Young X-Men #12 (Review w/ Spoilers)

[worstblogever]

Young X-Men #12-

While, through most of this series' run, I was trying to give its writer, Marc Guggenheim, the benefit of the doubt that all would make sense soon enough, I have to admit I was often disenchanted with the "all new" characters. Cipher, despite having a great look, was an addition that came too little, too late, and is what you get if Mary Zero and Kitty Pryde are spliced. Graymalkin, as Xavier's ancient, buried alive ancestor (that Cerebro and Cerebra never detected, even buried on the grounds, somehow), debuted in issue #5, but honestly, never did get fleshed out more than his conservative, anachronistic attitude. And Ink... well, how can one begin to talk about the character that keeps solving the whole team's problems because a mutant kid gave him a tattoo? (Seriously, the great majority of threats were neutralized by Ink).

And thus, we have our series finale, that not only continues to force these concepts upon us, but it gives us a jumbled mess of a potential alternate future where Ink, in his efforts to save Dust's life, as she lay dead, used his Phoenix tattoo... and thus made Sooraya into what her beliefs consider a mockery of life. She's so upset about this, and corrupted by his knock-off Phoenix Force, that she spends her days in the alternate future killing off every last one of the X-Men still alive in vengeance.

So, not only did Ink get a knock-off Phoenix, but it's transferrable. Oy.

In the past, of course, we're shown cause, to this effect, just after Rockslide goes into his very first berzerker rage, and tries to kill Donald Pierce, only to be talked out of it by Wolverine, of all people. Logan doesn't think Santo can handle a murder on his conscience, even of a monster like Pierce. So rather than kill the Reaver-douche himself, Logan sits there and lectures a kid who's about lost it. Cyclops giving the big guy a hug back in #7 wasn't enough, apparently. Now we need a Logan/Santo touchy-feely moment.

Well, the threat gets neutralized, and then the team's thinking about breaking up after Ink's simple "healing tattoo" fails to heal Sooraya. Which, this is another "What the Hell?" moment. Wolf Cub dies, everyone shrugs. Dust dies, everyone wants to walk out. Anole actually complains about joining the team in the first place, and it makes he and Rockslide human, perhaps, but really unlikable.

Because if it wasn't clear enough that Guggs loves his "newer" pets, it's Cipher who tries to keep the team together. And then, Ink who goes off and sacrifices himself, trying to revive Sooraya with the Phoenix tat. And... it works. But puts him in some sort of a coma. So, again, a major conflict is solved by Ink. At least this time, he was good enough to be rendered null and void as Leon Nunez for the forseeable future.

Now, with the team doing a complete 180, and not caring about Ink being comatose so Dust can live... they decide to remain the junior X-Team. What of the future with the Dark Phoenix S(ooray)aga? Who knows. But it ate up half the finale.

And on the last page, the team is shown as a well oiled machine battling...

THE NEO!!!

Oh. Oh man. You could've just left 'em dead on Genosha... having them turn up on the Golden Gate as a generic threat... there... there are not words for how bad this issue went, from a writing standpoint. The art, though, by Sandoval, is crisp, and does its job. Although, the evil Dust bits are... well... mixing a niqab and the Dark Phoenix bondage gear is about as weird as a costume design as things get.

NOT RECOMMENDED. 4/10

[Beast]

It's a shame. There were a lot of moments of greatness in the book.

It's just that they couldn't be strung together into a very good storyline.

Oh well, hopefully the teases of Carey taking the X-Kids will pay off.

*Pours some out for the dead Homies of Young X-Men*

[The Black Guardian]

Heck, Jaeger is even brought back from the dead. Because we really needed another living, breathing Neo. Mind you, I do think the Neo still have potential, but you won't find it here. When have the Neo not just shown up as a general threat?

[Henry T.]

Just to be clear-- does current Dust have Ink's Not-Phoenix?

[jarrod]

Perfect ending! <3 <3

[chickrockguitar]

You just have to laugh, really, don't you?

What a wasted year of a comic book.

Marvel should have continued NXM (not under YXM's writer). End of.

[drwho]

so is dust still dieing, or was she cured? cant tell what is present marvel u vs alternate reality gibberish.

[worstblogever]

Just to be clear-- does current Dust have Ink's Not-Phoenix?

The story kind of ends vaguely, but Beast does state that Ink's Phoenix is not the TRUE Phoenix, but just a lame knock-off. That's why his attempt to cure her put him in a coma.

Other than that, what happens with Sooraya and the Phoneynix Force are left hanging.

[jarrod]

The Neo's great. Guggenhiem's final "fuck you" makes me smile.

[worstblogever]

so is dust still dieing, or was she cured? cant tell what is present marvel u vs alternate reality gibberish.

Read the book, or the review. The answer's in both.

[Twisted Bliss]

The story kind of ends vaguely, but Beast does state that Ink's Phoenix is not the TRUE Phoenix, but just a lame knock-off. That's why his attempt to cure her put him in a coma.

Other than that, what happens with Sooraya and the Phoneynix Force are left hanging.

So Sooraya was turning to glass because Magma fused her with the application of heat. And rather than just have Beast shove her into a grinding machine to reduce the glass particles back into the silicate composite via friction (or whatever the hell sand is) They had to use the Cosmic power of the Fake Phoenix Force. Because only that could cure Sooraya. Not Elixir or plain old bog standard science. Oh no only the tat man .

What a crock from start to finish that has to be the most pitiful excuse for an X-book and I thought the original Liefield X-force was shite. At least that had the high crotches and tiny ankles for the a visual laugh. This was dire from the word go.

[NewMutant]

The past issues have been good, a lot better than the first arc, but this is a fairly terrible last issue.

Dust dies and then is back.

Anole wants to quit and then doesn't.

And then an appearance by The Neo.

I'm wasn't asking for magic, but this wasn't even on parr with the series when it was at its best.

[timbox]

Get Sandoval on Uncanny, please.

[starman]

Yay for the Mary Zero reference! Boo on everything else.

[Vanish]

Get Sandoval on Uncanny, please.

Sandoval and Olivier were a great pair; I won't both with the colorist on Uncanny.


Anyway, I haven't read the book yet and while I don't react as strongly to the plot elements as most others, I'm not looking forward to Dust's convenient healing.

I mean, I'm glad she's okay (though I wasn't opposed to her death either), but...its an anticlimatic end for one of the book's strongest story.

[Henry T.]

Other than that, what happens with Sooraya and the Phoneynix Force are left hanging.

Lets all pray to merciful Allah that Sooraya does not have the Fake-Phoneix Force.

[Maestro]

That's great, Dust is alive. Now she can be properly killed off in X-Force

[Swashbuckler]

This was by far the WORST comic book I've bought in a long time. This was worse the Die by the Sword. What was the point of this series? And the Neo. My god, it's pitiful.

[Anna]

Young X-Men #12-

While, through most of this series' run, I was trying to give its writer, Marc Guggenheim, the benefit of the doubt that all would make sense soon enough, I have to admit I was often disenchanted with the "all new" characters. Cipher, despite having a great look, was an addition that came too little, too late, and is what you get if Mary Zero and Kitty Pryde are spliced. Graymalkin, as Xavier's ancient, buried alive ancestor (that Cerebro and Cerebra never detected, even buried on the grounds, somehow), debuted in issue #5, but honestly, never did get fleshed out more than his conservative, anachronistic attitude. And Ink... well, how can one begin to talk about the character that keeps solving the whole team's problems because a mutant kid gave him a tattoo? (Seriously, the great majority of threats were neutralized by Ink).

And thus, we have our series finale, that not only continues to force these concepts upon us, but it gives us a jumbled mess of a potential alternate future where Ink, in his efforts to save Dust's life, as she lay dead, used his Phoenix tattoo... and thus made Sooraya into what her beliefs consider a mockery of life. She's so upset about this, and corrupted by his knock-off Phoenix Force, that she spends her days in the alternate future killing off every last one of the X-Men still alive in vengeance.

So, not only did Ink get a knock-off Phoenix, but it's transferrable. Oy.

In the past, of course, we're shown cause, to this effect, just after Rockslide goes into his very first berzerker rage, and tries to kill Donald Pierce, only to be talked out of it by Wolverine, of all people. Logan doesn't think Santo can handle a murder on his conscience, even of a monster like Pierce. So rather than kill the Reaver-douche himself, Logan sits there and lectures a kid who's about lost it. Cyclops giving the big guy a hug back in #7 wasn't enough, apparently. Now we need a Logan/Santo touchy-feely moment.

Well, the threat gets neutralized, and then the team's thinking about breaking up after Ink's simple "healing tattoo" fails to heal Sooraya. Which, this is another "What the Hell?" moment. Wolf Cub dies, everyone shrugs. Dust dies, everyone wants to walk out. Anole actually complains about joining the team in the first place, and it makes he and Rockslide human, perhaps, but really unlikable.

Because if it wasn't clear enough that Guggs loves his "newer" pets, it's Cipher who tries to keep the team together. And then, Ink who goes off and sacrifices himself, trying to revive Sooraya with the Phoenix tat. And... it works. But puts him in some sort of a coma. So, again, a major conflict is solved by Ink. At least this time, he was good enough to be rendered null and void as Leon Nunez for the forseeable future.

Now, with the team doing a complete 180, and not caring about Ink being comatose so Dust can live... they decide to remain the junior X-Team. What of the future with the Dark Phoenix S(ooray)aga? Who knows. But it ate up half the finale.

And on the last page, the team is shown as a well oiled machine battling...

THE NEO!!!

Oh. Oh man. You could've just left 'em dead on Genosha... having them turn up on the Golden Gate as a generic threat... there... there are not words for how bad this issue went, from a writing standpoint. The art, though, by Sandoval, is crisp, and does its job. Although, the evil Dust bits are... well... mixing a niqab and the Dark Phoenix bondage gear is about as weird as a costume design as things get.

NOT RECOMMENDED. 4/10


Thank you for the spoilers.

Waitaminnit!?! The NEO?!?

[jester1436]

Fake Phoenix Force.

Fauxnix Force. Fauxnix.

[darknessatnoon]

The Neo?

I am fainting with delight.

[worstblogever]

The Neo?

I am fainting with delight.

What's really sad is some of the dead ones, who were killed on panel, are back to life.

And yet, ones who were never killed, like Domina, remain conspicusously absent.

And Salvo's hair is pink, instead of blue. But hey, he's visiting Frisco, he might be advertising from some lovin', now that he's back from the grave.

[darknessatnoon]

What's really sad is some of the dead ones, who were killed on panel, are back to life.

And yet, ones who were never killed, like Domina, remain conspicusously absent.

And Salvo's hair is pink, instead of blue. But hey, he's visiting Frisco, he might be advertising from some lovin', now that he's back from the grave.

Domina is still alive. She is plotting. She intends to kill Magneto in the most sadistic ways imaginable for leading her people to near extinction and for allying himself with the person who caused the first Harrowing.

[Hakael]

It's a shame. There were a lot of moments of greatness in the book.

It's just that they couldn't be strung together into a very good storyline.

Oh well, hopefully the teases of Carey taking the X-Kids will pay off.

*Pours some out for the dead Homies of Young X-Men*

Can you name a moment of greatness? I count zero.

This book never really got above mediocre for me.

[ANewHope]

Lol, you guys are making it sound worse than it actually was.

The art for one thing looked great. I guess the Wolverine Rockslide conversation was pretty lame, but I didn't obsess over it.

The point of the book, if nothing else, was to bring back the New Mutants!

What I thought was cool about this story, and what I still can't figure it out, did Ink prevent this future or cause it? Even though Ink saves Dust now, it somehow corrupts her as time goes on, according to the alternate reality ending.

Yeah it was unclear what happened, and we'll probably find out what exactly happened in New Mutants 1. (not the featured story, but a sub-plot)

[The Thunderbird]

Fauxnix Force. Fauxnix.

What about the Phoenix Farce?

[drwho]

kind of weird that this supposed mutant title revolved a lot mostly around the non mutant character.

[The Phoenix King]

Seriously, what kind of screwed-up universe is it where Ink lives (albeit in a coma) and Cipher sticks around, all the while the two young mutants infected in X-Force get left to die? Seriously? The %^#@?

And I did like the fact that they end off with the Neo. The series started with one bad idea and it ended with another. At least there was symmetry to the whole thing. Honestly, Mr. Guggenheim, good riddiance to bad rubbish.

[Marc Guggenheim]

And I did like the fact that they end off with the Neo. The series started with one bad idea and it ended with another. At least there was symmetry to the whole thing. Honestly, Mr. Guggenheim, good riddiance to bad rubbish.

Sorry the book didn't do it for you guys. Hope you like whatever I do next better.

Best,
Marc

[The Phoenix King]

Sorry the book didn't do it for you guys. Hope you like whatever I do next better.

Best,
Marc

Sorry if I was too harsh there, as I really liked your other works, especially with Blade and Wolverine, but Young X-Men just didn't quite hash it, and I need to call things out when I see that. That being said, since your work on sole titles has been really good, why don't you ask Marvel for an assignment involving one of those? But as always, that's just my opinion, take it or leave it as you will. Good luck in the future.

[Marc Guggenheim]

Sorry if I was too harsh there, as I really liked your other works, especially with Blade and Wolverine, but Young X-Men just didn't quite hash it, and I need to call things out when I see that. That being said, since your work on sole titles has been really good, why don't you ask Marvel for an assignment involving one of those? But as always, that's just my opinion, take it or leave it as you will. Good luck in the future.

Thanks. And, no, I don't disagree with you: I found writing a team book to be quite challenging and not necessarily suited to my strengths. Live and learn, right?

[darknessatnoon]

Sorry the book didn't do it for you guys. Hope you like whatever I do next better.

Best,
Marc

I loved it. They're morons. Keep on keeping on.

[drwho]

Thanks. And, no, I don't disagree with you: I found writing a team book to be quite challenging and not necessarily suited to my strengths. Live and learn, right?

Any chance you could give us your thoughts in why you felt ink needed to be a character? Like what was his appeal to you and why did so much involve him?Can you spoil who was chasing cipher? What was with the change in wolf cub as a character?

[Novaya Havoc]

Thanks. And, no, I don't disagree with you: I found writing a team book to be quite challenging and not necessarily suited to my strengths. Live and learn, right?

I find it sad when a series dies. Unless it's written by HE WHO SHALL NOT BE NAMED. S'ok, Gugg!

I believe you should request writing a solo Dazzler series as a future endeavor. It could be elegant. <3

[drwho]

I find it sad when a series dies. Unless it's written by HE WHO SHALL NOT BE NAMED. S'ok, Gugg!

I believe you should request writing a solo Dazzler series as a future endeavor. It could be elegant. <3

im still waiting for a bosom buddy concert tour book starting lila cheney and dazzler

[darknessatnoon]

I find it sad when a series dies. Unless it's written by HE WHO SHALL NOT BE NAMED. S'ok, Gugg!

I believe you should request writing a solo Dazzler series as a future endeavor. It could be elegant. <3

He should write a Dazzler/Sage buddy book. I'm telling you it would be comedy gold.

[Beast]

Sorry the book didn't do it for you guys. Hope you like whatever I do next better.

Best,
Marc
Do a Neo mini-series. Some of us liked the concept and would love it explored.

[Novaya Havoc]

He should write a Dazzler/Sage buddy book. I'm telling you it would be comedy gold.

I agree. Marc can get all meta with it and make it a fun title!

[Home made ectoplasm]

Sorry the book didn't do it for you guys. Hope you like whatever I do next better.

Best,
Marc

I liked it Marc! Don't be too put off, a lot of the more vocal criticism's are people complaining about what the book wasn't rather than what it was. You write a good Dust, and I like all the new characters you introduced.

[worstblogever]

Issues #6-8 were probably the best of the run. Once the original arc's swerve was over, and we started learning about who'd be on the team, and what they were doing to cope with the death of Wolf Cub... well, that was great.

But the constant "SURPRISE! Another MUTANT THAT WAS UNDER THE RADAR THE WHOLE TIME!" thing did get tired, fast. Leon Nunez, Cipher, and Graymalkin were all a bit much. One would've worked. Two, would have been fine. But once it became a hat trick, it seemed that all the time and plot had to be dedicated to "WHO IS ___________?" rather than the actual story.

Reveals like that, you might want to spread out a bit more.

[Novaya Havoc]

I will always fondly think upon Marc Guggenheim, for he re-introduced the Blue Shield into Spider-Man. (Dazzler #5, bitches!)

[Optic Rage!]

Sorry thing's did not work out Marc, hope things go better on your next project.

[Come To Deathstrike]

I see........

[Prodigy55]

Thanks. And, no, I don't disagree with you: I found writing a team book to be quite challenging and not necessarily suited to my strengths. Live and learn, right?

Good luck with all your future projects, I liked your characterization of Dust.

EDIT:
Request to write a Dust solo mini-series!

[Prodigy55]

I don't blame New X-Men fans, sure they bitched, but they still bought it.
Of course they would, it had Dust and Rockslide from issue #1.
Bitching on a forum never cancelled a series.

[RickyD410]

I personally blame ravenous New X-Men fans for this, but life goes on.

I hunger like the wolf.


I am one of said ravenous New X-Men fans. And here for all to see (whether Guggs is watching or not) I formally apologize for any hatred I spewed after New X-Men was cancelled. Writing is difficult, X-Fans are picky, and the gauntlet is always intimidating. For better or for worse, YXM came and went. Some people liked it, others did not. And yes, this is an comic book internet forum, so theres going to be a LOT of complaining. But thats kinda what its for. I think Guggs knows not to take it too seriously. Not all the readers are here. But in any case, it can never feel good to see your work criticized, constructive or otherwise (usually in CBR's case, otherwise). So for that, I apologize.

[Optic Rage!]

The constant bitching of New X-Men fans did not help this book, the majorty of you hated it before issue 1 was even out.

Word of mouth can hurt a book.

[Prodigy55]

Most of the posts I read about this book by New X Men fans make repeated refrence to the fact they are not buying it.

Oh that's just for drama.

They'd buy a foreign language book if it promised Rockslide and Dust appearances.

At least the hardcore fans would.

[Vanish]

Agreed. I think it's criminal it didn't have a run as long as New Excalibur.

Or New Warriors.

Young X-Men never cut anyone's beautiful, flowing hair.

[Prodigy55]

Oh ya! Young X-Men never gave anyone implants either.

[Pach!]

I'm sad to see this book go. I really enjoyed it.I hope we still see Ink, Graymalkin and Cypher around.

[Prodigy55]

Is Marc Guggenheim still around?

I want to ask him about the page that showed the blond guy and the speech bubble "Doug?", were you planning on reviving Cypher soon?

[Justin K.]

Sorry the book didn't do it for you guys. Hope you like whatever I do next better.

Best,
Marc

Overall, I didn't mind the book. The writing was all right, and it was nice seeing a couple new characters. The art for the early issues may not have been the best, but it's the effort that counts. It was nice to see some other New X-men members again too, it beat having them reduced to wallpaper in bigger books, a fine example being Uncanny X-men. It seemed like the little book that could, a weak start but had the potential to be more. It's a shame to see this book cancelled, but knowing a few characters are still being written is good for me.

[Hakael]

Marc, hope your next project works out better. Your Spidey work has been generally great. I just didn't enjoy this one.


Now, can we not rehash the "this is all the fault of NXM fans" argument. Its just as dumb as it was when we first heard YXM was discontinued.

[Anna]

I'm sad to see this book go. I really enjoyed it.I hope we still see Ink, Graymalkin and Cypher around.
Check the group scenes in Uncanny a few months from now.

[SayOcean]

Lol, you guys are making it sound worse than it actually was.

The art for one thing looked great. I guess the Wolverine Rockslide conversation was pretty lame, but I didn't obsess over it.

The point of the book, if nothing else, was to bring back the New Mutants!

What I thought was cool about this story, and what I still can't figure it out, did Ink prevent this future or cause it? Even though Ink saves Dust now, it somehow corrupts her as time goes on, according to the alternate reality ending.

Yeah it was unclear what happened, and we'll probably find out what exactly happened in New Mutants 1. (not the featured story, but a sub-plot)I dont know if your kidding or not but i really hope none of the plots from Young Xmen reach the new New Mutants group....and I am not much of a fan of New Xmen, but when i saw that Dani, bobby, and amara were gonna be apart of this book i got interested...only for them to be teachers....TEACHERS....what about sunspot or Magma makes you think they would even WANT to be teachers, let alone be good at it....and these new characters were the poo, i bought the first six issues of this book....and even i couldnt get through it....and i suffered through Hama's Gen X book....we spent money on this book so i believe we have the right to complain and criticize it

[The Black Guardian]

Sorry the book didn't do it for you guys. Hope you like whatever I do next better.
It really was a mixed bag for me.

I really don't mind introducing new characters. IMO, there aren't enough characters in the X-Books to make things interesting. I'd prefer these new characters not see much limelight though, because we already have too many characters that deserve it more. I'm really not very interested in Graymalkin. Ink is okay. I love Cipher (see my Avatar)! But hey, when it comes to black females, I'm easy. I'm neither proud nor ashamed.:wink:

I'm really quite infuriated by what you did with Dust. Her voice didn't seem very Dust-like throughout the entire series. She seemed too worldly, whereas she's really a bumpkin from Afghanistan. I would normally forgive that, but these last couple issues you introduced an idea that I cannot forgive. Now, Dust is perhaps destined to go on this Jihad against the abominable mutants. Really now? The only Muslim mutant in the X-Books and "religious terrorist" is tacked onto her from out of nowhere? On top of that, she's destined to become a sexed-up villain in a bondage suit. Jeez... how many inane stereotypes can be lumped onto one character? Oh well, at least these things were in a future that will never come to be.

Those are the things I'm more passionate about from your series. The rest that I'm omitting wasn't bad, imo.
What I thought was cool about this story, and what I still can't figure it out, did Ink prevent this future or cause it? Even though Ink saves Dust now, it somehow corrupts her as time goes on, according to the alternate reality ending.
He certainly didn't prevent it. His healing Sooraya with the Phoenix tattoo is what leads to her going crazygonuts in that potential future.

Dust: "This is all your fault."
Ink: "I know."
D: "Power corrupts. Absolute power..."
I: "I know the jingle."
D: "You killed me."
I: "I was trying to do the opposite."
D: "You killed the best part of me. You killed my soul. You corrupted it."

Apparently, we're supposed to believe she's been imbued with the real, honest to M'Kraan, Phoenix. Hence the mention of "absolute power." She's been corrupted with that dreaded parrot. Kirby save us... please! I hope no future writer continues with this plot.

[Justin K.]

The Pierce and Dust interaction was the best!

[ANewHope]

I dont know if your kidding or not but i really hope none of the plots from Young Xmen reach the new New Mutants group....and I am not much of a fan of New Xmen, but when i saw that Dani, bobby, and amara were gonna be apart of this book i got interested...only for them to be teachers....TEACHERS....what about sunspot or Magma makes you think they would even WANT to be teachers, let alone be good at it....and these new characters were the poo, i bought the first six issues of this book....and even i couldnt get through it....and i suffered through Hama's Gen X book....we spent money on this book so i believe we have the right to complain and criticize it

Well I know Dani Moonstar and Sunspot are going to be in the New Mutants, so it's pretty safe to say they will say something whether they are going to keep teaching or not. I think they're going to say Fuck teaching, lets save the day since we're needed. But before they do that, have to address young xmen a little bit.

[darkblue]

I'm going to miss Dust and Rockslide showing up in a regular title. I'm glad Dust survived.

[The Lucky One]

The Neo. The guys who are the next stage in evolution beyond mutants, each of whom is supposed to be stronger and more powerful than any of the X-Men.

I love how the X-Men so clearly want the kids to die that they're not even bothering to hide it anymore. Before it was subtle- an anonymous tip to William Stryker here, an image inducer to Donald Pierce there. Now they're like, "What's that? Magneto, Apocalypse, the Master Mold, and Mad Jim Jaspers are attacking San Francisco? You're up, kids, this'll be a good practice run for you to get your feet wet. Call us if you need the big guns for any reason, although remember that we'll think less of you if you do."

-D

[podmark]

I love Sandoval's art :D

Actually liked most of the present day stuff. I thought the characters interaction was very good. Using the Neo as just a one off end fight was dumb though.

Future sequence was dumb though. I found it cliche and took up too much of the issue, and the idea of Dust as a villain is horrible. Maybe if this is picked up elsewhere it'll be good, got my doubts, but if not it was a complete waste of half the issue.

[NewMutant]

It really was a mixed bag for me.

I really don't mind introducing new characters. IMO, there aren't enough characters in the X-Books to make things interesting. I'd prefer these new characters not see much limelight though, because we already have too many characters that deserve it more. I'm really not very interested in Graymalkin. Ink is okay. I love Cipher (see my Avatar)! But hey, when it comes to black females, I'm easy. I'm neither proud nor ashamed.:wink:

I'm really quite infuriated by what you did with Dust. Her voice didn't seem very Dust-like throughout the entire series. She seemed too worldly, whereas she's really a bumpkin from Afghanistan. I would normally forgive that, but these last couple issues you introduced an idea that I cannot forgive. Now, Dust is perhaps destined to go on this Jihad against the abominable mutants. Really now? The only Muslim mutant in the X-Books and "religious terrorist" is tacked onto her from out of nowhere? On top of that, she's destined to become a sexed-up villain in a bondage suit. Jeez... how many inane stereotypes can be lumped onto one character? Oh well, at least these things were in a future that will never come to be.

Those are the things I'm more passionate about from your series. The rest that I'm omitting wasn't bad, imo.

He certainly didn't prevent it. His healing Sooraya with the Phoenix tattoo is what leads to her going crazygonuts in that potential future.

Dust: "This is all your fault."
Ink: "I know."
D: "Power corrupts. Absolute power..."
I: "I know the jingle."
D: "You killed me."
I: "I was trying to do the opposite."
D: "You killed the best part of me. You killed my soul. You corrupted it."

Apparently, we're supposed to believe she's been imbued with the real, honest to M'Kraan, Phoenix. Hence the mention of "absolute power." She's been corrupted with that dreaded parrot. Kirby save us... please! I hope no future writer continues with this plot.

SPOILERS FROM X-Men Kingbreakers #4....

So in the same week Dust gets the Phoenix Power it leaves Marvel Girl in space....? That makes me laugh. I love when they give people the Phoenix power anyways when its so closely tied to Jean... but sure Dust has it and Husk and Moira. lol

[Flâneur]

I will miss Gaymalkin.

[RickyD410]

Well remember, this is the Faunix Farce. Its not the real Phoenix Force. So Dust doesnt have the actual power of the Phoenix. But maybe she just thinks she does. Or rather, her subconscious thinks she does. If her mind believes its being corrupted, then theres a good chance it will become corrupted. Psychology is powerful stuff man.

[Marc Guggenheim]

I agree with you.
I do not think that Marc Guggenheim wanted to use Anole.

Nope. I did. And I enjoyed writing him a great deal.

I can also guarantee Guggenheim knew he didn't have TIME to spread those revelations out.

Couldn't've said it better myself.

Is Marc Guggenheim still around? I want to ask him about the page that showed the blond guy and the speech bubble "Doug?", were you planning on reviving Cypher soon?

Yeah, it was something that we worked out at the last X-summit. Unfortunately, I can't reveal the details without spoiling stuff from other, future X-Books.

Best,
Marc

[Flâneur]

Oh, and Guggs. I really liked your Manifest Destiny short story. I hope you do more solo-ish type stuff because that was a good read.

[darkblue]

hi Marc,

I'm not sure if this will be answered elsewhere but what was your plan with Cipher, and who is she hiding from?

[The Black Guardian]

The Neo. The guys who are the next stage in evolution beyond mutants, each of whom is supposed to be stronger and more powerful than any of the X-Men.
No... it's the Neo. The guys whose leader was taken out by Cece Reyes, one of the least trained X-Men ever. Seriously, they were never shown to be that powerful.

[Vanish]

hi Marc,

I'm not sure if this will be answered elsewhere but what was your plan with Cipher, and who is she hiding from?

Good question!

[ExodusCloak]

The thing about this series is that it wasn't able to start off with a strong storyline because it had to stall for 5 issues (And the art didn't help) until the X-Men moved to San Francisco. Marvel should have waited till after the move to launch the big and ignored all those people bitchin' about Character A and B being in limbo or as wallpaper which is similar to what's going on in Uncanny at the moment.

That said the things I liked about the series was Dust and her interactions with Pierce.
Blindfold...

The things I did not warm up to were all the new characters, the tattoo thing seemed a bit Deux Ex Machina. Heck even if the team was comprised of more of the less developed wallpaper characters like Martha, Ernest etc... I think it would have been easier for people to warm up to.
The costume designs were a bit meh (Includes the New Mutants)...too much yellow. Granted I realize they're a team in training but they all wore the same colours barring Dust. Last but not least, the Neo...was hoping the X-Office forgot that, that ever was written.

Good luck with your next project though.

[AcesX1X]

does rockslide slap anyone very hard in this issue?

[timbox]

does rockslide slap anyone very hard in this issue?

He slaps Donald Pierce around for three or four pages.

[jarrod]

Guggs, you had me at 'Lockheed'. Even if you didn't get to use him.

Don't let YXM scare you away from the line...

[AcesX1X]

He slaps Donald Pierce around for three or four pages.

that sounds excellent. i think rockslide needs to have his own miniseries with wolverine ASAP. i want rockslide to be the new kitty pryde.

[timbox]

I don't know about Rockslide but we definitely need more Wolverine! :biggrin:

You have shown your hand too early.

[AcesX1X]

rockslide is one of the most entertaining characters to spin out of that new x-men business. i love how dimwitted he is. how fraction chose pixie over him as the kitty pryde proxy, i'll never know, but i do appreciate guggs' spotlight of the character on this young x-men ride.

rockslide needs his own manifest destiny.

[Twisted Bliss]

You have shown your hand too early.

Finally timbox you and I agree on something.

[timbox]

Finally timbox you and I agree on something.

Meet me in Newbridge.

[ch1mera]

You have shown your hand too early.

Nobody here has seen my hand or any other parts of my body! :eek:

[jarrod]

Wolverine can't be the new Kitty Pryde though... or can he?

[Shyft]

Wolverine can't be the new Kitty Pryde though... or can he?

he could take himself under his own wing. its perfect.

[Twisted Bliss]

Meet me in Newbridge.

I love it when you speak ironically to me

[AcesX1X]

he could take himself under his own wing. its perfect.

wolverine: weapon X is due in stores this april!

[Twisted Bliss]

wolverine: weapon X is due in stores this april!

Is this the one where he has a innappropriate relationship with himself !!

[jarrod]

Is this the one where he has a innappropriate relationship with himself !!
I have pics of that, but wolvie616 won't let me post 'em. :(

[Prodigy55]

I love Rockslide, I support him replacing Kitty Pryde.

http://i380.photobucket.com/albums/oo245/mustafe9/Rockslide-4.jpg

And there will be no gross Colossus/Rockslide relationship.

http://i380.photobucket.com/albums/oo245/mustafe9/Rockslide-2.jpg

[MuhollandDriver]

Hello Guggenheim!

Something i liked and appreciated was the Greymalkin origin story. Having two gay characters on a team is something that happens quite rarely these days, especially in a mainstream comic. You did it wonderfully and respectfully. i appreciate it! Anole is a favorite character of mine, i am glad You chose him for the team.

i believe Your future work will shine!

[4sake]

It really was a mixed bag for me.

I really don't mind introducing new characters. IMO, there aren't enough characters in the X-Books to make things interesting. I'd prefer these new characters not see much limelight though, because we already have too many characters that deserve it more. I'm really not very interested in Graymalkin. Ink is okay. I love Cipher (see my Avatar)! But hey, when it comes to black females, I'm easy. I'm neither proud nor ashamed.:wink:

I'm really quite infuriated by what you did with Dust. Her voice didn't seem very Dust-like throughout the entire series. She seemed too worldly, whereas she's really a bumpkin from Afghanistan. I would normally forgive that, but these last couple issues you introduced an idea that I cannot forgive. Now, Dust is perhaps destined to go on this Jihad against the abominable mutants. Really now? The only Muslim mutant in the X-Books and "religious terrorist" is tacked onto her from out of nowhere? On top of that, she's destined to become a sexed-up villain in a bondage suit. Jeez... how many inane stereotypes can be lumped onto one character? Oh well, at least these things were in a future that will never come to be.

Those are the things I'm more passionate about from your series. The rest that I'm omitting wasn't bad, imo.

He certainly didn't prevent it. His healing Sooraya with the Phoenix tattoo is what leads to her going crazygonuts in that potential future.

Dust: "This is all your fault."
Ink: "I know."
D: "Power corrupts. Absolute power..."
I: "I know the jingle."
D: "You killed me."
I: "I was trying to do the opposite."
D: "You killed the best part of me. You killed my soul. You corrupted it."

Apparently, we're supposed to believe she's been imbued with the real, honest to M'Kraan, Phoenix. Hence the mention of "absolute power." She's been corrupted with that dreaded parrot. Kirby save us... please! I hope no future writer continues with this plot.

I agree with you completely...

[SayOcean]

rockslide needs to meet the leper queen

[ch1mera]

Creators coming on to fan boards isn't invasion of privacy, it's acts of extreme masochism! :eek: :biggrin:

[Reztek]

I overall liked Young X-Men, specially after issue #6. I wonder if someday we'll see something like "Young X-Men V2"...

[SayOcean]

I overall liked Young X-Men, specially after issue #6. I wonder if someday we'll see something like "Young X-Men V2"...
seriously....i dont wanna see anything to do with this comic.....people like is book for crazy reasons....theres no arguing with them

[RickyD410]

Creators coming on to fan boards isn't invasion of privacy, it's acts of extreme masochism! :eek: :biggrin:

Ha. This is the truth. But I think all creators know what they're in for when they drop by here. Guggs was careful when responding to posts. He only picked a few out of the bunch, and avoided any that would stir up [more] conflict.

[Reztek]

As much as I liked it, I was just wondering about that, not asking for it. Actually, I'm also glad "New Mutants" is back.

[Marc Guggenheim]

Oh, and Guggs. I really liked your Manifest Destiny short story. I hope you do more solo-ish type stuff because that was a good read.

Thank you. I'm quite proud of that story, actually.

I'm not sure if this will be answered elsewhere but what was your plan with Cipher, and who is she hiding from?

I'd love to answer, but I make it a policy of not commenting on untold stories. Sorry.

Having two gay characters on a team is something that happens quite rarely these days, especially in a mainstream comic. You did it wonderfully and respectfully. i appreciate it!!

More than my pleasure. Thanks for the kind words.

Guggs was careful when responding to posts. He only picked a few out of the bunch, and avoided any that would stir up [more] conflict.

Not really. I only pick ones that I feel I have something to say about, controversial or not. I wish I had time to respond to all the posts, but I don't, sadly.

Best,
Marc

[SurgeFan88]

Marc, I truly enjoyed this book. I was very sad to see it go. I was hoping for a Surge appearance. Did you have any plans on using her at any time?

[AcesX1X]

Best,
Marc

ouch. wow....no love for rockslide.

[4sake]

To be honesty when I heard about Young X-men (its was previews in some of the other marvel/x-books I was buying at the time) Yes I was a little disappointed that was no Hellion, Surge, & Mercury & or Prodigy. But I love Dust & I like Rockslide. The times I'd read books with Wolf Cub & Blindfold Ive also liked him. Then I saw Ink & I thought hey this look like a cool idea/character/concept. Also I really like the the 1 issue of this comics just about everything made sense (comic book wise that is.) accept Blindfold reaching out to Santo & telling him here news/vision, but everything else was petty good.Issue 2 was also petty good also the only problem for me was Sunspot didn't look like any half black man every seen in my life.

I also 3 was petty good to me only problem was that some how Cannonball got a hair cut (which was not that big of a deal) Issue for 4 & 5 when it started going downhill for me. Ink got his third & fourth low level x-men power (1st being wither, 2nd Colossus, 3rd being Professor X power & next being Angel) Also I don't Ink even use his explosive tat at all after talking about it in 1issue of this series. so that would be 5 different powers for Ink by issue 5. (but yet I still didn't hate or dislike Ink yet. I honestly still liked him then) But the hold confrontation when the New Mutants & young X-men go after Donald Pierce made on sense at all. for the NM to tell the YX to stay put.

I mean all of the YX member are older than the NM member when they started out as NM & also Dust beat Exodus, Rockslide stop Darkchylde, & not to forgetting that they all survived going to hell (Quest For Magik), The Hulk (World War Hulk), Predator X , the Purifiers & 2 of the member beat the Marauders with there older teammates. But when it time to fight Donald Pierce that when they should sit out. That just doesn't make sense to me. In either real world or comic book world wise. Also Wolf Cub death did really seem pointless at the time, but after reading issue 12 it seem less pointless in some ways to me. The hold you got to keep pushing on & fighting toward a better life/future & what not.

[darkblue]

I'd love to answer, but I make it a policy of not commenting on untold stories. Sorry.

Best,
Marc

Do you know when/if her story will be told?

[4sake]

I like the being of issue 6 when Santo punches Scott. Also I like when Scott & Santo hugged & when Sunspot & Moonstar rejoined the X-men again. But that was about it OK. The YX living in a cathedral made/make no sense at all (comic book wise) They not going to stay in the building with all the security to so what protect them (that everyone else lives in)? No they stay in a church? Anole rejoining so just because they move to San Fan made little sense when maybe a a few weeks before that he punching Northstar in the nose & tell him not to come looking for again, telling him how much the x-men fail the X-kids & etc. The art of 7 were great. I like the talks between Anole & Sunspot (but for some reason Sunspot forgot for the hold series that his only powers weren't just flying, superhuman strength, & Solar absorption and re channeling. But also that he could projection of heat and light, concussive blasts. So that was really off putting to me ).

Them fighting & beating an offshoot Krakoa ( the island that almost kill the original x-men & did kill half of Vulcan team ) so easily I didn't really care for it. Finding out that Ink wasn't a mutant found very interesting & kind of like it. In issue 8 I don't know who those people were who were talking to Scott were because they certainly didn't look like Sunspot or & Moonstar. the young x-men fighting the Y-men ( why did they called themselves the y-men anyway?) was OK as of issue 7 for me. Issue 8 when I started hating Ink (I went from loving this character to hating in all of 9 issues) Issue 9 the worst of the hold series for me. The YX are out number & out gun but know I can calls for back up & where Scott has his hold army of X-men a while away. Ink get to more low level x-men tats Phoenix/Jean Grey & Elixir. which make a total of 7 different powers by 9 issues. the other being Wither/Elixir,Colossus, Professor X, Angel. the explosive tats could been Gambit/Jubilee. Then Ink save the day & YX with the low level fake Phoenix force but not the 10-15 x-men that are doing nothing but siting around San Fan (I thought it was horrible) I thought drop the book out my pull list right that minute but I didn't.

Issue 10 I liked cipher origin for the most part, but some were hard to believe that she hadn't help before. Also I like her as a character & she only character created in Young X-men I still do like. Issues 11 & 12 I'm glad the Dust is alive & well for the most part & that Ink is basically dead & hopefully won't be seen, heard, or & talked about even again. Also like that they didn't not give up or quit in the end.

[tunasammiches]

To Marc:

I loved the artists and I thought this series had some great moments:

1. I enjoyed how Anole and Rockslide are best friends in this book. I want more moments with these 2 together. It's fun seeing them interact.

2. I loved Anole's dialog in this last book. It echoes a lot of the readers' sentiments about how the kids are treadted as cannon fodder. I felt it was very relavant and was a shining moment in this last book

3. I like the spotlight that Dust, Anole and Rockslide got and I hope Graymalkin gets used more.

4. I actually like Ink. I almost want him to come back in a non-mutant book.

The ending was rushed, but I can get how you were rushed to close it off. I almost wish it wasn't a sunshine and roses moment and wished the book ended in a more unsure direction. Overall though, sorry this book didn't get more of a chance.

[Justin K.]

http://i380.photobucket.com/albums/oo245/mustafe9/Rockslide-4.jpg

Where's this from?

[Justin K.]

So after the beatdown Rockslide gave Pierce, he's locked up again, right?
Wondering because we still see Dust and Pierce interacting in X-Force.
Having the two interact was my favourite part of the series overall.
and the use of a depowered mutant, Dani Moonstar, was enjoyable to see.

[darkblue]

Where's this from?

That is from New X-Men...the last issue of Mercury Falling.Not sure about what issue that is.

[RickyD410]

Where's this from?

End of the Mercury Falling arc, when the Astonishing team and the rest of the New X-Men went to rescue Mercury, Hellion, and X-23.

[Marc Guggenheim]

Marc, I truly enjoyed this book. I was very sad to see it go. I was hoping for a Surge appearance. Did you have any plans on using her at any time?

No. Sorry.

ouch. wow....no love for rockslide.

What do you mean? I gave Santo nothing but love.

Do you know when/if [CIPHER'S] story will be told?

When enough fans email Marvel demanding it?

1. I enjoyed how Anole and Rockslide are best friends in this book. I want more moments with these 2 together. It's fun seeing them interact.

It was fun writing them.

2. I loved Anole's dialog in this last book. It echoes a lot of the readers' sentiments about how the kids are treadted as cannon fodder. I felt it was very relavant and was a shining moment in this last book

Thank you. That moment was intended to be very self-referential.

3. I like the spotlight that Dust, Anole and Rockslide got and I hope Graymalkin gets used more.

Me too!

4. I actually like Ink. I almost want him to come back in a non-mutant book.

You're the one. (Well, the other, 'cause I like him, too.)

The ending was rushed, but I can get how you were rushed to close it off.

Here's the backstory: I'd decided to leave the book with Issue 10, for numerous reasons, mostly scheduling. Then word got back to me that Marvel was going to cancel the book with Issue 12, meaning that 11 & 12 would be, for all intents and purposes, "fill-in" issues. That didn't sit well with me, so I went back to Marvel and said, "If you want to cancel the book, I totally get it, but at least let me give the book a proper send-off." So I came up with something that pulled together as many threads as I possibly could and write as satisfying an ending as I could manage. Given the fact I only had 43 pages to work with, I'm -- little self-congratulatory moment here -- rather proud of what I managed to do.

[Swashbuckler]

I can't say I was the books biggest fan, but it had some shining moments. I really enjoyed Wolf Cub dying! Thanks for making that happen Marc!

[Kid Icarus]

So after the beatdown Rockslide gave Pierce, he's locked up again, right?
Wondering because we still see Dust and Pierce interacting in X-Force.
Having the two interact was my favourite part of the series overall.
and the use of a depowered mutant, Dani Moonstar, was enjoyable to see.

The X-force scene had to be prior to this arc since Pierce was like your friends are going to die before you

[darknessatnoon]

The X-force scene had to be prior to this arc since Pierce was like your friends are going to die before you

But it's after the latest Legacy since Danger was in the brig as well. Let's not be completely X-Force centric, please. Legacy is still the best written x-title out there.

[Prodigy55]

Where's this from?

New X-Men #36

[NewMutant]

No. Sorry.



What do you mean? I gave Santo nothing but love.



When enough fans email Marvel demanding it?



It was fun writing them.



Thank you. That moment was intended to be very self-referential.



Me too!



You're the one. (Well, the other, 'cause I like him, too.)



Here's the backstory: I'd decided to leave the book with Issue 10, for numerous reasons, mostly scheduling. Then word got back to me that Marvel was going to cancel the book with Issue 12, meaning that 11 & 12 would be, for all intents and purposes, "fill-in" issues. That didn't sit well with me, so I went back to Marvel and said, "If you want to cancel the book, I totally get it, but at least let me give the book a proper send-off." So I came up with something that pulled together as many threads as I possibly could and write as satisfying an ending as I could manage. Given the fact I only had 43 pages to work with, I'm -- little self-congratulatory moment here -- rather proud of what I managed to do.

Why did you plan on leaving the book at issue 10? Especially since it seems like you had a lot more stories to tell.

My favorite part of the book is/was the Anole/Rockslide relationship. I felt like Anole never really had the chance to actually be on the "New X-Men" team. It was like "Pixie and Anole you are offically on the team for Messiah Complex but then were breaking up the team and cancelling the book."

I think Marvel should have given this book more of a chance espeically since the second half picked up. There is always a place for a New Mutant/Generation X/Young X-Men book in my mind.

[greenshoes713]

I have an unhealthy level of hate for Young X-Men

I'm very glad it was cancelled and that it's finally over.

I hope it's never mentioned again.

[KrullWall]

Was there ever even a explanation as to who the hell Cipher was? I kinda wanted some kinda closure from this issue... any at all.

[ToxicTeen]

Ok. Here's my thoughts on the last issue of Young X-Men and on the series altogether:

~ I'm so glad that Dust didn't die. I certainly hope that Dust doesn't go all evil like in that alternate timeline though I'm curious if Dust gets any other powers like in the alternate future.

~ It's too bad that Ink had to end up brain dead in order to save Dust. I wonder if he'll ever recover or if the X-Men are just going to leave him like that.

~ To be honest Young X-Men would have been a good series if it had a good start. The first arc didn't appeal to me beacuse of the art and writing. I felt it should have started right where New X-Men left off. But #6-9 were interesting though I didn't like the part where Ink got "I can't Believe it's Not Phoenix" powers.

~ Since the YXM team isn't disbanded, is there a chance for another writer to do some stories on them or they just going to float in Limbo? If Marvel wanted to they could do another Young X-Men series like they did with Academy X right after New Mutants vol.2 ended with 13 issues though it'll probably be a long time before Marvel will consider another X-book about a young group of mutants...

[psycwave]

Perfect ending! <3 <3

YES THIS IS TRUE! DUST LIVES!!!!!!!

[stanmcconnell]

Hi Marc,

Really loved the last couple of issues. I know that hasn't been much love for them here but I especially loved the last issue.

It was risky using the Phoenix (or a doppelganger) with a character other then a Grey/Summer and it think it worked brilliantly with Dust. I would absolutely love to see how this would continue on and whether its influence will begin to corrupt her. This issue also had some great interaction with the team and I feel like for once, all the voices were right.

Questions:
Was Cipher always planned as a new character or was a change when the book was being cancelled?

In your mind, are Dust/Cipher tapping into the true Phoenix force?

Do you know of any plans to pick up any of these storylines/characters in other book or possibly digital comics?

[Marc Guggenheim]

Why did you plan on leaving the book at issue 10?

Two reasons. The first was my workload which is, ahem, substantial. Moreover, Marvel felt that if I left and a new creative team came on board, it would be a jolt to sales.

I have an unhealthy level of hate for Young X-Men

I'm very glad it was cancelled and that it's finally over.

I hope it's never mentioned again.

YOUNG X-MEN!

Really loved the last couple of issues. I know that hasn't been much love for them here but I especially loved the last issue.

Thank you.

Was Cipher always planned as a new character or was a change when the book was being cancelled?

Cipher was planned from the get-go, but I planned on introducing her much, much later in a much, much longer run.

In your mind, are Dust/Cipher tapping into the true Phoenix force?

No. Not at all.

Do you know of any plans to pick up any of these storylines/characters in other book or possibly digital comics?

No plans at the moment, but you never know. Email Marvel!

[psycwave]

Marc while I will admit that YXM was not my most favorite title your handling of Dust was top notch and the fact that you gave her some much needed characterization makes you a good man in my books. You could totally do a Dust mini. I feel you have a wonderful handle on her character. As long as she didnt turn into Dark Dust like we saw in her cryptic future.

[desanth]

So I read the issue and was not impressed. I liked the future scenes with Dust being evil, really liked the art there with the eyes which remind me of Sith eyes. But I think Ink should've been forced to try to heal Dust, then went into a coma, or something that seemed more in line with his selfish personality. Or if the team did just disband and decide, lets just be kids here at the mutie refuge the Xmen set up. I don't know, it just seemed wrong by the end. I get that Ink was put into a coma so he can be shelved and used for some time later when he fit into the power scheme. Graymalkan and Cipher seem to be oddities too, they are somewhat strong, I kinda miss useless mutants like Wolf Cub or the fish boy.

I liked that Gugg showed up and made a comment, I like when writers show up and even show some humility. Gugg has done good stuff in the past and will up his game in the future, he just didn't hit the write notes this time around, it happens.

[Hakael]

Two reasons. The first was my workload which is, ahem, substantial. Moreover, Marvel felt that if I left and a new creative team came on board, it would be a jolt to sales

No plans at the moment, but you never know. Email Marvel!

Marc, just wanted to say that its pretty great of you to come by and answer questions. Not everyone on the board was happy with Young X-Men, and a lot of things were said negatively of it during your run (guilty of it myself), it shows a lot for you to still come by and interact with the fans.

I've got a question myself. Once the first arc was over, why did the team stick together instead of merging with the rest of the student populous? I never really understood what made them Young X-Men, and everyone else something else. I get that you want to keep cast down to focus on characters versus having a massive group of kids, but I couldn't figure out why Cyclops would section off these students, putting them under Sunspot and Dani's care, and not the others.

Again, thanks for coming by.
Keep up the good work on Spidey.

[Marc Guggenheim]

Marc, just wanted to say that its pretty great of you to come by and answer questions. Not everyone on the board was happy with Young X-Men, and a lot of things were said negatively of it during your run (guilty of it myself), it shows a lot for you to still come by and interact with the fans.

I've got a question myself. Once the first arc was over, why did the team stick together instead of merging with the rest of the student populous? I never really understood what made them Young X-Men, and everyone else something else. I get that you want to keep cast down to focus on characters versus having a massive group of kids, but I couldn't figure out why Cyclops would section off these students, putting them under Sunspot and Dani's care, and not the others.

Again, thanks for coming by.
Keep up the good work on Spidey.

Thank you. As for stopping by, it's been my pleasure. It was something of an experiment on my part, yesterday, and I found myself enjoying it.

As for keeping the YXM separate at the end of Issue 12, that was really a function of just how far I felt I could move the team in the limited space I had to work with. As I explained in a previous post, the two-part climax wasn't originally part of the plan and I was just doing my best to wrap things up as best I could. Reintegrating the kids with the other kids while doing all the other things I had to do just felt like too much.

[Prodigy55]

Did you ever plan on using Loa and Trance?
Best characters ever.

[psycwave]

Guggs Im interested on hearing your plans on how you planned to kill Rockslide off if you would have returned to this book as im sure it was the next logical step to take the series.

[Prodigy55]

Guggs Im interested on hearing your plans on how you planned to kill Rockslide off if you would have returned to this book as im sure it was the next logical step to take the series.

http://i380.photobucket.com/albums/oo245/mustafe9/LOLslide.jpg

[The Lucky One]

Here's the backstory: I'd decided to leave the book with Issue 10, for numerous reasons, mostly scheduling. Then word got back to me that Marvel was going to cancel the book with Issue 12, meaning that 11 & 12 would be, for all intents and purposes, "fill-in" issues. That didn't sit well with me, so I went back to Marvel and said, "If you want to cancel the book, I totally get it, but at least let me give the book a proper send-off." So I came up with something that pulled together as many threads as I possibly could and write as satisfying an ending as I could manage. Given the fact I only had 43 pages to work with, I'm -- little self-congratulatory moment here -- rather proud of what I managed to do.

Hey, Marc. Thanks for stopping by to post and answer questions; sorry that some of people's responses have been expressed in... less than delicate terms. (And, may I add, dynamite spelling of your first name... only losers use a "k.") :wink: I have a question, if you're still around and willing to answer. At the end of issue 5 we were given a glimpse of stories supposedly to come- the Y-Men we saw and Magik is being handled, albeit in X-Infernus instead of YXM. But the other two, the "...Doug?" scene and Spider-Man, obviously haven't occurred, at least not yet. At the time, were you planning to stay on the book longer and tell those stories yourself, or did you already plan on leaving with issue 10 and those were hints of stories/events that other writers would potentially be addressing?

-D

[Kid Icarus]

LOL
This issue was not as horrid as everyone made it out to be.
I still don't understand why they couldn't just put a new writer on it if Guggs had to leave.

[MIMIC616]

I love Blindfold and Ink, and the cover of X-Men # 27 (Mimic appearance) in Leon's hand in issue 4.

My idea for a Young X-Men mini-series.

Young X-Men: Back into the Fold

Blindfold rounds up the group back together.

Ink in a coma along with tattoo artist, Leon Nunez. Leon leaches the tattoos from Ink, gaining their powers and escapes.

Leon becomes a mutant tattoo arms dealer to the highest bidders.

Neo, anyone?

Ink wakes and rejoins the team. His super-human powers now let him absorb up to 5 tattoo powers from any of Leon’s Y-Men.

Setting the stage for Leon to attack the Young X-Men with his army of Y-Men or the world itself.

[KrullWall]

I love Blindfold and Ink, and the cover of X-Men # 27 (Mimic appearance) in Leon's hand in issue 4.

My idea for a Young X-Men mini-series.

Young X-Men: Back into the Fold

Blindfold rounds up the group back together.

Ink in a coma along with tattoo artist, Leon Nunez. Leon leaches the tattoos from Ink, gaining their powers and escapes.

Leon becomes a mutant tattoo arms dealer to the highest bidders.

Neo, anyone?

Ink wakes and rejoins the team. His super-human powers now let him absorb up to 5 tattoo powers from any of Leon’s Y-Men.

Setting the stage for Leon to attack the Young X-Men with his army of Y-Men or the world itself.

I would pick that up sooooo fast!

[psycwave]

http://i380.photobucket.com/albums/oo245/mustafe9/LOLslide.jpg

Soooo someone was going to kick Santo in his junk and then he would die forever...Interesting. Does he even have genitals?

[podmark]

Thanks for taking the time to speak with us Marc. Honestly, there were a number of things I didn't like about Young X-Men, but that's been mentioned all over the board, so I really just want to say that after the first arc I really did enjoy reading the book. It wasn't my favorite, and I had issues with it, but I didn't hate reading it.

I really like what you did with Rockslide, he wasn't as funny as before but you really continued building the character's depth and helped me like him more than I already did. I also thought you did a good job with Dust, she tended to be pushed to the side in New X-Men so it was good to see her get a little more spotlight. And I'm happy you added Anole. Your Greymalkin short story was one of the few in Manifest Destiny that I thought was really worthwhile.

And don't tell anyone but I kinda liked Ink. Hated him during the first arc, but you fleshed him out really well during the rest of the series and he grew on me. Probably focused on him too much though.

Do you have any other work coming with the X-Office?

[tunasammiches]

You're the one. (Well, the other, 'cause I like him, too.)

Here's the backstory: I'd decided to leave the book with Issue 10, for numerous reasons, mostly scheduling. Then word got back to me that Marvel was going to cancel the book with Issue 12, meaning that 11 & 12 would be, for all intents and purposes, "fill-in" issues. That didn't sit well with me, so I went back to Marvel and said, "If you want to cancel the book, I totally get it, but at least let me give the book a proper send-off." So I came up with something that pulled together as many threads as I possibly could and write as satisfying an ending as I could manage. Given the fact I only had 43 pages to work with, I'm -- little self-congratulatory moment here -- rather proud of what I managed to do.

Right on. Yeah, I hope that Ink isn't forgotten as a character, and left in limbo never to be seen again. No matter what people think of this character, his story needs either further development or closure.

ps-Thanx for responding!

[Victorious]

Hey Guggs!

First, It takes a lot of courage to show up here after all that had been said about your book, so I applaud you for that. Plus you’re are being really nice in answering all these questions.

Like i’ve said lots of times before: i love your ideas…
But as I repeat too, I think it wasn’t the moment to show them. First NXM get cancelled (which should never had happen IMO) with no real reason and shity excuses and leaving a lot of fans hungry for new stories about their favorite characters; and you were left with the responsibility of creating a new book, and it came out right after NXM, so the expectations and comparisons were inevitable, as was the anger of the NXM fans.
The characters you choose were great and deserve the spotlight: Dust, Anole and Rockslide. But there where lots of new characters introduced too early, if they would have appeared more further in the future, I bet people would love them. They were great ideas to introduce kids after M-Day. And the characters were great. I may not like some things, specially the imitation of the phoenix force (I hate the phoenix force too), but their stories where great: the potential story with Cipher chaser, the possibility of an Anole and Jonas relation, Ink power possibilities and his relation with mutants...
I also understand what a challenge this team book may have meant to you, but the team get to crowed too soon (Cipher, Jonas, Anole, Dani, Berto, Santo, Dust, Ink) and that didn’t give you the opportunity to develop any of them (apart from those you introduced and Dust, and a little bit of Rockslide). Even Jonas needed a Manifest Destiny story to be developed, and by the way, I like it a lot.
I personally think the ideas were great, but there were executed in the wrong moment (and I blame Marvel for that). And truth is you were just the (and I’m quoting Alanis Morissette here, not the exact lyrics but the idea) “perfect target screen for our blindly fueled rage, and you bare the brunt of our long buried rage” (our = NXM fans). But truth is we were really mad at marvel too, and at the title being cancelled without any warning or correct ending. The cancellation of NXM, the hunger of NXM fans, the introducing of new characters, the little use of already existing ones… were all reasons for everyone to complain and hate the book. But I bet that in the right moment and with enough time you would have told some amazing stories! Cause as I repeat, I love your ideas! Plus, the art team was awful (again, not your fault), until the last issues. I really feel (and this may be very controversial to some NM fans out there) that this book has that visual thing from that original team (and I freaking love NM). I’ve read people complaining about not enough color on the team, but I think that the team was just great, specially visually, they work great together, no need of colorful hairs or colorful powers/energies to be visually interesting or making a power great (just as the original NM).

Plus, I’m glad you didn’t kill Dust!
I love your Anole, very well written!
I love Ruth and Ink interaction, would love to see them as a couple!
I love how you expand Rockslide personality to a more vulnerable kid!
And too bad you don’t have the chance to bring back Cypher, one of my favorite characters of all time, along with Dust!


That said, good luck in your next projects, and don’t let our rage let you down!

[x_goalkeeper]

I have not read any issues of Young X-Men yet, but I plan to do it through TPB..

I just want to say that it was disappointing for me that New X-Men was discontinued for this series. I am not criticizing this series, since I have not read any issue yet, but only saying New X-Men was great to read and only that.

I hope the successor of this series is of good quality :smile:

[Marc Guggenheim]

At the end of issue 5 we were given a glimpse of stories supposedly to come- the Y-Men we saw and Magik is being handled, albeit in X-Infernus instead of YXM. But the other two, the "...Doug?" scene and Spider-Man, obviously haven't occurred, at least not yet. At the time, were you planning to stay on the book longer and tell those stories yourself, or did you already plan on leaving with issue 10 and those were hints of stories/events that other writers would potentially be addressing?

I had planned on staying on later and telling those stories myself. The Doug moment had to wait for other events in another X-Book and the Spidey crossover required coordination with Amazing Spider-Man, which schedules 6-8 months in advance.

Do you have any other work coming with the X-Office?

Not at present, but I'm hopeful.

Best,
Marc

[Anna]

Thank you!

[SkinFromBone]

Over all I liked young x-men :tongue:

[protogarrett]

Here's the backstory: I'd decided to leave the book with Issue 10, for numerous reasons, mostly scheduling. Then word got back to me that Marvel was going to cancel the book with Issue 12, meaning that 11 & 12 would be, for all intents and purposes, "fill-in" issues. That didn't sit well with me, so I went back to Marvel and said, "If you want to cancel the book, I totally get it, but at least let me give the book a proper send-off." So I came up with something that pulled together as many threads as I possibly could and write as satisfying an ending as I could manage. Given the fact I only had 43 pages to work with, I'm -- little self-congratulatory moment here -- rather proud of what I managed to do.

Marc, thanks for answering questions. For such honesty, I will return. I'm one of the ones who wasn't a fan of this series. I did love the attention to how you treated Rockslide and Dust, you really made those characters shine. Before I hated Santo, and Dust seemed to keep being relegated to "MUSLIM GIRL", you gave them both depth and I love it.

I love Anole though he seemed to just be added for fan service. He didn't seem to have much role, but this is simply my POV.

Ink seemed just very... shoved in to me. A guy with faux Phoenix powers who just sorta showed up. I understand the parallelism with Cannonball but it seemed forced. Greymalkin seemed like an odd gay duck for no particular reason, maybe someone for Anole to talk to?

Cipher... I'm intrigued. I could go either way. I like how you sort of folded her in with Blindfold's (who I love that you included, thank you!) history. Still her power set is what makes me feel she is a bit too powerful? I dunno, like I said I could go either way.

I wasn't a super fan of the book, but I loved some elements which were gold. Then again, I'm still bitter about Wallflower being shot in the head. Anyways, thanks for coming on here to chat about the series. It shows you have talent, class, and are willing to hear out the fans which shows you are, indeed, truly awesome.

[ExodusCloak]

Does Emma really need to breath in her Diamond Form? I was under the impression form Morrisons X-Men that she didn't need to metabolize anything in that form especially when you consider the fact that she was shattered and still alive after that.

[Dagger]

Does Emma really need to breath in her Diamond Form? I was under the impression form Morrisons X-Men that she didn't need to metabolize anything in that form especially when you consider the fact that she was shattered and still alive after that.
It could be an automatic reflex, like with Colossus.

[LungerTony]

This is one of those comics I only reflect and wonder why the hell I wasted my money on it...especially when so much other good looking stuff is coming out and I am on a tight budget.

[KarlE]

Does Emma really need to breath in her Diamond Form? I was under the impression form Morrisons X-Men that she didn't need to metabolize anything in that form especially when you consider the fact that she was shattered and still alive after that.

I just think of it as assisted suicide.

[x_goalkeeper]

This is one of those comics I only reflect and wonder why the hell I wasted my money on it...especially when so much other good looking stuff is coming out and I am on a tight budget.

After finally reading this I agree.

I wonder what the purpose is of this series.. if it was to bring the New Mutants title then it could have happened faster.

[DrDoom616]

I am just glad that New Mutants is returning

This should have been done ages ago