Cyclops opened the doors of the X-Center with a psychic welcome message to the mind of every Mutant on Earth.

I have to admit his speech gave me goosebumps a little bit when I read it. You go Scott!

In their regular X-Position column (and X-Men Q & A), this week CBR talks to Executive Editor & X-Men Group Editor Axel Alonso and X-Editors Nick Lowe, John Barber and Will Panzo about all things X and they drop some fascinating hints of whats in store for the x-universe…

including the following overdue exchange…

James Figueiredo: I have a question for the X-Editors regarding the new phase the X-Men are about to enter beginning with issue #500. I’d like to know if we’re going to see more of the gay X-characters in the book, like Northstar and/or Karma (Anole would be awesome too).

All the press we’ve read so far on the new status of the book indicates how “at home” the X-Men will be in San Francisco given the city’s accepting nature, and I think it would be just obvious to finally have this correlation (mutants and homosexuals) acknowledged in the book.

Axel Alonso:: I’ll confirm at least two characters, James. Karma is going to play a large role in “Uncanny X-Men.” Anole is another person who plays a large role in more than one upcoming book.

JF: Also, I think it would be kind of odd to have no mention or depiction of gay relationships in a book where the core concept is all about tolerance and acceptance ” and set in San Francisco ” to boot. So I’d like to know what the X-Editors can tell me about how gay characters/relationships will feature in the book, given the change it’s about to embrace.

AA: We can’t go into details, James. That would be giving away story, but we understand and agree with your point. The basic fact is that when a character comes to the forefront of a book, you tend to see more of their personal lives. You see them on a human level. That isn’t going to change in the X-Books.

I’d have been happier if they confirmed Northstar too. I realize the character has always been aloof, but not the outright bitch he was to poor ‘lil Anole in Divided We Stand. The editors also dropped some names that have been missing from x-rosters for too long… Firestar, Karma, Shatterstar, Domino, Boom Boom/Meltdown or whatever she calls herself now, and FINALLY AT LAST someone addresses the great conundrum of the Marvel U… Is Santa Claus a mutant?

via CBR

Marvel is publishing some never before seen X-Men artwork from the man who brought you many early X-Men adventures… Dave Cockrum who passed away in 2006.

via CBR

Here is a preview of some Terry Dodson pages from the eagerly anticipated X-Men #500.

I do really like the look of Greg Land’s artwork, but am becoming a bit concerned with some of the things coming to light. He is obviously resusing artwork, and some may not be his own. Check out the image below - it was assembled by Solenna, of SolArts.net, and illustrates how a number of the images from the historic X-Men 500 cover are in fact blatant rip-off of poses he’s used previously.

via CBR and 4thletter!

Don’t forget that Comic Book day is Thursday in the US this week due to holiday weekend.

We’ll have plenty of hype and hoopla for the historic Uncanny X-Men #500 (6 variant covers, 2 one-shot collectors item specials and 2 large posters of the Greg Land and Alex Ross wraparound covers). Not only does it kick off the latest X-Epic - Manifest Destiny - The X-men’s exodus to their new home in San Francisco, but from the looks of the 4 preview pages and solicit released today on Newsarama Magneto is back too, along with the Master Mold and Sentinels! Lets hope this is the real Mags. I don’t want another MGH huffing cheap copy.

via Newsarama

Xavier’s quest for his past continues… Soon to crossover with Wolverine’s similar search.

via ComicsContinuum

Go west young Mutant… I can’t wait until the X-Men make their move. Here’s another leaked cover. It already seems like the X-titles will be making a bigger deal about being in San Francisco than Teen Titans ever did.

Looking at these blueprints, I wonder… who is footing the bill for all this? Our government would have to take out a loan to hollow out the Marin Headlands enough to house all this, So how can Cyclops arrange this? Not to mention how LONG it would take to construct. If it wasn’t for the obviously custom built Cerebra chamber, I’d think Cyclops is going to somehow inherit the extensive base. I wonder if it has anything to do with the Celestial in Golden Gate park. Looking forward to Uncanny 500.

I’d already shown some of the leaked Astonishing X-Men Sketchbook images, but thought I’d put the group up for discussion. I REALLY like Simone Bianchi’s “nip-and-tuck redesigns” of existing Astonishing costumes for White Queen, Nightcrawler, Cyclops, Angel and Wolverine. And I LOVE the new design for Beast! but…

… the complete redesigns for Colossus, Dazzler and Storm and are waaay off the mark in my book. The cool thing about Colossus is he metal muscles and they are all covered (I actually liked it better without the red - its just too busy)

I don’t know what that Dazzler outfit looks like in color, but I’m definitely NOT loving the moebiusesque touches. It doesn’t look like something she would wear.

And Storm… where should I begin? I like that Bianchi has started with a negative of her original costume, but should have stopped there. Making her suit a multi string bikini DOES NOT befit a queen or a goddess. Leg warmers were tacky even in the 80s (I don’t care if there is an 80’s comeback - ewww). And STRIPES? STRIPES? Then we have a billion dangling coins hanging from a cape that is so long that you can be sure Storm never saw The Incredibles.

I would have added some piping to a white version of her original 2 piece costume and been done with it. I do like the modified headdress though.

We’ve known for awhile (since we saw the Golden Gate bridge behind Pixie in her Free Comic Book Day special) that Cyclops and the X-folk were breaking with 40 years of tradition and heading west to set up shop in my adopted (since 1994) hometown, San Francisco. It seems like Cyclops has plans for a secure, secluded fortress and his own army of X-Men. Lets hope they bring Northstar with them. I’d love to see Jean-Paul out in the Castro in a future issue.

Check out this CBR News‘ interview with X-Men Group Editor Axel Alonso and editor Nick Lowe, also Nick Lowe talks to X-Position about everything X. From “How can Cyclops keep X-Force a secret from Emma Frost” to Dazzler’s return to the X-Men line-up - he talks about it all!

I like this Michael Turner cover and it made me realize. I enjoy his men, its his overbimboified anorexic superWOMEN I don’t care for. But why is Banshee there? And where are the X-Women? With Phoenix dead again, Psylocke in that HORRRIBLE faux Exiles title, and Kitty Pryde “gone”, we still have Storm, Polaris, Marvel Girl, Rogue, the White Queen, and apparently soon… Dazzler to represent. So is there an X-Women variant cover? I’ll let you know.

CBR has solicits for Marvels X-Men titles being released in August. A few that look ESPECIALLY interesting to me are… X-FACTOR SPECIAL: LAYLA MILLER ONE-SHOT, X-MEN ORIGINS: JEAN GREY, X-FACTOR #34, UNCANNY X-MEN #501 (looks like Pixie is part of the team, albeit in distress already) and SECRET INVASION: X-MEN #1 (of 4)

Marvel seems to know how to cash in on having a big hit, while all eyes are on them, they’ve released the new trailer to Wolverine and the X-Men. I don’t see why Wolvie get top billing. He’s cool and all that but there is no I in team.

This looks fantastic! I love the artistic style. We have all the classic elements for a goos X-tale… anit-mutant sentiment, bigoted politicians, a brotherhood of evil mutants, Sentinals, Cerebro, time travel, and a cast of many mutants…

They appear to have fully embraced the entire X-universe. Spoted by Newsarama:Polaris, Gambit, Maverick, Dust, Cannonball, Kitty Pryde, Emma Frost, Storm, Cyclops, Spiral, Mojo, the Beast, Angel, Iceman, the Brotherhood, Mystique, Rogue, Senator Kelly and…the Hulk(?).

The article didn’t mention seeing Scarlet Witch, Quicksilver, Domino, Wolfsbane, Vertigo, or Rusty. Some readers spotted most of them, but noone mentioned the mob of Madroxes! I’m officially psyched! And not as sad to lose Legion, this looks waaaaay better.

I do think it’s weird that Wolverine has been handed the lead role by Xavier. Scott is gonna have one helluva sulk over that.

OK, so its not exactly news Magik is back. She was last seen in New X-Men when after defeating Belasco, and sending her brother and the new X-Men kids away, Illyanna reclaimed the throne of Limbo and informed S’ym and N’astirh that her next move is to reclaim her soul (and perhaps the Soulsword?).

The issue also includes a story about Surge turning to Dani Moonstar after the X-Men disband, as well as stories about Forge and Beast. Whispers say there will be another surprise story like the unsolicited Hellion bonus tale from #1.

X-Men Divided We Stand #2 May 21st from Marvel Comics
Ariginal article and preview images from Newsarama

THANKS MARVEL COMICS FOR A GREAT FREEBIE!!!

OK, I loved “New X-Men” once it became the students book, despite the semi- cute mangish style of the artwork which for me somewhat disconnects from the seriousness of the events. I found Pixie interesting even BEFORE soulless Illyanna made her a soul knife and taught her some spells (she seems to know enough magic to teleport the whole team without warning).

I’ve scanned a few pages from the story that show off Pixie’s strength of character. Pixie kinda reminds me of a combination of Kitty Pryde and Illyanna Rasputin. The X-Men have a history of spunky young female sidekickesque characters (Shadowcat, Jubilee) and I think pixie should be next. She proves this issue that she has X-Men potential, and I for one can’t wait to see her grow into it.

SPOILERS: Don’t blow up the pics until you read your copy… (if you have one)

Writer: Mike Carey, Pencils: Greg Land, Inks: Jay Leisten, Colors: Justin Ponsor

Discussion after the jump…
(more…)

Lets forget Scott’s out of character behavior last issue for a minute, and the fact that Dust was doing some real good for her homeland before Cyclops lures her with the weather is lovely in Westchester this time of year???

OK, why is Rhane with the Roberto and the rest? She is with X-Force now… Skrull?

Lucas Siegel over at Newsarama pointed out an X-Men story arc in 1999 has some connotations in the present Secret Invasion. Excerpt below, full article here

In a 1999 Alan Davis story arc, the X-Men were taken from their home and shot through multiple dimensions, chasing a super-charged Juggernaut. After his defeat, in X-Men #89, they were sent to none other than the Skrull homeworld, with the time being just prior to Galactus’ arrival. The strange thing is, there was a simulacrum of 1970s NYC there, populated by facsimiles of all of Earth’s heroes. They even had technology that mimicked the various abilities of these heroes. These faux-heroes spend their days studying hours of Earth news footage, hoping to learn the ins and outs of the heroes they mimic. Professor Xavier even says, “They’re a legion of alien soldiers committed to apparently infiltrating our world…”

from Newsarama article by Lucas Siegel

This is the story that results in Galactus devouring the homeworld so they remember it. But If that story happend when the X-Men were sent into the past, Wouldn’t it have happened BEFORE the iluminati attck on the skrulls that pissed them off so? Or were the Illuminati really active that far back?

I moved this up to the top since I’m adding my reviews/spoilers etc after the jump. Don’t look until you read your books.

Reviews (why things rated where they did on my list), general thoughts and musings on this weeks comics (and of course a few spoilers) after the jump!

So far Heroes N Hunks has been viewed by gay geeks in 28 countries… so say hello and tell us what you read this week!
(more…)

36″ x 24″ poster of the John Cassaday’s wraparound cover!

When we last left our intrepid adventurers they had just realized that the “missile” wasn’t actually a missile and Kitty Pryde is riding the bullet towards the earth! Too much story for one regular issue, Joss Whedon (Buffy, Firefly) and John Cassaday’s (CAPTAIN AMERICA, Planetary) bring us a super special Giant Size Astonishing X-Men #1! The Powerlords of breakworld seem bent on destroying the Earth, can our marvelous mutants do anything about it? And will the Avengers and the Fantastic Four have any better luck?

We’ve been told that one of the X-Men won’t walk away from this fight,” and most people’s money are on Kitty (due to her precarious position and Peter calling her “lost,” in the recent Uncanny X-Men, but that could be a red herring.

On shelves May 21, 2008

More images after the jump…
(more…)

I think Scott makes a damn fine filthy hippy, so if Emma doesn’t want him…

Wolverine always struck me as one to sleep naked… but the boxers aren’t bad either.

Just a great shot of Colossus.