PAUL JENKINS ON GENERATION M

[MattBrady]

While “Decimation,” the post House of M storyline running through Marvel’s X-Men titles this fall promises action as, or more intense as what was seen throughout the eight issue miniseries and related series. The four-issue Generation M miniseries is likely to be one of the quieter spots that you’ll find in the mutant landscape.

Written by Paul Jenkins, with art by Ramon Bachs and covers by Stuart Immonen, the miniseries has been described as a post-House of M tour of Marvel’s mutants, checking in on them in almost a vignette fashion. For those who’ve read Jenkins work, it’s a style he’s well known for. We spoke with Jenkins briefly about the upcoming miniseries.

Though he couldn’t explain too many of the details of the state of the mutant portion of the Marvel Universe following House of M, Jenkins was able to give a little insight into the mechanism by which he’ll be telling his story.

“It’s all seen through the eyes of a woman, a reporter named Sally Floyd,” Jenkins said. “She’s not like Phil Sheldon in Marvels, though - she works for a newspaper that’s kind of like The Village Voice called The Alternative, something its critics like to refer to as a left-wing rag.

“She’s the hip, in-town writer who’s done a well-known column for years called ‘The Mutant Diaries,’ where she’d interview mutants one-on-one and get to know them. Something like an interview with Chamber. There’s actually a bit in there where she’s interviewing Chamber, and he asks her about the soccer results from England – that’s what he was most concerned about at that point, not stopping bad mutants or criminals, he wanted to know who won the soccer games. In a sense, the column was her bringing mutants into real perspective, and describing what was going on with them to her audience. She was working to smooth the path between mutants and humans, making it so regular humans can see what it’s really like to be a mutant.”

Part of the inspiration for the series, Jenkins said, comes from his own experiences over the years, as he’s met different people for whom racism, sexism or xenophobia is so ingrained that it’s a part of their personality. “I was talking to a guy who I play golf with now and then, casually, and he explained to me that the political fallout of Hurricane Katrina was a Democratic plot to discredit the government, and that the people who stayed behind when they were told to leave deserved to die, because they were only staying behind to loot after everyone else left. I was thunderstruck…at first, I thought he was joking, but when I asked him, he told me he was serious. And that’s not the first or only conversation I’ve had with people that I kind of know – you know, casual acquaintances that come out with a point of view about another group of people that’s just so amazingly… I mean, I play soccer on a Hispanic team called Deportiva – I’m the token white guy on it, and they love me because I’m their center forward, and I score goals for them, but we’re mates. They’re my friends – we play against other teams with all other kinds of people on them. I mean, we played against a team with an Iranian guy on it, and you know what? The Iranian guy – he wanted exactly the same thing I do – to play soccer and get a beer afterwards. There are people out there who would tell me he’s the antichrist, simply because of where on the planet he was born or who his parents were or how he prays.

“Without getting too full of myself on it, this miniseries is my chance to talk about this kind of thing – do you know what a person in New Orleans really is? They’re just a person trying to get by, trying to live their life as best they can. In Generation M, it’s mutants – what’s life as a mutant like? That’s what she was trying to do in ‘The Mutant Diaries.’

“The point of her column was just to make people see that mutants were just people like them – they weren’t the antichrists or constant menaces or threats to their way of life. She’s trying to go behind the popular culture picture of mutants, and introduce her audience to the people that they are. Just people, trying to live their lives, put food on their table, and make the world a better place than they found it.

“It’s kind of like what I did with Inhumans – I want to tell stories in this miniseries along those lines – what if you’re a mutant, and you don’t know it? What if you’re a mutant and you love basketball, but because you’re a mutant, you can jump so high that you can’t play the game to any standard that you’re interested in? What if all you want, in that case, was not to be a mutant, so you could play a game of regular basketball and get your ass kicked, and enjoy the competition for once? It’s that kind of esoteric stuff that really intrigues me.”

Unfortunately for the reporter though, life has intruded. “The reporter though, has had a very difficult go of it over the last year or two - a tragedy that put her away from where she was, something that put her into a really bad state in her life. She started screwing up as a result, but they keep her on the job anyway, because she’s been there for years, and is a loyal employee. They don’t know if she’s ready to come back and do the ongoing column, though, and these stories are as much about her putting her life back in order as they are about the mutants she meets.

“I’ve got to say, I write a lot of comics, and this is one of my favorites in quite a long while – she’s so alive, and such a great character.”

Jenkins was mum on the threat facing the reporter, as someone is looking to make sure the mutants’ stories never are told, and the general population never views mutants as anything other than threats to their way of life, but was able to talk a little about the mutants who will show up.

“Chamber and Jubilee, obviously, as they’re on the covers,” Jenkins said. “Some of the older X-Men are in it from time to time – Cyclops is in it, so is Angel, the Blob, and Stacy X. We’ve also got loads of completely new ones who’ve never been seen. As I’m looking at it, about 4% of the world’s population has mutant abilities, or at least latent mutancy, so we’ve got a lot of characters to play with and explore.”

Finally, as Jenkins sees it, Generation M is the ideal way for him to be involved in House of M/Decimation, despite the fact that he has no great love for massive casts and widescreen action.

“They’re letting me do these little vignettes to explore what the fallout of this major, major, earth-shaking event is on a personal level, as opposed to having me add to the event,” he said. “It’s my way of being a part of it, but on the edges, the fringes, where I’m most comfortable, dealing with aspects of a story like this – how it would affect people in a personal way – which are the stories that I love to tell.”

[Frillip]

Damnit.
That sounds really good.
Really didn't want to buy any House of M stuff, but this sounds pretty great.
That said, watch the accusations of soapboxing fly:

[New Alfonso]

The success of this series rather hinged on people's feelings of House of M once it completes, now doesn't it?

[BillReed]

Liberal scum! I will burn your village!!!

(Kidding, of course.)

[Kavalier]

Originally posted by Frillip

That said, watch the accusations of soapboxing fly:

yeah. How dare someone try to use art to convey a positive message to his audience.

Soapboxer.

Series sounds cool, but I'll wait for the trade.

k

[Johnny Smith]

oh, wow

Stacy X is going to show up

[Mr Wesley]

Originally posted by MattBrady as told to by Paul Jenkins
“As I’m looking at it, about 4% of the world’s population has mutant abilities, or at least latent mutancy, so we’ve got a lot of characters to play with and explore.”

Welp, I guess that puts to rest any notion that mutants disappear after House of M, now doesn't it.

[NightRiver]

Sounds cool. This along with Son of M will be the only HOM minis ill purchase.


I say that now, but will prob end up buying all of them.

[BlueThunderArmy]

I've got to say, the "through the eyes of a reporter" device doesn't appeal to me at all. But thematically this sounds like something I could really get behind, and it sounds like Jenkins will be exploring the the "everyday" aspect of these heroes and villains in a really fascinating way.

[Twigglet]

As long as Jubilee is written well, she could lose her powers and I wouldn't mind, and this looks like it's going to be quite cool!

I hope it is!

[burrfoot]

I'm sure there are others series from many companies that hinge on the success of previous series. Nuff Said. This is not a unique situation.

[Angelophile]

Damn you Marvel.

I don't know whether to love you or hate you.

First it seems like you're going to mess up many of my favourite mutants.

But then you at least FEATURE my favourite mutants. And in a way that sounds interesting and well thought out.

Chamber, Jubilee, Stacy X...

Characters with great potential who have been terribly neglected...

And it sounds like they're gonna get the attention they deserve from a great writer.

But at what price?

[Foenix]

Wait...Decimation will be more intense and action-packed than House of M?

That's not terribly hard now, is it?

Or am I reading a wildly different House of M, and there's one out there where things actually happen?

The M is for Molasses...

J

[Justice Daye]

I'm in.
Paul, my money is already in your pocket.

I would like my change back though...thanks.

[Mr Fix it]

I'm looking forward to this book, but not crazy about Ramon Bachs doing the drawings.

[twoarmman]

I'm a Chamber fan so I put this on my Previews order when I saw it in Previews... I sure wish I had read an article like this before I ordered it. With a name like Generation M I was thinking it would be a post house of M twist on Generation X kinda like the new X-Factor book. If I had known it was one of these touchy feely books about the "mutant plight" I would have past it up at first glance. Hasn't this story been done before? Now I have to buy a book about some liberal mumbo jumbo about how we don't understand mutants and therefore we don't understand the people in New Orleans? Whatever dude.



GENERATION M #1 (of 4)
Written by PAUL JENKINS
Pencils by RAMON BACHS
Cover by STUART IMMONEN
House of M has changed the world forever. Now, from the ashes of this cataclysmic event comes a new generation...GENERATION M. Find out exactly HOW things have changed as a group of mutants brought together by this common tragedy must fight together for a better tomorrow.

If people like this type of book thek cool, sell this type of book. But they could have been a little more honest with the solcitation...

[MattBrady]

Originally posted by New Alfonso
The success of this series rather hinged on people's feelings of House of M once it completes, now doesn't it?

Last warning - if all you're here to do is post and complain about Marvel on every Marvel thread, to "act up" as you yourself have called it, outright lie to make a point, and use these boards to spread rumors and allegations that are entirely unfounded (aside from a select few sources you see as unimpeachable), leave of your own will now.

Do not respond to this as i won't be goaded into anothe rpissing match with you. Just consider very carefully what your next post and your furutre posting habits will be. There will be no new screenames, personalities, or anything of the like. For every good point you have, you post 100 pieces of intolerant zealotry that show a bias streak a mile wide. I've asked you to calm down before, but you haven't. One way or the other, this latest streak of "acting up" will be your last.

MattB

[AlexLothos]

I really love the idea of the series and I also like Jubilee and Chamber as characters. I can't wait to see this series!

[Da_Black_Goku]

I've never been a big of any of the Generation [fill in the blank]s, but I may actually check this out.

[Gear]

Originally posted by twoarmman
Now I have to buy a book about some liberal mumbo jumbo about how we don't understand mutants and therefore we don't understand the people in New Orleans? Whatever dude.



GENERATION M #1 (of 4)
Written by PAUL JENKINS
Pencils by RAMON BACHS
Cover by STUART IMMONEN
House of M has changed the world forever. Now, from the ashes of this cataclysmic event comes a new generation...GENERATION M. Find out exactly HOW things have changed as a group of mutants brought together by this common tragedy must fight together for a better tomorrow.

I don't see anything out of sorts with this solicitation. 1) It does happen after the House of M. 2) House of M may have changed the Marvel 616 'verse forever..... I can't really say seeing as you or I haven't been in on the finale yet 3) I'm guessing we'll find out how things have changed and 4) apparently these mutants are brought together because of the House of M.
I'm not seeing any solicitation lies.
Oh, and I'm sure Paul Jenkins wrote the whole series post Katrina so we could compare these mutants to the poor 'left behind' in New Orleans.

Paul Jenkins is a great writer. I'd enjoy his take on about anything. I've also had a few talks with him and he doesn't seem to speak liberal mumbo jumbo. He's a well-read, very articulate gentleman.
If anything, him sympathizing with those stuck in New Orleans makes him human ( not a liberal tool), unlike those ( including my father-in-law ) who think those people left in New Orleans did it on purpose.

[Kolimar]

It sounds interesting.

Originally posted by Gear
I don't see anything out of sorts with this solicitation. 1) It does happen after the House of M. 2) House of M may have changed the Marvel 616 'verse forever..... I can't really say seeing as you or I haven't been in on the finale yet 3) I'm guessing we'll find out how things have changed and 4) apparently these mutants are brought together because of the House of M.
I'm not seeing any solicitation lies.

Now, after reading what the story will be really about, I find it a little hard to connect it with the solicitation. Reading the solicit for the second time I still get the feeling of a new team, so I wouldn't call it "lies" but it's extremely deceptive.

Regarding your fourth point, those mutants are brought together only in the sense that they're all interviewed one by one by the reporter.

[Darth Tigris]

... then he has my money. That was some of the best writing I have ever read in comics and if he is reaching back to that as inspiration, this should be a treat.

And yes, that was a ringing endorsement for any that haven't read his 12 issue Inhumans series.

[Scavenger]

Originally posted by Foenix
Wait...Decimation will be more intense and action-packed than House of M?

That's not terribly hard now, is it?

Heh..yeah HOM and it's tie ins are underwhelming, though I'm interested in the DeciMation stufff...

[Aquajacket]

Originally posted by Foenix
Wait...Decimation will be more intense and action-packed than House of M?

That's not terribly hard now, is it?

Or am I reading a wildly different House of M, and there's one out there where things actually happen?

The M is for Molasses...

J

Bwaahahahahahahahahahahahaha!

[Johnny Triangles]

The premise sounds a little too simple-minded and Pollyanna-ish for my tastes. Mutants are not just like you and I, there's plenty of rational reasons to discriminate against them. I'd rather see a more balanced series that touches on some of the logical reasons why people would discriminate against walking weapons...