Musings on Forge. (Or what might perhaps be an appreciation thread.)

[Teh m0nk3y]

A thread to discuss all things Forge!

Why is there a lack of Forge in todays X-related comics? Sure he had appearances in one New X-Men arc, Endangered Species cameo, and assisting Scott with a time machine in Messiah Complex... but those were in the capacity of a scientist on the sidelines.

The guy is a seasoned veteran with a ton of field experience, capable fighter and sharp shooter. Nick Fury wanted to recruit him for S.H.I.E.L.D during Forge's run in Vietnam. Was a government liaison for X-Factor and even lead the team during Havok's absence.

The guy also has the mystical side to his heritage, as Naze trained him to be a Shaman. Forge defeated the Adversary twice. There's a heck of a lot of story opportunities left in the Maker.

Yet the preview art for Cable#02 had Bishop entering Forge's home in Dallas and once again knocking him unconscious. It brought a smile to my face for a second, but also made me slip a curse word or two.

In this dark time shouldn't Forge return to the fold in a more active capacity?
At least Beast has had Astonishing X-Men to get him out of the laboratory.
Hopefully the ensemble cast of Uncanny will include Forge as well.

[worstblogever]

He made out with an old lady named Raven.

Ewwww...

[Teh m0nk3y]

He made out with an old lady named Raven.

Ewwww...

A hot old lady at that!

*Starts singing in the tune of Fountains of Wayne song*
Kurt's mom has it going on!
Kurt's mom has it going on!
Kurt's mom has it going on!

[Monty_Cristo]

i like Forge a lot

[Teh m0nk3y]

i like Forge a lot

That reminds me! Forge and Shortpack served in Xavier's clandestine operations.
How could that slip my mind. :o
Man did I enjoy Mystique's solo series. It even showed that the Maker had limitations on his powers, as the man was unable to create a perpetual motion machine.

[Imraith Nimphais]

In this dark time shouldn't Forge return to the fold in a more active capacity?
At least Beast has had Astonishing X-Men to get him out of the laboratory.
Hopefully the ensemble cast of Uncanny will include Forge as well.

Yeah...that would be cool-ies.:)

[Dizzy D]

There was talk about a Forge limited a couple of months ago. Was there ever said anything more about it?

[Monty_Cristo]

That reminds me! Forge and Shortpack served in Xavier's clandestine operations.
How could that slip my mind. :o
Man did I enjoy Mystique's solo series. It even showed that the Maker had limitations on his powers, as the man was unable to create a perpetual motion machine.

hah! i remember that. i kind of see Forge as the conscience that Mystique lost along the way. he was definately the only one who put up with her as-is. my favorite aspect of the character is his sort of reluctance to be an X-Man. he really doesn't want that much to do with the mutant/human war. he'd rather just invent stuff, have a beer, and watch tv. i can empathize with that. he made some cool weaponry for Shortpack. love that jet pack.

http://image.comicvine.com/uploads/item/5000/4279/188362-forge_400.jpg

i wonder if there's any connection between Forge and Scalphunter. their powers are so similar. i have no idea what tribe Scalphunter was booted from though.

[Teh m0nk3y]

There was talk about a Forge limited a couple of months ago. Was there ever said anything more about it?
First time I've ever heard of it. Think I'll be doing a bit of googling later on. :)

hah! i remember that. i kind of see Forge as the conscience that Mystique lost along the way. he was definately the only one who put up with her as-is. my favorite aspect of the character is his sort of reluctance to be an X-Man. he really doesn't want that much to do with the mutant/human war. he'd rather just invent stuff, have a beer, and watch tv. i can empathize with that. he made some cool weaponry for Shortpack. love that jet pack.

http://image.comicvine.com/uploads/item/5000/4279/188362-forge_400.jpg

i wonder if there's any connection between Forge and Scalphunter. their powers are so similar. i have no idea what tribe Scalphunter was booted from though.
I always thought that Forge's reluctance was at first because of his traumatic war experience, and later on his falling out with Storm. Though I guess the guy has not only been a reluctant X-man but also a reluctant chosen one.:D
He pulled several strings to become the government liaison to X-Factor, so the man has shown some active interest fighting for the dream outside of the X-Men.

Agreeing with you on the part of being Mystique's conscience. Out of a select few, Forge is one of those that knows Mystique well.
What with all the trouble she has put him through.

Intriguing suggestion on the Scalphunter bit. Wasn't aware that he had techno morphing powers with the ability to construct virtually anything until I checked the Wiki. I guess all those use of firearms and being all sociopath kinda made me gloss over his powers.

[Hakael]

Forge is pretty awesome... but he seems to be getting his butt handed to him by Bishop a lot recently... be it the ambush in messiah complex or the one afterwards... you'd think he'd see that coming... and why does he keep a series of biotic arms on a wall rack?

[worstblogever]

Forge is pretty awesome... but he seems to be getting his butt handed to him by Bishop a lot recently... be it the ambush in messiah complex or the one afterwards... you'd think he'd see that coming... and why does he keep a series of biotic arms on a wall rack?

Giving himself very unique "strangers"?

[Teh m0nk3y]

Forge is pretty awesome... but he seems to be getting his butt handed to him by Bishop a lot recently... be it the ambush in messiah complex or the one afterwards... you'd think he'd see that coming... and why does he keep a series of biotic arms on a wall rack?
I would have understood it better if it had been a rack with spare hands or spare legs. Though I guess he was bored and might have decided that building bionic arms would prove useful some day?

[worstblogever]

I would have understood it better if it had been a rack with spare hands or spare legs. Though I guess he was bored and might have decided that building bionic arms would prove useful some day?

He has a prosthetic leg, himself. Maybe he just foresaw a conflict where his allies might need one, as well.

Rory Campbell, Cable, Garrison Kane, etc. Amputation happens in the hero biz.

[Hakael]

Garrison Kane is still alive? Deadpool hasn't laughed on his grave yet?

[worstblogever]

Garrison Kane is still alive? Deadpool hasn't laughed on his grave yet?

No, he was one of the many killed by Frank Tieri's writing during the Weapon X (vol. 2) series.

[streator]

There was talk about a Forge limited a couple of months ago. Was there ever said anything more about it?

http://forums.comicbookresources.com/showthread.php?t=172792&highlight=sherman+alexie

i started that thread almost a year ago. it came from a litg rumor and the mini was supposed to be written by sherman alexie. i'll look into what i can find out about it now, if anything.

[Dizzy D]

http://forums.comicbookresources.com/showthread.php?t=172792&highlight=sherman+alexie

i started that thread almost a year ago. it came from a litg rumor and the mini was supposed to be written by sherman alexie. i'll look into what i can find out about it now, if anything.

Thanks.

I had been looking for that thread for about half an hour before giving up.

[The Sword Is Drawn]

He made out with an old lady named Raven.

Ewwww...

Never did Bobby Drake any harm...:D

Seriously though, there is the danger with Forge for the character to become a perpetual plot resolver. In the hands of many writers that is often just what he becomes. It really needs somebody with a love for the character to make him work.

[Teh m0nk3y]

Never did Bobby Drake any harm...:D

Seriously though, there is the danger with Forge for the character to become a perpetual plot resolver. In the hands of many writers that is often just what he becomes. It really needs somebody with a love for the character to make him work.

I agree with you on the potential to abuse his powers. This can be remedied by focusing on other aspects of him. I can see Brubaker or Fraction play up the former soldier or the former government man angle in an exemplary manner.
Forge was used in a non deus ex machina approach during most of his X-Factor career. (Except for a crossover here and there.)

http://forums.comicbookresources.com/showthread.php?t=172792&highlight=sherman+alexie

i started that thread almost a year ago. it came from a litg rumor and the mini was supposed to be written by sherman alexie. i'll look into what i can find out about it now, if anything.
That looked promising. I hope it all pans out.

He has a prosthetic leg, himself. Maybe he just foresaw a conflict where his allies might need one, as well.

Rory Campbell, Cable, Garrison Kane, etc. Amputation happens in the hero biz.
Good point.

[Jeff-X]

I would have understood it better if it had been a rack with spare hands or spare legs. Though I guess he was bored and might have decided that building bionic arms would prove useful some day?
You don't have spare cybernetic arms hanging on your walls? I have six or seven myself, you know, just in case any poor storytelling happens my way.

[Jack Flash]

The Life/Death issues really sold me on the Maker. Him and Ro' were my favorite X couple. Totally bungled up though.

[Teh m0nk3y]

The Life/Death issues really sold me on the Maker. Him and Ro' were my favorite X couple. Totally bungled up though.

I also enjoyed the Life/Death issue. It made me like Storm. Set the tone nicely for the upcoming issues down the line.

There's a thing that kinda makes me scratch my head in the following two issues after Life/Death, Wraithkill! and Legacy of the Lost. Naze rescues Ororo. The two decide to find Forge, but get split up in the process. Later in the book there's a mental scream where it's indicated that a Dire Wraith has killed and replaced Naze. In Legacy of the Lost, "Naze" is shown using Forge's personal space of power in a ritual to invoke the Great One in their time of need. Instead the Adversary answers the summon. He reveals that "Naze" was indeed replaced by a Dire Wraith, yet he steals Naze's appearance and uses it to trick Ororo later down the path. Is the appearance of the Adversary in fall of the mutants a rejuvenated young "Naze"? Why would the Trickster keep to this form especially since the Naze he had killed was an impostor.

Howard Mackie later revisited Claremont's story and resurrected Naze. Leaving me confused on whether he was killed or not in the first place. It seemed like he was given a spiritual kind of immortality.

[Dagger]

I loved Forge since his first appearance! I kinda wish we could get rid of the long haired version for a while. I'm dating a Native American, and he totally doesn't have the long-haired pony tail look going. Living in a predominantly native american neighborhood(I live near the Saginaw Chippewa reservation) my opinion on the hair is it seems that the trashier the native guy is, the longer his hair is.

[Teh m0nk3y]

I loved Forge since his first appearance! I kinda wish we could get rid of the long haired version for a while. I'm dating a Native American, and he totally doesn't have the long-haired pony tail look going. Living in a predominantly native american neighborhood(I live near the Saginaw Chippewa reservation) my opinion on the hair is it seems that the trashier the native guy is, the longer his hair is.
He does look more ruggedly handsome with short hair and petit goatee.
http://img175.imageshack.us/img175/8315/forgeshorthairprofileew8.jpg

The current look with only the mustache has got to go!

[Monty_Cristo]

He does look more ruggedly handsome with short hair and petit goatee.
http://img175.imageshack.us/img175/8315/forgeshorthairprofileew8.jpg


^this is how i like my Forge. i wish the Mystique series had continued (even if Shortpack weren't in it). i like the role that Forge was playing in the title.

[Kage Kisaragi]

How does the jinx work again? You're suppose to say Sage or something then post one of her pics, in hopes that the thread will vanish from the internet all together.. Yes I want this to happen. Sage sage sage sage sage! >_< Die Forge, Die and Die hard and horribly. I choose not to acknowledge you on all possible levels of existence, you are nothing. You are less than nothing you are negative!

Sage!!!
http://image.comicvine.com/uploads/item/5000/4559/23798-sage_150.jpg
... ((I love Sage, cause I love Computers.. Especially ones that can be boinked by other fictional characters, preferably dudes who's names start with "B" and in with "P"))

[Teh m0nk3y]

^this is how i like my Forge. i wish the Mystique series had continued (even if Shortpack weren't in it). i like the role that Forge was playing in the title.
Yeah, Forge had a pretty nice role in that series. Would have also been nice to see what other operatives Xavier had out in the field.


How does the jinx work again? You're suppose to say Sage or something then post one of her pics, in hopes that the thread will vanish from the internet all together.. Yes I want this to happen. Sage sage sage sage sage! >_< Die Forge, Die and Die hard and horribly. I choose not to acknowledge you on all possible levels of existence, you are nothing. You are less than nothing you are negative!

Sage!!!
http://image.comicvine.com/uploads/item/5000/4559/23798-sage_150.jpg
... ((I love Sage, cause I love Computers.. Especially ones that can be boinked by other fictional characters, preferably dudes who's names start with "B" and in with "P"))
You're doing it wrong. Luark Moar?

HATER!!! :eek:

[Kage Kisaragi]

Yeah, Forge had a pretty nice role in that series. Would have also been nice to see what other operatives Xavier had out in the field.



You're doing it wrong. Luark Moar?

HATER!!! :eek:

:(

I just have never seen a Forge I liked. I just don't know what there is to love about him. He feels like a deus ex-machina to me.

[Teh m0nk3y]

:(

I just have never seen a Forge I liked. I just don't know what there is to love about him. He feels like a deus ex-machina to me.

Uncanny X-Men #263 (Early July 1990); "The Lower Depths" - Forge faces what he did in Vietnam.
Is a pretty good issue and example of writing a good Maker.
Frankly, outside of crossovers, I haven't seen much abuse of Forge's mutant power.

[frog]

The reason Forge isn't used much probably has to do with his abilities being matched by others. The X-Men already have a genius inventor type with Beast. Plenty of others have the fighting experience as well.

Perhaps if the Shaman aspect was spotlighted he would have more to do, but with Dani returning that may not work either.

[Swashbuckler]

Forge alright, but his own thread ? That's overkill.

[frog]

Forge alright, but his own thread ? That's overkill.

Well, there's 31 posts, so he seems worthy enough to merit a thread to some of us.

[Swashbuckler]

not when most of the posts are from the thread starter.

[frog]

not when most of the posts are from the thread starter.

I don't see why it matters because I've seen much more questionable threads than this on this board. Just don't read the thread if you don't feel it's worth your time.

[Teh m0nk3y]

The reason Forge isn't used much probably has to do with his abilities being matched by others. The X-Men already have a genius inventor type with Beast. Plenty of others have the fighting experience as well.

Perhaps if the Shaman aspect was spotlighted he would have more to do, but with Dani returning that may not work either.

True, but that hasn't stopped the creative teams from putting similar characters in the same book before. With the changes to come in issue #500, I hope to at least see some characters come out of limbo or at least back into active duty.

Forge alright, but his own thread ? That's overkill.

Where else would I have had the opportunity to talk about Forge? In the Storm appreciation thread? Besides, I've seen threads concerning lesser known characters float around before. Why not this one?

[Dagger]

Uncanny X-Men #263 (Early July 1990); "The Lower Depths" - Forge faces what he did in Vietnam.
Is a pretty good issue and example of writing a good Maker.
Frankly, outside of crossovers, I haven't seen much abuse of Forge's mutant power.
The only thing I don't like about Forge is his tacked on magic-mystic-shaman ability. His tech ability is freakin' amazing enough as it is, it wasn't enough to have him be a mutant, but he also has to be a shaman? WTF ever CC.:rolleyes:

[Teh m0nk3y]

The only thing I don't like about Forge is his tacked on magic-mystic-shaman ability. His tech ability is freakin' amazing enough as it is, it wasn't enough to have him be a mutant, but he also has to be a shaman? WTF ever CC.:rolleyes:

I actually find it pretty fascinating that the man is literally a bridge between the mystical and the technological. Loved how this was represented in X-Factor 121, The True Path.

[bluedmighty]

I got love for for Forge :D

He does have a lot of potential, they really did just throw him away. :(

[Monty_Cristo]

The only thing I don't like about Forge is his tacked on magic-mystic-shaman ability. His tech ability is freakin' amazing enough as it is, it wasn't enough to have him be a mutant, but he also has to be a shaman? WTF ever CC.:rolleyes:

blame the Claremont. he has to magic or cosmic everything.