Layla Miller Appreciation

[Captain Buttocks]

So, X-Factor is coming to an end, but not before Layla gets one final focal issue.



What are you hoping to see, and where (if anywhere), would you like her to turn up in the future? Personally, I'm hoping for a resolution to the Damian Tryp story, in which she's hopefully significantly involved.

An on-and-off reluctant ally/adversary of David/Rut in Legacy, given the nature of the stories might be okay.

[.A²]

An on-and-off reluctant ally/adversary of David/Rut in Legacy, given the nature of the stories might be okay.

I made that connection instantly when Spurrier first mentioned chaos theory as one of the principle themes of the book. I don't see it happening however. I'm still not ruling out a role in whatever PAD's next book turns out to be, but if she's left squandering in limbo, then it likely won't be long till Bendis reclaims her. He did introduce the Ultimate version after all, and you only need to look a few pages back to see that he's still fond of her (for better or worse). Hopefully PAD will intervene before that can happen.

Depending on how things settle at the book's conclusion, I could see her potentially being a feature in something like Secret Avengers. Her knowledge of the future would definitely gel with that premise, and Nick Spencer has written her Ultimate counterpart too:

[Sanji]

I so wanted to see where that was going :(

[.A²]

So the next issue of X-Factor has Layla at its focus. Brace yourselves Acolytes, this might be the last time we see her for a good long time. =[

[CMBMOOL]

What so sad is that we finally had a Hope meets Layla Panel in X-factor, yet nothing comes from it because of Wolverine interfernece.

I would love to see Hope and Layla throw down a bit, especially after what Layla been through to "Help" Hope live...

[.A²]

What so sad is that we finally had a Hope meets Layla Panel in X-factor, yet nothing comes from it because of Wolverine interfernece.

No we didn't.

[Drax1981]

So, X-Factor is coming to an end, but not before Layla gets one final focal issue.



What are you hoping to see, and where (if anywhere), would you like her to turn up in the future? Personally, I'm hoping for a resolution to the Damian Tryp story, in which she's hopefully significantly involved.

How would you feel about Layla and Jamie joining Dazzler's SHIELD team? Bendis seems open to the idea of writing Layla and a Jamie dupe has had SHIELD training.

[.A²]

How would you feel about Layla and Jamie joining Dazzler's SHIELD team? Bendis seems open to the idea of writing Layla and a Jamie dupe has had SHIELD training.

I'm not against either of them working for S.H.I.E.L.D., but I despise Maria Hill. If Jamie's going to be bossed around by anyone, then it had better be Val Cooper. Bendis does like to play favourites, so I could see him returning to Layla in some capacity further down the line, though it's a troubling prospect for me given his most recent use of her. I suspect PAD might find a way to bring Layla's storyline to a permanent conclusion by either hinting towards or showing a future she can bring into being. Pure speculation on my behalf, but I think he might end the series by making her pregnant. It'd be a nod towards the timelines from Run, Layla, Run. I'm not thrilled by it, but it'd at least give her a reason to be in limbo. It's how they quietly disposed of Dazzler for ten years.

[Drax1981]

Holy hell...
Yeah, the dialogue and dress is pretty rough. Is PAD definitely getting another book?

On the other hand, Layla should be a power player in the larger Marvel Universe. A spin-off from Uncanny would net her a lot more readers.

[.A²]

Holy hell...
Yeah, the dialogue and dress is pretty rough. Is PAD definitely getting another book?

On the other hand, Layla should be a power player in the larger Marvel Universe. A spin-off from Uncanny would net her a lot more readers.

Yeah, he's confirmed a future project on several occasions. Notably in this video. We know nothing about it though. It could be anything. Even a relaunch? Wishful thinking. (Smart money says something to do with the return of Spider-Man 2099.)

I found an interview with MTV Geek I'd not read before while searching for the clip above, and it offers a glimpse into PADs' feelings towards the series. All the press he's done recently has been full of really curt, abrupt answers. I can't tell if it's because he's limiting his media interaction following his stroke, or just that he's really cut up about X-Factor coming to an end. It was allegedly PAD's decision to end X-Factor (which I believe), but the press paints a more complex picture.

As for becoming a major player, that'd be nice, but I don't see it happening. Layla's too much of a niche character and to elevate her to a higher level would be to lose some of her charm. Greater exposure can also come at the cost of good characterisation. Being married kind of forces you into a corner in the Marvel Universe too. Still, some of Marvel's best and most successful creators are aware of her. (Nick Spencer used her in his run on Ultimate X-Men)

[klynn]

Holy hell...
Yeah, the dialogue and dress is pretty rough. Is PAD definitely getting another book?

On the other hand, Layla should be a power player in the larger Marvel Universe. A spin-off from Uncanny would net her a lot more readers.

PAD is supposed to be getting a new project at Marvel. It hasn't been announced yet.

[.A²]

In an unexpected turn of events, Marvel.com put Layla under the spotlight in their weekly "Psych Ward" feature. Ha! I never would have expected a niche character like her to get this kind of exposure. You can read it here. Her "psychologist" even picked up her old records from Doc. Sampson, lol. Some highlights:

In general, although she presents unconventionally, Miller does appear to have a normal, healthy range of emotions and is capable of expressing them in appropriate manners. She has the capacity for empathy, even though she does seem to actively suppress it at times in the name of “knowing stuff;” as noted, that seems to be happening less and less the more she develops relationships to those around her. The client is a quite capable manipulator and often conceals information for others, which she claims is motivated by her desire to ensure the greater. However, as with empathy, the deeper her relationships have grown, the more she has been open and honest with those around her.

Worth reading the whole thing. It's actually rather insightful.

More exciting news! AZPolaris mentions here that PAD today announced at Phoenix Comic-Con that his next project will be a mutant book. Personally (and for better or worse), irrespective of its title, a mutant book by PAD is X-Factor under another name, lol. Even though the cast could very probably be completely different, PAD's decision to remain in the mutant corner of the Marvel Universe means it'll likely be easier for him to return to characters like Layla at a later point. Future looks slightly less bleak now anyway!

[Sanji]

Super glad that PAD's remaining in the mutant world, but... X-factor stopped being a mutant book some time ago. It was a book with mutants. I hope this one will be closer to the beginning of X-factor than the end.

[.A²]

I was SO excited to run into this guy dressed as Jamie Madrox at the Peter David panel at Phoenix Comicon last Friday. It was funny we ran into each other in the hallway looking for the right room, so ended up walking in together. Peter David was talking at the time but then he looked up and said “Oh hey, Madrox. Hey Layla.” It was quite awesome.

Cosplay by cimikat. Cute story.

[Captain Buttocks]

I'd love to see another PAD-penned interaction between Layla and Quicksilver before X-Factor finishes. Two of my fave characterisations of his.

I also really want one of those Madrox t-shirts...