Year of the X-Men: X-Men Legacy with Mike Carey

The year of the X-Men continues with more mutant madness than you can shake a proboscis at. Today we talked to writer Mike Carey and X-Men editor Nick Lowe about the future of X-Men Legacy. 

First up, let's talk artists. To the right, we've got a cover for #248 by Mico Suayan. Please not the continuation of the reflection theme from yesterday's X-Men: First Class character posters, this time with an Age of X spin. Rafa Sandoval joins a rotating art team including current artist Clay Mann. Lowe hinted that a few more artists involved with Age of X will contribute work as well. 

Because so much of this upcoming era in X-Men Legacy is dependent on ongoing developments in Age of X, the Carey and Lowe are playing it close to the vest. But we do know a few details. Things are going back to the way they were prior to the addition of the "Legacy" suffix, says Carey. We're talking about the fallout from this alternate reality event and that means repercussions. Characters will feel the effects. The book is still focused primarily on Rogue, but it is very much a team book. As always, that cast is revolving. 

I asked about forthcoming threats and villains. Carey teased a group of new rogues all connected by yet another mysterious plot point. The big bad is a new villain called Styx (a Renegade perhaps? An Angry Young Man?) The story spinning out of #250 is called "Orpheus Effect." Following that, a major change of pace and setting sees the team traveling "far from Earth." Nick Lowe suggested savvy readers might be able to untangle the nature of that mission from the beginning of Age of X.

What else? Loaded relationships. Professor X and Magneto vying for attention. Romantic, even erotic relationships too. Rogue, Gambit, Magneto and Frenzy combine to form an angsty love parallelogram. 

Asked about Ice-Man, a favorite from earlier in Carey's run, Lowe promised the character would be a major player towards the end of 2011.

I also asked about characters Carey may not have had the pleasure to utilize in his five years working on X-Men stories. He cites Cassandra Nova, a character he'd wanted to use around the time Whedon employed her for Astonishing. He also hopes to play with Juggernaut again after having so much fun writing him previously in a two-man play scenario with Xavier. 

It's also come to light that this is Rogue's 30th birthday. Creatively speaking. There may be some celebration to he had there, but then again, as Lowe points out, she's already the focus of one of the bestselling X-Men titles on the racks. 

As for Gambit fans–and we know you're out there–Carey promises canoodling and fraternization, as well as a deeper exploration of his "other side." 

Look for X-Men Legacy #248 this May. 

Tune in tomorrow for even more mutant mayhem!