Axel-In-Charge - Jul 20, 2012

[Brian from Canada]

Alonso's inferences that Marvel Studios and Marvel Comics are a couple of colleagues who have cubicles next to each other, giving each other the heads up on what each is doing, is disengenous to the point being hilarious. The movies are driving everything that happens in the books. That's a fact. Duh, I don't know about no Ant-Man movie. What a total crock.

It's not a crock. The cycle is: test it in Ultimates, adapt it into film, modify 616 to match film while Ultimates does the next phase. See Captain America's uniform change, the total connection to Oscorp in Amazing Spider-Man, black Nick Fury, etc. They're not cubicles side by side and not one driving the other, but really hand in hand in slowly modifying the universes into one.

X-Men vs Avengers event was just way to shove the X-Verse into the insanely popular Avengers Movie Universe. The original flicks hit a creative dead-end, while "First Class" really WAS the "Batman Begins" for Marvel.

Amazing Spider-Man was the begins for the MU: a retreat of what you know for a new direction. First Class' origin was different, in that Wolverine succeeded somewhat and Star Trek proved the value of going back to the beginning, all while they struggled to figure out how to follow X3 with a still cost-efficient cast. This way they get both, bring Singer back in as producer, and can start thinking of how to continue the saga more.

Marvel NOW is a concerted effort to get the books in sync with Phase 2 of the movies. I don't know anything about the X-Men, but I do think that Emma Frost is TOAST in the funny books because January Jones (smokin' that she is) kind of aged Emma out of film continuity, so she'll be on the shelf until she's reincarnated (in the movies and their storyboards, the comix) as somebody younger.

This I completely disagree with. Jessica Alba aged out Sue Storm, but they didn't kill her character off.

If Emma is killed, it will be to motivate Cyclops into a different action. Given his leading presence in the Uncanny Avengers, I see the pivotal change being more about Cyclops & Wolverine uniting together. The third force will either be Cyclops teaming up with Cable and Hope to avoid all problems, or Hope and the New Mutants going their own way under Cable. The big shift will then be at the school, where I believe Xavier takes back over again in better keeping with the movies.

Any guesses which Marvel Studios franchise anchor is going on a personal quest? I'm guessing Cap. Or maybe Thor, who has Dark Worlds to explore.

Gambit and/or Hawkeye. Both are getting solo series, which makes them redundant as much for a team book. And Gambit seems much more likely, given the fact that he needs to be completely rebuilt from the ground up after the destruction of his character in the past few years.

Translation: We've been waiting forever for Wright to finish this mess. My bosses in Hollywood want us moving forward with or without Eddie because we really wanted Ants Pants in the first Avengers movie, but Eddie just couldn't get his litte thing done. Now, if his movie actually gets made and becomes a cult hit like "Shaun of the Dead," then we'll be ready. Otherwise, Ants is going into Avengers 2 or one of the individual existing franchises.

Wright has the perfect script, according to Whedon. Wright, though, takes too long to make a movie: he needs years of preparation while Marvel loves to rush through production to get it out in a year. With a desire to keep the cinematic universe from competing against too much — Wolverine & Iron Man in summer 2013, Thor at X-Mas, three more in summer 2014, etc., I can see Ant-Man getting a finished polish some time before X-Mas, announced in the new year as going into production Spring 2013 for an X-Mas 2014 or early 2015 release so that the character can be used in Avengers 2.

[Brian from Canada]

If this is true, then it's another "been there, done that" unoriginal story idea.

The problem is, though: who do you kill now?

Cyclops and Wolverine are safe because they are the leads of the two books. Cable is safe because he's just come back from the dead. Magneto can still command major presence and Storm causes problems for the Black Panther as well. Of all the leads left of note, we have really just Xavier and Emma — and Xavier doesn't offer anything to the plots that Emma and those at the school can't bring forward.

Also — most importantly — I think that Xavier buys it to make sure the original five don't come back under his guidance for programming. After all, we've seen Xavier willing to manipulate people fir his own ends time and time again.

[PwrdOff]

The problem is, though: who do you kill now?

Cyclops and Wolverine are safe because they are the leads of the two books. Cable is safe because he's just come back from the dead. Magneto can still command major presence and Storm causes problems for the Black Panther as well. Of all the leads left of note, we have really just Xavier and Emma — and Xavier doesn't offer anything to the plots that Emma and those at the school can't bring forward.

Also — most importantly — I think that Xavier buys it to make sure the original five don't come back under his guidance for programming. After all, we've seen Xavier willing to manipulate people fir his own ends time and time again.

The most fitting death to cap off the story would be Cyclops. I think he's put off a lot of people in the last few years, not only because of his questionable judgement and morality in the story, but also because of his overexposure and the overt fanboyism that editorial shows toward him. The fact that Axel basically dismissed even the idea of him dying is troubling to me, the books have set it up perfectly and the only reason not to do it would be to run another cliched redemption angle.

[Goldgeller]

The most fitting death to cap off the story would be Cyclops. I think he's put off a lot of people in the last few years, not only because of his questionable judgement and morality in the story, but also because of his overexposure and the overt fanboyism that editorial shows toward him. The fact that Axel basically dismissed even the idea of him dying is troubling to me, the books have set it up perfectly and the only reason not to do it would be to run another cliched redemption angle.

I definitely see your angle. It makes sense. I think his death would work. But because he has a lot of fans, I dont see why he should be killed. Why kill a good character?

[Justice~!]

The "Professor X dies because he'd be the first person the past X-Men seek out" angle is so obvious I can't believe I didn't see it before. For sure it'll be him.

[Justice~!]

I'll tell you that this initiative is perhaps the most exciting initiative for me since I've been at Marvel. It harkens back to the early days when I first came to Marvel and Joe was Editor-in-Chief, and we just rolled the dice. It was about finding a great writer, an artist who worked well with them, putting them on the right character and then coming up with the right concept to make that book a must-read.

So is it that Axel doesn't remember he talked to these guys and reiterated the same talking point last week? 'Cause if we have to read this every week it is going to get *reaaaaally* repetitive.

[Brian from Canada]

So is it that Axel doesn't remember he talked to these guys and reiterated the same talking point last week? 'Cause if we have to read this every week it is going to get *reaaaaally* repetitive.

On the bright side, he didn't bash DC again this time out.

[Alan Smithee]

It's not a crock. The cycle is: test it in Ultimates, adapt it into film, modify 616 to match film while Ultimates does the next phase. See Captain America's uniform change, the total connection to Oscorp in Amazing Spider-Man, black Nick Fury, etc. They're not cubicles side by side and not one driving the other, but really hand in hand in slowly modifying the universes into one.



Amazing Spider-Man was the begins for the MU: a retreat of what you know for a new direction. First Class' origin was different, in that Wolverine succeeded somewhat and Star Trek proved the value of going back to the beginning, all while they struggled to figure out how to follow X3 with a still cost-efficient cast. This way they get both, bring Singer back in as producer, and can start thinking of how to continue the saga more.



This I completely disagree with. Jessica Alba aged out Sue Storm, but they didn't kill her character off.

If Emma is killed, it will be to motivate Cyclops into a different action. Given his leading presence in the Uncanny Avengers, I see the pivotal change being more about Cyclops & Wolverine uniting together. The third force will either be Cyclops teaming up with Cable and Hope to avoid all problems, or Hope and the New Mutants going their own way under Cable. The big shift will then be at the school, where I believe Xavier takes back over again in better keeping with the movies.



Gambit and/or Hawkeye. Both are getting solo series, which makes them redundant as much for a team book. And Gambit seems much more likely, given the fact that he needs to be completely rebuilt from the ground up after the destruction of his character in the past few years.



Wright has the perfect script, according to Whedon. Wright, though, takes too long to make a movie: he needs years of preparation while Marvel loves to rush through production to get it out in a year. With a desire to keep the cinematic universe from competing against too much — Wolverine & Iron Man in summer 2013, Thor at X-Mas, three more in summer 2014, etc., I can see Ant-Man getting a finished polish some time before X-Mas, announced in the new year as going into production Spring 2013 for an X-Mas 2014 or early 2015 release so that the character can be used in Avengers 2.

Nice try. But your analysis was based on hindsight and your predictions are coming from a very damaged crystal ball. Print 'em out and re-read them next year.

[jpbl1976]

So this means Cyclops isn't going to die at the end of AvX, he does end up in that new red costume, and he and Logan are on the same team again?

Wild guess - does Scott Summers end up saving the day and get promoted to Chief Superhero?

.

Actually, based on what I've read, Cap stays but realizes he hasn't done enough to help mutants, hence Astonishing Avengers or one of the other books (can't recall; so many). I think it's Cyclops that resigns from the X-Men.

[jyeager11]

If this is true, then it's another "been there, done that" unoriginal story idea.

Since a minor/lesser known character death would certainly disappoint, what major character can you kill in 2012 that has never died, or been presumed dead, ever?

Since killing someone who's been killed before is deemed "unoriginal" to you before you ever find out how it'll be executed, I'm sure you have "original" ideas for major character deaths that have never been done to share with us.

[drakeon]

Actually, based on what I've read, Cap stays but realizes he hasn't done enough to help mutants, hence Astonishing Avengers or one of the other books (can't recall; so many). I think it's Cyclops that resigns from the X-Men.

I agree. Cycops steps down from leadership, changes to his new all red suit and starts up something new. Perhaps a new xforce with cable since they are both wearing red suits.

And an Avenger leaves on a journey. I also think an avenger may join the Guardians of the Galaxy based on the solit of Avengers Assemble #8.

[ShadowDemon]

I think Alan has the right of it on the previous page...

[Goldgeller]

Actually, based on what I've read, Cap stays but realizes he hasn't done enough to help mutants, hence Astonishing Avengers or one of the other books (can't recall; so many). I think it's Cyclops that resigns from the X-Men.

If the Axel in Charge thing is accurate, Cyclops would just be part of the larger X-men team I'd think. He may not be on the Uncanny Avengers but he'd part of the larger X-men team. Xavier dying so the Young X-men don't seek him out is I guess something that could happen, but I think Xavier is probably willing to let go and take a step back from the X-Men anyways. I don't think he's going to want to try and re-create the past. He's going to have a tough sell with them anyways when the Young X-Men see him and Magneto on the golf course together!

Part of me is wondering if Axel and Brevoort and Joe Q really spoiled Cyclops' survival. That seems a bit strange given how they've been super tight lipped about Emma Frost and the other P5. I mean, maybe they are playing with us and telling the fans what they want to hear? An iconic superhero costume is supposed to be worn by someone other than that super-hero. Maybe Cyclops still dies and that wasn't Scott Summers on the Joe Q teaser? Maybe Colossus dies? Maybe Thor dies and comes back again Fear Itself style. Maybe I'm reaching for things because I don't want Emma to die...

[Alan Smithee]

For all of you on this thread complaining about "Fatties" real or imagined, I'm BEGGING you to post photos of your own obviously Herculean physiques to show all of us normal people how humanity is supposed to look.

I killed a Cimmerian bull with my bare hands before my 11th summer, by Crom. I'd post, but the battery in the IPhone burned out.