If Whedon leaves, who should/will follow him?

[fishtaco]

Most of us know that Whedon will be leaving after twelve issues :(


Who will be taking over after him?

Will Cassaday be leaving too?

If so, then who will replace him?

What X-stuff did Whedon's replacement write in the past?

[mattbib]

Are you asking for information or for people's opinions? AFAIK nothing's been announced.

[Ryan K]

Nothing's been announced. I haven't even read any rumours. It's just too early. 8 months until Astonishing X-men #13. Plenty of time.

[Sheldon]

Yeah we don't know whats going to happen but I have it from a good source that Chuck Austen is coming back, he just needed a breather. His 1st story will center around an evil plot by the a revived Azazel, and his evil desires for Sammy's mom.....

[fishtaco]

Yeah we don't know whats going to happen but I have it from a good source that Chuck Austen is coming back, he just needed a breather. His 1st story will center around an evil plot by the a revived Azazel, and his evil desires for Sammy's mom.....


LOL.

That would really suck if Austen took over Astonishing.

[PhoenixBoyX]

I hope Joss stays on! I have seen a few times on the boards people making mention to Joss wishing to stay on, and the letters pages in the back certainly are flattering. I hope Marvel doesn't wanna let go of a good thing, and Joss sticks to what works. I mean, it's not like if he leaves AXM we'll get the return of Fray...

-Phoenixboy with here's to hoping for Whedon's 13-24th issues!

[HellFrost]

i hope he stays cuz as u can probly guess, Emma Frost is my fav. character and he writes her very Cordelia Chase(pre Angel), my fav. Buffy character.

[Elias Bogan]

Apparantly Whedon said in some interview that he wants to stay on past 12 issues. What i see happening:

Whedon/Cassaday finish issue 12
Claremont/(guest superstar) do a 3-4 fillin
Whedon/Cassaday return after a few months break

[Titanium]

I can only think of one man to take over Whedon's run.

Morrison.

And then Whedon comes back and takes over and so on.

Just a vicious cycle of astonishment.

[jeangreydp]

Yeah we don't know whats going to happen but I have it from a good source that Chuck Austen is coming back, he just needed a breather. His 1st story will center around an evil plot by the a revived Azazel, and his evil desires for Sammy's mom.....


Don't joke about things like that! You scared me....

[Cyker]

Apparantly Whedon said in some interview that he wants to stay on past 12 issues. What i see happening:

Whedon/Cassaday finish issue 12
Claremont/(guest superstar) do a 3-4 fillin
Whedon/Cassaday return after a few months break

Please not Claremont.

[bakla]

Wouldn't it be amazing if they got Alan Moore to continue it? Except that he hates Marvel, doesn't he?

[Ryan K]

Wouldn't it be amazing if they got Alan Moore to continue it? Except that he hates Marvel, doesn't he?

Yeah.

*shrugs*

Personally if I don't get Whedon, I'd want either Neil Gaiman or Kurt Busiek.

I'm gonna keep repeating those two until I get my wish. It worked when I was calling for Whedon.

[Charagon]

Who else besides CC and Stan Lee has ever managed to write X-Men without royally !@#$ing it up?

[The Fury]

I'm hoping after Whedon will be Whedon, more of the quaility we've seen so far.

But I also strongly agree with the Alan Moore thing, but I highly doubt he'll do it. Sadly.

[Vector]

Wouldn't it be amazing if they got Alan Moore to continue it?

Yes, but it is highly unlikely.

[Lily Chou-Chou]

Whedon & Cassaday shoud take a break à la Ultimates and come back a few months later with Astonishing season 2. There's no need for a fill in, I would patiently wait.

[Elias Bogan]

Cyker:

what would be so wrong with Claremont/(guest superstar artist) doing a 3 issue fill in arc to give Whedon a break???

Claremont writes Emma, Hank, Logan, Kitty and Colossus to perfection. His only weak character is Cyclops but i suspect its out of personal dislike for the charatcer.

[McJoe]

I realize most people here love Claremont, but for me it would be painful to have him writing the book after having Whedon. I loved a lot of CC's X-men stuff all the way up to the Brood conflict in Uncanny X-men 230's, but since then I feel his abilities as a writer have deteriorated badly. And after seeing what he did with Colossus (as in, nothing) in the year leading up to his death by Lobdell, well, I hope Claremont never touches Colossus again. It's obvious who CC's favorites are (Nighty, Storm, Rachel, etc.), and I'd rather he stick with them rather than having Peter be in his care and fading to the background once more.

After Whedon, I hope they go after someone who hasn't had a crack at the X-men. No Claremonts or Lobdells, I want someone who has a fresh take on these characters.

[SUPERECWFAN1]

When Is Geoff Johns's exclusive with DC over? If Its over by next year...sign the guy to do some Astonishing work.I think between Austen,Johns, or Mark Waid...theres really no one that can make a "New" type dynamic work as good as Astonishing Is supposed to do.


In a perfect world , Wheldon would stay and continue to do this work.I'd love him to annouce that he's stayin at least til Issue 25#.

[Crimson]

Man if Whedon leaves I'll be upset. He's really impressed ALOT faster then most writers, he had me hooked after the first issue.

[zonzorp]

Black Widow 1 was excellent. We need more novelists and fewer TV/film writers - which isn't meant as a slam against Whedon, who is doing an excellent job.
To follow Whedon - The Golden Age author John C Wright.
Or maybe Culture-series author Iain Banks.

[Siddon]

Brian K. Vaughn

[Flight]

Morrison off, Austen on
Whedon off, Austen on

Prepare yourselves folks! Its gonna happen!!!

[Sheldon]

Flight must have the same reputable source I have!

[JeffreyWKramer]

Black Widow 1 was excellent. We need more novelists and fewer TV/film writers - which isn't meant as a slam against Whedon, who is doing an excellent job.

I actually thought BW #1 was tedious beyond words. Even Bill S' art wasn't up to par.

Whedon is doing a bang-up job. I'd be happy if he stayed on ASTONISHING for years and years.

Moore has mended fences some with Marvel re: the old CAPTAIN BRITAIN stories, and I'd love to see him write the X-Men, but I doubt that's gonna happen. Gaiman either, sadly. ]

Brian Vaughan would likely do a great job, but he's kinda busy and already writes quite a few books.

[Elias Bogan]

Sheldon:

pretty funny considering Austen and Marvel have a shared animosity for each other now. Apparantly, ol Chuck felt the editors were limiting him while giving Chris and Joss free reign. Gee...I wonder why???

[Sandy Hausler]

Who else besides CC and Stan Lee has ever managed to write X-Men without royally !@#$ing it up?

I think Roy Thomas did a fair job once he got the hang of it. The last 15 issues before the X-Men's cancellation (yes, Virginia, X-Men was cancelled) were really good.

Of course, that was a long time ago.

Sandy Hausler

[Flight]

Sheldon:

pretty funny considering Austen and Marvel have a shared animosity for each other now. Apparantly, ol Chuck felt the editors were limiting him while giving Chris and Joss free reign. Gee...I wonder why??? Are you kidding me?
Limiting Austen?!
He retold Nightcrawlers origin (badly) and then retconned the idea that Polaris was Magneto's daughter!!

I don't believe for a second that Austen and Marvel have a shared animosity for each other. Elias Bogan, where do you get your rubbish information from?

[SUPERECWFAN1]

I doubt It as well. Austen seems to have been able to do what he wanted after his starting arc.I mean he even changed Bobby Drake and put Juggernaunt on the team!


If thats animosity...jeeeze..I'd hate to see complete freedom!

[Sheldon]

Are you kidding me?
Limiting Austen?!
He retold Nightcrawlers origin (badly) and then retconned the idea that Polaris was Magneto's daughter!!

I don't believe for a second that Austen and Marvel have a shared animosity for each other. Elias Bogan, where do you get your rubbish information from?
His sources must not be as far on the inside as ours!

[Vector]

Brian Vaughan would likely do a great job, but he's kinda busy and already writes quite a few books.

Agreed. Remove him from Ultimate and put him on a 616 title.

[Siddon]

Vaughn is leaving Ultimate so that Singer can come on, its why I recomended him

[X.U.E.]

Vaughn is leaving Ultimate so that Singer can come on, its why I recomended him

Yep, if Whedon leaves the book, Vaughn would be my choice as well for his replacement.

[Romus]

And after seeing what he did with Colossus (as in, nothing) in the year leading up to his death by Lobdell, well, I hope Claremont never touches Colossus again. It's obvious who CC's favorites are (Nighty, Storm, Rachel, etc.), and I'd rather he stick with them rather than having Peter be in his care and fading to the background once more.

After Whedon, I hope they go after someone who hasn't had a crack at the X-men. No Claremonts or Lobdells, I want someone who has a fresh take on these characters.

I agree, I blame CC for Colossus being the most underused character of the core team. CC loves to focus on his favorites and Colossus was obviously not one of them.

[LukeRed5]

Will Astonishing X-men end when Whedon leaves after issue 12? Who would you like to see replace him?

[mattbib]

Nothing's been announced yet.

There's already a thread on this here (http://forums.comicbookresources.com/showthread.php?t=24980&highlight=whedon).

[roguestorm]

i heard he was leaving after twelve issues,due to him costing wayyy to much to continue past twelve issues.

[Doom Hammer]

This question is not as "astonishing" as the title would make you think. What gives? :evilangry

:D

[protege]

So how can they afford JMS?

[protege]

So who are his favorite characters? Did he ever like cable?

[tk421atpost]

Considering the success of the book, I'm sure that Marvel will bend over backwards to try and keep him on it. But if he does leave, then they should just end the title instead of having some hack take it over.

[Expletive Deleted]

Vaughn is leaving Ultimate so that Singer can come on, its why I recomended himI think the Singer thing fell through, what with him abandoning the X-Franchise for the Super-Franchise.

I mean, Vaughan was originally only supposed to do one or two storylines, and they're just now soliciting his third. If he's not technocally the regular writer on ULTIMATE, he's pretty damn close.

[Expletive Deleted]

So how can they afford JMS?Maybe JMS just works cheap.

Whedon has a bunch of other irons in the fire right now. Screenplays and the like. Even if they could afford him, he might not have the time.

[HartyPotter]

I would like Whedon to stay on for longer, but if that's impossible, I'd forgive Marvel. I just hope Astonishing remains an ongoing rather than stopping it after 12.

[Climhazzard]

I think the Singer thing fell through, what with him abandoning the X-Franchise for the Super-Franchise.

I mean, Vaughan was originally only supposed to do one or two storylines, and they're just now soliciting his third. If he's not technocally the regular writer on ULTIMATE, he's pretty damn close.
Singer has said he will still be writing UXM despite switching from X3 to Superman.

[EZMOHR]

I would kind of like to see (please do not make fun of me) Darren Aronofsky do the Astonishing X-Men. (Hey a guy can hope for a Whedon-esque type of guy to write the X-Men).

[Gaveedra 6]

Yeah we don't know whats going to happen but I have it from a good source that Chuck Austen is coming back, he just needed a breather. His 1st story will center around an evil plot by the a revived Azazel, and his evil desires for Sammy's mom.....

Please be kidding... this makes me want to cry..

But really, I think Vaugn would be a good choice too. His stuff on Ultimate X-Men is pretty solid. He seems like he actually cares for the characters and has a sense of their history. I think he's a huge improvement from Bendis writing that book. All he seemed to care about was scripting long boring conversations between gruff alpha-males.

[Lagomorph]

I can only think of one man to take over Whedon's run.

Morrison.

And then Whedon comes back and takes over and so on.

Just a vicious cycle of astonishment.
I, for one, would LOVE this, but Morrison's run was so devisive that it's probably for the best that it not happen.

[bakla]

Morrison off, Austen on
Whedon off, Austen on

Prepare yourselves folks! Its gonna happen!!!

AAAIIGH! DON'T SAY THAT!

>>WAPWAPWAPWAPWAP!<<
*Hits Flight over the head repeatedly with Universe X Trade paperbacks*

[Boomstick King]

From what I can tell Joss seems to like writing Astonishing and its the top selling Marvel book every month, so I would think that he would stay on or take a short break and come back in six issues.

[jj9126]

I think the Singer thing fell through, what with him abandoning the X-Franchise for the Super-Franchise.

I mean, Vaughan was originally only supposed to do one or two storylines, and they're just now soliciting his third. If he's not technocally the regular writer on ULTIMATE, he's pretty damn close.

Singer is still scheduled to do 12 issues starting sometime next year. Remember, he's just plotting and his X2 writers are doing the actual scripts.

In terms of Astonishing - I really think Joe will go after another Hollywood-type when Whedon leaves. HOWEVER, I really think he'll stick around for another 12 (although probably not with Cassidy). "Serenity" is in the can, he has no active television series and his development deal with Fox is toast...he just doesn't have that much on his plate right now.

Why not Bendis after Whedon's run? Bendis could have Daredevil and Jessica Jones join the team...

[protege]

yeah, let's have hawkye, the wasp, and yellowjacket join the Xmen!

[fishtaco]

How does Marvel possibly want Whedon to leave after 12 months? Do they have any idea how much his book sells?!?!?!?!?!?!?!??! Its not that Whedon wants to leave, didnt he say that he would love to continue after two arcs?

[SUPERECWFAN1]

Its a pretty good bet that Marvel will continue Astonishing X-Men after Whedon finishes his run In 6 months. So...who will get the nod to replace him ?

Or will Marvel shock us all and get him to stay on longer ? So lets toss the names out and see who wins.


I think Mark Waid will get the nod. Thats my bet.

[Beast]

I think they'll either secure Whedon for another year, or mine the talent they already have working for them. Brian K. Vaughan seems to be a good bet, especially since he'll need another job once Bryan Singer takes over Ultimate X-Men at the end of the year. If not him, a longshot pick would have to be Tony Bedard. They've both proven themselves capable of writing team books and have a good understanding of the X-Universe. :)

[Ryan K]

Way back when we were all guessing and making dream picks for who got to take over for Morrison, I wished for Whedon.

As you can all see, I apparently have the power to make things happen simply by wishing for them.

Therefore, I shall wish for Robert Kirkman next.

[StoneGold]

Going with the theme, JJ Abrams?

[Fede]

If whedon has to be replaced for some months, i'd like :( morrison

[Beastfan07]

I want Geoff Johns to write it but IMO X-Men would limit him a lot.

[Vegetarian Goat]

I have this weird feeling that Phoenix: Endsong is a test for Pak & Land.. and that we may see them do an arc or two of Astonishing somewhere down the road.

[Screwtape]

I have this weird feeling that Phoenix: Endsong is a test for Pak & Land.. and that we may see them do an arc or two of Astonishing somewhere down the road.That would please me greatly, as would Mark Waid (although isn't he a little too... happy for the X-Men?). I think Whedon might stay, but Cassaday won't. He puts so much into every line that it's got to be wearing down on him keeping a monthly schedule.

[jj9126]

I have this weird feeling that Phoenix: Endsong is a test for Pak & Land.. and that we may see them do an arc or two of Astonishing somewhere down the road.

I just read the preview of the second issue and I've got to say that I'm absolutely shocked at how good this book is. The opening scene w/ Scott & Emma is absolutely perfect (Pak actually GETS the relationship). I'd love to see what he could do with a monthly X-book.

[riotgear]

I would love to see Whedon and Coipel on Astonishing. That would be my dream team-up on this title.

[jeangreydp]

I hope they hire me. HA!

[BoosterBronze]

Am I alone in that I'd be willing to have lengthy "Ultimates" stlyle delas between issues if we could keep the team of Whedon/Cassaday forever? That or we kidnapp them both "Misery" style and make them put out the book.

[jeangreydp]

That or we kidnapp them both "Misery" style and make them put out the book.

I vote 'misery' I've been wanting to sledgehammer some legs.....

[mushroom2703]

I have this weird feeling that Phoenix: Endsong is a test for Pak & Land.. and that we may see them do an arc or two of Astonishing somewhere down the road.

Man, i hope that doesn't happy. Sorry, just, Pak doesn't light me on fire, and i find Land's arc really cold. Maybe its realistic but i just can't get a feel for it. I don't know what i want to happen to the book. Just something i'll enjoy!

[fishtaco]

anyone but Whedon. I hate him.

[Ryan K]

anyone but Whedon. I hate him.

You just made the Baby Jesus cry. :(

[DavidQ!]

hmmm, who should replace Whedon if he should leave or take a break. How about Defillipis and Weir as fill ins (I think this could work for a few issues.) or as a complete and utter replacement heaven forbid drag either Grant Morrison back, lure Geoff Johns, or bait and tackle hook line and sinker Mark waid before his FF run goes out.

[DavidQ!]

Lets hope Joe Q has the casones to beg Whedon to stay.

[Kirayoshi]

I'm surprised that they haven't gotten any of Whedon's fellow writers from the Mutant Enemy stables to pinch-hit on occasion. Some of JMS's proteges have done Spider-Man stories(the current Spectacular arc, Sins Remembered, written by Samm Barnes(sp?) and follows JMS's Sins Past). Why not get Marti Noxon or Tim Minnear? Hell, Ben Edlund wrote some Angel and Firefly scripts, why not tap him to help out? I can see it now:

Wolverine: Fastball Special, Pete!
Colossus(throwing Wolverine toward a Sentinel): SPOOOOOOOOOON!

If Cassaday isn't available, I'd go with either Park or Paul Davis(with Terry Austin doing inks). Cassaday said in an interview that Davis was one of his influences(check out the bald copy from 'Professor Xavier is a Jerk' in AXM #1). And he always drew the best Kitty(not to mention his stint coincided with the high-point in the Kitty/Peter romance). Could work.

[Siddon]

I see three writers being given try-outs

Akio Yosida seems to have been given a try-out with the characters in X-men/FF I think he pretty much failed, based on sales and quality

Pak/Land combo has done a great job..... but I think they will go with an seriously established writer

so I say the guy to take over is.........


Fabian Nicieza- Cable and Deadpool changed my mind about him as a writer and it has been 10 years since the guy has gotten his shot. Personally I'd rather see Vaughn but if they can't get him Nicieza is the pick.

[Faded]

If Whedon absolutely had to leave, Brian K. Vaughn, or as someone else mentioned that I never thought of--JJ Abrams. TV writers seem to be making great comic books :D

[Will.S]

anyone but Whedon. I hate him.
This post makes your initial post confusing.

Most of us know that Whedon will be leaving after twelve issues :(
Why the sad face if you hate him?

Anyway, I think Brian Vaughn or Ed Brubaker would be great bets. Kirkman if they decide to stick with him after Ultimate.

[streator]

i'd imagine that if whedon leaves after 13-24, marvel will either get someone to write a book much like he and morrison have wrote (thematically). i know people will argue with me, but i truly see morrison's nxm as more so aimed at a mature audience and whedon's book being the continuation of that approach. so i'd personally say marvel will probably bring in someone to continue the trend.
or...
marvel will shuffle its characters around and no one x-book will continue to tell the stories of cyclops, emma frost, wolverine, beast, and jean grey.

edit:
didn't realize this was an old thread (started october 2004). oh well. it's still applicable.

[Faded]

I agree with you streator. It definitely seems to be the direction Marvel is aiming for.

And yes, its an old thread. I felt like reviving the oldest thread I could that I wanted to reply to. :)

[Flight]

If Whedon leaves, I hope Claremont follows him...

...out the Marvel front door!

[CURSD BLADE]

Allan Heinberg + Olivier Coipel + Astonshing X-Men = genious

[Deathstroke]

I read his first run on Astonishing because it was him. I guess technically I would leave when he does simply because he's the reason I read it in the first place.

I don't usually read much of the main X-Titles.

[jarrod]

Nobody. End the book and split the cast between Uncanny X-Men and X-Men.

[Porcelain]

Nobody. End the book and split the cast between Uncanny X-Men and X-Men.
Same. Astonshing has already seems more of a seperate limited series (especially given it's now bi-monthly - it doesn't feel like it's happening within the same sphere as the others). I do like the cast as a team, but 3 continious ongoings which concentrate on (essentialy) the same concept is a bit much.

[fishtaco]

Whoa. Who revived my thread? Well, this was awhile ago, so my views have shifted.

I'd like for Louise Simonson to take over, and the title of the book to change to Amazing X-Men. I've never liked the "Astonishing" adjective. Louise is familiar with the characters, especially Scott and Hank when she was writing X-Factor, and Emma Frost when she was writing New Mutants. I'm sure she would do a great job at writing Shadowcat and Colossus. In any case, the current roster is pretty bad, so I think Emma should defect, Kitty leave for another team, Wolverine leave to star exclusively in his own book, and for replacements, I'd like to see Warpath and Domino. Cassaday should leave too, because he doesn't seem to care much about the book, and he has been brutally neglecting it. I don't know who should take over for art duties. Maybe Bill Sienkewicz. Where is he, these days, anyway? The book should also deal less with the student body and actually be apart of continuity and participate with the direction of the other books.

[Siddon]

A lot has changed in the past few months, I could see several new writers taking on the tasks of taking over the X-men and none of the big three writers are safe from changing....

Whedon when he leaves in 2 years someone will step up and take on his title.... I wouldn't be shocked if Chuck Austen is a name thrown around as a replacement has his work has gone from crap (X-men) to decent (Superman). Chuck is turning it around his writing is getting stronger, his weaknesses with action and pacing seem to be slowly falling to the side, and when it is all said and done he may turn into a great writer. It took Stan Lee years of uneven writing to become a quality writer.

But in the end I don't think Austen will get the job yet as I think they are grooming a new top writer at Marvel.... Ed Brubaker. Brubaker is over-worked right now and taking on Marvels flagship title will need his best plus it would give him two years on Daredevil which should be enough time to tell one nice long Brubakesque story.

Claremont should be considered safe or out the door, his writing has gotten so much better these last few months with no less then three! solid arcs in a row! (Uncanny HOM, Rachel, Excalibur). Now he could just be giving us his best as he plans to leave Uncanny, a title that needs some serious fresh blood and focus all his attentions to Excalibur. In which case a Kirkman, Vaughn, Hine or heaven help us Yoshida could step in and give there take on this excellent franchise.

Milligan, I personally love Milligans X-men and would hate to see him leave but I don't think Milligan will stay on X-men for to long. Much like other great writers of the rotating X-90's Milligan will take his place along with Seagle and Casey as great writers who just never got the slam dunk with the title. Milligans problem was that his cast just plain stunk as his strengths are obviously Emma, and Logan two characters he won't have. If Milligan steps down I would say that the best option marvel has to replace him is the extremely solid John Layman

[Affinity]

I liked the Pak/Land team for Endsong. They handled those characters well, and the art was the cream of the crop. I know at least a dozen people who hate Land's photo-realistic work, but it'll stick with that hardcore look that Cassaday provides.

Maybe even Millar/Land a la Ultimate Fantastic Four would be nice. Millar is good for Astonishing and it's over the top plot lines. (Oops: I just realized that Millar is pretty slow, too, unless that's Hitch slowing down his work in The Ultimates.)

As a matter of fact, anyone on Astonishing other than the sloth like team of Whedon/Cassaday would be nice. Just because Whedon is the golden boy doesn't mean that he should be permitted to be late as he is. Two months for one issue is pathetic. So is six issues a year.

[nubly]

anyone but claremont. sadly, chris has lost his touch