Comics Official ASTONISHING X-MEN Discussion Thread

[Specter313]

Asked about more What If? stories, Cebulski said that this December will see six new specials with back ups, for a total of twelve What If? stories. Cebulski added that the subjects of the stories will include more recent Marvel events, such as things in Joss Whedon’s Astonishing X-Men, and more.

“What if Astonishing X-Men was monthly?” Brubaker joked.

http://www.newsarama.com/comics/090620-heroes-marvel-cb.html

 

[insane polaris]

Yes, I already put that on the previous page, but I'd say that the fact that it's no longer up on the site that reported it casts doubt on it actually happening.

Haa sorry, i did read the previous page. i must just be blind.

Its a seem if it has been takn down tho. i do like Jimenez and it would quite interesting to see him on Ashtonishing.

 

[UraniaChang]

Phil Jimenez taking over Bianchi??? Im really excited, i loved his art in New X-men.

http://www.eatsleepgeek.com/phil-jimenez-coming-astonishing-xmen/
http://blog.newsarama.com/2009/06/14/phil-jimenez-on-astonishing-x-men/

Um...not familiar with him but so long as he being timely and not Stroman/Land I'm fine with it.

 

[Manic]

If you want to see his art, check out the Phil Jimenez gallery at Comic Art Community. I love that website. I use it whenever an artist gets announced on a comic I'm reading. It's useless with new and upcoming artists, though.

 

[UraniaChang]

Thanks!

 

[javi1024]

Um...not familiar with him but so long as he being timely and not Stroman/Land I'm fine with it.

he was one of the revolving artists during Morrison's run- the best one i say. he did 'Murder at the Mansion' and 'Planet X' among some other singles.

 

[Specter313]

Hmm, it looks like the original article might have actually been taken down to Marvel can make the annoucement themselves, since Quesada is now confirming that Jimenez is on board:

Kiel Phegley: This builds a bit on some of the last reader's comments, but a guy called Comicbookfan wants to know, "Joe, what are you guys doing to get 'Astonishing X-Men' on a monthly schedule?"

Joe Quesada: Well, one of the things we did was that we got Phil Jimenez coming on board. While I can’t promise that we’ll be getting the book back on a monthly title right away, having Phil on board will be a big help.

http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=21679

 

[Jennifer Walters]

Now maybe I can actually give a rats ass about the story of this now.

 

[squeekness]

It would be nicer if they could change up the roster a bit - not much difference between this team and Uncanny right now. So many other mutants they could be using.

 

[Manic]

Actually, who could they be using in this title that they're not using in Uncanny, X-Force, Legacy, or New Mutants? Iceman, Storm, Armor, and the New X-Men?

 

[Havok83]

I actually wouldnt mind if they ended this title. It doesnt really serve much of a purpose anymore

 

[Jake Cassidy]

Yeah, and put Jimanez on Uncanny with a better writer.

 

[UraniaChang]

Um...I actually enjoy Ellis' story the most among all the titles.

I hope that won't change with a new writer coming in, I can deal with the delay.

 

[UraniaChang]

Um...I actually enjoy Ellis' story the most among all the titles.

I hope that won't change with a new writer coming in, I can deal with the delay.

 

[Specter313]

Jimenez will be taking over for Bianchi as the artist, actually, not the writer.

 

[UraniaChang]

Oh, sorry, so many names I got confused. Then hope he's a timely artist.

 

[Manic]

I'm enjoying Ellis' story, but it's second to what PAD's doing on X-Factor.

 

[Jennifer Walters]

I'm enjoying Ellis' story, but it's second to what PAD's doing on X-Factor.

Naturally, X-Factor is the best X-Book out right now.

 

[squeekness]

Naturally, X-Factor is the best X-Book out right now.

I would have to agree. Uncanny is boring me to tears.

 

[Havok83]

Naturally, X-Factor is the best X-Book out right now.

nah that honor is shared by X-force and Cable

 

[Specter313]

Annnnnd we're off!

 

[Jennifer Walters]

nah that honor is shared by X-force and Cable

X-Force is nothing but stabby stabby kill kill with the masters of terrible X-Writing Kyle and Yost. All they do is kill.

Cable's alright, sorta boring though.

X-Factor has the best cast, the best writer, and is VERY underappreciated on this forum.

 

[GambitXremy]

I LOVE IT!!!!

 

[Specter313]

edit

 

[Specter313]

Fresh off his stints on the thrice-weekly AMAZING SPIDER-MAN, artist Phil Jimenez will jump aboard ASTONISHING X-MEN, joining current writer Warren Ellis for a five-issue story arc beginning this fall.

Jimenez has previously drawn Marvel's Merry Mutants during Grant Morrison's run on NEW X-MEN, and the artist tells us he's always had a great deal of fondness for the characters and their world.

"The X-Men was the first mainstream super-hero comic book I ever collected," remembers Jimenez. "Its lead characters—Storm, Wolverine, even the Beast and Emma Frost—have been near and dear to my heart since I was a kid. I love these characters, I 'get' them, and I find drawing them is a huge pleasure and a real luxury for which I'm incredibly grateful."

Even though Jimenez hasn't drawn the team in a number of years, he had no difficulty getting reacquainted with the mutant heroes, even though a couple of differences exist between his current work and his previous run.

"I'm new to ASTONISHING, but I fell right back into the X-Men world once Warren developed the script," the artist relates. "I think the big difference so far is pace. My memory is that the last time I was working on X-Men, we were working at a very fast clip. My hope is that with enough lead time, we can get some really strong artwork to match Warren's awesome scripts. Also, the cast was slightly different in NEW X-MEN. With ASTONISHING, I get to play with characters I love drawing like Beast and Emma Frost, as well as Armor and Storm, my favorite Marvel character of all time, and that brings me joy every day.

"Most notably, I'm looking forward to showcasing the work of my inker Andy Lanning as well as the incredibly talented Frank D'Armata, who's lending his powerful coloring skills our work. I've had glorious colorists at Marvel, but Frank brings the art to a whole new level. I want him nominated for an Eisner already."



As for the characters' appearances, Jimenez explains that he'll give them his own unique style without altering their costumes in any significant way.

"My assistant editor, Daniel Ketchum, has been fielding costume questions from me for weeks," Jimenez confesses. "I'll make some slight modifications here and there, but mostly, I'd like to honor the work of the artists and designers that have come before me. The flourishes I'll add will be standard 'Phil Jimenez' flourishes in character more than costume. Look for a change in Armor's hair style, for example; lots of grandness from Storm—I love her as the regal goddess; Emma being icy and fabulous; Beast being as elegant and refined as he is ferocious in battle, etc."

On the scripting side of things, many artists have praised writer Warren Ellis' abilities, and Jimenez comes as no exception.

"Warren is, I kid you not, one of my two favorite writers to work with," the artist exudes. "I've only drawn for him twice, but each time the script felt like it was hand made just for me. It's divine. He wrote me something he knew I'd want to draw and get excited over. I appreciate that care far more than I can ever say. I always tell young writers, if you want to know how to write a comic script for artists, look at Warren's best scripts. For me, they're flawless. But talk about performance anxiety! He's done me right, now I want to return the favor, and I'm actually quite nervous about it!"

Jumping from Spider-Man's smaller, more personal corner of the Marvel Universe to the X-Men's might seem like a dramatic change in material, but for Jimenez that change allows him to travel back into a world and style that he greatly enjoys.

"For me, the fun of mainstream super hero comics is their 'bigness'—the sense of grand, epic adventure; the over top characters wearing costumes you'd only see on our Earth in a gay pride parade; the operatic nature the narrative; sweeping, bold, sometimes ridiculous, mostly impossible, but always dramatic," lists Jimenez. "The X-Men, for me, epitomizes what I love about these kinds of comics. The book works on multiple layers—social commentary; soap opera; giant summer blockbuster—and the cast is varied enough and international enough to keep me engaged on every page. I think my style reflects that.

"Spider-Man and his world seemed to me to be a very different animal. I actually came to love Spidey and Peter, as well as stalwarts like J Jonah Jameson and Betty Brant, but I missed the 'bigness' and the over-the-top adventure books like X-Men provide me. It's nice to play the big notes again!"

Jimenez reveals that, while he's looking forward to a number of elements working on ASTONISHING X-MEN, two in particular might stand out above the rest:

"Storm and Emma. Working with Warren Ellis. Storm and Emma. Working with Warren Ellis. Beyond that? Maybe drawing cameos of the New Mutants and Emma's original Hellions—hint, hint, Warren!"

http://marvel.com/news/comicstories.8483.WWPhilly_~apos~09~colon~_Jimenez_on_Astonishing