Specter313
Ghost of all things X
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As Marvel discussed today at its World War Hulk panel, the upcoming storyline that features the Jade Giants return to earth wont be as far-reaching and expansive as Civil War, but at the same time, there will be some specific story elements that will spill out into their own projects. Case in point, the three issue World War Hulk: X-Men mini-series debuting in June, written by Christos Gage, with art by Andrea DiVito and covers by Ed McGuiness.
The premise? Simple Professor Xavier is on the Hulks payback list since being exiled into space for over a year. The Hulks just being systematic with his revenge here nothing personal. Thing is, as usual when mutants are involved, its a slightly more complicated story. We spoke briefly with Gage about the upcoming mini.
Newsarama: What got you on to this tie-in in the first place?
Christos Gage: Andy Schmidt, the editor. We had worked together on the Union Jack mini-series, and based on my work there he was kind enough to give me a shot at a big event book with the Iron Man/Captain America: Casualties of War one-shot. Everyone seemed happy with that, it was well received and it sold well, so after Andy moved over to the X-office I guess he figured I'd proved myself enough to send me my draft notice for World War Hulk. When he called, all he had to say was World War Hulk: X-Men and I was in!
NRAMA: That said, had you been keeping up with what was going on in Planet Hulk? What was your overall take on that storyline, as well as the news of him coming back for WWH?
CG: I got in on Planet Hulk late, but when I heard the great buzz on the story I got caught up and I am loving it. Greg Pak has crafted an epic story with a fully realized, complex world, casting the Hulk as a reluctant, underdog gladiator turned rebel freedom fighter all while staying true to the character and using bits and pieces of Marvel history combined with his own original creations to excellent effect. It's a fantastic read. As for the Hulk coming back, that was inevitable from the start. Just as it was inevitable that much smashing would ensue.
NRAMA: More specifically to the story here - an X-Men tie-in. It seems rather a disparate group coming in to the storyline. Why does this make sense, and why would the X-Men be involved in the Hulk's activities in the first place? After all, the X-Men were Switzerland in Civil War - why would they be getting involved here?
CG: Well, the Hulk isn't the type to give you a choice over high tea the way Tony Stark did. If he says you're involved, guess what, you're involved! Basically, without spoiling too much, the Hulk finds out that the guys who sent him into space -- Iron Man, Mr. Fantastic, Black Bolt and Dr. Strange -- had planned for Professor Xavier to be a part of the meeting where it was decided. Sure, Professor X didn't show up, but the Hulk has some pointed questions for him anyway. See, the Hulk is kind of like Santa Claus. Santa has his "naughty" and "nice" lists. Hulk has his "smash" and "really smash" lists, and he's trying to figure out which one to put the Professor on. So he shows up at the door of the Xavier Institute, and...well, let me put it this way. If you were writing a book called World War Hulk: X-Men, would you make it about the Hulk and X-Men having a tea party? Me neither.
NRAMA: That said, what was the overall goal of the story here or is it just to show an old-fashioned X-Men vs. Hulk fight?
CG: There actually is more to it than the fun of seeing the Hulk fight the X-Men as drawn by Andrea DiVito, though that's pretty sweet by itself, in my opinion. One goal was to bring the various X-teams together. It's not going to be everyone -- Excalibur is in England, for instance, so they're probably out of the picture -- but you'll see the extended X-family operating as one to defend the dream that unites them. Another goal was to look at the fact that Professor X has had some of his past actions turn out pretty badly as of late. He used to have a tendency to play god a bit, making decisions that affected peoples' lives without asking them, and others have paid the price - as has the Professor. The situation with the Hulk brings this issue to the forefront, and we're going to see how both the Professor and the team members feel about all of it.
NRAMA: What X-Men are you bringing into the story, then?
CG: As many as I can get away with! And yes, I was able to bring in nearly all my favorites. Colossus, Nightcrawler, Wolverine...Lockheed...it's really a dream come true for me, because I got hooked on the X-Men as a kid and now, my first time writing them, I'm getting to put all my old faves into one story! Of course, some new favorites will be around too, like New X-Men such as Rockslide and X-23, who is really quite a scary young lady.
NRAMA: Lastly, just a minor tease - what gets the ball rolling in the story?
CG: THOOOOM. Knock Knock. And then it all goes to hell...
http://forum.newsarama.com/showthread.php?t=102628
The premise? Simple Professor Xavier is on the Hulks payback list since being exiled into space for over a year. The Hulks just being systematic with his revenge here nothing personal. Thing is, as usual when mutants are involved, its a slightly more complicated story. We spoke briefly with Gage about the upcoming mini.
Newsarama: What got you on to this tie-in in the first place?
Christos Gage: Andy Schmidt, the editor. We had worked together on the Union Jack mini-series, and based on my work there he was kind enough to give me a shot at a big event book with the Iron Man/Captain America: Casualties of War one-shot. Everyone seemed happy with that, it was well received and it sold well, so after Andy moved over to the X-office I guess he figured I'd proved myself enough to send me my draft notice for World War Hulk. When he called, all he had to say was World War Hulk: X-Men and I was in!
NRAMA: That said, had you been keeping up with what was going on in Planet Hulk? What was your overall take on that storyline, as well as the news of him coming back for WWH?
CG: I got in on Planet Hulk late, but when I heard the great buzz on the story I got caught up and I am loving it. Greg Pak has crafted an epic story with a fully realized, complex world, casting the Hulk as a reluctant, underdog gladiator turned rebel freedom fighter all while staying true to the character and using bits and pieces of Marvel history combined with his own original creations to excellent effect. It's a fantastic read. As for the Hulk coming back, that was inevitable from the start. Just as it was inevitable that much smashing would ensue.
NRAMA: More specifically to the story here - an X-Men tie-in. It seems rather a disparate group coming in to the storyline. Why does this make sense, and why would the X-Men be involved in the Hulk's activities in the first place? After all, the X-Men were Switzerland in Civil War - why would they be getting involved here?
CG: Well, the Hulk isn't the type to give you a choice over high tea the way Tony Stark did. If he says you're involved, guess what, you're involved! Basically, without spoiling too much, the Hulk finds out that the guys who sent him into space -- Iron Man, Mr. Fantastic, Black Bolt and Dr. Strange -- had planned for Professor Xavier to be a part of the meeting where it was decided. Sure, Professor X didn't show up, but the Hulk has some pointed questions for him anyway. See, the Hulk is kind of like Santa Claus. Santa has his "naughty" and "nice" lists. Hulk has his "smash" and "really smash" lists, and he's trying to figure out which one to put the Professor on. So he shows up at the door of the Xavier Institute, and...well, let me put it this way. If you were writing a book called World War Hulk: X-Men, would you make it about the Hulk and X-Men having a tea party? Me neither.
NRAMA: That said, what was the overall goal of the story here or is it just to show an old-fashioned X-Men vs. Hulk fight?
CG: There actually is more to it than the fun of seeing the Hulk fight the X-Men as drawn by Andrea DiVito, though that's pretty sweet by itself, in my opinion. One goal was to bring the various X-teams together. It's not going to be everyone -- Excalibur is in England, for instance, so they're probably out of the picture -- but you'll see the extended X-family operating as one to defend the dream that unites them. Another goal was to look at the fact that Professor X has had some of his past actions turn out pretty badly as of late. He used to have a tendency to play god a bit, making decisions that affected peoples' lives without asking them, and others have paid the price - as has the Professor. The situation with the Hulk brings this issue to the forefront, and we're going to see how both the Professor and the team members feel about all of it.
NRAMA: What X-Men are you bringing into the story, then?
CG: As many as I can get away with! And yes, I was able to bring in nearly all my favorites. Colossus, Nightcrawler, Wolverine...Lockheed...it's really a dream come true for me, because I got hooked on the X-Men as a kid and now, my first time writing them, I'm getting to put all my old faves into one story! Of course, some new favorites will be around too, like New X-Men such as Rockslide and X-23, who is really quite a scary young lady.
NRAMA: Lastly, just a minor tease - what gets the ball rolling in the story?
CG: THOOOOM. Knock Knock. And then it all goes to hell...
http://forum.newsarama.com/showthread.php?t=102628
Couple spoilers about who's gonna live or die after some current arcs, eh?
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