Thursday, March 29, 2018

Astonishing X-Men #10 Preview

Astonishing X-Men #10
Writer: Charles Soule
Cover & Art by: ACO

The Story:
A Man Called X Part 4
Evil doesn’t always know it’s evil. Proteus has a wonderful gift for the world – all he needs is a little time for the finishing touches. The X-Men race north to stop him, and choose their field commander for the battle to come. It’s the mutants unleashed at last, fighting Proteus’ army for the fate of the planet. Evil doesn’t always know it’s evil.

In Stores: April 4, 2018

Monday, March 26, 2018

Jim Zub Tumblr Q&A

Q: Does Magneto appearing in 'Mystery in Madripoor' mean we'll finally see Erik and Betsy talking about what happened last time they met?

Jim Zub: Yes, but it won’t go the way you expect… :)

Q: Who are the Femme Fatales mentioned in the 'Madripoor' solicits? The villains? A new group? An existing one?

Zub: The original Femme Fatales are a super villain team from the 90′s created by  Erik Larsen and David Michelinie who first appeared in Amazing Spider-Man #340. The new ones showing up in Hunt For Wolverine: Mystery In Madripoor? Read on and you’ll find out. :)

Q: Could you talk a bit about your choices for the roster of X-Women you will be writing in 'Mystery in Madripoor'?

Zub: Each of the X-Men on this mission has close ties to Logan. He’s changed their lives, saved them, loved them, fought them. Their friendship and love for Logan is a bond they share, so when clues about [REDACTED - Read Hunt for Wolverine: Alpha] lead to Madripoor, Kitty brings them together to get to the bottom of it.

Q: Will Rogue and Logan have a heartfelt moment in 'Mystery in Madripoor'?

Zub: I can’t guarantee a heartfelt moment, but there is a big emotional beat for Rogue in the first issue that will have readers talking. :)

Q: Will the events of Rogue & Gambit affect/have any relation to 'Mystery in Madripoor'?

Zub: There will be some mention of it, but it doesn’t tie heavily into the plot. Rogue is on her own adventure here with other X-Men teammates and Gambit is doing his own thing with the X-Men: Red crew right now.

Q: Does Jubilee's experiences in Generation X influence how you will write her character in 'Hunt for Wolverine: Madripoor'?

Zub: I’m definitely going to make sure she’s “current” in Mystery In Madripoor and reflect where she’s at right now post-Generation-X, but current troubles the team finds themselves in while visiting Madripoor will be taking center stage for this story.

Q: Any chance Jubilee puts her kid up for adoption? I don't think anybody likes the teen mom angle.

Zub: 'Mystery In Madripoor' does include Jubilee, but her kid is not involved in the story since it’s only 4 issues and have a lot of other things to delve into. I don’t know where Jubilee will land after this mini, so you’ll have to check in with that writer once it’s announced.

Q: Did you consider adding Jean Grey to 'Mystery in Madripoor'?

Zub: I knew she’d be quite busy in X-Men: Red, so it never came up in conversation. Jean’s a wonderful character and I’d love to write her but, considering the incredible team I already have in 'Mystery In Madripoor', I can’t complain.

Tuesday, March 20, 2018

X-Solicits for June 2018

Astonishing X-Men #12
Charles Soule (W) • Gerardo Sandoval (A)
Cover by: Greg Land
The final showdown for... A Man Called X!
• It’s Xavier and Psylocke versus Proteus!
• In a battle for reality itself, which of these super-powered psychics will win?
• And when the dust settles, what’s next for the Astonishing X-men?


Hunt For Wolverine: Mystery in Madripoor #2 (of 4)
Jim Zub (W) • Thony Silas (A)
Cover by: Greg Land
Variant Cover by: Chris Bachalo
One X-Man Down, Five to Go!
• The new Femme Fatales claim their first victim (but not their last)!
• What is Magneto’s connection to Logan’s disappearance?
• Can Storm, Kitty, Domino and Jubilee survive when the whole city is hunting them?


X-Men Red #5
Tom Taylor (W) • Mahmud Asrar (A)
Cover by: Travis Charest
Headshot Variant by: Travis Charest
Mutant Hate is at an All-Time Height… and Jean Grey is caught right in the middle!
• Cassandra Nova’s plan is finally revealed… but to devastating consequences.
• And just because Jean Grey’s team finally knows what’s going on, doesn’t mean they can actually stop it.
• Someone close to Jean is about to become Nova’s latest pawn…but who? And why?


X-Men Blue #29
Cullen Bunn (W) • Nathan Stockman (A)
Cover by: R.B. Silva
The Search for Jimmy Hudson!
• With the Original Five X-Men lost in space, a new team of mutants has emerged to face the White Queen, Havok, Miss Sinister and Bastion!
• But while the new X-Men are away, the Marauders will play, striking viciously at Magneto.
• Magneto is forced to make a terrible decision, leading him ever closer to the darkness he has tried to put behind him.


X-Men Blue #30
Cullen Bunn (W) • Nathan Stockman (A)
Cover by: R.B. Silva
The Search for Jimmy Hudson!
• Daken and Jimmy Hudson square off in one of the most violent battles in X-Men history!
• Can the X-Men save Jimmy? Can they save Daken? Should they save either one?
• Finally! Jimmy has a codename... but is he a hero or a villain?


X-Men Gold #29
Marc Guggenheim (W) • Geraldo Borges (A)
Cover by: Phil Noto
‘Til Death Do Us Part 5
Escape from Outer Space
• Kitty and the X-Men must race to safety or die in the cold vacuum of space!
• The only obstacles in their way? Human supremacist Lydian Nance and the nanite-based AI Sentinel 0101!
• Get ready for a fatal confrontation with the Gold team’s newest nemesis!


X-Men Gold #30
Marc Guggenheim (W) • David Marquez (A)
Cover by: Phil Noto
Colossus Variant Cover by: Tyler Kirkham
Kitty Pryde Variant Cover by: Tyler Kirkham
Kitty and Colossus Variant Cover by: J. Scott Campbell
Classified Variant Cover by: J. Scott Campbell
Variant Cover by: TBA
Oversized Wedding Issue!
‘Til Death Do Us Part 6
• Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today for the ultimate union!
• After a lifetime of will-they-or-won’t-they, new boyfriends and ex-girlfriends, Kitty and Colossus are finally walking down the aisle together…
• Guest stars galore in this very special moment in X-Men history!

Wednesday, March 14, 2018

Astonishing X-Men #9 Art

Astonishing X-Men #9 Spoilers

Spoilers: The merged form of Psylocke and X appears in front of the other X-Men in a confused state. Warren knows Proteus’ weak spot is metal and decides to rescue Betsy with his wings, having a heartfelt moment with her. Logan stabs X on his chest hoping that he has retained Fantomex’s healing abilities. X is also rescued but not before he tells the others he took Fantomex’s body to build his own, which means no healing factor. Psylocke then induces the wounded X to sleep. The X-Men pick up Bishop and they all board the Blackbird, in which the med bay heals X. Bishop warns Betsy about the mindkiller incident which ends up with the end of the world. Psylocke knows they must stop Proteus and tells Rogue to head north, following his track. Later, X regains consciousness and warns the others about Proteus’ plans: he wants to bring the Astral Plane to the physical world, where anyone can turn thoughts into reality.

Meanwhile, Proteus has found his way to the small village of Fetters Hill in Scotland. He gathers all the people in town and builds a wall around the village, guarded by warriors in order not to be interrupted. He proceeds with his plans, promising everyone he will give them everything they want. Proteus spreads his powers throughout every villager and grants them the power to bend reality as they see fit. Chaos ensues.

Jim Zub Teases 'Mystery in Madripoor'

Tuesday, March 13, 2018

Zub, Silas & Cebulski On Hunt for Wolverine’s Madripoor Mystery

CBR spoke with Jim Zub, Thony Silas, and Marvel Editor-in-chief, C.B. Cebulski, about Hunt for Wolverine: Mystery in Madripoor, which sends Rogue, Storm, Psylocke, Domino and Jubilee to Madripoor to investigate rumors that Wolverine has returned from the dead. It’s a story that will bring them face to face with new and old villains, and force them to confront and reevaluate their memories of their beloved teammate.

CBR: It looks like Mystery in Madripoor, along with the other one-shots and miniseries that make up the Hunt For Wolverine event, are designed to appeal to longtime fans of Logan and the X-Men.

C.B. Cebulski: Uncanny X-Men was the first comic I ever read and I’ve been a fan for life. These stories really being back the adventure, intrigue and emotional connections that longtime X-heads like me all know and love. And I can assure you, there will be surprises… both new and old. All the Hunt For Wolverine series each contain shocking moments that are sure to leave readers’ heads spinning.

Jim, Mystery in Madripoor is part of the overall Hunt for Wolverine storyline, so will it give you a chance to really dive into and explore Logan’s psyche? Or is this more of a tale about the legacy of Wolverine and what he means to your cast?

Jim Zub: Each Hunt For Wolverine miniseries has a different approach. Mystery In Madripoor is definitely about the relationships Logan has had with many of the X-Women over the years. Kitty Pryde leads a team to the infamous Island of Ill-Repute to follow up on clues they have for the whereabouts of Logan’s body, but it ends up being a trip into unexpected parts of their own pasts as well.

Storm and Domino are two very different types of heroes who have been comrades of Wolverine, and in romantic relationships with him. What does this mission mean for them? What’s it like bouncing these characters off of each other?

Zub: Deep-diving into the emotional content and memories these characters have of Logan and the connection they’ve had with him is a big part of this story, absolutely. Storm has seen Logan grow from a hair-trigger animalistic killer to an honorable warrior and teacher. Domino first met Logan in his wild days, but they’ve both changed and that’s one of the things we dig into here. Accumulated scars. Tough memories and lessons learned.

Every character in Mystery In Madripoor has such a strong personality. Playing them off each other, especially during such a tense mission full of twists and turns, is an absolute blast.

You’re pretty familiar with Rogue in her role as an Avenger, having written her in Uncanny Avengers and the current “No Surrender” event, but what’s it like writing her in the world of the X-Men? And have you written Psylocke before? What do you find most interesting about Betsy Braddock?

Zub: I loved writing Rogue as an Avenger, but having her back in her X-element has been wonderful. There’s a reason why she’s kept that “X” on her costume. It’s her home. That said, being home with the people who know you best isn’t always a pleasant experience. In issue #1 Rogue’s going to discover something Logan kept from her, something from her past. That little unspoken nugget is something she never wanted confirmed and she’ll need to deal with it.

Psylocke has the most to lose in Mystery In Madripoor and this story is going to leave its mark upon her. Betsy’s inner thoughts open our first issue and, through her, we’ll gain insight into the other team members on this mission.

Jubilee went through a lot in the recent Generation X series where she regained her humanity. So what’s your sense of the character? How’s she dealing with the return of Logan when you pick up with her?

Zub: Jubilee very much wants to get things back to “normal”, whatever normal is for an X-Man, and this mission, searching for an old friend and causing trouble along the way, is very much what she needs. She’s all sass, but that attitude is a defensive mechanism and she’s going to be put in a tough spot.

Thony, Which of the cast have you especially enjoyed drawing?

Thony Silas: I think Psylocke is one the most important characters of the book, so I’m taking a more careful look at her, but Rogue has always been my favorite X-Woman. I can say that it has been very enjoyable to draw them both.

I imagine the cast is part of the big fun of this series, but another enjoyable element has got to be the setting you’re sending them to. What do you enjoy most about Madripoor?

Zub: Madripoor is a classic “city of sin,” with exotic visuals, larger than life characters, and shadowy corners. It’s the perfect place to take chances, be bold, get sexy, change your identity, or hide a body, and we’ll be doing all of those things in this miniseries.

Silas: I see Madripoor as a darker city than has been shown, but that still keeps its many colored lights. If have a place that hides so many secrets, it needs more shadows. I’m putting more contrast into some night scenes.

Thony, what else can you tell us about the style and tone of your art for Mystery in Madripoor? How does it compare to your recent work on the X-Men Blue and X-Men Gold books?

Silas: I’d say there’s something new on the way. My work on X-Men Blue and X-Men Gold was a road and evolution for that moment. I was doing short fill-in jobs and in this project I was able to think bigger and produce a visual concept. It’s been an exciting experience to say the least.

Another big difference is having great characters in the game, a good context for the series and brilliant writer. In short we have the beginning of one of the main miniseries about one of the most iconic characters in the Marvel Universe, so, all this tells me to do more and be better.

There’s a lot of mystery in this book, but when I read Jim Zub’s fantastic scripts they took me on a real and exciting trip to the ’90s. It wasn’t just to review things though. I thought about Wolverine through each character and the experiences each of them have with him. So there is a strong touch of deep, violent and beautiful nostalgia. I think these words are sort of the defining characteristics of this miniseries, or at least the first issue.

Zub: Thony understands how important this miniseries is, and the mixture of big emotion/big action at the center of it. The artwork he’s been sending in so far is career-making stuff, a sweet mix of elegant and bad ass I think X-fans are going to eat up.

In addition, Thony has been sketching up redesigns of some unexpected villains who haven’t been around for quite a while and I think these new outfits will become their standard look going forward. They’re sleek and modern-looking without getting too far away from their super villainous roots.

Can you leave us with some more hints about some of the supporting players and antagonists your cast will interact with as Mystery in Madripoor unfolds?

Zub: With six powerful X-Men on the hunt and a mixture of new and old villains with big secrets and bigger plans close by, it doesn’t take long for things to explode in Madripoor. Logan provides constant inspiration and nostalgia for our team, but at each stage their memories of Wolverine are confronted by new information or unexpected turns.

The X-Men on this mission are intent on finding Magneto and he seems to be keeping something big from them. At the same time, Viper will appear for the first time since Secret Empire and she’s been busy recruiting some new allies…

I’m hoping Mystery In Madripoor will keep people guessing right up until the end. Once it’s all over I want readers to look back and wonder how they made it through the whirlwind because it is going to be a wild ride.

Silas: I’ve been dreaming of this day since I was playing around with the X-Men books, and this is definitely the project of my dreams. I’m doing my best to put all my energy, strength and beauty here. I hope you guys enjoy the miniseries.

'Venomized' & 'Astonishing X-Men' Variant Covers


Venomized #1 Unknown Comic Books Exclusive Cover by Stephanie Hans
&
Astonishing X-Men #11 Deadpool Variant Cover by Leinil Yu

Monday, March 12, 2018

Thony Silas Replaces Chris Bachalo on 'Hunt for Wolverine'


Long-time Marvel artist Chris Bachalo is stepping down from commitments to draw upcoming issues of Spider-Man/Deapool and the four-issue Hunt for Wolverine: Mystery in Madripoor.

"Quick Update: Chris Bachalo had to step down from Hunt For Wolverine: Mystery In Madripoor due to a family emergency, but Thony Silas has stepped up to the plate and is delivering the best art of his career," tweeted the book's writer, Jim Zub. "All of us on the team are pumped for you to see what we're putting together."

Bachalo previously tweeted that his wife, Helen, had been ill since late 2017.

Thursday, March 8, 2018

Astonishing X-Men #9 Preview

Astonishing X-Men #9
Writer: Charles Soule
Art by: Matteo Buffagni
Cover by: Leinil Francis Yu

The Story:
• A Man Called X Part 3
• As a reality storm batters London and its inhabitants, Psylocke must choose between trusting the mysterious Man Called X and letting her beloved city fall into ruin.
• The Shadow King freed a brand-new threat with his dying throes, but who is this new threat?
• And how can the X-Men hope to stand against an emery that can warp reality itself?

In Stores: March 14, 2018