Marvel Solicitations February 2011

X-23 #6
Written by MARJORIE LIU
Penciled by WILL CONRAD
Cover by KALMAN ANDRASOFSZKY
Is Miss Sinister the most dangerous enemy X-23 has ever encountered or the closest thing to a friend she has right now? X-23 is about to find out, as just when things couldn't get worse, they do.
32 PGS./Parental Advisory …$2.99

DAKEN: DARK WOLVERINE #6
Written by MARJORIE LIU & DANIEL WAY
Pencils & Cover by GIUSEPPE CAMUNCOLI
Daken's plans to undermine the criminal underworld of Madipoor are falling into place!  But will the most dangerous men and women in the world simply topple where they stand -- or will Daken find the tables turned...and his neck in a noose?
32 PGS./Parental Advisory …$2.99

 



X-MEN LEGACY #245
Written by MIKE CAREY
Penciled by CLAY MANN
Cover by LEINIL YU
Fantastic Four Anniversary Variant by PAOLO RIVERA
“AGE OF X” PART ONE!
In a world where the X-Men never existed and mutantkind has been hunted to extinction, the few remaining mutants band together to make their last stand. Who are they? And just how far will they go to survive? The AGE OF X starts here!
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$2.99

Hellion takes part in Age of X!

Behold the new Marvel teaser of an upcoming event!

AGE OF X: ALPHA #1 (NOV100514)
AGE OF X: ALPHA #1 COIPEL VARIANT (NOV100515)
Written by MIKE CAREY
Pencils by PAUL DAVIDSON & MORE
Cover by CHRIS BACHALO
Variant Cover by OLIVIER COIPEL
Rated A …$3.99
FOC – 1/3/11, On-Sale – 1/26/11

Interview with Nich Lowe

Enjoy some outtakes from an interview with Nick Lowe that I found interesting! There is also a most beautiful cover of "X-23 #5" featuring Gambit who Laura already appeared killing vampires with in the "X-Men #3"! And the lamest, most idiotic explanation of why Elixir is not on the team and can't heal Hellion's hands and Karma's foot that appear to be the proof that Second Coming was badass. Lame. WTF??

"Uncanny X-Force" was amazing – easily the best X-book right now! Rick Remender mentioned that his X-Force team was already chosen when he was attached to the book. So why did you pick these characters? I'm especially interested in why Psylocke was chosen, but it's always a pleasure to read a good-written Betsy.
That's an easy question. Axel loves Psylocke – plain and simple. He just loves her. So that's pretty much why she's there. As for the rest, we knew that Warpath, X-23 and Wolfsbane weren't going to be signing up for such a team again, and we wanted to formulate a cast that would get people talking. Seems like it worked.

Elixir's powers make him an important character who could potentially help human/mutant relations. Which X-book will be getting him and will his knowledge about Hope obtained in "Messiah War" ever be acknowledged?
Right now, Elixir is on the lam. You won't be seeing him particularly soon, but I imagine that he is on a quest to eat at every McDonalds in the world and then heal himself from the damage that such a quest would cause. It's similar to the quest that I'm on, only without the healing powers.

X-Men #4 Advance Preview

X-MEN #4
Written by VICTOR GISCHLER
Penciled by PACO MEDINA
Cover by ADI GRANOV
Variant Cover by PACO MEDINA
Vampire Variant by MIKE MAYHEW
Marvel is pleased to present your first look at X-Men #4, the next issue in the hottest new series of the year from the acclaimed creative team of Victor Gischler and Paco Medina! In San Francisco, a legion of undead warriors lies in wait for the order of their leader, Xarus, to attack Utopia. It is under the threat of impending annihilation that the X-Men turn to their unlikeliest ally, the recently resurrected Dracula. But one of their number, the powerful mutant Wolverine, has been claimed by a vampire bite and may prove to be Xarus’ ace in the hole. Can the X-Men survive the Curse Of The Mutants? Find out in X-Men #4! Rated T+ …$3.99
On-Sale – 10/13/10

Interview with Marjorie Liu

I'm very sorry for the recent lack of news - I visited Croatia with my friends to spend the rest of the holidays on the sea. =) Now I'm back, so here's a new interview with Ms. Liu about Laura and also an amazing preview of the issue #1!

How much story time passes between the end of the recent "Second Coming" event, where Wolverine told her that she would no longer be part of X-Force, and "X-23" #1? Where is Laura physically and emotionally when the series begins?
Not a huge amount of time at all. She's messed up, honestly. She doesn't know where her place is anymore. While she was part of X-Force, her life was defined by "the mission." There was a job to do, and she did it. She was a good soldier.
But - what people love in war, they fear in peace. Or if they don't fear it, they don't understand it. And that's Laura's situation. She was great to have around when times were bad, but now that the world is settling down, well, what do you do with her? How do you treat her? Do you pat her on the back and say, "Okay, go be a kid now?" That's ridiculous. Except, that is what some of the X-Men try to do. Others who have had traumatic childhoods know better. She's not just a kid. She'll never be just a kid. She's a child soldier. That's a very unique psychology.
Of course, one can argue that all the kids on Utopia are child soldiers - but not like her. It's like comparing the students of an upscale military academy to the children of Sierra Leone who are forced into armies and then subjected to fear, brutality, and psychological manipulation to achieve absolute obedience. Those kids are dehumanized. The entire world is dehumanized, for them.
And now Laura is out of that army. How do you recover from that? How do you recover, when even your friends are afraid of you?

In terms of plot and theme, what is the opening arc of "X-23" about? I understand there's some connection to the current story arc in Jason Aaron and Renato Guedes' recently launched "Wolverine" series, which has the title character's soul trapped in hell while sinister forces inhabit his body, but I assume there's more to "X-23" than simply tying in with that.
It's about Laura coming to terms with this new life she's got. She doesn't see it as a second chance, because that implies that the first part of her life was a failure, and she doesn't feel that way. It was just life, and now she had to figure out a different way to live. She needs to learn who she is outside of the army, away from all these adults who used her. But - to tie in with the Hellverine arc - we've got the Devil tempting her back into that old life of death and war, which does hold a certain comforting appeal. Laura needs to make a choice. Does she go back to what she knows - or does she have the courage to go forward into the unknown?

Who are some of the major supporting players readers will see throughout the opening arc of "X-23?"
Laura's relationship with Hellion will be explored, but she also finds a caring figure in Storm - and in one other well-known X-Man who will play a very important role in her life (and in the second story arc, which starts with issue #4).

How important is setting to the overall opening story? Where does the opening story take place?
It takes place on Utopia and in the personal hell of Laura's mind, which will feel like another world entirely.

You mentioned in past interviews that much of this series is going to be Laura, on her own, exploring the world. Are there any locales you're dying to take her to? Say, some of Wolverine's favorite stomping grounds like Madripoor or the Savage Land?
I would love to take her to Madripoor. You'll definitely see her in China (I have this vision of her tromping all over the Great Wall, which I can't seem to shake), and she'll be heading back to New York City. Really, she can go anywhere she wants. And she will.


It seems like Daken and Laura have a lot in common and a lot of issues with each other. They met once before in the Utopia crossover. With you writing "X-23" and co-writing "Daken: Dark Wolverine," is there any chance we could see them run in to each other again in the near future?
Yes. Absolutely, yes. Readers have been clamoring to see Daken and X-23 go head-to-head, and we gave a taste of that in the recently released "Wolverine: Road to Hell." We wanted to hint at what the crossover will be about - but even that doesn't give a real sense of the rich, intense storyline that we're planning. These two have very different views of the world, but at the same time, they are very much of the man they're made from: Wolverine. Working with and against each other may bring out parts of their personalities that they don't expect.

---

But will X-23 truly be "on her own?" That's what Katja S. (that would be me)) was wondering, at lea.
Marjorie, you've said in the past that you didn't want Laura's story to solely focus on her romantic relationship with Hellion. Being a huge fan of these two characters, I was curious how you plan on dealing with this, or if you plan on mentioning this relationship at all?
Liu: Oh, yes. The first arc deals, in part, with Laura's relationship with Hellion. I've stated in the past that I'm not interested in exploring her role as a girlfriend - and that's still the case - but their ties to one another will be examined within these first three issues. After that, they part ways - at least for a little while. It won't be forced, I promise you. It should feel like a very natural result of what happens in issue #3.

Will either Daken or X-23 be doing any dating in their upcoming series?
Liu: Daken always has it going on with the ladies (and men), but I don't know if that counts as dating; although, he's going to come very close in issue #2. As for X-23, she'll be forming some deep and lasting bonds - but again, I don't think that's the same thing as going out on a date.
2) When Wolverine goes to hell, will it affect Daken and X-23 on an emotional level? Will they know about it (and will they care)?
Liu: Yes, to X-23. It's going to affect her in more ways than one.
3) In X-23 and Daken's new series, can we expect the two to go up against villains we've seen before? Or are you creating brand new baddies for these books?

Liu: You'll see Laura going up against an established female villain in her second arc (hint: it's not Kimura). I don't plan on creating any new characters, to be honest. I think the Marvel universe already has tons of great villains without adding another one to the mix.

4) Laura has never really had any formal education. How does this impact her in her life? Do you think she'd even be capable of sitting through any kind of class? And how old is she - would she be in high school or college?
Liu: That's a good question. Laura is a highly intelligent young woman with a wealth of life experience that very few could ever hope to match. That, in itself, has been an incredible education. Is she book smart? Well, she could be. She was raised in a lab, after all - meant to be a weapon - and as such, one would assume that she was taught strategy, languages, history and culture - all the things a good living weapon would need to know in order to assess a situation, adapt, blend in, etc.
I never felt that X-23 was meant to be a blunt force object. On the other hand, I don't see her ever sitting down in a formal high school setting. That doesn't mean, however, that she won't try to educate herself. The two are very different things - and an interesting side of her to explore.

Unlimited Highlights: X-23

Read and enjoy the story of X-23 from the very beginning!

Interview with Marjorie Liu

Enjoy a nice interview with the best-selling writer of the ongoing series we all are waiting for.


Marjorie, let's start off by talking about X-23. You've written the character before, but how will you be approaching her in the new ongoing series?

Marjorie Liu: Who is X-23? That's the core question, and my plan is to treat this series as the journey of a damaged but hopeful girl who has done some terrible things in her life-and been abused in horrible ways - but who is determined not to let that define her. 

X-23 a very interesting character in that regard. At first, she cut herself off from emotions, but now she's experiencing them more and more. What about her do you think appeals to the fans?

Marjorie Liu: I can't speak to what appeals to most fans, but as I'm a fan, I'll explain what I love about her. X-23 has been through hell. She was created for one purpose, and she is fantastic at it. She is a born killer. But despite the fact that she was raised in a lab and taught nothing about compassion or mercy, she nonetheless possesses those qualities. She's not cruel. She has the heart of a good person. More importantly, she wants to be a good person. And it's that desire, that hunger to defy fate and be more than what she was supposed to be that makes her such a wonderful character. She never gives up. She never backs down. 

What can you say about your plans for the series as a whole? Will the title be featuring appearances by the other X-Men?

Marjorie Liu: As I said earlier, this is a journey of self-discovery; a chance for X-23 to be on her own. She's young, she thinks she knows a lot, and sometimes she does. But she knows more about the world than she does about herself.You'll be seeing some X-Men. I won't tease who, quite yet, but I'll say that they're favorites of mine - real, hardcore favorites - so that's a clue right there if you're familiar with me. The villains will be awful, really horrible and will definitely leave X-23 feeling outmatched. She faces off with the Devil in the first arc, and in the second, the villain is a woman. Not Kimura. Someone worse. 

In regards to the X-Men, you mentioned there are characters you really like and really want to write. Do you plan on having them as a sort of supporting cast in the book?

Marjorie Liu: I can think of two X-Men in particular who will be part of her supporting cast, and several who will put in brief appearances. Do I love writing them? You bet. And both are characters who have never interacted much with X-23, but who share a great deal in common with her - on an emotional level, that is. I'm keeping their identities under wrap at the moment, simply because I'm still hammering out their roles in her ongoing story.

 In previous stories featuring the character, it was sort of established that she has romantic feelings for Julian Keller, aka Hellion, who was injured in Second Coming. Is this something you'll be addressing in your series?

Marjorie Liu: You know I'm not really interested in exploring X-23's role as a girlfriend. Julian will be part of the book, in a limited way, but X-23 is on a journey that will be taking her away from almost everyone she knows. She needs to come to terms with her own identity before she can really give herself over to a healthy relationship, which sounds like a cliché, I know, but seriously, it's so true.
What does artist Will Conrad bring to the table for this title? What about his art style do you like?

Marjorie Liu: I love everything about his style. There's a visceral quality that is rich and hard, and full of careful detail that brings each panel to life. He's got great movement in his pencils, and man, his work in this first issue has been stunning. Absolutely chilling. John Rauch is on colors, and that's just badass.

As a last question, we've got an X-23 series, Daken and also Wolverine-how long until the Crazy Clawed Crossover?

Marjorie Liu: Well, I can promise blood, that's for sure. And there will be a Daken/X-23 crossover. It's already in the works.

Marco Djurdjevic's X-Men poster + Yost/Kyle Interview

Marco Djurdjevic's X-Men poster released at San Diego Comic-Con 2010 is a thing of absolute beauty which will be divided in separated parts over several X-Books. It's very cool that Laura is one of the biggest characters on the whole picture! And she's still wearing her X-Force uniform. An interview with Kyle Yost and Craig Kyle is also included.

 

The Interview

X-Force: Sex and Violence #1 Preview Lettered

X-FORCE: SEX AND VIOLENCE #1 (of 3)
Written by CRAIG KYLE and CHRIS YOST
Pencils and Cover by GABRIELE DELL’OTTO
Just when you thought it was over, we pull you back in—it’s the X-Force story everyone’s been talking about, finally delivered! Wolverine and Domino have always had a special relationship, but everything goes upside down when the Assassins Guild puts out a hit on our gun wielding bombshell. Why do they want her dead? And more importantly, how many people have to die before Wolverine and Domino can spend some quality time together? Get ready for the sexiest blood-soaked ride Craig Kyle and Chris Yost have ever delivered as they join forces with international superstar Gabriele Dell'otto to offer up their final X-Force story! Parental Advisory $3.99
On Sale July 14 2010

X-Force #28 Preview

COVER BY: Adi Granov
WRITER: Craig Kyle, Christopher Yost
PENCILS: Mike Choi
COLORED BY: Sonia Oback
THE STORY:
“SECOND COMING”, CHAPTER THIRTEEN The final battle begins here! It’s X-Force’s last stand in the future and the X-Men’s last stand in the present. Bastion has been one step ahead of the X-Men the whole time, but one X-Man’s sacrifice could turn the tide! Don’t miss the penultimate chapter of the X-Event of 2010! Parental Advisory …$2.99
IN STORES: July 8, 2010 

X-POSITION: Marjorie Liu

A new and amazing interview with miss Liu will tell us a little about her plans for Laura's new ongoing. The most beautiful art is included as well. I'm so very excited about this! It is said that Filipe Andrade and Nuno Alves won't be returning to the series (thank GOD) and the new artist is going to be the awesome and great Will Conrad (Emma Frost, She-Hulk, Serenity). The NYX-characters will appear in the series, but it won't happen in the first arc.

Is this book merely going to tell adventures of this character? Or will X-23's tales have an overarching goal driving them (e.g. to find out more about her creation)?
Marjorie Liu: Both, really. X-23 has endured some awful abuse – physical, mental, sexual – and she's inflicted her own abuse, as well. She's a killer. A predator. And yet, she's still a teenager. I mean, talk about a need for some self-reflection (and therapy). X-23 is still learning about who she is – she's trying to, anyway. But the X-Men have done all they can for her, and so this next stage of her life is going to take her away from them, and set her on a path where she'll need to rely on her own moral compass – which, occasionally, will lead her astray.
Will any members of the X-Men be making regular appearances in this book?
Liu: Yes. Which is a vague answer, but only because I'm still hammering out the first arc. Again, though: yes. I have several favorites who I hope will show up on a regular basis.

Will you be making references to points in X-23's history, especially those given by her creators Chris Yost and Craig Kyle? And have you ever talked to or met with Yost and Kyle as her creators?
Liu: Absolutely. Not only did Chris and Craig give X-23 a complex, rich personality – they gave her an incredible history to draw upon. She's a wonderful character, and though I haven't formally discussed her with them, I appreciate that they've given their blessing with respect to my involvement in the X-23 ongoing.

With you writing both "offsprings" of Wolverine, can we count on a big confrontation between Daken and X-23?
Liu: I guarantee it. Dan and I have already talked about this.

Marjorie, I'm sooo excited for your new "X-23" ongoing. I read the "X-23" one-shot that you wrote recently, and I loved everything from the story to the appearances, but I especially loved the art. Please tell me the artists are returning for the ongoing! And can we expect to see NYX pop up much in X-23's book?
Liu: Thank you so much! I loved the art, too, but Filipe Andrade and Nuno Alves won't be returning to the series. The new artist is Will Conrad, who has been doing wonderful work on "Wolverine: Origins." As for NYX, the short answer is "yes." They'll be popping up, though not in the first arc. Expect them down the line.

Is X-23 going to be having a permanent supporting cast or will it change arc to arc? 
Liu: Again, I'm still hammering out some details, but my hope is that X-23 will have a semi-permanent supporting cast. I don't like throwaway characters that change from arc to arc. Sometimes there's a purpose to them, and that's fine – but I prefer exploring relationships over the long-term, and shaking things up within those relationships – upping the stakes, pushing, going deep.

Will X-23 be sticking around San Francisco for her title, or will she be hopping from place to place?
Liu: By the end of this first arc, she'll be a nomad – more or less. No real home, just the world at her feet. She won't have much of a reason to stay in San Francisco.

Marjorie, will you continue Laura & Hellion's relationship in the "X-23" ongoing?
Liu: I will be touching on it, yes.

Will we see a Kimura vs. Wolverine fight at some point soon?
Liu: I don't have any immediate plans for Kimura...which isn't to say that she's not coming back. When I do deal with her, it's going to be wild.

X-Solicitations September 2010

X-23 #1
Written by MARJORIE LIU
Penciled by WILL CONRAD
Cover by DANNI SHINYA LUO
Variant Cover by MARKO DJURDJEVIC
Variant Cover by GABRIELE DELL'OTTO
Women of Marvel Variant by Jelena Kevic-Djurdjevic
After the events of Second Coming and the stunning conclusion to X-Force, X-23 strikes out on her own in this all-new ongoing series, written by best-selling author MARJORIE LIU, spinning out of the events of Wolverine #1! X-23 has never had an easy relationship with the rest of the X-Men, but when she learns someone has taken down Wolverine, she must step up to fill his shoes.
40 PGS./Parental Advisory ...$3.99

X-MEN LEGACY #240
Written by MIKE CAREY
Penciled by CLAY MANN
Cover by LEINIL FRANCIS YU
Super Hero Squad Variant also available
“COLLISION” Part 3
The city of Mumbai is coming apart at the seams, torn asunder by freak energy storms...and Rogue and Magneto have finally discovered their source: The Children of the Vault have returned. And the X-Men may not be enough to stop them. But might their “new mutant” tip the scales in their favor?
32 PGS./Rated A ...$2.99

Hellion is going to play a role here, so I included this issue it the Solicits.



 
X-FORCE: SEX AND VIOLENCE #3 (of 3)
Written by CHRISTOPHER YOST & CRAIG KYLE
Art and Cover by GABRIELE DELL’OTTO
The blood soaked conclusion!! Wolverine is the best he is at what he does. Domino is the luckiest there is at what she does. But this time, it's not going to be enough. The full force of the Assassins Guild is coming down on our heroes, and it's not going to be pretty. Except for the art.
32 PGS./Parental Advisory ...$3.99

X-POSITION: Craig Kyle & Chris Yost + X-Force - Sex and Violence Preview

Here's a recent interview with our beloved guys about X-23, Wolverine and the X-Men (which got canceled) and Second Coming's aftermath. You can also find some awesome information about "Sex and Violence" there. Also, Laura was called Hellion's love interest, even if not by the writer themselves. The biggest gift, however, is the most beautiful preview of "X-Force: Sex and Violence" (guessed release date July 14, 2010). Have fun!

How disappointed were you that "Wolverine and the X-Men" was canceled after only one season? Can you give us an idea of what else was planned?
Craig Kyle: Yeah, it was a bummer. [...] By the time we got to the end of the first season, it was designed to have at least three more seasons. Obviously, "Age of Apocalypse" was next and then it would move into "House of M," which would have been the next stage. [...] And by the end of it, we would get to outer space and the Shi'ar and the Brood and just tell the X-Men's perspective of the Marvel Universe. I would say, though, that the X-Men never stay off of the television for long. I was thrilled for the first season we got, and I look forward to them popping up again, whenever that may happen.

Back during "Messiah War," Elixir seemed to learn something about Hope, but so far this hasn't been addressed. Will this be followed up on during "Second Coming?" Also, is Elixir unable to heal now? They could sure use him.
Yost: After "Necrosha," Elixir kinda bugged out. He is not on the island.
Kyle: He has been fighting the ability to kill for quite awhile - since he killed Stryker, way back when we were writing "New X-Men." He's been forced to use this ability again, and...this has kind of been a tipping of the scale. Once he does that too many times, it's a question of...you know, unlike Archangel where he'll revert, Elixir may not have that option. His powers may switch for good, and that's something he doesn't want to happen. [...] Now, he knows what Hope is, and that information isn't going away. [...] Where he shows up next and how and who he'll be, well, that's anybody's guess. But let's hope he's a good guy still, because if he's not, it's going to really, really change up the Marvel Universe.
Why did Hellion get mauled...again?
Yost: He's so arrogant, he's just asking for it. Heh. You know, there's a funny story about that, and when it's all said and done, we'll tell it. But, yeah, he's had some bad luck. I think all the New X-Men kids are in a tough spot right now, but hopefully with "Legacy's" new direction post-"Second Coming," they'll get some of the spotlight and start rebuilding.
Kyle: And here's the real kicker - had that been Anole, that kid would have had two awesome arms!
I loved the little scene of Hellion and X-23 in the Med Wing; it was very touching. I was wondering though - can Hellion get a pirate hook prosthetic for his left hand?
Yost: [...] No, he can not have a hook, to answer the question. I have to tell you, I love the New X-Men - I don't think that's a secret to anybody - and doing that was so horribly hard. I did not enjoy that scene particularly.

Since the Big G mentioned Hellion's love interest, Chickrockguitar wanted to know more about her new title that was recently announced.
What do you think of X-23's upcoming ongoing series? Were you guys consulted on it at all? And what about your plans for a third X-23 miniseries?
Kyle: You know, we weren't consulted, but that's okay. There's been other X-23 stories where we also weren't consulted. You know, it turns out Marvel owns the character - I had no idea. [Laughs] What I love is that a female writer who is very talented is taking X-23 on to the next chapter.
Did Chris and I have another story we could tell? You bet your ass. I also think that if Chris and I were left to our own devices, we could keep writing that character indefinitely. But we also agreed a long time ago that the longer you hold onto a character and the longer you write them, the easier it becomes for you to be the one that ruins the character. So, because of its timing, "X-Force: Sex and Violence" is kind of our X-send-off for the time being.
Who knows what our next thing will be? We're always looking, always thinking, always plotting. But for X-23, I'm excited. It will be very interesting and kind of exciting to be just a fan for once and sit back each month and see what's going to happen. And I am really just excited that she's in the right hands, because I do think Marjorie will do a great job with her. And as long as the next time X-23 meets Daken she kicks his ass, I'm cool.

Is there any character who you wanted to kill, but the X-office wouldn't let you?
Yost: You know, they stopped us from killing Onyxx back in "New X-Men," but we finally got him in "X-Force."
Kyle: That's true!
Yost: I hated that character. No offense to Peter Milligan, who I think is great, but I was not a fan. But we never do anything maliciously - it's all within the story. Hm, let's see, anyone else we wanted to kill, but didn't, because they wouldn't let us...
Kyle: Oh, Nezhno!
Yost: Yeah, we wanted to kill Nezhno, just to show people that we would.
Kyle: Yeah, people thought we got all precious. Now, I'll be the first to admit we favor X-23, but that's because she's awesome! But, yeah, we were going to kill Nezhno, and they said, "Nnnooo, we like him." Now, we liked him too, but that's why we thought we had to ace him...

X-Force #27 Preview

Cover by: Adi Granov
Variant Cover by: David Finch
Writer: Craig Kyle & Chris Yost
Pencils: Mike Choi
Colored by: Sonia Oback
SECOND COMING, Chapter 9
This is the end of the line. The horror of what the X-Men face is fully revealed, and the reality sets in...every single mutant on the planet is going to die. They cannot hold out any longer. And X-Force goes on their final mission. 
In Stores: May 26, 2010