What’s next for Marvel’s Merry Mutants? (Artwork property of Marvel Comics)
By: Jacob Elyachar, jakes-take.com
Over the past few months, Marvel Comics has released intriguing solicitations that involve the X-Men.
Recently, the House of Ideas revealed that it would publish the last issues of X-Men: Blue and X-Men: Gold in September. Additionally, longtime fans were sadden to learn that Kitty Pryde called off her wedding to Colossus in X-Men: Gold issue 30. However, there is some good news for the team! In that same issue, Gambit proposed to Rogue and they became Mr. and Mrs. LeBeau.
Meanwhile, Jean Grey, Professor X, and Wolverine all returned to the land of living in various books. While it is an exciting to be an fan of the franchise, fans are wondering what will happen to the team in the next few months. In this article, Jake’s Take speculates Marvel’s Merry Mutants’ future.
Bye-bye, Original X-Men?
DC Comics’ recent hire Brian Michael Bendis brought the original Stan Lee and Jack Kirby line-up of X-Men (Angel, Beast, Cyclops, Iceman, and Jean Grey) to the present in 2012. From facing off against the Sh’Iar Imperial Guard to classic X-Men threats, their presence polarized the fanbase. However, following the X-Men: Extermination mini-series and the conclusion of the X-Men Blue series in issue 36, it looks like we may be saying goodbye to the time-displaced versions of the franchise’s founding five members.
Will the X-Men fanbase have to say ‘farewell’ to Storm? (Artwork property of Marvel Comics)
Storm’s Final Battle?
We might also say “Sayonara!” to one of the greatest X-Men of all-time in the pages of X-Men: Gold. The solicitation of X-Men: Gold number 35 includes the phrase “Storm’s final battle?” While I love Storm, her character story arc peaked in the pages of Extraordinary X-Men and Inhumans vs. X-Men. Since Kitty’s ascension to a leadership position and the three returns that I mentioned earlier, Storm’s role has slowly diminished in the X-Men world. It would be interesting to see how the X-Men world to look without Storm. If the creators remove her from the canvas for a rest, I hope that they wait at least until the X-Men’s 50th anniversary to bring her back.
Is “Uncanny X-Men” preparing for a comeback? (Logo property of Marvel Comics)
Setting Up For Uncanny X-Men’s Return?
Newsarama just published an interesting article about the possible return of the flagship X-Men title. With the removal of both the Blue and Gold titles, the only team books that X-Men fans would have to collect are Astonishing X-Men, Weapon X, and X-Men: Red. If Uncanny X-Men does return, Marvel’s Powers-That-Be should not only incorporate both X-Men: Blue and X-Men: Gold plus the Magneto line-up into the number count. If fans add up those numbers together and combine them with #600, we get Uncanny X-Men #691. Which leads us to…
Uncanny X-Men #700?
Marvel has celebrated the 800th issue of Amazing Spider-Man, the 700th issues of Captain America and The Mighty Thor, and the 600th issues of Daredevil and Invincible Iron Man this year. If Marvel TPB does bring back the original title, they should begin the planning process of planning this massive anniversary issue for 2019. It would tough to do, but if I were C.B. Cebulski, I would immediately recruit principal franchise writers including Chris Claremont, the Simonsons, Grant Morrison, Joss Whedon, the team of Craig Kyle and Chris Yost, Jason Aaron, and Jeff Lemire to see if they want to participate in this milestone issue. Plus, I would also send out a poll to fans to see which artists they would love to craft these excellent stories.
Could Cyclops return? (Artwork property of Marvel Comics)
Welcome Back, Scott Summers?
One essential character that could hypothetically return in Uncanny X-Men #700 is Cyclops. In the 2000s and early part of the 2010s, Scott Summers was the central character in the X-Men franchise. Fans saw him become the team’s premier leader, but also his tragic descent into villainy in the pages of Avengers vs. X-Men, which lead to his death in Death of X mini-series. We have seen vital characters such as Wolverine, Professor X, and ex-wife Jean Grey resurrected and I genuinely believe that it is time for Cyclops’ return to Earth-616. Cyclops’ return could also bring back some Wild Card characters back into the fold such as Cable, Emma, Havok, Kid Omega, and Magneto.
Hopefully, Marvel will reveal what might happens to our favorite mutants during the San Diego Comic-Con, which will take place from July 19 to 22.
What do you think should happen to the X-Men comics franchise?
[…] that the legendary title would make its comeback this fall. Earlier this month, Jake’s Take predicted that Marvel Comics would announce the title’s revival at San Diego Comic-Con. However, the House […]