Today kicked off the first of a week's worth of press conferences with the Marvel staff to spread the word about the MMXI: The Year of the X-Men, which kicks off this May. The first book up to get the hype is New Mutants #25 (featuring a cover by Marko Djurdjevic to the right), which was revealed today to feature the fan favorite writers, formerly of Nova and Guardians of the Galaxy, Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning. Joining Abnett and Lanning on art is Leandro Fernandez, who most recently blew us away with an arc on Northlanders over at Vertigo / DC Comics.
Abnett and Lanning were present on the phone during the press conference, along with editor Nick Lowe, and gave us the skinny on what to expect beginning with New Mutants #25 which hits stores in May. Both Abnett and Lanning are completely overjoyed to be working on an X-title, which is a first for them. Aside from the Marvel Cosmic books, the X-books were a main influence in their comics reading as kids and the chance to play in the X-pool is something that they were are very excited to be able to do.
The editorial direction of the book is that this team of X-Men (Lowe made a point that New Mutants is the title of book only, and that the characters never refer to themselves as New Mutants, rather they are full fledged X-Men) has been dispatched by Cyclops to tie up the various loose ends present in the world. First on the list are both X-Man/Nate Grey and Blink. Nate Grey was last seen in the pages of Dark X-Men in the clutches of the Dark Beast and we haven't seen him since, the writing team teased that, "You'll be quite surprised as to what's happened to Nate" since we last saw him. They further added that as the son of Cyclops and Jean Grey (albeit from another dimension), Nate is "X-Royalty that needs to be relocated."
As for Blink, no details were given on her role in the upcoming story arc, other than the excitement involved with being able to write another fan favorite and versatile character. Andy Lanning added, "Blink is a good example of the interconnection between X-properties to keep the stories fresh. She's the sort of character that can create a story that's appropriate but is fresh and takes things in a new dynamic direction."
When asked about specific characters, the real revelations came from the press conference. Asked if we'll see any of the StarJammers and Havok, Polaris and Marvel Girl (who have been missing in action for years now), Abnett and Lanning both became tightlipped, deferring to their editor, Lowe, who explained, "Within the next calendar year, you will see Alex, Lorna and Rachel in the Year of the X-Men." (Cue rejoicing of many X-Fans to have this hot topic finally addressed).
Also asked about Cypher, a long time New Mutants character recently brought back and been put to use in the pages of Uncanny X-Men, Andy Lanning got immediately excited. "Cypher is a character I'm particually keen on. the potential is enormous. His power set is intriguing and has some possibilities. I think he has some very interesting character and is long term player in what we have planned." Dan Abnett added, "You can definitely say that at some point he and Kitty will interact."
Relationships is one of the aspects that makes the X-Men and New Mutants work. Lanning explained that it's the soap opera nature of the X-Men that made them love the books as kids and he's hoping to bring that back. Much was made of the prospect of the relationships within the team (and promises of kissing). Lanning explained, "We'll be developing what's already there, like with Dani and Sam." They'll be playing out some of the relaitonships that former writer Zeb Wells has laid out, as well as introducing a romantic curveball in the first 6 issues.
The team itself will be the current/classic lineup that we've seen most recently in the book, but Lowe promised some changes, explaining that by the end of the first arc there will be some signifigant changes, but Lanning explained that "they're organic changes that almost determined themselves."
Adding in the wonderful art of Leandro Fernandez, who previously did some great work on the Punisher Max title with Garth Ennis, but most recently blew us away with the art on Northlanders: the Plague Widow and by the looks of the teaser image (below), it looks to be another pretty book by Fernandez.
New Mutants #25 is shaping up to be must read book as they kick off the year of the X-Men this May. Stay tuned the rest of this week as we hear more about Marvel's Year of the X-Men.
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I haven’t read New Mutants in over 20 years but am willing to give it a try with DnA writing the book.
This is an exciting announcement. I was very worried they were going to give it Claremont.
I trust Abnett and Lanning will my money for this. The X-men have a great cosmic history. PUT THEM BACK IN SPACE!
Gonna be reeeeeally tough to wait for trades with DnA + Nate.
I’ve got to say that while i really like Abnett and Lanning’s cosmic stuff, i will really miss Zeb Wells. He did a truly fantastic job on this book and it’s probably the most underrated X-book on the shelves. Everything but the first arc has been fantastic, especially it’s Necrosha tie-in. I look forward to seeing what D&A will bring to the table now though
Never really clicked with the Zeb Wells stuff, but DnA, Fernandez and them going after NATE GREY have me IN.
DAMN RIGHT Nate Grey is X-Royalty!
DnA’s Marvel cosmic stuff has been great! Sadly the other recent stuff not so much, Infestation/Soldier Zero #5/Heroes For Hire – all quite uninteresting.
I just recently picked up New Mutants for the Age of X storyline, so I think I’ll stick around to see what these guys have planned.
Ugh. Not pleased with Nate Grey; hope they kill him.
INSANELY EXCITED to see the return of Rachel, though. *She* is real “X-royalty.”
hmmm… and who is that cat-like character?
Very excited for year of the X and the first news story of the week is really good. I loved what Zeb Wells did for the New Mutents, but i am really excited what the future will be with DnA
Maybe with this New Mutants will get some of the magic back when it first started out. Definetely will be picking this up.
Awesome! The lost mutants will FINALLY make it back to Earth! …….or will they?
Man last time I think I remember seeing Alex or Lorna was when Chuck Austen was completely butchering them as characters.
DnA? Sounds good to me – so their run is open ended?
Nate Grey is X-royalty? Hmm, maybe they could marry him off to forge an alliance with some other superhero ‘house’?
This is great news. I can drop heroes for hire and still support DnA lol
@Mart I recommend Young Avengers’ Giant Girl. For too long, there has been strife ‘twixt the House of X and the House of A, and this royal wedding will forever put to rest the acrimony between these two peoples, ushering in a new era of peace and harmony, just like it did in feudal Europe.
I am very, very happy they are using Blink!! Apparently, I missed the story where they purged Selene’s influence from her though. Gonna have to go back and find it.
@Quinn – great idea, just don’t send ’em to Europe! Negative Zone, maybe 🙂
Hi guys,
Can someone please do me a favour and name the xmen above. I read New Mutants when relauched for the first arc before the necrosha crossover but cant place them all
Thanks
I think it is Sunspot, Blink, Nate Grey, Magik (with the sword)?, Dani Moonstar (with the bow)?, and Warlock’s arm. Is that about right, or did I goof?
@Sammy Are you talking about the first picture? In that one, I think it’s:
Emma (The White Queen), Guy in a Hat (not sure), Sunspot, Magik, Magma(?), Black Queen (Selene?), Empath (of the original Hellions), Cypher, Cannonball, Karma, Legion, Warlock, Dani Moonstar, Wolfsbane.
There’s also a wolf character in the upper left, but I’m not sure who/what that’d be.
I haven’t read the new series or really much New Mutants at all since the 80s, so my knowledge may be pretty outdated. 😉