Comics If YOU Ran The X-Books

[DarthCyclopsRLZ]

are you trying to cancel the X-books?

Come on, as if we didn't all see it coming. t:

Sebs isn't exactly bothering to hide her 'everyone but the Goddess SUXOR' ideology. t:

 

[Jennifer Walters]

Yes. It makes me sad to be a Storm fan when they are people like Sebs running around bashing everyone but Ororo.

 

[Canemacar]

Yes. It makes me sad to be a Storm fan when they are people like Sebs running around bashing everyone but Ororo.

You should be sad to be a Storm fan anyway!

 

[Valechan]

I don't bash everyone, I love Betsy and Beast and Roma, and Magik, and Wanda and Marvel Girl II and Rachel and Sage, and Xavier, and Magneto, and Cable, and Bulbasaur, and Jubilee, and Wind Dancer, and Anole (everyone loves Anole). It's the rest I have a problem with

 

[Jennifer Walters]

You should be sad to be a Storm fan anyway!

Coming from a Gambit fan that doesn't really say much.

Let's see what has Gambit added to Marvel History? Nothing.

Storm? First African American Female to LEAD her team.

That's one more feat than Gambit has ever accomplished. And Storm's got more and more, but one is enough to topple the "suxxors" character that Gambit is.

 

[Canemacar]

Coming from a Gambit fan that doesn't really say much.

I'm not the one who's a fan of a Mary Sue.

Let's see what has Gambit added to Marvel History? Nothing.

He's the first, and only IIRC, Cajun superhero. It's fashionable to champion the rights of commonly known minorities like blacks or hispanics, but the Cajun people have been greatly oppressed for the last 300 years and are sorely under-represented in right's movements.

Storm? First African American Female to LEAD her team.

Which was great back in the 80's, but without Claremont propping her up, she's been playing second-fiddle ever since.

That's one more feat than Gambit has ever accomplished. And Storm's got more and more, but one is enough to topple the "suxxors" character that Gambit is.

What can Storm claim as an actual character beyond being a Mary-Sue? Not much. Gambit's gone through more emotional turmoil, shown a wider range of human emotion, and has greater nuance to his character. Storm was progressive back in the day (though she's passe these days), but Gambit is the better *character*.t:

 

[Valechan]

What can Storm claim as an actual character beyond being a Mary-Sue? Not much. Gambit's gone through more emotional turmoil, shown a wider range of human emotion, and has greater nuance to his character. Storm was progressive back in the day (though she's passe these days), but Gambit is the better *character*.

Emotional Range in Gambit???????????????????? Are we mad???? did you smoke something while reading comics???? He's rarely done anything more than Being a ladies' man or being guilty for the Morlocks. That's all. Just that. Gambit has never ever ever ever shown any sort of character growth of importance to be mentioned... and I bought all his solo series.

 

[Canemacar]

Emotional Range in Gambit???????????????????? Are we mad???? did you smoke something while reading comics???? He's rarely done anything more than Being a ladies' man or being guilty for the Morlocks. That's all. Just that. Gambit has never ever ever ever shown any sort of character growth of importance to be mentioned... and I bought all his solo series.

Well, apprently you haven't read them very carefully.

1: He's always struggled with self-esteem issues, even before the Morlock Massacre. He's genuinely convinced that he's a horrible person and automatically assumes that everything is his fault as a result of this. You'll remember how he beat himself up over the death of his cousin as they escaped the Pig's facility and the time he confided to Rogue that he fully expected himself to fail in his attempts to redeem himself.

2: He's deeply bothered by the fact that he was the property of the Antiquiry, a child-slaver, early on. so much so that he's very uncomfortable even being near the place all these years later. This would in turn cause him to develop and overly-independent personality and account for his ability to shake off psychic domination through force of will.

3: Shortly after being thrown out by the only people who he had thought of as his family, he became a full on criminal, associating with some of the worst mercs and lowlife's out there such as Scalphunter. Clearly the actions of someone deeply hurt who's taking it out on the world at large. Why do you think he was willing to lead the Marauders into the tunnels, knowing full well that *something* bad was going to happen (this was after that incident in Paris where he met sabertooth for the first time)?

4: Possibly because he spent the first 10 years or so completely on his own, he clings almost desperately to any kind of family he manages to establish. You can see this in how he keeps trying to help out Bella and the guilds even after they cast him out and made it clear even when he was helping them that they didn't like him as well as how he made up an excuse for what Rogue did in Anterctica so she wouldn't feel guilty about what she did as well as ignoring all the times she got *very* close with every guy who could touch her and welcoming her back each time she returned to him.

Someone hasn't been paying attention, methinks.

 

[DarthCyclopsRLZ]

What can Storm claim as an actual character beyond being a Mary-Sue? Not much.

Blasphemy!!! She gets to kick a$$ almost 24/7 and she's got indomitable will and she's the most important mutant on the face of the...

Oh, wait. t:

Seriously, 'Ro (pretty much Jean Grey and Sue Storm) aren't so much Mary-Sues as your average Mary-Sue's wildest dream. t:

 

[Valechan]

Someone hasn't been paying attention, methinks.

Or someone just interpreted that as simple guilt and regret and doesn't truly care about the character enough to ponder what the events of his early childhood affect his everyday actions.

 

[Canemacar]

Or someone just interpreted that as simple guilt and regret and doesn't truly care about the character enough to ponder what the events of his early childhood affect his everyday actions.

Or perhaps your self-admitted disinterest kept you from paying attention.

 

[Valechan]

Probably. I just bought the book because it was X-Men related and it was the "golden days" here in Argentina, where you got the comic books at cover value... I used to buy crap like X-Man and X-Force every month just because they had an X on it... GAmbit sort of fell into the "osmosis buy pile"

 

[Canemacar]

Fascinating anecdote.

 

[El Bastardo]

Mm, mm, hello thread.

I'll preface by saying that I was, more or less, a fan of the teams following the Reload - you know, back when Astonishing first launched. And if I remember correctly, that was with Austen on X-Men for the two or three arcs he did, and CC on Uncanny. For what Whedon's original Astonishing team proposed to do (via Cyclops's mouth), I thought the team worked. My vision of Austen's team was that of a black ops outfit, and that team worked well. CC, well, whatever. What, was he doing the XSE stuff at the Reload? Again, whatever. Ha.

So:

Astonishing X-Men
As originally proposed, a team put together to create and present a positive image of mutants to the general populace by acting as superheroes should. High-profile publicity stuff here, probably involving stepping on the toes of other hero teams - and possibly having problems in light of the new Initiative stuff. Of course, since "publicity stunts" get boring, involved will be, of course, planet-threatening villain beat-upping. No need to go to Breakworld when trying to look better on Earth!
Possible Roster
Cyclops - Official leader of the X-Men and Headmaster of the school, not to mention unwavering good guy, who better? Writer would, of course, receive gruesome beatings from me should he fail to write Cyclops as the bad ass he should be.
Emma Frost - Well, I don't care to bring Jean back, so these two together make a good "homely" image. Her attitude/look, though, is not necessarily "poster friendly," so... Well, maybe not. (More below.)
Angel - Original X-Man, not to mention a rich playboy who doesn't get to play that angle up nearly as much as, say, Tony Stark or Bruce Wayne. A shame. He should. Not to mention, the team would likely see better business for his company. Besides, man, the wings do it for the girls.
Iceman - Again, an original X-Man. On another note, smart and, pun possibly intended, "cool." Only possible problem would be in Iceman possibly coming off as an ice version of Johnny Storm in this kind of "posterboy" role.
Beast - Original X-Man. Cute and cuddly. Renowned(?) scientist. Really, really smart. Scott's friend. Do I need to continue? Beast rocks.
Cannonball - Cannonball can really fit into one of two roles. I remember when they eventually brought him up to the mainstay X-Men and he left X-Force. Cannonball can easily pull off the high-profile superhero life, and his powers make him a worthwhile addition to the crew.
Shadowcat - Whedon's idea wasn't bad, as Kitty does have a good look for a publicity group, as opposed to, say, Emma. She can hold her own, too. Furthermore, since she has had ties to SHIELD in the past, it's possible she could be a buffer between the Astonishing group and the Initiative. Uh, maybe.

X-Men
A Black Ops team. As an earlier poster wrote, they would be at an off-site location, as a group knowingly breaking the law or, at the least, failing to observe said laws should not be shacking up at the Mansion. Essentially, the same take Carey has had on Rogue's group. As any good Black Ops unit should do, they take care of problems - but since X-Men don't kill, assassination probably isn't high on the To Do list. Attacking anti-mutant groups/functions/bases and/or underground villains/whatevers that, for instance, the Astonishing team could not attack. As essentially a mirrored version of the Astonishing team, parallels could be neatly handled between cooperative writers (assuming Marvel wasn't the company, at least). Were I to compare these guys to any current incarnation of anything, I'd say... consider them something like Marvel's version of DC's Outsiders (as currently written by Winick, minus any blatant and continuous lesbianism).
Roster
Austen's roster wasn't that bad, actually: Havok, Polaris, Rogue, Gambit, Iceman, Juggernaut. Although I think Iceman would fit better above, with Astonishing, than in the Black Ops role... not that it's a detriment to his character, but I'm not sure if he necessarily should have that "dark side" characterization, or needs it. Regardless:
Havok - It'd be interesting to have the two brothers leading drastically different teams. That said, Havok's a leader, plain and simple, regardless of the fact that Milligan started shafting him and Brubaker kinda continued the trend. He's had his problems, but he's a leader. Capable of getting the job done here, when Scott wouldn't be able to.
Polaris - Goes with Havok. Writers need to stop making melodrama by breaking couples up, or at least doing it intelligently and not having one or both of the boys going after the girl whiners. Meh. Polaris and Havok have worked together for years, which makes them powerful together in the field, and her powers would make incredible assets. And I can't see her having problems doing what they're doing.

Spoiler

Assuming I'd be acting under recent developments, say the last issue of Uncanny's Shi'ar arc, these two obviously wouldn't be available, and would instead be used in a Starjammers book, because that'd freaking rock.

Rogue - If Havok weren't the leader, Rogue would be. And maybe Rogue'd be better off as the leader, depending on who was writing. She has the ability and the force of will, and might be willing to go darker than Havok would be. It's workable.
Gambit - Master thief, great hand-to-hand fighter, and he can blow crap up. And as with Rogue, he'd undoubtedly be willing to go where he needs to go to get stuff done.
Warpath - Easily the "darkest" of the old X-Force band, still. In Brubaker's run he was quite willing to operate outside of normal X-Man behavior, and that'd be quite useful here. Not to mention he's a super powerhouse.

Spoiler

Acting under developments from the last issue of Uncanny's Shi'ar arc, as well, stick Hepzibah here with Warpath. She'd be a great addition, too.

Cannonball - Works well enough with Rogue, as we've seen in Carey's X-Men work. This is the other possible role he could fill, after galavanting with Cable way back in X-Force. He'd even make a capable second-in-command to Rogue, and would have familiarity with Warpath.
Nightcrawler - I am so totally channeling some AoA Nightcrawler here, so there'd obviously have to be some characterization for Nightcrawler to assume such a role, but I think it's doable. His powers and mutation make obvious assets to the team, and since he isn't AoA Nightcrawler, he might very well become the moral center of the team.

Uncanny X-Men
I'm not sure what these guys would do. I was never crazy for CC's "mutant world cops" angle he had going, and I wouldn't be in a big rush to pick it back up. I'm not too sure what I'd do here. Maybe I'd end Astonishing with the end of Whedon's run and move the team to Uncanny - two books instead of three. And I don't think the mutant cops crap is a necessity given the post-HoM world and setting.

New X-Men
In addition to the New X-Men, unused characters - there'd clearly be many - could be inserted here. Here would be a good place for Emma Frost to be and remain, were she not with Astonishing. Characters would fulfill teaching roles, mentoring roles, etc.

Random thoughts. If I think more on it, I might just edit it!

 

[Misschief]

Four X-Books total.

For there to be anymore than two books I think there has to be a division amongst the team, in the same vein as the Avengers.

Two different sides; each side has one main team and a "satellite" title that is peripherally involved in the larger battle but are usually doing their own thing.

What causes the rift? The X-Books are a lot about philosophy, and these two teams are torn in which direction their race should be headed.

A loose form of the Mutant Registration Act begins to pass and Cyclops decides to wait it out before making his (and thus, the X-Men's) move.

Times are tough and when Rogue becomes "wreckless" once again during difficult times, Scott crosses the line and actually attacks her. Rogue and her squad end up breaking the law and are now fugitives along with the newly dubbed Hellions, who named themselves that as a symbol of Emma's continued failure.

"The Unstoppable X-Men" now travel the globe in search for remaining mutants and trying to find ways to help them.

"The Astonishing X-Men" continues to be based at the Xavier Institute, trying to promote a good mutant image, provide shelter and education, and protect a world that fears and hates them. It will be a much more additional title.

"The Hellions" will be the student group that is with the UXM.

"X-Factor" are rather indifferent to the X-Men's division, though their teammate Monet made a stance, being one of the more political minded members of the team. They will continue as an investigation and support unit in Mutant Town.

In order to reconcile Wolverine's appearances in both the X-Men and New Avengers, he will end up being captured by the Astonishing squad, but escapes and is able to reunite with his Avengers team while keeping in contact with his X-Men team.

Lineups:

THE UNSTOPPABLE X-MEN
(Mike Carey, Chris Bachalo)

Rogue, Iceman, Cannonball, Warpath, Nightcrawler, M, and [Wolverine]

THE HELLIONS
(C.B. Cebulski, Skottie Young)

Anole, Hellion, Mercury, Loa, Wolf Cub, Wind Dancer
​

THE ASTONISHING X-MEN
(Warren Ellis, Simone Bianchi)

Professor X, Cyclops, Emma Frost, Beast, Archangel, Colossus, Pete Wisdom, Dust, and Armor

X-FACTOR
(Peter David, Pablo Raimondi)

Multiple Man, Rictor, Wolfsbane, and Layla Miller
​

 

[spectre]

Astonishing X-Men: The home team. They defend the Institute and act as teachers to the New X-Men. The face of the mutant community.

Cyclops/Scott Summers: He proved his leadership qualities to everyone a long time ago, but he's finally proved it to himself. Leads the home team, oversees every other X-Men team, and supervises the remaining mutant population that lives at the Institute. Makes S.H.I.E.L.D. and O.N.E. nervous because he may one day serve as a rallying point for some sort of mutant revolution.

Wolverine/Logan: Despite what either of them thinks Logan and Scott work best when teamed together. The two of them are the X-Men's all-stars. Logan is no longer splitting his time between the X-Men and the Avengers.

Nightcrawler/Kurt Wagner: His valiant and swashbuckling nature and good humored personality make him a natural choice for the X-Men's public representative. His exotic appearance is quite polarizing to the public, they either love him or hate him.

Rogue: Though she's regained her sanity Rogue is still in need of a stabilizing influence. For that reason she's been placed on the Institute based team alongside her half-brother Nightcrawler. Her powers have been reset to their original template with no additional abilities.

Sunspot/Roberto DaCosta: After being muscled out of the Hellfire Club by Sebastian Shaw, Roberto returned to the Institute after many years of absence. Roberto serves as the new financial backer for the X-Men and has also inhereted some of his father's political influence as well.

Armor/Hisako Ichiki: Graduated from student to full-fledged X-Men status and has chosen to stay with Wolverine in a mentor/apprentice fashion much like Shadowcat and Jubilee have in the past.

White Queen/Emma Frost: After her relationship with Cyclops ended Emma shut herself off from most of the X-Men. She now spends most of her time in Cerebra serving as the telepathic communications hub for every X-Men team.

next... Uncanny X-Men

 

[Arkady Rossovich]

Well,with the X-Men going in a new direction.I wonder if anyone would do it differently,most say this will finally do something to change the Mutant Universe from House Of M.How would you handle Messiah Complex?

 

[Xplicit Content]

I wanna play.

I'm just going to focus on 3 books at this point. X-Factor is great the way it is...I wouldn't touch it out of fear I'd screw up the chemistry. New X-Men is far from perfect, but I don't really know what I'd do with it...all I know is I don't want to cancel it, as I feel it's important to have a book focusing on the younger generation of X-Men.

With that out of the way, I feel like the teams do need to be broken apart...having numerous teams of X-Men operating out of the same base of operations can get too complicated...if the X-Men all operate out of the same base, there's no reason why they shouldn't all be appearing in every book together...they live under the same roof, afterall. The best way to fix this and give each team a different identity is to separate them.

Astonishing X-Men - This is the New York X-Mansion team.

Cyclops - Cyke gets to spread his wings. Xavier has moved on, in that he realizes it's time to let Scott carry the torch. Resident energy projector.

Emma Frost - Emma acts as his second in command; the one in charge of coordinating the curriculum. Resident telepath.

Wolverine - His ties to the Avengers keep him NY-based. The team's resident feral/stealth dude.

Beast - Beast is the resident brain. He keeps the X-Men's tech functioning.

Bishop - I put him here mostly because I wanted him in a book, and with the way the other teams fell into place...um, he just ended up in Astonishing.

Colossus - The team's muscle.

Shadowcat - I like the Emma/Kitty dynamic, plus she follows her man, Pete.

Uncanny X-Men - This is the X-Men's west coast affiliate. This is where the Prof. strikes out on his own, realizing that the mansion isn't big enough for him and Cyclops...plus, it gives him the opportunity to branch out. Redefine his dream...reinvent himself.

Prof. X - He's in the ever-present supporting role, like in the past. He holds up shop in the X-Men's new base of operations.

Storm - The leader...still has allegience to the Prof., and agrees it's important for him to expand the X-Men to a new time zone.

Jean Grey - Bring her back...and leave the Phoenix behind. Of course she ain't gonna stick around the mansion with Cyclops and Emma keeping her up all night due to headboard action, so she decides to head out with her good friend Storm and her mentor Prof. X. Team's resident on-field telepath.

Havok - Second in command to Storm. Team's resident energy projector, plus he gives Jean a Summers connection.

Polaris - Where Havok goes, she goes. And make her a mutant again...eff these artificially produced powers.

Gambit - Keep him and Rogue apart. Here he gets a fresh start with his pal, Storm. Team's resident stealth dude.

Angel - The consumate west coast mutant.

Forge - Bring the man back into the main X-fold. The team's resident brain...also opens up some interesting possibilities with Storm.

Adjless - This team is the "roaming team." Just think in terms of the X-Treme team and how they formed with a specific mission. This team is an extension of the NY team, but they also touch base with the West coast team. They're actually a link that bridges all the teams together. They're job is to literally travel the globe, with the Black Bird serving as their base of operations. They seek out new mutant manifestations, which pits them in constant battles with other forces out to reach the new mutants before they do...think Messiah CompleX.

Nightcrawler - The leader. He deserves his own team.

Cannonball - Second in command. He's already led a team before, so he needs to be able to parlay that into some status with the X-Men...serving as a second in command to Nightcrawler is perfect...Sam's brashness offsets Nightcrawler's usual cool and calculated ways of leading.

Husk - Good opportunity to explore the brother/sister dynamic on an X-team...she needs to be utilized, as she's been in Limbo way too long.

Psylocke - RELEASE HER FROM YOUR CLUTCHES, CLAREMONT...for the greater good of mutantkind. Also, give her back the psychic powers, the psychic knife (eff the sword) and the butterfly manifestation of telepathy. Team's resident telepath and stealth chick.

Sage - Resident brain, in the same way the other teams have Beast and Forge. Sage's brainy-ness seems most conducive with on-field stuff, as Forge and Beast work best in labs and shops.

Iceman - Homosexual undertones aside, seems to have a good friendship with Sam and he gives this team an original X-Man and credibility. Team's powerhouse member.

Rogue - Needs to get away from Gambit...the roaming aspect of this team fits her roaming spirit, plus there's a southern kinship with Husk and Sam. She needs to lose the fire powers though...and coincidentally end up sucking the powers of someone with flight and super strength. That's arc one...first mutant on the list, and Rogue accidentally puts him in a coma. Oops.

 

[Joker's Lackey]

Mansion Team (members who appear in all books as help to the teams, but do not go into the field themselves)
Emma Frost - Cerebra user, keeps contact with all teams.
Hank McCoy - Medical Staff, forensics, general info guy.
Forge - Builds things.....helps Hank.
Three Cuckoos - Helps their mother.
Xavier - Advisor

Astonshing X-men (Public Face)
Cyclops - Leader
Iceman
Kitty Pryde
Colossus
Dazzler
Longshot
Angel

Uncanny X-men (SWAT type Task Force)
Havok - Leader
Bishop
Warpath
Hepzibah
Marvel Girl
Korvus
Polaris

X-Force (Underground Team)
Rogue - Leader
Nightcrawler
Wolverine
Nocturene
Thunderbird(exile version)
Mystique
Karima

 

[Lazlo Panaflex]

I can honestly say that I haven't picked up an X-book in three years because of it's current state of sucktitude, bring in better artists and pick a core group of cool X-members, last I checked Sabretooth and some X-force rejects were now part of the X-Men.

And I dropped the Ultimate X-Men book as soon as David Fincher left the book.

But at least I can read all the classic Claremont/Bryne/Romita, Jr/Silvestri/Smith/Cockrum/Lee run at home.