Where is the best place for Vulcan's story to continue?

[Bob-el]

At the end of the X-Men Emperor Vulcan mini-series, Vulcan is proclaiming his desire to take the forces of the Shi-ar empire and stage an assault on Earth.

Where would be the best place for this story to be told?

Should it be an Avengers/X-Men crossover since the Avengers have faced off against the Shi-ar previously (Galactic Storm, right?) and presumably would be part of any defense of the Earth against alien invasion?

Should it be an X-Men only event as it has been so far?

Should it be an Annihilation event with heroes in space teaming with the X-Men already in space and the Starjammers trying to stop the invasion from reaching Earth?

Should it be a sprawling series like Civil War that has a core mini-series of its own and subplots in multiple monthly titles?

Other alternatives?

If your opinion is the whole Vulcan thing stunk and you don't want to see it continued anywhere, please keep your comments to yourself and put them in a different thread.

[drwho]

I think it would be cool to make an annihilation event because it does make sense and it would possibly draw x readers into the cosmic books. I'm hoping we get like a 2 yr break after the current one though.

[rZi]

To have his Shi'ar empire desend on earth and have someone other than the X-men handle it would be a nice change i think, although it would obviously annoy some fans. Avengers+X-men team up? Thats compromise!

[Beast]

Annihilation 3 would be the most likely place.

Plus it would drag X-Fans like myself who ignored Annihilation 1 and 2 into Marvel Cosmic.

[darksaint124]

I think it would be cool to make an annihilation event because it does make sense and it would possibly draw x readers into the cosmic books. I'm hoping we get like a 2 yr break after the current one though.

I would like to see it as an Annihilation event also, this way the emphasis could be on developing new Shiar characters.

[darksaint124]

Annihilation 3 would be the most likely place.

Plus it would drag X-Fans like myself who ignored Annihilation 1 and 2 into Marvel Cosmic.

Annihilation one was good, the second one I have not started reading yet.

[HeckBoy]

Whereas it would be more logical if the other teams like the Avengers were involved in such a world invasion story, I'd prefer it if it stayed within the X-verse. It just seems to work better if these things arent expanded over too many different books. Along the same vein, I think it would be cool if it was patterned like Annihilation. Just have the X-Men go into space again to try and intercept the Shi'ar (getting allies along the way) before they reach Earth. I think with all these recent Earthbound events (Civil War, WWH, Secret Invasion), it would be fresher to set it somewhere different.

[DaeJi]

Well, DnA have said that the first arc in the new Guardians of the Galaxy series would revolve around someone expanding his power base. So maybe we'll get some Vulcan and Shi'ar action there. Quasar vs. Gladiator!

[ExodusCloak]

As long as they turn the Imperial Guard into a threat I don't mind where the story continues.
I'd also like to see someone to turn Vulcan into a threat because at the moment I don't think he could be the big bad of the next Annihilation. He has potential but so far he's just a whiney brat but then again so is Emo boy Prime. I'd also like to see War World Gladiator.

[Cayman]

A quick one-shot called "X-MEN: DEATH OF VULCAN".

[kate-pryde]

A quick one-shot called "X-MEN: DEATH OF VULCAN".

That's what I want to happen. Die, Vulcan, die.

[Brian M.]

I like Vulcan. I like that they are trying to make him a big big threat again. So I say make him and the Shi'ar villians for Annihilation 3.

[kate-pryde]

Annihilation 3 would be the most likely place.

Plus it would drag X-Fans like myself who ignored Annihilation 1 and 2 into Marvel Cosmic.

From a sales prospective, I could see that happening, but I think it would absolutely suck from a story prospective. The readers of Annihilation and X-books are two different groups and have certain plotlines they want to see continue from the dozens of previous issues of continuity.

But that would be nearly impossible to do if writing the story for new readers since they would have to assume half of the readers have absolutely no knowledge of any previous continuity.

If there's anything, there should be some six issue Starjammer mini-series were Vulcan is dispatched once and for all. At least that allows everything to get wrapped up with that story. If Vulcan goes to Annihilation, I couldn't care less, just as long as Rachel, Alex and Lorna are back on Earth.

[Pach!]

From a sales prospective, I could see that happening, but I think it would absolutely suck from a story prospective. The readers of Annihilation and X-books are two different groups and have certain plotlines they want to see continue from the dozens of previous issues of continuity.

But that would be nearly impossible to do if writing the story for new readers since they would have to assume half of the readers have absolutely no knowledge of any previous continuity.

If there's anything, there should be some six issue Starjammer mini-series were Vulcan is dispatched once and for all. At least that allows everything to get wrapped up with that story. If Vulcan goes to Annihilation, I couldn't care less, just as long as Rachel, Alex and Lorna are back on Earth.

Uh not all of us want "references" to past continuity. Most just want a good story.

[matthewaos]

I think it would be cool to make an annihilation event because it does make sense and it would possibly draw x readers into the cosmic books. I'm hoping we get like a 2 yr break after the current one though.

Me too. I was never liked cosmic/space events, but it would be a nice reason to buy it.

[Shellhead]

Well, DnA have said that the first arc in the new Guardians of the Galaxy series would revolve around someone expanding his power base.

Hopefully that is about Vulcan, and not The Hood.

[kate-pryde]

Uh not all of us want "references" to past continuity. Most just want a good story.

That's not what I mean. It's going to be next to impossible to have a conclusion to several very long stories when writing them for newbies who have absolutely no idea who any of the characters are, much less what they've been through.

This is a frequent problem TV writers have when the network wants every episode to be new viewer friendly. Any ongoing plots have to be completely dropped and every character has to be reintroduced every episode.

That's the core of the problem with Rise & Fall, since it stripped out everything that might confuse a new reader. It has nothing to do with referencing past events. The way the characters were handled was stripping them to the bare essentials (ie no mention that Rachel was related to the Summers, since that might confuse someone).

Any plots like Rachel going after the Secret Order will be dropped since it's too much past continuity to deal with, and Annihilation readers would be completely lost. I'm sure there are many dangling plotlines Annihilation fans would want to see that would be dropped since many X-Fans would have no idea what was going on.

[Jack]

Continue? Definitely a cosmic story of some sort, whether an Annihilation or something else. It should conclude in an X-Book, though, since that's where it started. But before that happens Marvel should definitely get as much out of the idea as possible.

[darksaint124]

That's not what I mean. It's going to be next to impossible to have a conclusion to several very long stories when writing them for newbies who have absolutely no idea who any of the characters are, much less what they've been through.

This is a frequent problem TV writers have when the network wants every episode to be new viewer friendly. Any ongoing plots have to be completely dropped and every character has to be reintroduced every episode.

That's the core of the problem with Rise & Fall, since it stripped out everything that might confuse a new reader. It has nothing to do with referencing past events. The way the characters were handled was stripping them to the bare essentials (ie no mention that Rachel was related to the Summers, since that might confuse someone).

Any plots like Rachel going after the Secret Order will be dropped since it's too much past continuity to deal with, and Annihilation readers would be completely lost. I'm sure there are many dangling plotlines Annihilation fans would want to see that would be dropped since many X-Fans would have no idea what was going on.

You are aware that there are only two Annihilation stories(the second one is not even complete yet) and that both of them dealt with a different threat. So why would readers have no idea what's going on.

[jarrod]

Off panel.

[Lord S]

I like the idea of bringing Shi'ar (or excuse me, Shi'Ar :rolleyes:) into Annihilation.

X-Men? Not so much.

Still, would be interesting to see real and pseudo cosmic fans collide...(pseudo being the X-cosmic fans, of course ;))

[ExodusCloak]

You are aware that there are only two Annihilation stories(the second one is not even complete yet) and that both of them dealt with a different threat. So why would readers have no idea what's going on.

True, besides they always have a build up towards the Annihilation comics. So for example you'll get 4 issues called "Quasar" and that will bring new readers up to date with who the Quasar is etc..Then there's 3 other build up titles that lead into Annihilation. One of which could be called Vulcan or Starjammers. That's how the first and second Annihilation stories began. I'd assume the same for a third.(If there is a third)

[kate-pryde]

You are aware that there are only two Annihilation stories(the second one is not even complete yet) and that both of them dealt with a different threat. So why would readers have no idea what's going on.

If it's just Vulcan in Annihilation 3, he can be reintroduced to new readers fairly easily.

If Annihilation 3 is meant to be the conclusion to a 23 issue story beginning with Deadly Genesis, then it doesn't work.

If they're trying to introduce what happened in 23 issues of continuity with Deadly Genesis, Rise & Fall of the Shi'ar Empire and Emperor Vulcan, plus dozens of related storylines like the Shi'ar massacre of the Grey family, Cassandra Nova/Xavier/Mummudrai, everything Lorna and Alex have been through, then that means that pretty much all continuity other than the basics is dropped for the benefit of Annihilation readers.

This should stay in the X-books where everything can be wrapped up. Then Vulcan and the Shi'ar can go play in the cosmic area of Marvel and get as far away from X-books as possible. :)

[darksaint124]

If it's just Vulcan in Annihilation 3, he can be reintroduced to new readers fairly easily.

If Annihilation 3 is meant to be the conclusion to a 23 issue story beginning with Deadly Genesis, then it doesn't work.

If they're trying to introduce what happened in 23 issues of continuity with Deadly Genesis, Rise & Fall of the Shi'ar Empire and Emperor Vulcan, plus dozens of related storylines like the Shi'ar massacre of the Grey family, Cassandra Nova/Xavier/Mummudrai, everything Lorna and Alex have been through, then that means that pretty much all continuity other than the basics is dropped for the benefit of Annihilation readers.

This should stay in the X-books where everything can be wrapped up. Then Vulcan and the Shi'ar can go play in the cosmic area of Marvel and get as far away from X-books as possible. :)

Like the poster above you stated Annihilation starts of with short minis about characters, it would be very easy to explain their back stories just like any other Annihilation.

[kate-pryde]

Like the poster above you stated Annihilation starts of with short minis about characters, it would be very easy to explain their back stories just like any other Annihilation.

But why bother making a four part Starjammers For Dummies series when X-Fans have already been following what's been going on for the last 23 issues (and really want it to just end already and Alex, Lorna and Rachel to return to Earth)?

Finishing the story of Alex, Lorna and Rachel vs Vulcan in Annihilation is like trying to have a series finale for Lost by combining the show with Grey's Anatomy.

There should be a four issue series conclusion, written by Yost, that wraps up everything for Alex, Lorna and Rachel and then Vulcan can go off be in Annihilation or any of those space stories.

[mightiness]

Ok although I like Brubaker's run in theRise & Fall of the Shi'ar Empire I really hate the idea of a non Shi'ar being the ruler. I also feel it is really dumb how blindly the Imperial Guard follow Vulcan when Lilandra was there ruler for so long. To me none of this makes any sense. I know he married Deathbird in order to take the crown but that really seemed kinda dumb to me.

The most recent mini. Emperor Vulcan made even less sense to me. I hope the really find a way to quickly take Vulcan out of the role of Emperor and maybe find a new Shi'ar ruler.

[Dr. K]

But why bother making a four part Starjammers For Dummies series when X-Fans have already been following what's been going on for the last 23 issues (and really want it to just end already and Alex, Lorna and Rachel to return to Earth)?

Because that story hasn't been very good, for the most part? And the Annihilation series have been very, very good. Making the Rise and Fall of the Shi'ar story dovetail with Annihilation would be a way to redeem those issues.

I think it would be a great idea to use Vulcan and the Shi'ar as enemies for a new Annihilation. They're major players in the cosmic side of Marvel, and they should've had some part in the storyline already.

There should be a four issue series conclusion, written by Yost, that wraps up everything for Alex, Lorna and Rachel and then Vulcan can go off be in Annihilation or any of those space stories.

I'd actually like to see Havok and Polaris and Rachel interacting with some of the heroes of Annihilation more than having them return to earth, and I'm a fan of all three characters. All three possess practically cosmic-level powers anyways, it would seem to fit.

[aut0matic]

i really liked vulcan and thought he'd be able to be salvaged into some kind of an anti-hero once they got his mind right. then * SPOILERS* they had him kill his father and that pretty much throws redemption out the window, huh?

i liked him better when all he wanted was revenge and he cut through the shi'ar empire like a hot knife through butter. as emperor, i'm having a hard time seeing his motivation. granted, i haven't read emperor vulcan, maybe that clears things up?

personally, i wouldn't mind seeing him in annihilation 3 and somehow reforming into something of a cosmic hero.

[Bob-el]

Like the poster above you stated Annihilation starts of with short minis about characters, it would be very easy to explain their back stories just like any other Annihilation.
I hadn't really thought about the minis part of the Annihilation structure but that could work well here. They could do a kind of Prison Break thing with Raza, Cho'd, Havok and Polaris. You could do something with Lilandra forming new alliances - possibly drumming up support from some unlikely sources (Ronan, maybe). You could do something with Korvus and Rachel - perhaps hooking up with whoever ends up being the new Guardians. Then you'd still have the fourth one to work another angle (Xavier, for example, really ought to be doing something to mount a rescue effort for the people he left in space.) This thing already has several facets and with the minis they shouldn't have much trouble bringing everybody up to speed.

[HulkSmash666]

Here's what I'd like to see happen with Vulcan:

Four part mini: As mentioned before, have a story tieing up the Havok, Polaris and Rachel storyline. Send them back to Earth. See ya later, thanks for coming. Vulcan now turns his attention to expanding the Shi'ar Empire, which includes going to war with the Kree. (Kick them while their down. Again.)

This could be the ending of the four parter, having Vulcan and the Guard overlooking a massive Shi'ar Armada, the likes of which noone has seen before.

Then.....

Annihilation 3:

Here we could have four 4-part mini's building up to the main event, as is the tradition.

Imperial Guard- These guys need to shine, especially Gladiator. I'd love to see this team unleashed on the Resistance. They'd make the Centurions look like a pack of fairys compared to the militaristic, oraganised and highly experienced Guard.
Explore the inner workings of having such a vast number of superhumans/aliens working together, how the heirarchy works, what it means to be a Super-Guardian (the elite of the Guard), and the difference in power between them and the regular Guard, and again the difference in power/status between the Super-Guardians and Gladiator.
Also, explore how they actually feel about Vulcan and why they are following his lead.
I'd like to see some dissention in the ranks, with some Guardsmen wanting a mutiny, while Gladiator stamps down his authority and weeds out any trouble makers and pulls them into line, all the while going along with Vulcan's plan, while at the same time questioning his own unshakeable loyalty to the Shi'ar Throne and wondering if his fellow Guardsmen are right in their questioning.

Guardians of the Galaxy- Starlord, Nova, Warlock and the rest come to terms with the devastation brought by Ultron and the Phalanx, all the while trying to clean up the Kree Empire.
Only they don't get much of a break, as yet another imminent danger approaches....The Shi'ar Armada is on the warpath and the Kree are it's target. With no army or even basic defense systems, the Kree are more vulnerable than ever, and under Ronan's leadership, do what they can to mount a defense.
This brings Starlord and the rest to form whatever kind of army they can muster to face to Shi'ar, recruiting many familiar faces and races to their cause in an effort to hold back the Shi'ar.
Team dynamics in this book should be on par with the first Starlord mini, and the whole underdog feel of the book should be kept alive, right up until the final issue of the mini, where the team gets it **** together and actually becomes a force to be reckoned with.
Guys like Firelord, Drax, Gamora, Terrax and maybe even Surfer could show up to lend a hand.

Warlock- Not many prominent characters left who haven't had their own mini, so I figure it would make sense having one on Warlock. I'd like to see him, Gamora and Drax have a reuinion, with an added bonus with Pip the Troll making a comeback too, having the Infinity Watch together again, albeit a little changed.
These guys could be the "behind enemy lines" group, being forced into black-ops type missions in efforts to take out strategic targets in the Shi'ar Armada, and maybe even an assassination attempt on Vulcan himself. This would be an awesome battle, seeing Vulcan going toe to toe with Warlock, only to have Warlock go down to a newly enhanced Vulcan, who has taken a page out of Havok's book and absorbed the energy of a sun, so he never runs dry of power and boosts his stats to cosmic levels.
This series would be more about Warlock and the Watch readjusting to eachother's company after each has undergone major changes, and their decision to try and fight this war on their own, which ultimately fails, and ends in death for one of the guard.

Captain Marvel: The Kree's greatest champion returns to his people in an effort to "rally the troops" behind Emperor Ronan, who welcomes Marvel's return, as does his daughter Phylla. It would be great to see Marvel inspecting the devastation thats been brought about by the two previous wars, and his sense of guilt over not having been there to help.
His pride in his daughter's evolution as a hero, and the mentoring he can provide for her in the coming conflict would be invaluable to her.
As the rallying point for the entire Kree Empire, the job is a little overwhelming to him as the desperation and fear of the people are so immense that he fears he may not be enough for them.
Up-steps Phylla, as the new Quasar, side by side with her father, shouldering the burdern of hope instilled in the Kree at their champions' return.


This all leads up to the epic Annihilation 3, which absolutly has to be drawn by Andrea Devito, who friggin nailed the first Annihilation.

I pray to the comic gods to make this series happen. Or something similar. Or I'm gonna go and write it and draw it myself.

[Karl H]

Huh. Obviously Cadre K will be the ones to stop him.

[Erik Lehnsherr]

I don't think Vulcan can pull off the position of being the top villian in the whole plot. I mean..how much is the top Avengers gonna put up with regarding his garbage before they implement a sound plan and take him out directly?

[rZi]

I don't think Vulcan can pull off the position of being the top villian in the whole plot. I mean..how much is the top Avengers gonna put with his garbage before they implement a sound plan and take him out directly?

I genuinly laughed out loud upon reading this, you sir deserve a cookie!