Comics The '07 X-Event: Endangered Species, Messiah Complex, & Disassembled

[Specter313]

Trust me on this one, Specter knew that.

And seems like I was the only one who believed the death would be no one special.

 

[Specter313]

And we finally have an event name! X-Men: Messiah Complex!


So – what comes after “Endangered Species?”

That would be X-Men: Messiah Complex, an X-Men crossover starting in October.

Think of it as an “old school” crossover - no overarching miniseries, no external specials, aside from the launch, and all the action moves back and forth between the four core X-titles.

We spoke with X-Editor Nick Lowe for more details.

Newsarama: Nick, let’s start with the most basic – can you give us a very bare bones rundown of what Messiah Complex is?

Nick Lowe: House of M changed everything. Wanda’s “No More Mutants” spell made homo superior an endangered species and set a lot in motion. The “Endangered Species” one shot and back-ups crystallize what this has done to mutants. Messiah Complex, however, is the climax we’ve been building to since those dreadful three words were uttered. It’s huge. It’s dark. It’s intense. It will put the cap on the last two years of stories and set the stage for the next several years.

NRAMA: So can you break down the gameplan a little – word has it that this is an “old school” style crossover, moving throughout all the X-Men titles. Where does it start, where does it all end?

NL: Our checklist looks like this:

• Chapter 1: (X-Men: Messiah Complex One Shot).
• Chapter 2: (Uncanny X-Men #492)
• Chapter 3: (X-Factor #25)
• Chapter 4: (New X-Men #44)
• Chapter 5: (X-Men #206)
• Chapter 6: (Uncanny X-Men #493)
• Chapter 7: (X-Factor #26)
• Chapter 8: (New X-Men #45)
• Chapter 9: (X-Men #207)
• Chapter 10: (Uncanny X-Men #494)
• Chapter 11: (X-Factor #27)
• Chapter 12: (New X-Men #46)
• Chapter 13: (X-Men #208)

NRAMA: Structurally how is this working? Are the creators of the individual books responsible for their normal issues? Or will the assignments be broken up in an alternative fashion?

NL: All the writers of the regular books are writing their Chapters. So, Ed is writing chapters one, two, six and ten. Peter is writing chapters three, seven and eleven. Craig and Chris are writing chapters four, eight and twelve. And Mike is writing chapters five, nine and thirteen.
NRAMA: So who’s got the creative duties on the one-shot?

NL: That would be Ed Brubaker and, drumroll please, Marc Silvestri. We’ve started seeing Marc’s pages and they are phenomenal. They show why he’s one of the best X-Men artists ever.

NRAMA: How did this story come about? Was this originally pitched by a specific creator, or did it come out of the collective mind of a retreat?

NL: A crossover was something we wanted to do for years, but it all got kicked into high gear when Axel came in as Group Editor. One of the things that Axel does best is taking complex things and cutting to their core. He took the idea for the crossover, which we’d all (editorial and the writers involved) been bouncing around and simplified the structure in such a way that we could all get on the same page. In fact, it led us all to a place much bigger than we’d thought we would go. We held a summit and Ed, Mike, Peter, Craig and Chris all stepped up and filled the event with so many compelling ideas.

NRAMA: How much, if at all, is this the X-response to all the big events of the last few years (Avengers Disassembled, House of M, Spider-Man: The Other, Civil War, WWH)? Did the X-verse basically have to come up with something comparable in scale just to keep up?

NL: Nah, it’s not like that at all. Sure, we’d love to have a big event regardless, but the idea behind this story demanded it. It was too big to be in any one of the titles.

NRAMA: What can you tell us about the story at this point, without giving too much away?

NL: Something happens in Chapter One that changes everything. It stratifies the world of the X-Men in a clear way. It unifies the heroes in a way they haven’t been for years, and all under Scott Summers. Cyclops steps up huge in this event and will get people talking.

NRAMA: Of course, we have to ask, what can you tell readers about what this will do to the X-corner of things coming out the other end. Is this of the “things will never be the same” type deals?

NL: It is. There will be a significant and final shift in the status quo and even with how people look at mutants. Also, coming out of the event, readers will have a more clear idea of what the X-Men are and what every book means. Gone will be the days where readers will be confused what book is which and what the difference is.

NRAMA: One point of concern for X-fans has been the place that Astonishing fills in the larger picture, as well as its use of characters somewhat to the exclusion of other books. So…how will Astonishing X-Men factor into this, if at all?

NL: John and Joss’s run will be ending around the same time that this is coming out, so, as a book, it won’t be interacting in this story. The characters will, however. They all play big roles.

NRAMA: So will there be new line ups for the titles in regards to characters? New relationships between teams?

NL: You’ll have to wait and see for this one.

NRAMA: Let’s talk about the cover images that have been released – how significant are the players shown? Important in the story, of just Marc’s favorites?

NL: They are all important. Some others who are important are: Jaime Madrox, Hellion, Bishop, Gambit, Wolfsbane, Warpath and X-23.

NRMA: To whom does “Messiah Complex” refer to?

NL: What does your heart tell you? It can refer to more than one character involved, but once the first issue hits, it will be very clear to whom it is referring.

NRAMA: Any parting thoughts?

NL: In my opinion, over the last year and a half, the X-Books have been better across the line then they ever have. From Ed on Uncanny, Mike on X-Men Peter on X-Factor and Craig & Chris on New X-Men, the quality of the X-books is better than ever. With this crossover, it just gets better. Everyone is operating a level higher and I think the fans will notice.

​

http://forum.newsarama.com/showthread.php?t=116920​

 

[Canemacar]

​

Think that'll be the new Uncanny lineup? Bru's already got Storm and Kurt, and he's supposed to be getting Angel as well. Quesada also said Uncanny would become the flagship title again, possibly meaning Wolvie and Scott move there as a result.

 

[Specter313]

Well, the address for the pic does say "UXM492"...

 

[Colossal Spoons]

That's how you're supposed to draw Petey!

 

[Canemacar]

Well, the address for the pic does say "UXM492"...

So it does. I wonder who'll be the new Astonishing and Adjectiveless teams.

 

[Specter313]

So it does. I wonder who'll be the new Astonishing and Adjectiveless teams.

Can you point out to me where Quesada said Uncanny would be the main flagship title again? I've read so much of these articles I can't keep track of 'em.

 

[iamlegend]

So it does. I wonder who'll be the new Astonishing and Adjectiveless teams.

Wait, wouldn't UXM 492 still fall into the crossover? Meaning that the team depicted is pry a temporary thing?

 

[HandOfFate]

Hmmm..this bring back the old All New All Different X-Men team along with Angel, interesting.

Where Kitty?​

 

[Canemacar]

Can you point out to me where Quesada said Uncanny would be the main flagship title again? I've read so much of these articles I can't keep track of 'em.

Sorry, I lost track of all the articles. I only remember him saying something to that effect in one of them. "Uncanny will become the flagshiptitle. Thats where the history is. Etc."

Wait, wouldn't UXM 492 still fall into the crossover? Meaning that the team depicted is pry a temporary thing?

Well, if Adjectiveless is anything to judge by, the books will get new rosters before or during the crossover.

 

[Colossal Spoons]

Where Kitty?

R.I.P.

 

[Zombie_samurai]

Damn

 

[Havok83]

Marvel better watch themselves with these crossovers bc it did some damage in the 90s. 2 back to back isnt really a good idea

 

[Havok83]

R.I.P.

I think its too soon to predict that bc one could also say where's Emma. If ES takes place before AXM, and this follows ES, theres a possibiility that it also takes place prior to AXM

 

[Colossal Spoons]

I think its too soon to predict that bc one could also say where's Emma. If ES takes place before AXM, and this follows ES, theres a possibiility that it also takes place prior to AXM

That pic was from Messiah Complex which takes place after the current AXM run.

 

[Canemacar]

Another interview w/ Nick Lowe:

http://www.wizarduniverse.com/magazine/wizard/004856904.cfm

 

[Generation Lee]

NL: It is. There will be a significant and final shift in the status quo and even with how people look at mutants. Also, coming out of the event, readers will have a more clear idea of what the X-Men are and what every book means. Gone will be the days where readers will be confused what book is which and what the difference is.

I'm wondering will the books interact more and have a certain continuity now that Mutants are an endangered species???

 

[Canemacar]

WIZARD: What about Gambit?

LOWE: Oh yeah, he definitely plays quite a sizable role, but it’s a very mysterious role as well.



Bah. More mindless hyping (everyone and their mother has been promised a "Sizeable role") and "OMG! MYSTERIOUS!!!" billing for Gambit I see. Is it so hard for them to simply take a serious effort at writing him as an actual character?

 

[javon]

Think that'll be the new Uncanny lineup? Bru's already got Storm and Kurt, and he's supposed to be getting Angel as well. Quesada also said Uncanny would become the flagship title again, possibly meaning Wolvie and Scott move there as a result.

Unless Ororo would be returning as a permanent member of the X-men again

The art looks great. I'm with IamLegend on the "temporary crossover" team thing. Although if it's true, I'd love to see Ororo/Peter on on team again t: Is this the cover or...???

 

[Canemacar]

Unless Ororo would be returning as a permanent member of the X-men again

Bru said she'd be appearing in Uncanny "for the foreseeable future".

 

[javon]

Yes...?

 

[Canemacar]

What?

 

[javon]

ROFL Are you saying that she'll be a temporary member?

 

[Canemacar]

I thought thats what you were saying.

 

[Colossal Spoons]

If she does come back for good, she needs to tone it down all this African Queen business.