General AXM Thoughts

[stormrage]

I'll be upfront. I think this title is living up to presenting the X-Men as celebrities, but has failed so far in sort of making them an Avengers level team. The power is certainly there and I think the argument can be made that AXM is the most powerful of the X-Teams, but it just hasn't had a chance to show that yet. That's the biggest thing missing from this title. Once that happens I think things will start to kick off.

Cyclops is a natural fit for this title and thematically, seeing him leave is probably a blow. But personally, I couldn't be happier. The writing and the team seem to have blossom since he left the roster. Jean being able to become a real leader is a great idea and one I think Claremont was sort of convincing me on back in the early 2000s. If he had got another year or so, I think Jean would have firmly been in there as an X-Men leader. But that's ok because I'm getting to watch it unfold here. She comes off graceful, mature, and powerful in this title. And most importantly, SANE. I'm sick to death of the Phoenix stuff to be honest and I'm glad that doesn't seem to be a direction Scott is headed in.

I think the fact that this team has alot of youngsters and alot of carefree spirits presents Jean with quite a challenge. It's gonna be an experience trying to mold those kind of folks into Avengers level warriors. But I think her success in that will make her MA's premier X-Leader. Above Polaris. Above Havok. Above Pete Wisdom. Above Cable (he is UXM's leader right?). Above Xavier even (at least in terms of MA). So I'll be interested to see how Scott handles the transition.

The character interactions could be a little more varied I think. It seems like the same people are always interacting with each other. Liven it up some and throw some people together who wouldn't normally hang out outside of work, if you get my drift. But since I'm talking about characters, I guess I should address the moment it seems like AXM is famous for right now. Firestar's death.

I thought it was the best death out of the entire crossover (Abyss might have snatched if just a little bit more had been done with him on the operating table). You know almost instantly that this death is going to have an impact and a serious one. If for no other reason, I feel like Firestar's death helped cement Weapon X as the X-Men's new archnemesis. So just like I demanded of X-Force, I expect to see more Weapon X in this title. And it probably should be before the sting of Firestar's death dies down IMO.

I'm really looking for this team taking on some big league threats. This is what the AXM squad needs to elevate its status as a title. Someone big, scary, and capable of putting a hurting down. The typical X-Villian won't do for this title in order for it to suceed.

With all that said, I'm really enjoying the title alot just because it feels very fresh and optimistic. I'd give it an A-

[Scotti]

Thanks for the words Stormrage, very much glad you are liking the title

I totally agree with you about the book living up to celebrity but not the Avengers like standard behind it. After the Weapon X I had thought to go for a quieter arc with character moments and it originally was going to be 6 issues long but I realized that was way too long and would really hamper moving forward and capitalizing on the Firestar death and making this team into something huge so I cut it down but it did still kind of drag in my mind.

Firestar's death will definitely be something huge still as it is still a big thing in the life of Justice, who I'm not done with by far, and some big things are coming for him in a mini that I'm in the process of penning and then a big huge game altering mini series I am going to pitch where her death will be the cause for something to change in Justice life that I don't tink any of you will see coming.

Firestar's death will be a specter over the team for a bit as it marks as one of their biggest failures. I actually would be very down for using Weapon X again and I'll probably be looking into what the plans others have for them are and perhaps use one of the squads at some point. The AXM will be taking on some big league threats starting with issue #12. #11 is the last sort of slow character issue as its the holiday themed issue. Starting with #12 though they go big time hero and take on a threat that the Avengers have faced many times. Then I have a villain from the early 00's that Claremont used that is being ramped up to world threatening levels over just a threat to the X-Men like then. I have a lot of Marvel Universe villains and villain teams to throw at the X-Men that don't happen often. You won't see many of the typical X-Villains around. There will be one used soon but not in the normal way and it will be made a big threat.

With the Phoenix I have some plans later down the line to get into what Jean's connection to it was, but don't worry there won't be any crazy Jean or murderous Jean or Dark Phoenix or any of that with my title. I want Jean to be the huge leader you also see her as being. This is the chance to give her a huge spotlight that they don't really do in the comics.

Thanks again for the read and words and I hope you enjoy where this title keeps going

[brentlambert]

I'm really looking forward to how you develop and build up Justice past this point. I know some of my fanfic buddies hate Justice with an all absolute passion, but I think this is a chance to sort of push him in a more interesting direction than he's been portrayed since Busiek.

[stormrage]

Nov 29, 2011 16:55:11 GMT -5 Scotti said:

Thanks for the words Stormrage, very much glad you are liking the title

I totally agree with you about the book living up to celebrity but not the Avengers like standard behind it. After the Weapon X I had thought to go for a quieter arc with character moments and it originally was going to be 6 issues long but I realized that was way too long and would really hamper moving forward and capitalizing on the Firestar death and making this team into something huge so I cut it down but it did still kind of drag in my mind.

Firestar's death will definitely be something huge still as it is still a big thing in the life of Justice, who I'm not done with by far, and some big things are coming for him in a mini that I'm in the process of penning and then a big huge game altering mini series I am going to pitch where her death will be the cause for something to change in Justice life that I don't tink any of you will see coming.

Firestar's death will be a specter over the team for a bit as it marks as one of their biggest failures. I actually would be very down for using Weapon X again and I'll probably be looking into what the plans others have for them are and perhaps use one of the squads at some point. The AXM will be taking on some big league threats starting with issue #12. #11 is the last sort of slow character issue as its the holiday themed issue. Starting with #12 though they go big time hero and take on a threat that the Avengers have faced many times. Then I have a villain from the early 00's that Claremont used that is being ramped up to world threatening levels over just a threat to the X-Men like then. I have a lot of Marvel Universe villains and villain teams to throw at the X-Men that don't happen often. You won't see many of the typical X-Villains around. There will be one used soon but not in the normal way and it will be made a big threat.

With the Phoenix I have some plans later down the line to get into what Jean's connection to it was, but don't worry there won't be any crazy Jean or murderous Jean or Dark Phoenix or any of that with my title. I want Jean to be the huge leader you also see her as being. This is the chance to give her a huge spotlight that they don't really do in the comics.

Thanks again for the read and words and I hope you enjoy where this title keeps going

No problem. It's actually cool getting to conversate with you guys after months of just reading on the sidelines. I hope others join in.

I'm glad Justice isn't out of the picture, but I didn't really think he was anyway. I figured you had more plans for him than what it appeared on the surface. Any chance of him meeting up with Carnage again?

I won't lie. I've never been big on holiday issues as they seem to slow the main plot's momentum down. But I'm willing to check it out and see what you come up with. Any of the other X-Writers doing holiday specials? The early 00s seems to run rampant with Claremont creations that are pretty much ignored in the mainstream (I HATED how Carey so effortlessly killed Vargas). So I'll be interested to see which one you pull out of your hat.

I can deal with some Jean exploration down the line. At least it's not right there at the very beginning.

[Scotti]

You must have read my mind, as the big things coming for Justice have to do with Carnage. There will be a big confrontation between the two characters and it will leave Justice different forever.

I'm not sure that the Holiday issue will be happening at this moment. Looking at plans and such I think I'd rather dive into action and stuff instead of another slow issue like the last three have been. Claremont creations from the 00's will be getting some love and revamping in Astonishing for sure. Besides the one that I already mentioned vaguely I have some plans for a couple of others as well as plans for a character from the 90's that was killed off at one point.

It's great to have a chance to talk and interact with readers for sure

[stormrage]

Dec 2, 2011 13:31:39 GMT -5 Scotti said:

You must have read my mind, as the big things coming for Justice have to do with Carnage. There will be a big confrontation between the two characters and it will leave Justice different forever.

I'm not sure that the Holiday issue will be happening at this moment. Looking at plans and such I think I'd rather dive into action and stuff instead of another slow issue like the last three have been. Claremont creations from the 00's will be getting some love and revamping in Astonishing for sure. Besides the one that I already mentioned vaguely I have some plans for a couple of others as well as plans for a character from the 90's that was killed off at one point.

It's great to have a chance to talk and interact with readers for sure

In a Carnage/Justice fight I have a feeling Carnage might need some Weapon X backup to keep from getting completely slaughtered by Justice.

So Claremont creations huh? Any chance of seeing The Crimson Pirates at all?

[ryanjericho]

Dec 6, 2011 13:04:50 GMT -5 stormrage said:

Dec 2, 2011 13:31:39 GMT -5 Scotti said:

You must have read my mind, as the big things coming for Justice have to do with Carnage. There will be a big confrontation between the two characters and it will leave Justice different forever.

I'm not sure that the Holiday issue will be happening at this moment. Looking at plans and such I think I'd rather dive into action and stuff instead of another slow issue like the last three have been. Claremont creations from the 00's will be getting some love and revamping in Astonishing for sure. Besides the one that I already mentioned vaguely I have some plans for a couple of others as well as plans for a character from the 90's that was killed off at one point.

It's great to have a chance to talk and interact with readers for sure

In a Carnage/Justice fight I have a feeling Carnage might need some Weapon X backup to keep from getting completely slaughtered by Justice.

So Claremont creations huh? Any chance of seeing The Crimson Pirates at all?

Or what about The Foursaken?

[bkole]

Great review, to start with.

Secondly, I felt compelled to post, as apparently, you're the only other person alive who considers the Crimson Pirates to be interesting!

[Scotti]

You just might see the Crimson Pirates and the Foursaken. They have been creations that I've had tumbling around my head lately. Along with some other stuff from his time and others.

What sort of villains would people want to see the AXM go up against? Just curious