THE YOUNG ONES: MARC GUGGENHEIM TALKS YOUNG X-MEN

[MattBrady]

by Chris Arrant

The events of the recent Messiah Complex crossover have rocked the vast corner of the Marvel Universe of the X-family, and in the wake of that there is quest for revenge, for remorse and for rebuilding. With Cyclops taking the reigns of the work that Charles Xavier, Cyclops looks to carry on the legacy. Just as Professor X formed the X-men out of five young and impressionable mutants, Cyclops reaches out to promising young men and women to undertake a special assignment.

Built upon the spiritual foundations of both the original X-Men title and the classic New Mutants issues, there comes Young X-Men. Scheduled to debut on April 2nd, the recently announced title will be by writer Marc Guggenheim and artist Yanick Paquette. To this date, the only details on the series released have been the title, the first cover, and a solicitation that gives you more questions than answers:

In the wake of Messiah CompleX, there are no X-Men and young mutants Rockslide, Blindfold and Dust are alone and directionless. Until the day Cyclops recruits them to hunt the new incarnation of the Brotherhood – and kill them. Joined by a pair of new recruits, the young X-Men learn a hard truth about the world post-Messiah CompleX: sometimes old allies make for deadly enemies.

Writer Marc Guggenheim is no stranger to comics, but Young X-Men marks his first major foray into the world of the X-men, and his first ensemble title. But he is no stranger to large casts, writing such television shows as The Practice, Law & Order, CSI: Miami and the upcoming Eli Stone which he also co-created (and debuts January 31st at 10pm on ABC). But he wears his comics credentials proudly, having spent time in the House of Ideas as an intern in 1990 and, as this interview reveals, holds two classic runs by Chris Claremont in high regard.

The question today is "Who are the Young X-Men?", and for that we interviewed Guggenheim by phone .

Newsarama: To start off Marc, the cover reveals a couple members of the roster, but some aren't recognizable. What can you tell us about the team roster?

Marc Guggenheim: If there's a tagline for this book, it would be "don't assume anything".

In the first two issues alone, I've seeded so many plot twists and surprises that I'm not even going to be able to get to them all until the second year of the book.

I'll tell you that the roster of the team is formed by the end of the first issue. This inaugural issue is a tip of the hat to Giant Size X-Men #1, when Professor Xavier meets each team member individually and brings them into the fold.

Here' the roster, but I wouldn't get too attached. One will die at some point in the series, but we're not saying who just yet. The first issue begins with a flash forward to the future with one of the team members holding another as they die – but the identity is kept off-camera for a bit. People will read the book wondering when the present will catch up to that glimpse of the future the leads off the first issue.

The team is Cyclops, Wolf Cub, Rockslide, Dust, Blindfold and a new character named Ink. Ink is a character who has a pretty cool power – every time he gets a new tattoo, he acquires the ability of that tattoo. For example, if he were to get wings tattooed on his back then he could use them to fly. In Ink, we have a character who can change visually as the series progresses.

We'll also be glimpsing at another new character, albeit in the shadows for now, called Greymalkin. I don't want to spoil to much of what he does, but I can say he'll make a important cameo.

NRAMA:That word – 'Greymalkin' – was also the name for Cable's giant space station he had several years back. Is there any connection there?

MG: It's also the name of the road the X-Mansion is on, Greymalkin Lane. There's a very cool explanation of why this character is called Greymalkin. The answer lies more in the name of the street than Cable's Greymalkin.

NRAMA: So our first guess that Greymalkin is Cable would be far off?

MG: It's definitely not Cable. It's a great theory, but no it's not. After the events of Messiah Complex, Cable is off on his own. At some point I'd love to bring him into play with Young X-Men, though – with the history Cable has with the New Mutants, that interaction would be great to write.

One of the things I do want to say in terms of the cast and who's appearing is that the original New Mutants – Cannonball, Karma, Sunspot, Magma, Dani, Karma – all loom very large in this book.

NRAMA: With that being said… would you say that Young X-Men is a spiritual descendant of the original New Mutants series?

MG: The original title carved out this particular corner of the X-Men universe – a group of young trainee X-Men – and that sort of legacy casts a shadow over this series. The big difference is that the world was different than it is now – back then it was a very innocent, coddled world with school, classes and just being the ‘80s… a much simpler time.

This book comes out in the aftershocks of Messiah Complex and House of M and is a much darker, grim and gritty world. Circumstances are completely different.

NRAMA: Let's give some more backstage talk -- how did the Young X-men project originally come to you?

MG: I was in New York City last year for a Marvel writing summit, and I swung by the Marvel offices to meet with several editors. I met with X-office editor Axel Alonso to talk about doing a book spinning out of Messiah Complex. We'd been talking about one book, and he showed me a publishing chart of what the X-franchise line-up would look like out of Messiah Complex. Looking at the titles, one jumped out – "The New Mutants, written by TBD". I pointed at that project and said "forget the other project, I want to be TBD!". I did an off-the-cuff pitch and Axel and I talked. The New Mutants became The Young X-Men and it turned out to be a really fun project.

At the end of our conversation that day, Axel asked, "are you sure you want to do this"? I have such love for old school issues of Uncanny X-Men and The New Mutants. I told him: "I have to work on this project".

NRAMA:Although they're not part of the roster, the cover hints to an influence on this team by the full-fledged X-Men. You've said Cyclops is part of the roster, but how does this team interact in the larger X-Men framework?

MG: One of the things that I wanted to do with the book is to hearken back to the old crème de la crème of Chris Claremont's The New Mutants and classic Uncanny X-Men runs and try to figure out what made them so special and dynamic – to crack that code.

One of the things that I've found, and it's by no means a revelation, is that he built in all this great conflict - particularly with the New Mutants and X-men, whose first meeting turns into a fight. I want to follow in that tradition – when this team finally meets the X-Men, there will be a lot of distrust and conflict. It will not be an easy ride for the characters.

There's going to be a lot of disagreement, second guessing and hostility because of what happens in the first story-arc. That will fuel a lot of interactions to come.

NRAMA:In the aftermath of the Messiah Complex, the X-Men as a team are disbanded by Cyclops. Story-wise, how did we get from that to the Young X-Men coming into being?

MG: Well, like I said… the formation of the team here is by Cyclops and very much in the vein of Giant-Size X-Men #1, where we get to each Young X-men individually. Ours doesn't go quite as smoothly as Cyclops had planned, but in the end we have a team that is formed.

Their goal is to go after a new third version of the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants – the first being Magneto's, the second being Mystique's.

NRAMA: Can you tell us anything about this new iteration of the Brotherhood, who they are and what they're doing?

MG: I really can't without spoiling the end of the first issue, but I can say that everyone will be a little surprised at who is on the team.

NRAMA: Let's turn now to focus on your collaborator on the series, artist Yanick Paquette. In your experience writing comics can you tell us in general how the artist to draw the script affects how you write the scripts?

MG: I always try to do a scouting report on each artist I work with, to get their strengths and weaknesses and then tailor the scenes I write to those strengths. One of the things I've discovered in writing comics is that the way I write with plot beats and develop the story, I have a lot of flexibility in terms of how those elements come together. I try to leverage that flexibility to the artist's strength.

In the case of Yanick, I wanted to be inspired by the old school X-men. One of the things I like about his style is that it's very modern, and it's distinctly his own. There's a cleanliness to his storytelling, layouts and panel composition that reminds me of the Uncanny X-men runs of John Byrne, Paul Smith and Dave Cockrum that I really like.

I've had a lot of phone conversations with Yanick, asking him "what do you want to draw? What do you like? How do you work" and whenever I can I try to craft pieces that will satisfy Yanick's interest.

NRAMA: With your experience in writing television such as the upcoming TV show Eli Stone, would you characterize this approach as similar to what you do when writing with specific actors in mind?

MG: It's very similar to writing to actors, who has their own strengths and weaknesses; identifying things they have in their wheelhouse and within reach. But it's a delicate balance; you don't want to write for the actor (or artist in this case) too much. You want just enough in the comfort zone to give solid scenes, and then push them a bit out of their comfort zone to get something new and unexpected.

Collaboration is really important, and I make that clear to the artist. Even though I write full script, I want them to feel that they have a voice – they can change the number of panels, or what's happening on the page. I want them to draw the best version of the book that they can; I can always go back an re-dialogue something to fit what they've drawn.
I've always tried to write with the fact that my scripts will be drawn. I'm not saying I get it right all the time, but whatever method I'm doing seems to be working.

[skinnyboy23]

Wish more of the old cast was present.

Don't know how I feel about ninja Blindfold.

I will be getting the first issue though.

[nietoperz]

So if I were Ink, I'd just get a big Superman 'S' tattooed on my chest. Or the word 'God.'

[von Doom, M.D.]

Young Avengers, these kids ain't.

[KingMattress]

Ink sounds interesting, but I too wish there were more of the old cast. Particuarly Elixir, whose potential was never used in Messiah Complex and is now disappearing off the radar. I really question making Blindfold an active member of anything, as her personality has thus far made it pretty much impossible for her to be an action character or team player.
And I'm sick of Dust already.

[kalorama]

New X-Men was the only X-Book I read/cared about, so I'm not too happy about its demise, and the premise of this new book doesn't sound esp. appealing to me. That said, I'll probably give this one a tryout for a couple of issue just because I love Yanick Paquette's art.

[Lincolnstein]

is Ink a NEW mutant? i haven't ever heard of him before...thought there were no new mutants...

[sinister626]

I'm not a fan of the art. I wasn't a fan when he did Ultimate it just doesn't flow to me.

But Ninja Blindfold is terrible. They transformed her into something she was never even hinted at it seems. Dust is the only one I like on this team.

And I have a feeling the new Brotherhood is gonna have some of the old cast....which wouldn't make sense but that never stopped them before.

[Flint Reloaded]

Wasn't Wolf Cub killed by the Purifiers when they attacked the mansion?

[PhoenixFacto]

I wish this was more of the old cast, however, I have a feeeling this "New Brotherhood of Evil Mutants" is going to be made up of the current New X-Men who feel betrayed by Cyclops disbanding the X-Men. I will see where this goes but I am really concerned about the cast. Blindfold just doesnt make sense to me as a character in a team setting, for guest appearances great but a little bit goes along way. I really hope the kids i've come to love over the past 4 years dont disappear from the books for the sake of newbies. Rockslide and Wolfcub are two of the least original of New X-Men class why them?

[0bsessions]

Originally Posted by KingMattress

Particuarly Elixir, whose potential was never used in Messiah Complex and is now disappearing off the radar.
And I'm sick of Dust already.

I'm actually of the mind he should be killed off. As a character, I love him, but as a concept he bugs me. His power's too deus ex and it really kills any form of tension unless you just ignore him. After hearing over a dozen times "why doesn't Spider-Man just go to Elixer to heal Aunt May" the concept of a character who can heal nearly anything way beyond ran its course. I was incredibly thankful when he was taken off the board for Messiah CompleX and for the sake of legitimate tension and dramatic story telling, I really do wish they'd just off him.

[CuriousDude]

Not to lash out at this new writer, but I don't agree with this roster at all. Cyclops is hardly a "young X-Man", Rockslide and Dust both should of graduated and moved on to other X-books with the rest of the core New X-Men roster, Blindfold is a disabled person who's mutant ability to see the future occasionally... with no control over it, Wolfcub is a poor man's Wolfsbane, and this new fellow Ink... his powers are just a bit silly (though I'll give him the benefit of the doubt).

So they want to take the core New X-Men out of the roster, have them graduated... that I can accept. These things happen with time. But the younger students, specifically Armor, Pixie, Anole, and Gentle (assuming Gentle is younger, it's hard to tell); along with any other younger member of the institute's student body (take your pick)... should be the Young X-Men team.

I think, after hearing the older students (Surge, Hellion, X-23, Mercury, Elixir, Prodigy, and (presumed) Dust and Rockslide) were leaving, most of us New X-Men fans were hoping a similar variation of the team I listed above would be taking the reigns. I'm not writing this new book off by any means, I'm merely stating that I was hoping for something different.

[xdemon]

Originally Posted by von Doom, M.D.

Young Avengers, these kids ain't.

And people were howling when Young Avengers was announced. Then they read the book and found out it was good.

Give it a chance.

[Elderbot]

I call "X-Force 116" on this. This new "Brotherhood" will be the old New X-men characters and they'll be the real protagonists within a few issues. Much like Young Avengers was a group of youngsters seeking to re-form the Avengers after Disassembled, I suspect this will be the New X-Men kids' way of reforming the X-men outside of Cyclops's control.

[spam]

Meh.

I'm not digging the cast at all. Adding Wolf Cub just reeks too much of "follow the formula": "Let's see, we can't get Wolverine, Wolfsbane or X-23 - is there another clawed and/or furry character running around? Yes! There is!"

Then again, someone dies, and it will probably be him or Blindspot. Rockslide has too much potential as a long term actual X-Men to kill, so I think doing that would be pretty stupid. Ditto on Dust. The tattoo guy - why create a new character just to kill? So I'm thinking no there too..same with the other new char.

Blindspot does seem like a non-field member type, so my guess is that they ramp up her powers somehow. She looks really bad in that outfit, as does Dust. OK, I think those costumes look bad on everyone. Too much yellow. She could just be there to be the teams Cypher/Prodigy/Angel: "We know you have no chance in a physical fight, so just stay the heck out of the way! Oh dang, you got your heart ripped out/killed/maimed. Surprise!"

But hey, I'll pick up the first arc, and hopefully it will surprise me - like the Order & Initiative have done. I had zero expectations for those, and they are some of the best stuff Marvel has put out in a while.

I have to say, for me, the X-line is looking pretty 50/50 post MC. We'll see.

Please kill Wolf Cub. Nothing personal, he's just too similar to other characters to be a non-supporting cast member. I guess I'll start the Kill Wolf Cub Club. Any other takers?

[Dagwood]

After the issue of Wolverine where Logan popped his claws through his pressurized deep sea suit thousands of feet underwater, I swore off Guggenheim.

But, with Yanick handling the art chores... I just can't say no.

[BLaQHeArT]

Where the hell are Armor, Elixir, Gentile, Surge, Hellion, Mercury, Pixie & Anole?! It was these characters who got me into New X-Men in the first place! The lack of the other members, coupled with this god-awful art equals "NO BUYS" from me.

[rahnefan]

One of the things that I wanted to do with the book is to hearken back to...Chris Claremont's The New Mutants and classic Uncanny X-Men runs and try to figure out what made them so special and dynamic – to crack that code.

...distrust and conflict...a lot of disagreement, second guessing and hostility...

Code not cracked.

[C20Percent]

Originally Posted by BLaQHeArT

Where the hell are Elixir, Surge, Hellion, Mercury, Pixie & Anole?!

Prodigy too!

I've heard Pixie will be elsewhere -- but, yeah, what are the plans for everyone else? I'm upset that Yost and Kyle were never able to pick up the Wither and Black Queen storyline; that looked like it was gonna be fun.

[Edogawa1983]

Originally Posted by BLaQHeArT

Where the hell are Armor, Elixir, Gentile, Surge, Hellion, Mercury, Pixie & Anole?! It was these characters who got me into New X-Men in the first place! The lack of the other members, coupled with this god-awful art equals "NO BUYS" from me.

it's not the final roster.. I suspect it will go the way of Titan East... just not as EXTREME!!.

and I think the rest of the New X-Men will either join later, or get spread out onto other teams.

[CuriousDude]

Originally Posted by Edogawa1983

and I think the rest of the New X-Men will either join later, or get spread out onto other teams.

Yep, that's where they're headed. It's been confirmed in other interviews. The graduates will be spread across the other X-titles. However, that doesn't explain where the younger members such as Pixie and Anole are.

[rahnefan]

Originally Posted by spam

Meh.
Please kill Wolf Cub. Nothing personal, he's just too similar to other characters to be a non-supporting cast member. I guess I'll start the Kill Wolf Cub Club. Any other takers?

He does seem to be wearing the proverbial red shirt. But what's odd to me is that they wouldn't offer Rahne's position back to her or something...Rahne training Wolf Cub might be too much similarity for some readers, but to me it makes more sense than Rahne on Claw Force. Or anyone on Claw Force...

[comicfanuk]

So, Young X-Men is not the new NEW X-MEN, then? *sighs*

Why?! Why do Marvel have to try and fix something when it's not broken?!

New X-Men has (and shall forever have) a HUGE fanbase! And this is BECAUSE of its cast! Yes, the kids are relatively new in the grand scheme of the X-Men legacy. But, they are LIKED! LOVED even! People of ALL ages picked up this book. Kids, teen, adults. Its the next generation of X in a dying breeds world.

And Marvel have to pull the plug on it?! On characters we (the LOYAL fans) have come to invest effort, time and money on. It's just not right!

I don't think is very nice, or smart (in fact I think its damn right insulting to the fans) for Marvel not saying about New X-Men ending. They must know the amount of fanbase the book has. Apart from its sales, there is enough writers/artists that come on these boards (and others) for Marvel to know these things. I do appreciate that they may have wanted to keep things under wraps until the end of MC, but the truth is, they could have said SOMETHING.

And, don't even get me started on how Marvel handed Young X-Men from when it was announced. Again, NOT ONE WORD about the title (except the fact that its coming out).

So, this YOUNG X-MEN? The cast are not even New X-Men favourites! Where's EVERYONE'S fave Green guy Anole (who's had one of the biggest fan bases since New Mutants just ask DeFilippis & Weir or Kyle & Yost!). He'd just been brought up to the top (FINALLY!!) as a main cast member by Kyle & Yost... and then it ends. Or what about Pixie? She had as a background character also just been brought to the front, having a major role in the great Arc that was "Quest For Magic", which brought in a lot of new readers. What about characters that where established in way back New mutants who have gone on to star in its re-launch that was Academy X-Men, then its 2nd Re-launch: New X-Men, such as Elixir, Surge, Hellion, Mercury!

And, what do we get in this YOUNG X-MEN, characters that are far from loyal New X-Men fan's faves. Rockslide, Dust and Wolfcub? Ridiculous!!

Shame on you Marvel, shame!

Call me over-reacting, but, I am among a huge group of fans, who are DEEPLY disappointed at loosing thier fave book and x-kids.

I don't think I'll be picking this up at all.

Okay, rant over.

[ascloseasme]

This looks and sounds horrible.

Terrible artist for one. Paquette is flat, his designs are just boring, and he has such a weird way of conveying space -- with the backgrounds usually disappearing for the sake of a close up.

Second: The cast is awful. Who let this guy watch Elektra before he went to his desk and started writing? And why bother changing Blindfold when she worked the way she was and wasn't fully explored as such? And who cares about Wolf Cub and two new guys when the old New X-Men had so much potential?

Not buying.

[Edogawa1983]

a new number 1 always sell better.