HEROES CON/WW PHILLY '07: NICK LOWE ON X-MEN: MESSIAH COMPLEX

[MattBrady]

So – what comes after “Endangered Species?”

That would be X-Men: Messiah Complex, an X-Men crossover starting in October.

Think of it as an “old school” crossover - no overarching miniseries, no external specials, aside from the launch, and all the action moves back and forth between the four core X-titles.

We spoke with X-Editor Nick Lowe for more details.

Newsarama: Nick, let’s start with the most basic – can you give us a very bare bones rundown of what Messiah Complex is?

Nick Lowe: House of M changed everything. Wanda’s “No More Mutants” spell made homo superior an endangered species and set a lot in motion. The “Endangered Species” one shot and back-ups crystallize what this has done to mutants. Messiah Complex, however, is the climax we’ve been building to since those dreadful three words were uttered. It’s huge. It’s dark. It’s intense. It will put the cap on the last two years of stories and set the stage for the next several years.

NRAMA: So can you break down the gameplan a little – word has it that this is an “old school” style crossover, moving throughout all the X-Men titles. Where does it start, where does it all end?

NL: Our checklist looks like this:

• Chapter 1: (X-Men: Messiah Complex One Shot).
• Chapter 2: (Uncanny X-Men #492)
• Chapter 3: (X-Factor #25)
• Chapter 4: (New X-Men #44)
• Chapter 5: (X-Men #206)
• Chapter 6: (Uncanny X-Men #493)
• Chapter 7: (X-Factor #26)
• Chapter 8: (New X-Men #45)
• Chapter 9: (X-Men #207)
• Chapter 10: (Uncanny X-Men #494)
• Chapter 11: (X-Factor #27)
• Chapter 12: (New X-Men #46)
• Chapter 13: (X-Men #208)

NRAMA: Structurally how is this working? Are the creators of the individual books responsible for their normal issues? Or will the assignments be broken up in an alternative fashion?

NL: All the writers of the regular books are writing their Chapters. So, Ed is writing chapters one, two, six and ten. Peter is writing chapters three, seven and eleven. Craig and Chris are writing chapters four, eight and twelve. And Mike is writing chapters five, nine and thirteen.
NRAMA: So who’s got the creative duties on the one-shot?

NL: That would be Ed Brubaker and, drumroll please, Marc Silvestri. We’ve started seeing Marc’s pages and they are phenomenal. They show why he’s one of the best X-Men artists ever.

NRAMA: How did this story come about? Was this originally pitched by a specific creator, or did it come out of the collective mind of a retreat?

NL: A crossover was something we wanted to do for years, but it all got kicked into high gear when Axel came in as Group Editor. One of the things that Axel does best is taking complex things and cutting to their core. He took the idea for the crossover, which we’d all (editorial and the writers involved) been bouncing around and simplified the structure in such a way that we could all get on the same page. In fact, it led us all to a place much bigger than we’d thought we would go. We held a summit and Ed, Mike, Peter, Craig and Chris all stepped up and filled the event with so many compelling ideas.

NRAMA: How much, if at all, is this the X-response to all the big events of the last few years (Avengers Disassembled, House of M, Spider-Man: The Other, Civil War, WWH)? Did the X-verse basically have to come up with something comparable in scale just to keep up?

NL: Nah, it’s not like that at all. Sure, we’d love to have a big event regardless, but the idea behind this story demanded it. It was too big to be in any one of the titles.

NRAMA: What can you tell us about the story at this point, without giving too much away?

NL: Something happens in Chapter One that changes everything. It stratifies the world of the X-Men in a clear way. It unifies the heroes in a way they haven’t been for years, and all under Scott Summers. Cyclops steps up huge in this event and will get people talking.

NRAMA: Of course, we have to ask, what can you tell readers about what this will do to the X-corner of things coming out the other end. Is this of the “things will never be the same” type deals?

NL: It is. There will be a significant and final shift in the status quo and even with how people look at mutants. Also, coming out of the event, readers will have a more clear idea of what the X-Men are and what every book means. Gone will be the days where readers will be confused what book is which and what the difference is.

NRAMA: One point of concern for X-fans has been the place that Astonishing fills in the larger picture, as well as its use of characters somewhat to the exclusion of other books. So…how will Astonishing X-Men factor into this, if at all?

NL: John and Joss’s run will be ending around the same time that this is coming out, so, as a book, it won’t be interacting in this story. The characters will, however. They all play big roles.

NRAMA: So will there be new line ups for the titles in regards to characters? New relationships between teams?

NL: You’ll have to wait and see for this one.

NRAMA: Let’s talk about the cover images that have been released – how significant are the players shown? Important in the story, of just Marc’s favorites?

NL: They are all important. Some others who are important are: Jaime Madrox, Hellion, Bishop, Gambit, Wolfsbane, Warpath and X-23.

NRMA: To whom does “Messiah Complex” refer to?

NL: What does your heart tell you? It can refer to more than one character involved, but once the first issue hits, it will be very clear to whom it is referring.

NRAMA: Any parting thoughts?

NL: In my opinion, over the last year and a half, the X-Books have been better across the line then they ever have. From Ed on Uncanny, Mike on X-Men Peter on X-Factor and Craig & Chris on New X-Men, the quality of the X-books is better than ever. With this crossover, it just gets better. Everyone is operating a level higher and I think the fans will notice.

Newsarama's coverage of the 2007 Heroes Con & Wizardworld: Philadelphia is brought to you by GameAlmighty.com - "Truth, Justice, and Videogames by the only website run by superheroes"...

[rdrsfn82]

Good to see Colossus isn't dying out in space.

[KoozyK]

Originally Posted by rdrsfn82

Good to see Colossus isn't dying out in space.

that's if you know whedon's x-men takes place before this event. axm isn't tied into this at all and the book is in it's own continuity....

does anyone else hate that they are forcing me to buy new xm when i hate the book? dang...

[KyleCowstar]

Awesome!!! This'll fill the void from me dropping almost everything DC!

[protege]

I hate "Wait and see" when it comes to team lineups. that's what drives me to a team book in the first place- who's on the roster.

[John [>H]]

Originally Posted by MattBrady

NL: Something happens in Chapter One that changes everything. It stratifies the world of the X-Men in a clear way. It unifies the heroes in a way they haven’t been for years, and all under Scott Summers. Cyclops steps up huge in this event and will get people talking.

I was sold at that. It's about time Cyclops got down to some serious business. He has long been my favourite X-Man, I've been enjoying what's been happening with him in Astonishing, and this has me psyched.

[Dalarsco]

This is great. Despite it being a pain to read on my DVD set of Uncanny, these are definitely my favorite kind of Crossover. I love the oldschool system fo having all the X-Books merge in the fall.

[WildcardZ]

Look at those covers. MMMMM, Silvestri goodness gracing the X-Men again.

[Prometheus3]

And another crossover is added to the list. I'm too out of touch with the X-Men universe to buy this but it looks fun. Hope the X-Men fans enjoy it.

[Beheader]

Originally Posted by MattBrady

NRAMA: Let’s talk about the cover images that have been released – how significant are the players shown? Important in the story, of just Marc’s favorites?

NL: They are all important. Some others who are important are: Jaime Madrox, Hellion, Bishop, Gambit, Wolfsbane, Warpath and X-23.

I guess X-23 survives the recent New X-Men issue (she was reduced to bones and claws). Not that I'm surprised, since her "death" didn't seem that special.

NRMA: To whom does “Messiah Complex” refer to?

NL: What does your heart tell you? It can refer to more than one character involved, but once the first issue hits, it will be very clear to whom it is referring.

I'm thinking Magneto.

[McMonkey Nut]

Awesome!!! Cyclops stepping up and taking charge, it's a about damn time he got the respect he deserves!! Can't wait for October to get here!

[MatCW]

I'm starting to get a bit annoyed with Astonishing just being out of the loop on everything. As much as I love the Whedon and Cassaday team, I feel a book loses a bit in my eyes if the writer just goes off by himself and writes his own little bit of a big team, snagging the A-list characters, as if he's above being part of the rest of the X-Men process.

[WildcardZ]

NL: In my opinion, over the last year and a half, the X-Books have been better across the line then they ever have. From Ed on Uncanny, Mike on X-Men Peter on X-Factor and Craig & Chris on New X-Men, the quality of the X-books is better than ever. With this crossover, it just gets better. Everyone is operating a level higher and I think the fans will notice.

My thought exactly. I couldn't be happier with the X-Titles right now. Instinctively when I hear the word Messiah in X-Men, I think Magneto. Although it would be an interesting term if it was used to refer to Sinister.

[motteditor]

First thought: ANOTHER crossover? It's getting to be a bit much, Marvel.

. Messiah Complex, however, is the climax we’ve been building to since those dreadful three words were uttered.

Like when most of the X-writers all but ignored it wholesale? I'm glad that they've finally decided to address this stuff, but the two-year timelag seems odd.

[fishoman]

I was thinking about who the Messiah Complex deals with. I think it can be one of three people:

Magneto
Charles Xavier
Quicksilver

I am thinking we will deal with some of the bad blood between Xavier and Cyclops in a more direct way than we have lately.

[House Of Me]

I SO cannot wait for this..........

[that dude]

Messiah Complex is Sinister, he has been shown to be the one who has a plan to be the savior of mutants. Just look back at X-men annual when Exodus goes to him for help.

[Newguy]

Originally Posted by fishoman

I was thinking about who the Messiah Complex deals with. I think it can be one of three people:

Magneto
Charles Xavier
Quicksilver

I am thinking we will deal with some of the bad blood between Xavier and Cyclops in a more direct way than we have lately.

Couldn't it also be Cable?

[SpaceButler]

Originally Posted by John [>H]

I was sold at that. It's about time Cyclops got down to some serious business. He has long been my favourite X-Man, I've been enjoying what's been happening with him in Astonishing, and this has me psyched.

Here here!

[Quislet]

If Cyclops is going to be the central character of the storyline, then I think the obvious choice for the "Messiah" in the story is Jean Grey. It's only a matter of time before she is resurrected, and who but the Phoenix has the power to attempt to reverse what the Scarlet Witch did?

[IronWolf]

I'm IN thats it!!!

[BubbaKanoosh]

Originally Posted by Newguy

Couldn't it also be Cable?

I thought that too.

Also, what did Sinister find interesting bout the Summers DNA? Why was it so special?

[DaVeO]

And I was just about to start getting X-Factor. Ah, well. It was big crossovers like these that first turned me off of X-Men titles. I'll stick with non-core X-Titles; Excalibur and Exiles.

[BubbaKanoosh]

This appears to be the UXM 492 cover..



So this team seems to be layed out. Love the old school feel of it. Just throw in Iceman and I am a giddy school girl.

[Binker]

So now with this, what is the reading order for both Endangered Species and Messiah Complex?