Renegade said:
I wasn't really asking who has or has not simply appeared. My point is that there are plenty of characters to use to get good stories out of without resorting to made up characters and characters that haven't even been fleshed out in the 616 universe yet. You know what I mean? I don't really care who has been mentioned or briefly seen for no real reason but to please fans.
I'm just opposed to developing a story around a character or characters like X-23 or made up characters (like whoever this unknowing killer kid is, or might be) when there is still so much unused potential in characters like the aforementioned. Fair enough, some have been used and appropriately as central important pieces of a story. But why a clone story? Why made up characters? I understood the few made up ones used thus far, like the one Wolverine killed (showed up very briefly, used for character development, died) and the mutant (Detonator?) that Magneto and Xavier recruited (he most likely died in a suicide mission blowing up the Pentagon), and several others introduced that have died. But characters like Syndicate really annoy me. They were a made up character(s) to be spies for Xavier. Were there no minor 616 characters that could have been used for this purpose? I'm glad they haven't really shown up since their introduction, but still.
And honestly, I think what really bothers me is the idea that they would kill off Gambit before he makes it into his, what? Fifth, sixth issue? Then, they resort to making up characters or using crappy 616 ones? I just find it insulting. Ultimate Gambit was a clean slate that did not have to have all of the complicated 616 history, but still be a really cool, creative, and inspiring character. Instead, they do away with him. It just really bugs me.
I don't entirely agree with your talk about the Syndicate character - yes, he was a made-up character, but it was really only for one issue, which was sort of just... an aside. It's like a random small chapter of a book between larger, story-driven chapters. There's a merit in made-up character of Syndicate for this purpose. What established character would you have used in his place, for ONE issue? Yes, Vaughan could have brought the character back, but didn't really have room or reason to. For what the Syndicate character was used for, a made-up is just fine.
I'm pretty sure that I entirely agree with the rest of what you've said. I loathe the fact that an Ultimate X-23 may be on the rise. There are so many older 616 characters that could be reinvented and used, rather than a character from... what, the past few years? Yes, I do write this without a 100% knowledge of X-23's creation.
As for this new character Kirkman is introducing, the same idea applies. There are other characters who could have been used, rather than just copping out and making a new character. Heck, if you needed a magic-like mutant power, what about a more stable Proteus - which would then lead to the explanation of why he's alive, how he survived, and why he's around again. It's just one possibility, but possibly has more worth than the original character.
Then again, the original character, should he be done properly and what not, will also have worth. Let us not forget that -all- of the characters we love are original creations, even if now they're so established. But I like my idea more, and this original character less. =)
As for Gambit... Yes, he was hardly fleshed out, and made only a handful of issues, but it's almost the perfection of comics storytelling. Millar (edit: was it Millar? Or was it Austen?) introduced the Ultimate Gambit character, who was then untouched until Vaughan took up the helm... and like or hate the characters, Vaughan did a wonderful job giving more or less equal screentime to the characters in the book. And, in the end, he ended the Ultimate Gambit character that he had almost solely written, in a death that was not trivial or meaningless (which I think we can all agree on IS the case in most Marvel comics today). Like or hate the Rogue-aftermath, it took writing-guts. I give Vaughan credit for that, and I'll crucify the writer who inevitably brings Gambit back to life.
I think that's all.
And yes I have read up to this issue, its just Im probably not going to be able to get to a comic book store until somtime next week and I was dying to find out what happens. Thanks again.
