Fall is here, September is well underway, and school is in session -  even for the mutants of the Marvel Universe, it seems. While Xavier's  "New Mutants" graduated from his Academy for the Gifted some time ago,  they are now unknowingly being tested by Cyclops as he searches for the  next leader of the X-Men. Man, there's nothing worse than a pop quiz -  especially the kind where the fate of your friends is at stake!
The  writer of this unique X-team, Zeb Wells, generously stopped by to  answer questions on topics that range from rivalries to romance. He has  lots to tell us, including one piece of news that will surprise many.  This bit of information has weighed heavy on his heart, and the scribe  has chosen to unburden himself here with you, his fans.
Zeb, the floor is yours - take it away!
Hello all,
Before  I assume the X-POSITION, I'd like to give everyone the heads up that my  last issue writing the "New Mutants" will be issue #21. I've got a lot  of stuff coming down the pike in the coming months and after much  discussion with X-Editor Nick Lowe and the rest of the Marvel gang we  realized that issue #21 would be a great end-point to the journey we  started in "New Mutants" #1.
We have a lot of story momentum  coming out of "Fall of the New Mutants" that leads perfectly into the  two-issue climax of our 20+ issue mega-arc. Things are going to get  absolutely insane, and I can't wait for people to read how this thing  wraps up.
Before the door hits my @$$, I'd like to thank Nick  Lowe for being a great collaborator on this run and bringing on great  artists like Diogenes Neves, Zachary Baldus, Ibraim Roberson, Paul  Davidson and the ever-inspiring Leonard Kirk, who all deserve my  gratitude for their visions of these characters. I also want to give  props to letterer Joe Caramagna, who continues to be one of my favorite  collaborators in comics. And I'd be a cad not to mention the wizards at  Guru Efx, who are killing it on the current arc.
"Yeah, yeah...great story. What we want to know is what's going to happen to the New Mutants!"
I  hear you. Rest assured, Nick has lined up an A-list talent to take over  for me. I trust all of you to refrain from calling it the massive step  up it obviously is. And on that note, I'd like to thank all of you that  took the time to send in your questions over the last couple of years.  You've always kept me honest, or tried to at least, and feeding off your  collective enthusiasm for these characters has been a truly inspiring  experience.
Thanks for the kind sentiments, Zeb. I'm going  to let Lee ask his questions now while I run and get a handkerchief.  There's something in my eye...
1) Zeb, I'm concerned for  Moonstar. She seems so brash and immature these days compared to the  sophisticated, badass leader that came back from Asgard, worked as an  undercover SHIELD agent infiltrating the MLF, and then joined X-Force  and taught at the Xavier Institute. And now we have her talking about  drinking all the time and kissing - it seems out of character. With all  her experience, I'm surprised she's not running her own X-Men team by  now or keeping busy as a SHIELD agent. Tell me things get better for  Dani, please!
I'm probably misreading your question, but you  seem to be concerned that Dani Moonstar is getting too awesome. I'm of  the opinion she's not running her own team because she doesn't have any  powers, but I've tried to make it clear that Dani would pulp my face for  even thinking that. Rest assured though, Dani steps up when the going  gets tough leading up to issue #21, which I believe means things get  "better" by your definition.
2) I think Amara and Roberto need  to stand out more as individuals, based on the richness in their  personalities. They've seemed like background characters for awhile now.  It would be awesome to explore Magma's powers and look into Roberto's  story with Reignfire and how powerful he is. Are there any spotlight  plans for these characters soon?
They both have some cool  scenes coming up, but Magma's powers won't be explored and Reignfire  won't be mentioned - mainly because [X-Editor] Nick Lowe doesn't want  you to feel joy, Lee. I wish you two would work out your issues.
Speaking of issues, Renaldo has a few. Maybe you can help whittle away his worries?
1)  Will you be utilizing Cannonball in more of a leadership role soon?  I've gotten the vibe that Cyclops is watching Sam for a possible leader  stint, so is there any chance that he is going to get a "push" again?
Cyclops  is watching Sam lead the New Mutants at the moment. How he fares in  this last arc will determine how hard of a "push" he gets. 

2)  Are we going to see Dani crossing swords with Hela and dealing with her  Valkyrie issue anytime soon? And seeing as Brunnhilde is a Secret  Avenger, is there any chance of a meeting between the two taking place?
No plans at the moment, Renaldo.
3)  I loved your insight into Elektra, but I would also love further works  from you regarding her actions. The "Dark Reign" and "Shadowland" issues  featuring her were great - and I found your grasp on her quite  convincing - so are there any plans to deal with her again? Also, I'd  love you to take a crack at Punisher or Moon Knight someday - you seem  well-suited for these titles...
Renaldo, if you want to be my  agent, all you have to do is ask. It's not like there's a line of  applicants or anything. Seriously, there are no Elektra plans at the  moment, but I want to write for her again as soon as I can. Working on  Elektra is an almost spiritual experience for me. She's awesome.
Robbie  sent in a list of inquiries regarding characters he'd like to see. Can  you tell us if any show up before your final issue hits the stands? Aw,  dangit. I'm getting another tissue - Robbie, go ahead.
1) As a  fan of the first Alpha Flight team, I was wondering if Witchfire is  really dead. It seemed that the demons were going to kill her, but I'm  curious...
That's up in the air. I wouldn't be surprised if she got out of her predicament in "New Mutants" #17.
2)  I loved "Necrosha" and wondered if maybe the Hellions were some of the  reborn mutants that Selene did not "absorb?" I would love to have them  back as enemies or, better yet, friends of the New Mutants.
In my mind they're still out there - we'll have to see if anyone picks up that thread after I'm gone.
3) Sam is my favorite New Mutant and I was wondering if we will get to see more of his family - especially Paige (Husk)!
Not in my two final arcs, I'm afraid.
NICK'S  NOTE: If you like Husk, you'll get to see more of her this January in  an X-book of note! In the meantime, did you see the awesome Husk story  in "X-MEN vs. Vampires" #1?
4) Speaking of Sam, I noticed him  and Danielle is getting closer. Is this a new romance blossoming? Will  Sam's old "ex," Lila, be making an appearance? Or will he find another  love (Rogue!) in the near future?
We'll have to see if Sam  and Dani's kiss was just a friendly hook-up, or if there was something  more under the surface. In my mind, they have an intense friendship, but  we'll have to see if there's something more. No plans for Lila to show  her face, and I think Rogue would give Sam a street education in love.  He couldn't handle it!
Is that what they call "dishing?" I think we just "dished," Robbie.
5) Is there any chance of Wolfsbane rejoining the team? Somehow, the New Mutants do not seem complete without her.
Not in my last two arcs.
Uncle S. sent in an intriguing email. It's a special request from a special kind of fan. Let's see what you say to this.
Here is a picture of Warlock.  Is there any way you could make the events of this picture happen in a future issue?
Unfortunately,  I've already outlined my last two issues, but you've given me a serious  Oskar Schindler moment - "I could have done more. I could have done  more..."

At the very least, I'll keep my eye out for a girl with a red coat in the final issues.
Frizz wraps things up today with a compliment and some thought-provoking queries. Let's see what you think of these apples...
Hi  Zeb! I've really liked what you've done with these characters - it  reminds me a lot of what I liked about them when they initially debuted.  I've got a bunch of crazy questions for you, and I hope you'll indulge  me a bit:
1) A lot of writers hear actors' voices when writing  characters. Are there any actors in particular that you hear for  different New Mutants?
That's an interesting question, Frizz.  It's weird, but I actually don't hear actors' voices for this set of  characters. Sam sounds like Sam, and Dani sounds like Dani to me. Maybe  this means I'm a terrible writer...
2) If the New Mutants had a soundtrack, what songs would be on it?
"On My Mind" and "Chug-a-lug" by the Def Bass Krew.
3)  What do the New Mutants call their team? They don't actually call  themselves the "New Mutants," do they? Are they the "X-Men Farm League?"  How about "Mutant Fodder?"
You're right, they don't refer to  themselves as the "New Mutants." I like just thinking about them as  X-Men, so I've been trying to skirt the issue by having the other X-Men  refer to Sam's team as "Sam's team" (this stuff is harder than it looks,  I promise).
4) With his powers and understanding of body  language, Doug seems like he'd make the best leader of the group. It's a  role I've never seen him have though. What do you think his prospects  are to head up the team?
I think Doug is a little too  detached to lead a combat operation. Though his powers make him  formidable, he could also get distracted by the symphony of meaning in a  villain's voice. He's better as a bullet in the chamber than the guy  holding the gun. 

Ooh, that's deep. And to ride that  metaphysical train a bit further, here's today's "Behind the X" question  for you: what was your favorite toy when you were a child and why?
As  I writer, I've always felt my favorite "toy" was my mind. While other  kids played with Transformers, I was immersed in vistas of my own  design, a cherub aloft in clouds made of pure imagination.
Just  kidding. It was the G. I. Joe Aircraft carrier...or maybe Serpentor  because me and my brother shot his helmet off with a BB gun and his face  really made us laugh. If you have this figure in your attic, you owe it  to yourself. Seriously, I'm giggling just thinking about it.
Now we know, and knowing is half the battle (the other half involves guns and lasers). Thanks Zeb!