC's Superman/ Barman. Early issues would sell out. The success of later issues would be based on the quality of the earlier issues.

[Taskmaster]

The Pitch:
The X-Men, after the Magneto affair, find most of their ranks leave to reasses their lives and if continuing to be part of the X-Men is truly what they want. Cyclops stays and keeps the team running in hopes of avoiding a repeat of what Mags did. Meanwhile... Toad, feeling the genocide in Genosha was ignored by the world and that Magneto's death was in vain, puts out the call to all mutants who despise humans to come to a meeting in Genosha. There Toad surprisingly convices the "Brotherhood" to reform once again, in Toad's words "Humans hate us and view us as slime. THEY SHOULD FEAR US!! So, my brothers... let us make them fear us!" During his speech a laugh comes out from the shadows and Toad demands to know who it is. Exodus appears and tells Toad no one demands anything from Exodus. After telling Toad how no one will follow a "toadie", he tells everyone to follow him, Magneto's hand picked sucessor. And Exodus leads the New Brotherhood (which would be a band of terrorist mutants) into a full blown war against all humans and mutants who help them.
After hearing about this Cyclops calls on the X-Men to help him stop Exodus and his Brotherhood. Not many respond. The book would deal with war and it's repurcusions on both sides. I would try to show the story from both sides. And there would be losses as there is in real war. Characters would die and some will quit all together, but the story if done right could be doozy.

The Roster:
Team Leader: Cyclops
Havok
Storm
Bishop
Juggernaut
Emma Frost
Sunspot
Cannonball
and a rotating cast of mutants some who will die, some who will turn.

The Brotherhood:
Exodus
Holocaust
Toad
Unus
Polaris
Mimic
and a bevy of lesser known evil mutants and a few good ones who decided to join the Brotherhood.

Art: Frank Quitely ( it would be bi-monthly and double sized)
Writer: Mark Millar

Other than Quitely's horrid art I would be all over this book, id rather Liefield do it than him, my #1 choice would be Jim Lee or Joe Mad

[xorn87]

Yeah Taskmaster, I kind of agree with a different artist now that I think about it. What about Derrick Robertson, Marc Silvestri, or Mike Turner?
I honsetly feel a book about mutant terrorists and having the X-Men against them would sell. The war would have to be brutal and realistic, and the casualties are expected. You can't make an omlette without breaking a few eggs.

[Optimus]

I'm thinking a Feral, Marrow and Maggot ongoing series. Penciled by Jim Lee.

[nooocandy]

For a book that would really sell.

Spider-Man/ Wolverine


It'd be a regular series similar to DC's Superman/ Barman. Early issues would sell out. The success of later issues would be based on the quality of the earlier issues.

I love this idea of Superman/BARMAN.
Perhaps we could have others like this, a superhero and a regular joe.
Spider-man/Man who sells Newspapers
Wolverine/The Baker
Human Torch/Fireman

Or was it a spelling mistake...

[Adrian Tullberg]

Had this idea a while back ...

Mini-series, four/six issue.

Title: The Fantastic.

Plot: There's evidence of mutant terrorists unearthing and ultilising Apocolypse's old technology. However, since the information came from less-than-kosher means, any action taken must be covert.

Two mutants and two altered humans are assembled ...

WOLVERINE: Unoffical Covert Ops leader of the X-Men, Logan brings his decades of experience, and also recruits ...

SPIDER-MAN: Peter Parker, long-time vigilante, is offered a considerable sum to join this mission. However, he's not too sure about his other teammate ...

THE HULK: The Gamma-spawned creature is approached, and a cure for his multiple personalities is offered. One of the few people who can make this promise is ...

THE WHITE QUEEN: Funder of this mission, Emma Frost has augmented her considerable powers with a CerebraNet battlesuit. Not only boosting her powers, this connects her to the existing network of Cerebra units worldwide, allowing her literally world-wide range.

Thoughts?

[Storm Shadow]

I love this idea of Superman/BARMAN.
Perhaps we could have others like this, a superhero and a regular joe.
Spider-man/Man who sells Newspapers
Wolverine/The Baker
Human Torch/Fireman

Or was it a spelling mistake...
YEA! I wanna read Wolverine/the Baker, i can't wait for the return of the Butcher and the Candle Stick Maker too!

[SUPERECWFAN1]

To add more to my Idea on making Wade Wilson a X-Man, I'd have him try being a Teahcer at the school.But he pretty much doesn't know squat at things so finally they make Deadpool a "Gym Teacher".

Yep, some of the funny scenes In my comic would be Pool getting kids to learn sports.

Mutant Kid- "Hey didn't you fight the X-Men before?"

Deadpool-"Yes I did but I have reformed.I am your friendly neighborhood Physical Fitness teacher now."

Mutant Kid- "Wow, I guess after they beat you so many times you decided to join."

Deadpool-(Pool sits there a second and throws the basketball at the kid.Busting his nose) "Whoops, now what did I tell ya about catching with your hands, Junoir?"

[mike626]

To add more to my Idea on making Wade Wilson a X-Man, I'd have him try being a Teahcer at the school.But he pretty much doesn't know squat at things so finally they make Deadpool a "Gym Teacher".

Yep, some of the funny scenes In my comic would be Pool getting kids to learn sports.

Mutant Kid- "Hey didn't you fight the X-Men before?"

Deadpool-"Yes I did but I have reformed.I am your friendly neighborhood Physical Fitness teacher now."

Mutant Kid- "Wow, I guess after they beat you so many times you decided to join."

Deadpool-(Pool sits there a second and throws the basketball at the kid.Busting his nose) "Whoops, now what did I tell ya about catching with your hands, Junoir?" LOL! what happens when Scott finds out? :D

[I_am_scifi]

I would make an Eyescream limited series, written by an artist with art from a writer. So it would be something along the lines of:

EYESCREAM #1(of 5)
by Tom Mandrake and Geoff Johns
From the depths of your freezer, the world's most favorite mutant has returned! Watch Eyescream as he tries to make a difference in the world, all while avoiding the hungry glare of children far and wide. Can Eyescream stop his toughest apponent yet, the evil Frozen Yogurt Man??? With art by Geoff Johns, one of America's favorite writers (and he draws too kids!), and written by Tom Madrake (he can write too kids!). Special guest appearance by Deadpool!!!

[SUPERECWFAN1]

Heres a scene later Involving Scott & Wade.

Scott-(Look of disdain on face as they stand In Prof.X's office.) "...And the fact he's let the kids fight on his Physical Fitness classes plus he busted one kid In the nose with a ball!"

Wade- (Wearin typical Gym Teacher stuff) "I can't help It the kids a bad catcher.With my help though he'll catch the ball next time!"

Scott- "He has no control Prof.He's a maniac pure & simple."

Wade- "You say Potato...I say Potateo, lets call the whole thing off!!Look Summers , do you usually have your spincter so tight or do ya walk that way for fun?"


He would be the guy who would be Main Laugh charactor.Plus I'd use his Image Inducer he used In the Joe Kelly run for some really wild moments.And play up his quest to land Siryn somehow.

Odds are he'd never get In the Main X Books but I think Wilson has a ton potential that hasn't been tapped yet.And rumors are he's close to getting his own Movie.So come on Quesada...make Deadpool an X-Man.

[mike626]

Heres a scene later Involving Scott & Wade.

Scott-(Look of disdain on face as they stand In Prof.X's office.) "...And the fact he's let the kids fight on his Physical Fitness classes plus he busted one kid In the nose with a ball!"

Wade- (Wearin typical Gym Teacher stuff) "I can't help It the kids a bad catcher.With my help though he'll catch the ball next time!"

Scott- "He has no control Prof.He's a maniac pure & simple."

Wade- "You say Potato...I say Potateo, lets call the whole thing off!!Look Summers , do you usually have your spincter so tight or do ya walk that way for fun?" Well, he walks that way for fun :D anywho, when does Logan and Wade get into a drinkin contest. :p you got some funny stuff. I think you got something here.


He would be the guy who would be Main Laugh charactor.Plus I'd use his Image Inducer he used In the Joe Kelly run for some really wild moments.And play up his quest to land Siryn somehow.

Odds are he'd never get In the Main X Books but I think Wilson has a ton potential that hasn't been tapped yet.And rumors are he's close to getting his own Movie.So come on Quesada...make Deadpool an X-Man. Funny stuff man.You are onto something here,So when does Wade and Logan get into a drinkin contest? :p

[SUPERECWFAN1]

After they would try and kill each other In the Danger Room a few times.

[mike626]

DJ,and everyone else heres some more of my pitch: The Mutant-Town faction
will have various groups against them from FOH to Kick dealers also in the background a privately owned Weapon-X program,these guys have been kidnapping younger Mutant and turning them into assasins.The Westchester faction will be dealing with the U-men once and for all and a reformed Brotherhood who seem to be backed by the owners of the Weapon-X program. How I see Xavier fiting into this Strom goes to Genosha and tells Charles what has happend.Scott did not exactly tell him the truth about the split in the X-men and Xavier unwilling to pry into Cykes mind and being retired wanted to see how Scott and Emma wolud do runing the school. Wolud confront Soctt asking how this could happen on thier watch,Scott will tell him why don't he ask Logan how he bettrayed the school and turned his brother and daughter on him. Xavier calls for a sit-down between the leaders of both factions to get to the point the meeting goes down in flames.Afterwords Xavier meets w/Emma and Scott and tells them clearly he misplaced his trust in them and something must be done about this situation,Soctt worried by how angry the Prof is asks him what is on his mind. Xavier tells him that he has taken a job offer from the Government to reform X-Factor. :cool: Thats all I have for now I'll post when I come up w/ more.

[Adrian Tullberg]

To add more to my Idea on making Wade Wilson a X-Man, I'd have him try being a Teahcer at the school.But he pretty much doesn't know squat at things so finally they make Deadpool a "Gym Teacher".

Yep, some of the funny scenes In my comic would be Pool getting kids to learn sports.

Mutant Kid- "Hey didn't you fight the X-Men before?"

Deadpool-"Yes I did but I have reformed.I am your friendly neighborhood Physical Fitness teacher now."

Mutant Kid- "Wow, I guess after they beat you so many times you decided to join."

Deadpool-(Pool sits there a second and throws the basketball at the kid. Busting his nose) "Whoops, now what did I tell ya about catching with your hands, Junior?"

Just had a mental image of several kids refusing to jog.

Deadpool walks off panel.

The kids suddenly start running, terrified.

The reason for this is revealed when Deadpool is running after then with a chainsaw on full.

"Uncle Wade's weight loss program is guaranteed! If you can't sweat it, I gets to cut it!"

Then at the archtypical baseball game, when the catcher is tormenting him, Deadpool 'accidently' spins 360 and smashes the catcher on the side of the head.

[Flight]

My book would be called The Marvelous Adventures of Havok!

The book would star *gasp* Havok as he travelled the world helping those in need and solving mysteries that NO-ONE ELSE CAN SOLVE!
He would be alone in his adventures but would meet a variety of people along the way, most of whom he would bed at the end of each issue, James Bond-style
Polaris would stalk him on a monthly basis. Her appearence in the book would be a sort of 'Where's Wally' type quiz. Is she behind the bush?? Or maybe in the tunnel!
Havok's arch nemesis in the book would be God as only he can match the greatness that is Alex Summers. God's motivation for trying to best Havok is strictly jealousy
The book would be written and drawn by Bakla as he is TALENT personified! :cool:

[For the Good of X]

I'd craft a title called Domestic X.

Some of the X-gang decide to retire. Active duty is a drag. They're there in a pinch, but for the most part, they're ready to try something new.

However...they're mutants. They like each other, would like to stick together to some degree in the this new phase.

So..you've a scenario similar to what Claremont used in X-Treme with that town in California (Puerta Vallende, was it?) The difference: these X-Men retirees don't want to be in a mutant town populated with a few accepting humans. They want join society at large. They want to integrate. Educate and celebrate so to speak. They aren't going to fly over the neighbors' homes at sonic speeds, but they don't plan to hide either. It's sort of a grass roots change in philosophy. If you can't change the mass idea, change one person at a time. If you can convince your neighbor you're okay, maybe your neighbor will convince a sibling or parent of the same.

And so it goes...Scott, Jean back from the dead, Bobby, Warren, Rogue, Gambit, Karma, Bishop, Dazzler and others decide to approach the dream in a more direct way. Warren moves to Manhattan and becomes active in Worthington Enterprises again. Bishop joins the NYPD. Rogue and Gambit move to New Orleans. Rogue goes to school, Gambit 'works....' Scott and Jean have a house in the outskirts of Salem Center. Bobby gets a job at Ernst & Young. Dazzler moves to NYC to begin work on a club CD in order to go after the gay/club/mutant/intergrated underground dollar. The book would follow all of them. They'd interact on occasion. Report to the Institute on occasion. The book would be very continuity friendly like that.

So you're thinking...what will keep it interesting? Where's the drama? The conflicts? Well, as this would still be a mutant/superhero book in addition to more adult-tinged drama/character study, there'd be the following storylines: Bishop investigates a serial killer with ties to the X-Men (not in Mutant Town like District X. Lucas would be an NYPD detective proper!) Scott and Jean embark on parenthood (this would provide the humor.) Bobby starts a mutant association at Ernst & Young and meets resistance from closet mutants at the firm. Gambit's work causes trouble. Dazzler's reawakened career makes her a target and she has to hire some second tier X-characters to work as roadies and security. So on and so on.

[o1pickleboy]

First I would reorganized the strike teams. Think X-Men strike force days. They would remain teachers and train the students when not on missions.

Blue(covert)
Cyclops
Wolverine
Phoenix
Collossus
Shadowcat
Stacey X


Gold(power)
Storm
Archangel
Marvel Girl
Warpath
Siren
Thunderbird

Red(protect the school and backup)
Nightcrawler
Scarlet Witch
Chamber
Ice Man
White Queen

Before I redo the strike team I would do an story resurecting Jean. In the story it is revealed that Scott and Emma love is false. Created by the Phoenix to get to Jean

Then I would set up the teams by doing a future story with the X-Men. A team would be sent into the future to discover what is to happen.

The Fallout.
Cyclops learns that the X-Men are too predictible, and he is a inaffective headmaster. The predictibility of Jean and Storm to take over causes him to choose Nightcrawler as new headmaster.

Storm learns her X.S.E will fail under her command and resigns. Giving leadership to Nightcrawler. Then focus solely on her duties as an X-Man.

Scarlet Witch learns that the Avengers will be destroyed because of distrust of her. So she chooses to stay with the X-Men.

Beast returns to the Avengers because of the need of a postive mutant role model in the public eye.

Angle and Husk break up. When Husk sees her future with Warren is bad. Husk joins M and Jubes in X-corps

Bishop- believing his future could happen still leaves the X-Men to join Xavier in Genosha. Taking Gambit with him because his old distrust is reawaken. Rogue follows to protect Gambit

Nightcrawler's Actions

Nightcrawler as the new headmaster of the X-men and leader of the X.S.E. Reorganizes the teams and X.S.E placing Havok and Polaris in charge of it. So he can focus on the school.

Then he gets the follow X-Men to return
Chamber
Stacey X
Thunderbird
Warpath
Siryn

Then I would move on to the other X-Titles
I would cancel District X, Acedemy X, all solo titles save wolverine and Cable.

I would then start X- Corps( think X-Factor Global)
The Team

Director
Banshee- answers to the U.N, Trying to balance the ideals of his old X-Corps with that of the X.S.E

Head of R&D/Subdirector
Forge-Enjoying his return to the lab. Using his experience as leader of X-Factor to keep Banshee in line.

The Field Team
Havok(leader)- Using his status as former field leader of X-Factor to improve Human/Mutant relations
Polaris- Trying to help Alex the best she can. Hoping to make up for her sins and her father's.
Strong Guy- Happy to have a home again. One with a good paycheck
Multiple Man- Glad to be on the team. But hating the being the support man. hoping not to repeat past mistakes.
Moonstar-Using her former S.H.I.E.L.D status to join the team. Mixed feeling about the job. Really only their to keep an eye of Rahne
Wolfsbane-After screwing up at the school. She feels unwelcome with the X-Men. Follows Jamie to the X-Corps
M- Her home, The life as mutant cop definely appeals to her. Being a member of every verson of the corps.
Jubilee- With the loss of skin. Jubes feels that she needs to help make up for it. By hunting Mutant crimials and hate groups with the corps

X-Force- The team would be along it origial premiss. Dirty jobs that the X- Men can't do. Only now Cable is proactive to the extreme. Using the professor as predicting device, Cable is out to save the world from it's horrible future. Which is no easy task.

The Team
Cable
Domino
Cannonball
Kane
Shatterstar
Rictor
Caliban
Meltdown
Christina Daysping(Cable's daughter from an encounter on Manipoor during his six pack days.)
X-Force would handle stuff from the Sh'ar to Nimrod and constantly get injuried and sometimes nearly killed.


As you probably notice Psylocke is not here or karma. They would bite the bullet. Psylocke might survive if I was allow my British superhero team with Black Knight, Union Jack and Captain Britain

[slayer2005]

Will do something about this:

- There is a government conspiracy going on that has something to do with the past events (events of Planet X, Disassembled, Onslaught, etc.). They created a weapon that will not only handle the X-Men when they go rogue, but also on other super heroes (Spiderman, Fantastic 4, Avengers, etc.). The huge catch is that only a few X-Men knows about this and since they have the data of all superheroes and other villains plus thinking they were doing the right thing, these X-Men joined along with some members of the Secret Society.

- However, the weapon was mysteriously stolen and sends everyone involved into panic mode. Whoever stole it will be one of the MU's biggest foes.

- At the same time, mysterious murders of D and F level superheroes and villains. The enemy will send his/her message that she's back by killing thousands of people in a small community. Among the victims? Jean Grey's family.

- Cassandra Nova returns and teams up with Mr. Sinister. After some plans, they attack the X-Men at their worst moments along with some Xorn clones. Sinister cryptically revealed Jean Grey had to die because she's going to defeat the enemy sans Phoenix Force...according to one of Destiny's predictions.

These are some of the events that will lead to the disassemblment of the X-Men...written excellently of course.

[The Dosadi Experiment]

Why do so many people dictate detailed stories to their writers?

Biggest problem of the nineties... editors dictating stories to writers.

"you have to write this!"

[slayer2005]

Deadpool visits the DC Universe. Tons of potential, wacky hi-jinks!

[Brady]

Addressing the question from a view of personal preference (as opposed to how the books would sell, be marketed, etc) I'd ruthlessly cut out ALL X books and X related books bar one, and make X Men the one and only X-Book. I'd then focus on ensuring that X Men has the best possible creative team, and the best possible roster. Perhaps even hire 2 artist teams instead of one, to ensure that the book comes out regularly, without any crappy 'fill in' issues.

[Karl J. Barnes]

My book would be called The Marvelous Adventures of Havok!

The book would star *gasp* Havok as he travelled the world helping those in need and solving mysteries that NO-ONE ELSE CAN SOLVE!
He would be alone in his adventures but would meet a variety of people along the way, most of whom he would bed at the end of each issue, James Bond-style
Polaris would stalk him on a monthly basis. Her appearence in the book would be a sort of 'Where's Wally' type quiz. Is she behind the bush?? Or maybe in the tunnel!
Havok's arch nemesis in the book would be God as only he can match the greatness that is Alex Summers. God's motivation for trying to best Havok is strictly jealousy
The book would be written and drawn by Bakla as he is TALENT personified! :cool:

You forgot to say that he would have a sidekick named Flight. A kind of butler,mentor and ...other things.

[Domo Goddess]

I would probably work on Uncanny X-Men and write a little bit
about You Know Who ! :p My book probably won't sell.

If I could, I would probably put my Russian character in one of the
X-titles as well !

[Mister Mets]

The x-books under me:

Astonishing X-Men- This book would remain under the direction of Whedon, and Cassady, although there may be a few fill-in arcs by a-list talentn instead of X-Men mini series (under my direction "Endsong" would have been Astonishing X-Men #13-17). I may decide to publish Whedon, and Cassady's second year on the book as two original graphic novels, though.

Uncanny X-Men- This book would have the largest cast, and mostly self-contained stories (although there would be continuing subplots.) This is meant to be a very accessible, and consistently entertaining book. Possible writers include Dan Slott, Greg Pak, Mark Waid, and Brian K Vaughan. Possible artists are too many to name: Jon Romita Jr, Alan Davis, Tom Raney, Jon Byrne, Marc Silvestri, Phil Jiminez, etc. Each issue would have about 40 or so pages of content, split amongst the main story, and back up features.

X-Men: Cancelled. We really don't need more than 2 x-books.

Excalibur: I honestly don't care for Chris Claremont's writing as of the last few years, but he has his fans, so he'll get this mostly self-contained X-book following the british equivelant of the X-Men, and the freedom to go wild. I'd do my best to rein in weaknesses of his stories (ie- the tendency to have no direction.)

Ultimate X-Men: Stays as it is, especially with Singer's high-profile run bringin attention to the book, and with the continued success to the X-line as a whole.

Wolverine: Remains as it is, although i'd do more to connect it to events in the X books. And I'd want to maintain a-list talent on the book.

Cable & Deadpool: I don't read it, but it has it's fans, and is selling decently enough so I won't bother with it.

Exiles: I'd probably cancel this book, as it seems to have outlived its usefulnesss (I dropped it long ago myself) although I'd let the creative team conclude the World Tour story, and give them an additional six or so issues to go out with a bang.

X-Men Unlimited: Cancelled, although I would allow new creators to contribute to the back up features of Uncanny X-Men.

New X-Men: Cancelled. The younger cast will be better explored in Uncanny X-Men.

Rogue- Cancelled. Low sales, and keeping it around overexposes the X-line.

Gambit- Cancelled. Low sales, and keeping it around overexposes the X-line.

District X- Cancelled. Low sales, and keeping it around overexposes the X-line.

Weapon X- The book has it's fans, so I'd go ahead with the final mini series to allow the creative team to wrap things up.

Aside from these books, I'd allow creators to pitch their own ideas, and if I think they're good enough, publish them, although I wouldn't want there to be too many X-books. I'd also make sure than fans can enjoy a single X-Man book, without worrying about any of the others, although events in the books would be carefully co-ordinated, so as to avoid one book contradicting another, which would cause displeasure to the people reading every X-Men book.

[fishtaco]

If I were in charge of the X-books, I would

- Fire Mike Marts, Sean Ryan, Nick Lowe, Rob Liefeld, Paco Medina, Akira Yoshida, Chris Bachalo, Tony Bedard, Peter Milligan, Joss Whedon, and John Cassaday.

- Set up these books: Uncanny X-men, X-men, Amazing X-men, New Mutants, Alpha Flight, X-Factor, X-Force, Excalibur, X-men Unlimited, Age of Apocalypse, Cable and Deadpool, Wolverine, X-men: The End, and X-men Unlimited

- Hire Ann Nocenti, Louise Simonson, Chris Claremont, Peter David, and John Byrne as editors.

- Give Chris Claremont Uncanny X-men, Excalibur (with ALan Davis on plot and art), and X-men: The End.

- Give Louise Simonson Amazing X-men and New Mutants.

-Cancel all ongoing solo titles except Wolverine and Cable/Deadpool

- Give Ann Nocenti a Longshot mini.

- Give John Byrne plot and pencils on Alpha Flight

- AOA artists and writers all work on AOA ongoing.

- Give Wolverine to larry Hama and John Romita jr.

- X-men Unlimited with useful stories by various X-artists and X-writers.

- Give X-Factor to Peter David

- Give Fabian Nicieza X-Force, keep him on Cable and Deadpool. Give him X-men.

uncanny X-men- Chris Claremont, Andy Park
X-men- Fabian Nicieza and Salvador Laroca
Amazing X-men- Louise Simonson and Greg Land

Alpha Flight- John Byne
X-Factor- Peter David
X-Force- Fabian Nicieza and Aaron Lopretsi
Excalibur- Chris Claremont/Alan Davis, and Alan Davis
New Mutants- Louise Simonson

Cable and Deadpool- fabian Nicieza and Pat Zircher
Wolverine- Larry Hama and John Romita Jr.
X-men: The End- Chris Claremont and Sean Chen
Age of Apocalypse- (most) AOA writers and artists
Longshot mini- Ann Nocenti and...
Weapon X: Days of Future Now- Frank Tieri and Bart Sears

X-men Unlimited- various

This is kinda not detailed. There is more to my evil hostile takeover of X-men. bwahahahaha!

[jarrod]

Posted this ages ago, but I still think it'd work...


There's far too many Xbooks out there, far too much redundancy and quite honestly it's once again starting dilute the overall brand. Let the Marvel Knights line keep pumping out Wolverine, then kill everything else and start fresh. I'd try to go from a creator/concept approach, then let characters fall where it makes sense... start off with 4 team books and go from there.


X-Men (by Mark Millar & Bryan Hitch)
-The base book. The X-Men. Try to integrate the Astonishing and adjectiveless teams, phase out those who don't work... a lot of the characters here should be shared as staff for New X-Men as well. I'd also prefer seeing Emma more "hands off", filling Xavier's role a bit more while Scott leads the team on field missions. Wolverine would probably need to stay in this book too. Millar might not be loved in some circles, but I'd say he has an decent grasp of the characters, seems used to handling large casts effectively and is likely to do some stories that have actual impact and a sense of progress. Also, I'd love to see Hitch finally have a shot on an Xbook.

New X-Men (by Chris Claremont & Chris Bachalo)
-Pretty much the same concept as now, except with a shift in creators to get things moving. I actually think Claremont would be a perfect fit for this book, he's got a knack for dealing with huge casts, never forgetting details and doing generally fun, PG-13 stories. Keep the drama but add a sense of adventure and wonder to it. Bachalo would make a nice counter balance too, keeping the aesthetic feeling genuinely modern and young.

X.S.E. (by Warren Ellis & Carlos Pacheco)
-This is such a great concept that seems to be going nowhere. Ellis would be ideal, turning this into the X-Men's Authority (which is somewhat like where he and Pacheco were taking Excalibur previously). For the team itself, I'd imagine basically Storm's Uncanny team minus X-23 (who Claremont could take for New X-Men) and throw in Kitty Pryde (Ellis penned the definitive Shadowcat imo) and some other 2nd stringers (Magma, Cannonball, etc). Also move the team out of the mansion and over to DC. More direct government/SHIELD involvement. Start setting them up as a counter to the X-Men.

X-Corporation (by Peter David & Rick Leonardi)
-I'm not sure what to do here. Maybe base things out of the Paris branch, bulk up on 2nd stringers. Have Warren take over for Xavier in funding, PR and direction, maybe involve the HFC somehow. Keep a global emphasis and socialist ethic going, X-Corp's here to help people. Whatever David comes up with would be excellent I'm sure. Leonardi's one of those amazing underappreciated talents I keep hoping lands an Xbook some day. He's been in the business long enough, he deserves it.

[Blackcat]

I would start a book that gives more views on the different squads in the institute besides New Mutants and New hellions. Great potentials in it.

I also wouls like to focus a book on the different X-Corps teams.

I would assign Gambit to Ashtonishing and add Cloak and Dagger to Havok's Squad.

The rest is cool by me.

[o1pickleboy]

Why do so many people dictate detailed stories to their writers?

Biggest problem of the nineties... editors dictating stories to writers.

"you have to write this!"


I think most of us want to be writer and be the editor. If I was just an editor and I had an idea for a story I would give it to my writing team(All of team) If it inspires them cool, if not my idea must suck.

[Nick Kal]

Have 3 Ongoing Team Books.

Astonishing X-Men, Uncanny X-Men & X-Men.

Line Ups:

Astonishing - Cyclops, Jean Grey, Emma Frost, Wolverine, Shadowcat, Colossus & Beast

Uncanny - Storm, Nightcrawler, Angel, Rachel Grey, Pyslocke & Juggernaut

X-Men - Havok, Polaris, Ice Man, Forge, Gambit & Rogue

Have 2 Books about the Universe. Any combination of the X-Teams may appear.

Amazing X-Men - Professor Xavier's main book.

Excalibur - Captain Britain, Meggan, etc. appear here but it isn't necessarily a team book...

Then maybe 2 or 3 solo titles. Wolverine, Magneto & 1 other.

[Faded]

Honestly, I think I'd restart the line. :o

BKV and Joe Kelly in charge, with the X-Men in more homely conditions (not millions of dollars to repair mansion after mansion, no super powerful characters, still inexperienced kids, etc..---though I guess some of that is what Ult. X-Men is for..)

But still...BKV and Joe Kelly. I've been rereading the latter's issues and I think they're fabulous.