Sexy Side-Project "The Red Queen Chronicles: The Divine" is LIVE!

If there’s one thing I’ve learned since I started writing sexy side-projects, it’s that fans want their favorite characters to hook up with all sorts of characters. It doesn’t matter that it’s ridiculously non-canon. It doesn’t matter that it would never happen in the books either. Fans just love seeing certain characters get sexier than they’re allowed to be.

Since I started my “New Red Queen” series, I’ve gotten all sorts of suggestions for sexy hook-ups. Given that Mary Jane Watson, with all her amazing sex appeal, is at the center of the story, I expected to get plenty lurid requests for her. However, I didn’t expect to get so many for another fiery redhead, namely Jean Grey.

Perhaps I shouldn’t be too surprised, given all the uncut scenes I’ve done with her in my X-men Supreme series. After the events of “The Red Queen Chronicles: The Phoenix,” though, I’ve opened the proverbial floodgates. I’ve effectively unshackled Jean Grey-Summers from the traditional confines that has kept her fully clothed for too damn long. Apparently, there are a lot of Jean Grey fans who have been waiting for this sort of thing. Surprised or not, I’m going to run with it.

That’s why I’m proud to announce another sexy side-project of the most uncanny kind. It involves Jean Grey hooking up with someone she rarely encounters in the comics and being unapologetically sexy about it. She married Cyclops and flirted with Wolverine, but now that she’s the Black Queen of the Hellfire Club, she’s going to set her sights higher. By that, I mean she’s looking for some truly divine sexiness from someone who just happens to have a big movie coming out.

Yes, I’m referring to the God of Thunder himself, Thor. He and Jean Grey have rarely shared a scene together in the comics, but that doesn’t matter in the world of the Red Queen Chronicles. Through this ambitious, but straightforward one-shot, these two characters you didn’t know you wanted to see hook up are going to get frisky. If this doesn’t get you excited for both the “Thor: Ragnarok” movie or “X-men: Dark Phoenix,” I don’t know what will.

The Red Queen Chronicles: The Divine

As always, I encourage everyone to provide feedback and leave comments. I can’t promise I’ll pursue every sexy suggestion, whether it involves Jean Grey, Mary Jane Watson, or Squirrel Girl. I’m always open to new ideas, though, especially the sexy kind.

Rising Ashes From Two Eras: Generations: Phoenix & Jean Grey #1

The following is my review of Generations: Phoenix and Jean Grey #1, which was posted on PopMatters.com.

It's usually a sign when a certain character becomes best known for dying, not staying dead, and having large chunks of their history retconned and rewritten. It's rarely a good sign, but a select few can manage more balanced results. Jean Grey functions better than most with that kind of legacy. She dies, comes back to life, dies again, gets cloned, travels through time, and somehow finds a way to deal with a cosmic force. That may very well be another sign, but one that speaks to the strength of her character.

In a sense, Jean Grey is one of those characters who's always torn between two opposing forces. Sometimes it involves her being on the wrong end of a love triangle. Other times, it involves wanting to forge her own path while still confronting the many conflicts in her history. She knows she ends up dead, an icon to some and a walking resurrection joke to others. Since her arrival from the past in All-New X-men, Jean's story seems to fluctuate from one conflicting force to another.

One day, she's trying everything she can to avoid the same obstacles that doomed her adult self. The next, she's determined to face them. Given that she's a teenager and teenagers are known to have erratic methods in dealing with problems, this is understandable. It also makes Jean Grey's story somewhat chaotic. There's not a clear understanding of what she hopes to accomplish, so long as she's stuck in the future with the rest of the time-displaced X-men. Unlike her teammates, though, she can't reach out to her older self for guidance.

Now, thanks to space-time machinations for Marvel Generations, a teenage Jean Grey finally gets the chance to interact with her older self and learn from the icon herself. What plays out in Marvel Generations: Phoenix and Jean Grey #1 is not an illusion. It's not some twisted memory either. This is the real Jean Grey of X-men lore who goes onto devour a star, cheat death, get clones, and inspire any number of fights between Cyclops and Wolverine. It's as big a moment as a teenage girl can ever face outside her prom night.

Cullen Bunn and RB Silva don't just rip a teenage Jean Grey out of the present and stick her into some contrived point in the ever-changing, constantly-reconnected timeline of the X-men. Bunn shows that he's done his homework by putting the young Jean Grey in a specific moment within the original Phoenix Saga between that ran between Uncanny X-men #101 and Uncanny X-men #138. It's the kind of attention to detail that Chris Claremont himself would be proud of.

In a sense, it's the most optimal moment Jean and her older self could've chosen for their respective stories. Within the context of the original Phoenix Saga, it's that brief period where Jean had control over the Phoenix Force. She isn't corrupted, twisted, or devouring entire star systems just to see what it feels like. She's still very human in her perspective, but vulnerable to the corruption that comes with the god-like power of the Phoenix Force.

It's a narrow window for her teenage self to explore, but one that's vital within the context of her own story. It provides a clear and effective link between the conflict unfolding in Jean's solo series and the events unfolding in Marvel Generations. Once again, Jean faces the prospect of dealing with the Phoenix Force again.

She knows as well as anyone who tries to follow convoluted timelines and never-ending death/rebirth plots that it's bound to cause cosmic headaches for everyone. In order to deal with it, she needs to learn about it. She'll find no better source than this particular version of herself at this particular point in her history. Even a cosmic version of Wikipedia can't provide information that comprehensive.

As a result, Marvel Generations: Phoenix and Jean Grey #1 takes on a very personal undertone. Bunn dedicates significant parts of the narrative to exploring the inner conflict within the teenage Jean Grey. She recognizes from the beginning that this is an important opportunity, one that she can't afford to pass up. She needs to learn everything she can about the Phoenix Force. On top of that, she has spoilers to the tragedy that lies just ahead for her adult counterpart.

Despite all the implications this meeting has for both characters, Bunn resists the urge to turn teenage Jean Grey into Marty McFly from Back to the Future in that she doesn't mindlessly mess with the timeline. She actually establishes a personal connection with her older self. She doesn't attempt to deceive her or impede her. She presents herself as a friend and ally. It may seem redundant since they're the same person, but it serves an important purpose.

By becoming an ally, teen Jean gets a chance to learn about her older self outside the tragedy, heartache, and retcons that exist only in the memories of her fellow X-men. She sees that, like her, the older Jean Grey is also struggling to make sense of this cosmic power. However, her older self clearly has a different perspective of that power, which she eagerly demonstrates in ways that maximizes the visual appeal of Silva's art.

It leads to a cosmic clash between the Phoenix and Galactus. It's the kind of clash that's inherently epic on paper, but easy to mess up in a story. Bunn achieves a fitting balance of sorts, giving Jean and her adult counterpart a chance to shine and learn from each other. In doing so, it sets up a unique moment between two characters from different periods in a vast mythos. That moment carries with it a dramatic impact that maximizes the opportunity that Marvel Generations creates.

It's a moment that Marty McFly botched in Back to the Future. For Jean Grey, it's a moment of clarity that takes place at the best possible time. That's not just an outside observation either. The Watcher himself shows up to let her know just how important her decision is in the grand scheme of the never-ending chaos that is the Marvel universe. She has a chance to make the easy decision that will most definitely incur all sorts of complications and consequences. She ends up making a different choice. The fact she makes that choice as a teenager, whose natural inclinations gravitate towards easy solutions bereft of consequence, speaks to the strength of her character.

Marvel Generations: Phoenix and Jean Grey #1 is in a position to literally rewrite the history of one of the X-men's most iconic stories. It's also in a position to add even greater complications to a story that has had more than its share since the 1980s. Bunn doesn't draw the ire of Chris Claremont, nor does he completely nullify the potential of the moment. The Jean Grey from the past and the Jean Grey from the present both get something out of their encounter. It's not the same as a retcon or a time paradox, but it has a genuine impact and that impact feels relevant to both characters.

There's still a sense that teenage Jean didn't do as much as she could've. It could be argued that she didn't do as much as she should've either. However, what she ends up doing is probably the most responsible decision she could've made in that situation. For a teenager constantly looking for ways to avoid the destiny that fate has laid out for her, it speaks volumes to the strength of her character. Even if the circumstances of Marvel Generations are unclear and the overall impact is uncertain, Jean Grey shows why, no matter which era she's in, she's still the heart of the X-men.

Final Score: 9 out of 10

Fifty Shades of Jean Grey - Official Trailer (The Sexier Version)

Let's face it, somebody was going to do this sooner or later. I like to think that this was a nice summary of Jean Grey and Wolverine's relationship during their time together in X-men Supreme. Sure, it sucked in the movies and constantly fucks up the comics. But let's face it, it's still pretty fucking hot.

Worlds Apart - Superman Meets Jean Grey In A Special (Sexy) Way

In addition to writing X-men Supreme, novels like Skin Deep, and reviewing comics, I actually do find time for other little side-projects. I honestly don't know where I find the time either, but some ideas are just too much to keep inside. Ever since DC's New 52 relaunch, I've contemplated a possible Marvel/DC crossover. I know I'm not alone either. There was a time when Marvel and DC actually did share their awesome and create epic crossover events. Lawyers have long since put the kibosh on that, but this hasn't stopped fan fiction writers from carrying on the legacy. Some are even pretty damn awesome. A very good friend of mine named The Writer With No Name has written some pretty epic stuff with his Last Son saga. He set the bar so damn high that I honestly don't see how I could ever match it, but that won't stop me from trying.

So I came up with this little idea to just test the waters of a Marvel/DC crossover. It's nothing too epic. It's basically just me trying a little something different to see if it has the potential to be awesome. It involves two awesome characters, Superman and Jean Grey, and brings them together in a very special (and sexy) way. It's just a simple one-shot. But if enough people like it, I'll try to turn it into something more awesome. Enjoy!

Worlds Apart

Guardians of the Galaxy #12 Unlettered Preview - More Hugs

I don't consider myself an overly affectionate person, especially when I'm sober. Get enough liquor in me and I'll dish out some hugs, but I'm just as likely to start throwing punches. It really depends on my mood, how much I've had, and how bad the Ravens are doing. But I understand the power of affection. It can heal broken hearts, rebuilt burnt bridges, and make a shitty day feel awesome. It's a lot like cocaine and ecstasy, minus the nasty side-effects.

All New X-men has been a pretty emotional series since it began. There hasn't been a lot of hugging, but there has been a lot of emotional upheaval, especially from O5 Jean Grey. She's the one dealing with the most. Being dead in the future, having a school named after her, and seeing the love of her life end up in the arms of her big-breasted rival would make anyone upset. And since weed isn't legal in New York or Canada, she's got precious few ways to relax. Maybe the next base should set up shop in Colorado or something. But now she can't deal with those emotions because she's about to go on fucking trial.

In the events of All New X-men #22, the Shi'ar arrived and abducted her specifically so they could try her for crimes she hadn't even committed yet. It sounds like the kind of legal shit that only takes place in North Korea, Iran, and Texas. To make it suck even more, she got abducted shortly after she got into an emotional argument with O5 Cyclops about how well (or not well) she's coping. It's a shitty way to end a conversation with a future husband, but the Shi'ar aren't exactly known for attacking at a good time.

Now they've officially teamed up with the Guardians of the Galaxy in hopes of saving O5 Jean Grey from the kind of justice that only Kim Jong Un would applaud. And they have to do this while emotions are running high. But those emotions may get even more complicated based on a new unlettered preview of Guardians of the Galaxy #12, which is part 4 of the event. I'm sure everyone remembers this famous cover.

Well, what happened wasn't exactly that Twilight-esque if that's the right word. O5 Cyclops and X-23 never kissed, but they did share a nice emotional moment that involved a hug. It was also stated outright by O5 Jean Grey herself that O5 Cyclops "fancied" X-23. It's not clear if he fancied her as a person or just parts of her. But it's something that was only lightly explored. Well now in the unlettered preview released by Comic Book Resources, it gets a little less Twilight-esque and a bit more pornographic. Hell, without dialog, pretty much anything can be made pornographic, but that's just my own twisted drunken imagination talking.

CBR: Guardians of the Galaxy #12 Unlettered Preview

Marvel is pleased to present your first look at GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY #12, from the rock star creative team of Brian Michael Bendis and Sara Pichelli! Jean Grey has been abducted by the Shi’ar Empire – accused of cataclysmic crimes she has yet to commit. But not all is as it seems. How are Star-Lord’s malevolent father and the Spartax Empire involved? Now, as the Guardians of the Galaxy and the All-New X-Men race to the edge of the deep space to rescue her – they’ll enlist the help of some very unlikely allies. One of whom will have world shattering consequences for one of the All-New X-Men! But even they may not be enough to stop the most powerful army in the Universe. Don’t miss the encounter that will have everyone buzzing this February in GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY #12!

Poor O5 Cyclops. He really does look like he needs a hug. It looks like O5 Jean needs one too because it appears she's dealing with some sort of alien lawyer. As someone who has dealt with many overworked and under-appreciated public defenders, I'm pretty sure she's encouraging O5 Jean to plead guilty and hope for a lesser sentence. By Shi'ar standards, that probably means only 150 years in the slave pits as opposed to 200. She knows she's fucked and I doubt she has any cell-mates that can sneak her in some weed. It's tragic, but I guess the Shi'ar don't care for hugs or justice for that matter.

But X-23 shows that she's more compassionate than the Shi'ar, which isn't saying much I guess. She sees O5 Cyclops in a vulnerable state, not unlike the one she was in earlier. And just as he did, she reaches out to him and hugs him. It's a sweet moment that a non-sober me would choke up over. So at the very least the X-23/O5 Cyclops plot isn't going to be dropped. Given how O5 Jean saw them hugging before, it may add more melodrama to the ongoing emotional shit storm between O5 Cyclops and O5 Jean.

But it's still unclear just what sort of emotions there are between X-23 and O5 Cyclops. Is she just being compassionate? Or does she want to jump his bone and ride him like bull on crystal meth? We can't tell from the unlettered preview, but we can infer that emotions will be running high. And if O5 Angel actually does try to hit on Angela, someone might even get laid. It's an event full of justice, injustice, and emotions. It's Judge Judy meets the Vampire Dairies. It doesn't sound like it should work, but fuck if it doesn't look awesome. Nuff said!

X-men Supreme Issue #85: Cambrian Explosion Part 2 PREVIEW and Pic Updates

The X-men have faced some pretty major threats in their 50-year history. They’ve faced more than their share of threats in the X-men Supreme fanfiction series as well. But the enemies they deal with are often unique. It isn’t just human bigotry, mutant tyrants, mad geneticists, or mutant-hunting robots. Sometimes, the X-men have to go up against the very forces of nature. This has already manifested in X-men Supreme. During the Phoenix Saga, the X-men had to go up against the very forces of creation in dealing with the Phoenix Force. Now in the biggest event to date for the X-men Supreme fanficition series, they’ll have to deal with the forces of evolution.

The X-men and the very concept of mutants has always been influenced by evolution. It’s a concept that most people only have a marginal understanding about. Some fear it the same way they fear change. X-men Supreme has seen the mutant conflict evolve. Now Magneto is seeking to take that evolution to an extreme and dangerous level that will affect every human and mutant on the planet. For the X-men’s big 50th anniversary event, I wanted a unique yet powerful threat and that threat will manifest as the Cambrian Explosion arc continues to unfold.

When I started thinking about how I was going to approach the X-men’s 50th event, I was tempted to simply utilize another famous story from the X-men mythos and give it and X-men Supreme twist. Instead, I hope to do something unique with the Cambrian Explosion. Throughout the history of the X-men comics, Magneto has tampered with powerful forces that he neither fully understands nor can hope to control. For this arc, he is going to tap into a powerful that he believes will ensure mutant dominance. That power will bring about significant changes and consequences to the X-men Supreme fanfiction series and very soon, the X-men will have an idea of just what they’re up against. As such, I’ve prepared a preview here to offer a hint at what is about to be unleashed upon the world of X-men Supreme.

“This must be it! It has to be!” he grunted through his strain.

Despite growing fatigue, Magneto lifted the metal spike out through the vast hole in the ground. Since it was so deep, it took a few minutes to get it all the way out. Once it was retrieved, he shoved it to the side. The terrain still seemed a bit unstable with cracks still lining the nearby area. Some of the rocks were still red hot from all the friction, but Magneto was ready to take the heat. He made sure his suit had some cooling equipment beforehand and his magnetic shield should also protect him.

Now brimming with anticipation, the master of magnetism plunged into the newly formed hole. Within minutes it was pitch black. In order to see he took out some special flash lanterns he made just for this journey. They were extra bright so he could see ahead of him. For what felt like hours, there was nothing but blackness. Then he reached the end and saw what appeared to be the entrance to a dome-shaped chamber.

‘Hmm…this is a peculiar formation. It almost looks like a cocoon. Perhaps when it was trapped, it created a shell of sorts. It doesn’t look too difficult to pierce.’

For a moment he hovered over the structure. The air was dense, making it hard to breath. He shouldn’t have to stay much longer. Holding the light steady, Magneto ran his hand over the shell. It looked just like the sample of Cambrian he gave Quentin Quire. It had a rough brownish texture with streaks of metal slivers. Under the flash lantern, the rock had the appearance of liquid mercury. He also felt a distinct warmth coming from it. This wasn’t the heat of the surrounding rocks. This was the heat of life. As he touched it, he could almost sense a presence in his mind.

‘hengun-free-anhgh-me.’

“Amazing!” gasped Magneto, “Could the Cambrian be telepathic?”

A fury of questions ran though his mind. He spent a lifetime speculating on the nature of this entity. Now he was about to come face-to-face with it.

“So many possibilities…only one way to know for sure!”

Magneto moved the flash lantern further away so he had room to work. Despite his lingering fatigue, he channeled the surrounding magnetic forces into one more powerful burst. As soon as it hit the shell, the mysterious structure began to crack. However, it didn’t fracture like normal rock. As soon as it was pierced, the silvery slithers of the rock started giving off their own light.

“Yes…awaken Cambrian!” proclaimed Magneto.

In a mysterious display the shell literally slithered away as if it were the skin of a snake, revealing a dark yet perfectly circular entrance into the cocoon. At first there was no sign of activity. Magneto maneuvered the flash lantern so he could get a closer look. From deep within the cavern, he heard a strange hissing sound.

“Are…are you trying to speak?” he said, not sure if he could even communicate with this thing, “Let me help you! I can show you the way out!”

Magneto hovered closer to the opening. The mysterious warmth intensified. He was definitely near something that was alive. This thing may not be human, but it definitely had a presence. Holding the flash lantern steady, he carefully peered into hole.

Suddenly, a mysterious globular mass emerged from the darkness. From this mass, an oversized eye formed and stared him down with a gaze struck even the master of magnetism. Just as the old holocaust survivor was overcome with shock, the globular mass shape shifted and took on a new form. It seemed to mimic his humanoid appearance. From this shape it reached out through the hole with a powerful hand. Magneto instinctively fell back and tried to avoid it, but this globular arm grabbed him and almost immediately a powerful new influence came over him.

“Augh! What the…”

“Evolve…or DIE!”

With a firm grip on the master of magnetism, the blob pulled Magneto and the flash lantern into the hole. There was nothing he could do to escape. Within moments, the globular mass completely consumed him and every fiber of his being was overrun by this mysterious entity.

“AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!”

“Life…seeking…destroying…creating. Must…evolve. Must...grow.”

And in the spirit of X-men Supreme's big event, I also have another update to the pics section. It's only fitting that I add in a few extras during the X-men's 50th anniversary. I like to think of it as variant covers. This time, I've added in some updates for Kitty Pryde and Phoenix. And please remember that I'm always open to anyone who wishes to submit or commission additional pics.

Shadowcat Pics

Phoenix Pics

Marvel comics has promised sweeping changes for its X-men Battle of the Atom event. It’s only fitting that I offer the same for the Cambrian Explosion. The very concept of evolution requires change, selection, and extinction. It’s a concept that is frequently reflected in X-men and will certainly be reflected in the X-men Supreme fanfiction series. I will work hard to ensure that this event is worthy of the X-men’s 50th anniversary milestone. And in order to do that, every bit of feedback and support helps. So please remember to voice your support for the X-men Supreme fanfiction series by either posting a review of each issue or contacting me directly. I’m always open to chat about my work or X-men in general. Thanks to all those who have been supporting X-men Supreme thus far and I hope it continues as this fanfiction series continues to unfold. Until next time, take care and best wishes. Excelsior!

Jack

Yet Another (Pointless) Jean Grey/Dark Phoenix Teaser

Ever go to a party and come across one of those annoying guys who tells the same fucking joke over and over again as if it hasn't become more annoying than listening to Rosanne Barr's singing? Ever feel the urge to break an empty beer bottle over his head and rub the shards of glass into his eyes? Well don't worry. You're not a psychopath. You're normal.

Certain teasers for movies, comic books, and TV shows are a lot like that wannabe comedian at the party, except you can't break a beer bottle over a teasers head. If you could, every trailer that ever ended with the words like "never before seen" or "a journey like no other" would have irreversible brain damage. The same could be said for Marvel's trailers regarding Jean Grey. I know I use this image more than Lady Gaga uses lipstick, but it still gets the point across.

What I wouldn't give for a beer bottle.

There was a time when another Jean Grey teaser or Phoenix teaser or any teaser that involved Marvel and redheaded, green-eyed women would have launched me on a drunken rant that would have made Mel Gibson blush. But I thought we were beyond that. Marvel has already announced that Jean Grey (at least her teenage Original Five form) will be returning to the 616 universe after Avengers vs. X-men. This was not a ruse. Marvel has already released preview our and covers that confirm that there is no bullshit this time. Jean Grey will be returning to the Marvel Universe and will probably be exceedingly pissed about what's happened since she's been dead (and alive for that matter).

Okay, EVERYONE will probably be pissed.

But for some reason, Marvel's habit for Jean Grey teasers is almost as bad as my drinking. Just this past week, another teaser was released in the form of a variant cover for Avengers vs. X-men #12, which if you've been keeping track you know is the last issue of the event. It's not as blatant as the cover for Uncanny X-men #511. Actually, I think this shit is several levels above that. See for yourself.

Fuck, I'm going to need a bigger beer bottle!

It's not just a teaser. And if it's a joke, it would be like a joke about condoms at an abortion clinic. It's another Phoenix teaser, of which there have been plenty over the course of Avengers vs. X-men. But this isn't just any Phoenix. This is motherfucking Dark Phoenix! And it isn't just using Phoenix imagery. That's not fucking Hope Summers in the background. Hope Summers doesn't have legs that awesome, a rack that big, or eyes that ominous. Besides, Hope Summers has been shown on covers with the Phoenix before and they're at least a billion times less ominous.

Accept no substitutes and/or rip-off characters!

The teaser uses Jean Grey's image. Not Hope's. Not Madelyne Pryor's. Only Jean Grey fits that image and if Marvel isn't aware of that then they have way better booze than I ever will. It has led many comic news websites to ask if this is actually a hint that the Jean Grey that isn't a teenager will be making a comeback or at least an appearance. The fine folks at IGN put it nicely when they said "Sure, it could be Hope. I guess. But Hope doesn't have long billowy hair like that. This is obviously meant to evoke imagery of Jean, and if they pull a fast one and have it be someone else, well, that'd just be lame."

I'm not sure what to make of it other than Marvel just hoping to fuck with Jean Grey fans one last time before she comes back in All New X-men. I get it. They think that shit is fun. But there comes a time when teasers stop teasing and start annoying. Now don't get me wrong. I would love it if Jean Grey returned in Avengers vs. X-men #12 and used her Dark Phoenix might to bitch slap Hope for ripping her off all these years. But that shit would make way too much sense. Anyone who has been following this blog over the past few years knows Marvel doesn't do shit that makes sense even to a drunk. So for that, I'm content to look at this teaser in the same way I look at those AA pamphlets that list signs that you may have a drinking problem. I just ignore them and let someone else obsess over them until I figure out the cold hard truth for myself. Nuff said!

Marvel vs Capcom 3 - Gonna Take You For A Ride (Of Awesome)

I know I usually review comics on this blog. I know the readers who stumble across this tiny speck on the net expect to see me rant and bitch about comics. And that's not going to change. There are still plenty of comics for me to go on a Hulk-like rampage over. However, every so often a video game comes out that I simply can't ignore. Now I'm not a big time gamer. There are only so many hours in the day and my brain can only form so many connections, most of which are already taken up by comics. I still enjoy a good game though. I also enjoy games about comics (at least I try). The problem is there aren't too many comic book games that come out that aren't from movies and as every gamer knows, games from movies usually suck worse than a Brazilian transvestite in heroin withdrawal (Goldeneye being the exception). When a game does come around it's like seeing a celebrity's tits pop-out on network TV. It's rare, beautiful, and gets people up and arms. Marvel vs. Capcom 3 is like Carmen Electra's boobs popping out on an HD screen with full 3D affects.

Now this game has been generating quite a bit of buzz. It's been over a decade since the last Marvel vs Capcom game. George W. Bush hadn't unilaterally invaded a country yet when the last version came out. It was believed that another crossover was no longer possible because lawyers and game developers couldn't coexists short of a fight to the death atop an active volcano. Well they finally got their act together or someone just got bribed enough. Marvel vs. Capcom 3 is here and it feels so good.

I picked up the game the day it was released. I simply couldn't call myself a comic book fan if I waited more than a day after the release. Marvel vs. Capcom 3 continues the tradition of the previous games. It takes a handful of characters from Marvel and a handful of characters from Capcom and pits them together in a three-on-three battle that's the most awesome spectacle you'll see out of big budget lesbian porn. On Capcom you have characters like Ryu, Chung-Li, Dante, Chris Redfield, Morrigan, Haggar, Viewtiful Joe, and Zero from Mega Man. On Marvel you have Wolverine, Deadpool, Magneto, Jean Grey (or Hope Summers if you want), X-23, and Dr. Doom. There's a little something for everyone with so many characters. They all have their skill sets and moves along with special moves. It's a big package, that's for sure. But does it deliver? Here's my assessment.

Presentation: Marvel vs. Capcom 3 doesn't try to be too realistic. It's based off comics and video games. It shouldn't be realistic. The over-the-top, spectacle fighting style is a gorgeous sight and one that inundates the senses with sheer awesome. Everything from the character designs to the voice-overs are wonderfully choreographed and the intro movie alone is enough to give an impotent Parkinson's patient a ten-foot boner. It's a simple and to-the-point interface that's easy to follow. Some may feel it's too simplistic, but it's a fighting game. Overly complicated fighting games are like an overly fancy burger from McDonald's. It doesn't work that way. It refines what was done in the previous games, but doesn't take a quantum leap. If nothing else, it raises the bar just enough to set it apart.

Graphics: Like I said above, this game is based on video games and comic characters. So you don't want to have them look hyper real like in Heavy Rain. Marvel vs. Capcom 3's graphics are truly unique. It takes a cel-shaded approach to the characters, but doesn't make it look like flat pieces of paper running around on a canvas. It really feels like a comic book mixed with CG. It's a perfect blend. It's like a comic book made sweet love to a computer and they had a baby. Then a high tech gaming system like the PS3 or the X-box 360 hooked up with an animator and had a baby. Then by some miracle those babies got together and made sweet love (after being of legal age), thus producing the ultimate baby that blends style and animation. That's right. This game is the product of sweet baby making.

Gameplay: Now no matter how good a game looks, that only goes so far if it isn't fun to play. That's like having a hot chick who can't fuck worth a damn (ie: Paris Hilton). Now the Marvel vs Capcom franchise is known for having some difficult control schemes. It isn't an easy game to master and every character's move sets are different. Not only that, characters have a different balance of stats. Some like Thor and Albert Wesker have high health, but are slow and don't hit with the same impact. Others like Phoenix (or Hope) and Viewtiful Joe don't have good health, but they hit really hard and if you're nimble with a controller you're damn near unbeatable. It means you can't do the same tactics with every character and that's a good thing. You want the characters to feel unique and it adds some reply value. Because if you don't master every character, then you're dedication and manhood is in question. Some may still feel overwhelmed by the gameplay, but that's how most fighting games are structured these days. Unless you play Super Smash Brothers, the learning curve is going to be pretty damn steep. If you expected otherwise then you haven't kept up with gaming.

The single-player mode of the game is pretty straightforward. You choose a team, do seven battles with other random characters, and then face a big boss in Galactus at the end. It's a little simplistic, but the big drag is that there's no story involved. You don't find out how Marvel and Capcom come together. You don't even see any animatics or cut scenes describing the conflict. It's nice that the focus is on the gameplay, but without a story it feels like just an upgrade from the previous games. You don't get the same cinematic feeling as in games like Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe. It's all just a platform.

The multi-player mode is where most of the action will take place. This is where you can ditch the dumb-ass computer and actually play other people all over the world. This is by far the game's biggest arena and where it shines most. There's always someone to play. You can play ranked matches to show how awesome you are. Or you can play unranked matches if you suck and want to save face (like me). It took me eight matches to win my first battle, but it's great practice and will always offer new challenges.

Final Verdict: I'm not going to throw too many cute dick jokes around this time. This game is awesome. Marvel vs Capcom 3 is a fanboy's fantasy minus George Lucas filming you while you bang Megan Fox. You have a wonderfully polished product for comic fans and gamers alike. There are mediums for beginners, amateurs, and experts who only eat, sleep, and game. You'll lose plenty of hours off your life playing this game and enjoy every minute of it until the Alzheimers kicks in. The lack of story is a drag. Seeing as how this game had over ten years of development time, it's not like the developers didn't have time for shit like that. But the crisp presentation, amazing gameplay, and solid interface makes it a winner!

So if you're a comic fan and you have a PS3 or X-box 360, you'll get this game or be banned from being within the same zip code of your fellow gamers. If I had to grade this game like a comic, I would give it a 4.5 out of 5. Marvel vs. Capcom 3 took a long time to get here, but it is here and the wait was worth it! Now if you'll excuse me, I have to go use Wolverine, Phoenix, and Storm and pretend they're beating up Brett Ratner. Nuff said!

Second Coming #2 Quick Spoilers - It Does NOT Suck!

I just came back from my comic book store. I went early today, making sure I got there just as the place opened. I immediately went for Second Coming #2, which was in limited supplies. And I quickly thumbed through it. And by the end I could breath a slight sigh of relief. My fears from X-Force #28 were finally put to rest. The Phoenix was NOT a ruse. In one iconic spread, Hope does share the same panel with the Phoenix. Not only that, the vision Emma Frost had in Uncanny X-men #510 is recalled. So it appears there may be a connection after all. So all those Phoenix fans can rejoice at least for the moment. Hope showed that the power she wielded was no ruse. Now I want to post scans, but unfortunately my scanner is on the fritz. The best I can manage is a picture taken from my phone. I know the quality sucks, but it's all I can manage at this point.


On the Jean Grey front she does make a slight appearance in terms of flashbacks. On one panel she appears in an old picture with Scott and the former X-men and on the scan above she is shown within the vision Emma had back in Uncanny #510. It was not confirmed whether or not Hope was Jean Grey and that's somewhat expected. They couldn't answer everything at once, but they did drop the Phoenix into the mix and that is essentially leaving Jean Grey's fingerprints on this event. It also doesn't discount the possibility that Hope is Jean. It only adds yet another clue.

I want to go over the whole issue, but I would rather wait until I have the scans to fully flesh out this story. As soon as I have them, I'll post a review. Until then, I think it's safe to say that Second Coming ended on a high note. It didn't completely screw the readers over and it opens the door to some very intriguing story lines. I was way too close to jumping ship and going to DC exclusively, but I've stepped back at least for now. I'm still on board the X-train. I'm ready to see where it takes me.

X-Force #28 Cover Released - Hints to Hope/Jean/Phoenix or Another Ruse?

There are only two chapters left in the X-men: Second Coming crossover and time is running out for answers. For the past few weeks I've been giving out less-than-stellar reviews to the likes of Uncanny, New Mutants, and Legacy. It's not that the story hasn't been moving forward. It just isn't moving forward with the same momentum of awesome of previous issues. There is plenty of action, but none of that action seems to point to any real answers as to how this is going to change the status quo for mutants or why Hope is the mutant messiah. Well there are only two comics left with which to answer these questions and the previously classified cover of X-Force #28 came out recently. And what it hints at could indicate we're finally close to getting the answers X-fans have been craving for the past three years.

This was a comic that was supposed to come out this week, but due to a personal issue with Mike Choi it was pushed back to July 8th. It seems almost cruel to release a teaser like this even if it does add to the excitement. Hope Summers is finally doing more than just crying, complaining, and fighting. This girl is supposed to revitalize an entire race and her powers have been a complete mystery since Messiah Complex. Not only that, there have been strong if not unavoidable hints that Hope Summers is connected to the Phoenix Force. And I'm not talking about subtle hints either. I'm sure everyone remembers this little teaser.


There was also the X-men Second Coming Prepare issue that was acted as a big trailer to the event. It did plenty of hyping, but the most curious part was the end where it gave a history of the Phoenix Force that included Hope at the end. It's one thing to just put her in a teaser, but to throw her into an actual account of the Phoenix Force's history? That's being way more overt than Marvel usually is. One little hint can be ignored. Years ago there was Cable #5 which showed baby Hope with Phoenix emblems in her eyes. That got the message boards fired up, but it was one of those hints that could be ignored just as it was done with Mutant Zero. Then it happened again in the mini-series A Girl Called Hope. Her words weren't very subtle either. "I would come back from the dead?" Could you get any more overt?


If that weren't enough, there was the cover of the damn book. It had the Phoenix in the backdrop. So that's not just one hint Marvel is dropping. It's not even two. It's getting to the point where you can't even count them all on one hand. At this point for the Phoenix not to show up, it would be a plot hole of galactic proportions.


So with all these hints and X-Force #28 on top of it, what could it mean? It seems almost unavoidable that Hope Summers has a connection to the Phoenix. It makes perfect sense that the mutant messiah would be able to tap this vast power. It has been established in the Phoenix stories by Grant Morrison and Greg Pak that the Phoenix works by burning away things that don't work. The aftermath of M-Day which basically doomed mutants to extinction could very well be something that doesn't work in the eyes of the Phoenix and must be fixed. Hope using the Phoenix would be one of the very few things in the Marvel universe that could undo a massive warping of reality. But that's the problem. It may make too much sense.

As many hints as there have been about Hope's powers, there have also been plenty of counter-hints as well. In the Cable series she did show some telepathy and telekinesis, which is eerily similar to another certain redhead who once wielded cosmic power. Going back even further, she healed Rogue of the strain-88 virus while also evading detection from Cerebro and as an infant no less. Then there was the recent issue of Uncanny X-men, which showed Hope's eyes flashing in a similar way to that of Cyclops. It's fueled speculation that Hope is a mimic of sorts. That would make some sense, but it wouldn't explain the Phoenix connotations nor would it explain how that would somehow revitalize the mutant race. Also, a mimic wouldn't technically be a mutant either and she was said to be the first mutant born after M-day. It's led to a lot of confusion and answers haven't even been hinted at throughout the Second Coming crossover.

There is also the other elephant in the room that is as unavoidable as the Phoenix. Hope has red hair, green eyes, Phoenix flashes in her eyes, and is being raised in the future. Who else shares those qualities that sets them apart from any other Marvel redhead? What other popular Marvel character with a rabid fanbase that constantly pesters Marvel shares those qualities? If Jean Grey didn't come to mind, then you need to fork over your fanboy card immediately.

I've been saying for months. Jean Grey has been "dead" in the comics for for six years now and I say "dead" with quotations because technically she's still active. Phoenix Endsong showed her dead corpse rising from the grave and merging with the Phoenix Force so that it could return to the White Hot Room and find it's missing pieces. That's basically where her story has been lately and it's only recently that it's been re-emerging again. She even made a brief appearance (at least it seems that way) in Uncanny X-men #510 where she showed up to Emma Frost in a vision. There was also the infamous Uncanny X-men #511 cover which turned out to be a total farce.


All this adds to the possibility and the likelihood that Hope is some incarnation of Jean Grey. Marvel could have made Hope look like anything they wanted, but they gave her red hair and green eyes so that she perfectly resembled Jean. Not only that, they had her raised by Cable in the future. Why is that important? Well conversely it was Jean who raised Cable as a child in the future along with Scott. So the parallels are definitely there. Not only that, as she has grown she's only grown more and more like Jean Grey in terms of appearance. She even adopted the same green and gold dress sense of Jean's Phoenix form in Second Coming for crying out loud! It couldn't be more overt if Marvel sent a letter to every fan's house that read "See! She could be Jean Grey!"

This of course begs the question of whether or not this is another ruse. Marvel has pulled them before like they did with Mutant Zero and Uncanny 511. Could they do it again? Well this time it would be a lot harder because there are so many hints they'll have to ignore. Even if they do, there's no getting around the Phoenix clues. Even if Hope becomes a vessel for the Phoenix Force without being Jean Grey, it still by default makes her a complete Jean Grey knock-off. How could it not? A red haired, green eyed woman with the Phoenix Force that isn't Jean Grey? That simply cannot last without being a gimmick.

The sad thing is that Marvel would certainly try something like this. They have shown in the past an uncanny tendency to avoid bringing back Jean at all cost, but there's no denying her star power. Sales of Phoenix Endsong and her origins comic are proof enough of that. So rather than bring her back, they may try to make Hope into a replacement of sorts. She looks and carries herself like Jean Grey in so many ways, but she isn't Jean Grey. For everything that has happened in Second Coming and for all the hints that have been dropped, that would be a huge push. Not only that, there's already a Jean Grey look-alike that's still alive and running around in 616. That's Rachel Summers. She's not currently in the books, but she is alive and making Hope Summers just like her would somewhat defeat the purpose.

It seems the only way to make this story truly salient is if Hope is some kind of incarnation or rebirth of Jean Grey. Perhaps she's that vital piece of humanity that Jean seemed to lose during the Grant Morrison run. It would make perfect sense and it would be a novel and unique way to bring Jean back into the fold without seeming cheesy or contrived. But again, it may make too much sense. Jean Grey is a character that appears in so many Marvel incarnations. She was in Ultimate Alliance 1 and 2 for crying out loud! Yet the medium that gave her life keeps trying to kill her off completely. This is probably the best chance Marvel will ever get to bring Jean back in a good way. If they blow it then it may be years before she appears in the fold again.

If Hope doesn't turn out to have some link to Jean Grey then Second Coming is officially a farce. If the Phoenix is completely ignored, then that would rank it right up there with the Clone Saga and Ultimatum as a total travesty to comic book storytelling. The answers seem close at hand and the aftermath already seems to be taking hold as future solicitations show that Hope Summers does survive Second Coming. Does that mean she used the Phoenix successfully? Does that mean she was revealed to be some aspect of Jean Grey? Only time will tell and that time is running out.

X-Force #28 comes out next week on July 8th and the finale of Second Coming comes out a week later. Stay tuned to this blog for the final revelations as they come in and the commentary/ranting that may follow. I wait with bated if not skeptical breath. Years of comics are culminating in these two issues. It's been a long time coming and hopefully it's worth the wait.

X-Force #27 - Grim, Gritty, and Awesome

Since the end of Messiah War, reading X-Force has been like a ten minute orgasm while surrounded in the scent of melted chocolate fudge. Between the art, the action, and dark character portrayals it has been a book that never fails to deliver. So naturally, it earns a special place in the scope of Second Coming. It's one of those comics you never have to worry about being anything less than awesome. X-Force #26 continues that tradition, although not without some bumps along the road.

Now for anybody who has been disappointed by the lack of action in the past few issues, you can shut up now because the first ten pages ice nothing but knock-down, dragged out, eye-gougingly intense action. There is no dialogue. There isn't even any narration directing the reader with musings from 18th century freedom fighters making a stand against an imperial power to highlight the deep philosophical and historic significance of this story. It's just the X-men kicking the shit out of dozens of Nimrod Sentinels pouring in from the future. If this does not quench your thirst for action, then you're just being an asshole.


The art of Mike Choi is absolutely brilliant here. His style and that of X-Force has always been dark and graphic. This kind of thing would never work on a happy-go-lucky type story featuring Spider-Man, the Power Pack, and Donald Duck. It works best in an environment were a certain level of blood, guts, and various other body fluids are spilled and X-Force #27 has all that in abundance. The previous issue in X-men Legacy #236 really set things up nicely. For ten pages the likes of Cyclops, Namor, Rogue, Angel, Hellion, Surge, and a whole host other X-men fight off an invasion of Nimrod Sentinels. Anyone who is familiar with the history of the X-men knows that Nimrod sentinels are like the T-X Terminators of the Marvel Universe. One alone would be a bitch to handle. But throw dozens if not hundreds into the mix and you might as well save yourself the trouble, tie a noose around your neck, and throw yourself off the nearest five story structure. The X-men still hang strong, but the Nimrods do some serious damage. Arms are burned off, skin is burned, and bones are broken. It's a fight of gritty realism mixed with the awesome of mutant powers. You couldn't get much better than that without a topless woman and a pound of blow.


It's often understated when heroes get hurt in comics. Part of the X-men's appeal is that they're very human. You punch them and they'll bleed. You hurt them and they'll get hurt. The Nimrod sentinels definitely do that. But they don't land the killing blow. They seriously wound the X-men and dampen what little pride they have left. It's basically the same as a bully walking up to a kid in the schoolyard, roughing him up a little, and then saying they'll beat the living shit out of him after school so he has something to look forward to. The Nimrods do more than just rough up. They have the audacity to call this attack a scouting mission because they do pull back even though they have the X-men on the ropes. Now if this sounds a little confusing, bear with me because there is a method behind the madness and it's not worth bitching over.


More of Bastion's tactical brilliance is showcased here because he does something that would normally give villains the kind of headaches that would make them become postal workers. He understands that there is a future (the Days of Futures Past timeline to be precise) where neither humans nor mutants win the struggle. What he does in the present really won't amount to a pile of cow shit if the future remains the same. In order to change the future, he has to work in four dimensions and not just three. It would make Doc Brown from Back to the Future proud.

The plan is simple yet terrifying elegant. He's going to open a portal to allow 170,000 Nimrod sentinels to pour in from the future and deliver the final blow to the X-men. In terms of sheer force that's like swatting a fly with an H-bomb. In this case, however, there's no such thing as overkill. Bastion went through the trouble of trapping the X-men and killing their teleporters and he's going to make good use of this opportunity damn it!


Needless to say, the X-men are deadpanned. They got a whole city that's going to hell because of them and a fight that's taking place in both the future and the present. Even for a leader as strong as Cyclops, it's a lot to take in and seems like only a matter of time before a "we're fucked" mentality sets in. Some like Prodigy have already began returning to the fetal position. He starts whining that they're all going to die like that guy in the street corner preaching that the alien supergod Assholio is going to return and anally rape them all to death. Logan has to forcibly retrieve his balls from the recesses of his ass, but he gets him an everyone else to focus.

The decision is painfully clear for Cyclops. If Bastion is going to fight them in four dimensions then they'll have to do the same. This is where that one final time jump Cable has comes into play.


If readers would recall New Mutants #13 way back when they'll remember Cable mentioning he has one last time jump to the future. He threatened to use it to take Hope away from this madness, but Hope decided against it. Now they're going to have to use that jump anyways. They're going to send X-Force into the future to take down the Nimrod sentinels before they can pour through and deliver the Mike Tyson punch out of killing blows. It goes without saying that this is a suicide mission on par with diving naked into a volcano to retrieve an ant sized diamond. But that's never stopped Cable or X-Force before. Even though Hope is dead set against it, Cable does not shy away from the mission.


This leads to a touching moment that was hinted at in one of the variant covers. Cable, who has been raising and protecting Hope since she was just an infant, has to part ways with her. He won't allow her to come with him to the future. Her place is now in the present. Naturally, Hope gets emotional, but she doesn't try to stop him. They share a tender moment. Hope doesn't call her father or anything. She still calls him Nathan, which kind of shows she's a little pissed that he's leaving her behind. But that doesn't stop Cable from telling Hope he loves her. It's not so much the "I love you" a man gives when he tucks his daughter in at night. It's more like the "I love you and I may never see you again" that a guy tells someone when he's going on a suicide mission and doesn't expect to come back in one piece. That takes a big heart as well as planet sized balls. It's probably the most emotional Cable has ever been in decades.


In between these emotional moments and suicide missions, there's still a plan in the present to worry about. Cyclops doesn't just have mutant kind on his shoulders. He has the whole city of San Francisco and all the liberals, hippies, and homos that live in it. To keep the scope of this clusterfuck in perspective, Craig Kyle and Chris Yost take some time to show the sheer chaos that has erupted throughout the city. Most of the people have no idea what the fuck is going on and look ready to shit every pair of pants in their wardrobe. Then again this is the Marvel Universe. You would think people have gotten used to this. The only ones who benefit are the pants makers of the world. They fucking love it.

In addition, Kyle and Yost spend some time going over the wounded within the team. It's a good way to reinforce the point that the X-men are running out of able-bodied people to fight Bastion with. The injuries are mounting and so is any sense of hope that they'll get out of this in one piece. If any readers suffer from Generalized Anxiety Disorder they would have seizures over this shit. They not only have to keep the city from falling apart, but they have to be ready for Bastion's final move. If nothing else, they'll be plenty pissed when they finally get a crack at this asshole who can't help that he was programmed to be such a douche-bag.


The final scene is a powerful moment for Cyclops. He, Emma, and Hope watch X-Force and Cable disappear into the future. It's at this point Cyclops laments. He knows he's sent a team that includes his own son on a suicide mission. He tries to maintain his stern leader-like poise that every writer seems to gush over since the Morrison run. Only here he looks a lot more vulnerable. Even with Hope in the room, he's distraught that this is what it comes to. It sets things up nicely for Matt Fraction in the next issue of Uncanny X-men because he just loves writing how kick-ass Cyclops is. It almost makes me wonder if he got on his knees and begged Kyle and Yost Anna Nichole style to end the issue like this.


So X-Force #27 had action, drama, scope, and heart from cover to cover. So what's the problem? I know I haven't mentioned any shortcomings through the review, but there's a reason for that. The biggest problem this issue has (and I say biggest in relative terms) isn't something minor on certain pages. It's an issue that stems the whole book. As great as Mike Choi was with the art, there are just some areas where it doesn't work. When Hope is hugging Cable to say goodbye and when Cyclops is lamenting that he's killed his son, their faces look like statues. You might as well be looking at monuments on Easter Island because that's how much emotion they convey. It's not a good thing when the variant cover by David Finch has the most emotion of the book. I know that's not necessarily the style of X-Force, but this is within the context of Second Coming. Since so few panels are dedicated to these moments, the artistic representation is important. It doesn't help that the dialogue falls a little flat here. It makes what should be some very powerful moments into something the reader can easily gloss over.

It's not terribly egregious. The comic still has plenty of awesome to make up for this, but this definitely holds it back from being another perfect 10. It also falters on some of the themes set up by Mike Carey in the previous issue. For Kyle and Yost, I expect better than this. Granted those standards are pretty high, but they don't get a pass. They still have an issue to make up for this and there's no reason why they can't.

One other criticism (which isn't just restricted to this book) is how nobody has commented on Hope's appearance yet. She has red hair and green eyes and a dress sense very similar to Jean Grey yet nobody says anything? It's getting to be pretty late in the game. If someone doesn't pick up on this theme soon then someone at Marvel needs to be fired. They have been dropping hints that Hope is Jean or the Phoenix since the end of Messiah Complex. If they don't even attempt to address it in the next four issues then that's enough to take this whole crossover down. There's still time, but it needs to be addressed. I don't see Fraction doing it since that would fall under the category of time not making Cyclops and Emma awesome, which is his least favorite activity. There is plenty of room for others to fill the void and hopefully they do because this has been making fans like myself bang our heads against the table for years and the doctors say I may brain my damage if it doesn't stop.

Because of these small but important shortcomings, X-Force #27 gets a 4 out of 5. It has everything you want in the awesome that is Second Coming, but some little yet profound issues keep it from being perfect. This basically marks the end of Act 2. There is only one month left to follow! Bring it on, Uncanny! Hopefully we'll be getting some answers regarding Hope, the Phoenix, Jean Grey, and the mutant messiah very soon.

Jack

Dissecting the Relationship of Jean Grey and Wolverine

The content of this post is actually lifted form a post I made on a message board a while back. I thought it was poignant to post here as well because it covers a topic that is currently an ongoing issue in X-men Supreme and it is also a major issue of a current comics, X-men Forever Annual #1. The nature of this relationship has always been a source of contention in the comics so it's unavoidable for anyone who is trying to make a new X-men series. Here's my thoughts on this subject.

Among the most famous and probably most controversial pairings has to be Wolverine and Jean Grey. I've noticed there are a few notable Jean/Logan websites. It's a pretty popular pairing in the annuls of X-men. It became a central theme of the X-men movies. So naturally, I've used this pairing extensively in my X-men Supreme series so far. In doing so I've confronted something that has been bothering me for years now.

The romance between Jean Grey and Wolverine has been by far the most mishandled, misconstrued, and at times destructive pairing in the history of X-men. I know that's saying a lot, but given how long this plot has been used I think we can objectively say it ranks right up there. I've never come across a comic book couple that has such ardent detractors and die-hard supporters. As a fan in general, I think it's one of those "good on paper" type ideas that just was so poorly fleshed out that it's become an open scab throughout the story of the X-men. Part of the problem was how it started. Chris Claremont originally had Logan attracted to Jean Grey because he just soured on Cyclops and Jean Grey. He has gone on record as saying he completely despised the Scott/Jean romance after what happened with Madelyn Pryor and had he stayed on board, he would have broken them up and put Jean with Logan. He's already shown this in his X-men Forever series. It was one of the many reasons he split with the editors at the time. I think this sort of sets the tone because it wasn't so much done because these characters complimented each other. It was done more so as a foil to the Scott/Jean romance. That just really doesn't work. That would be akin to being a soccer fan just because you hate American football.

As a result, Logan and Jean's attraction was made to be really spotty. There were moments like Xtinction Agenda and Inferno where they kissed, but Jean pushed away. Then there were later moments like in Morrison where the kissing was mutual, but coupled with Jean lamenting over her love for Scott. The movies played this up even more by not just having Logan be the anti-Scott, but by having the part of Jean that was attracted to him be the darker part that became Phoenix. That really doesn't fall in line with her character and it speaks poorly of Logan's influence not just on her, but on everybody he's close to. In both cases it's always the same. There's an unrequited love between them. Logan loves Jean, but Jean doesn't love him in the same way and the man she does love is a man Logan can't stand. This sort of angle is good for a few plots, but it has been dragged out for so long over the years that it's not just old. It's destructive to their characters.

I look at X-men Forever as the best example. In this Chris Claremont clearly wanted them together now that no editors were in his way. But he couldn't undo the depth and complexity of the relationship Jean had with Scott, much of which he himself built up. The only way to make it happen was to force it and that just destroyed the elements of each character. It made Jean come off as a cheating skank and Logan come off as some overly emotional pretty boy when he's supposed to be the ultimate loner. This highlights the main stumbling block to their affairs. Logan and Jean are really made to compliment each other in the proper context. X-men Forever just thrust them together through sheer editorial force. Other mediums like the movies, Ultimate X-men, and the Earth X series put them together without any real depth. It was all just attraction that was pulled out of the air and used as a plot device. At no point was any effort made to really let it happen naturally as has been done with other successful pairings. The only instance I can cite that really made a serious effort to show their chemistry was Age of Apocalypse. That's where their romance was built around their respective characters and plot. It felt natural as it emerged and it was a good dramatic element to the underlying story. That's been the lone exception and I can't contemplate too many other areas where it has been done quite as well.

Now I know there are some who are completely disgusted by Jean and Logan as a pairing. That's perfectly fair. People can have their own tastes. Some hate it just because they love Scott and Jean so much better or they prefer Logan with someone else. My position is that any pairing can be made to work if it's done properly. And Jean/Logan has almost never been done properly. It's almost always been detrimental to each character. It either makes Jean out to be a skank or it takes away some of the defining characteristics that make Logan who he is. That's why I've often dreaded seeing references to it in most comics. That is also why I'm often against Jean hooking up with Logan when she comes back in 616 because given how it's been handled, it has little chance of ending well. I can understand in some ways how these two would be drawn together. They do have serious chemistry. That attraction is not just physical. There is some emotional depth to it and they do have potential. It's just the kind of potential that's not easily realized.

I've tried to keep this in mind as I've written my X-men Supreme series. At the moment, I have Jean and Logan dating. There's no unrequited love or unspoken passion. They actually are boyfriend and girlfriend and they actually are dating as a real couple. It's an angle to the characters I haven't seen explored too often even in fanfiction. I wanted to set my series apart in that respect so I've made a concerted effort to flesh out the Jean/Logan romance while avoiding some of the mistakes I feel have been made in other mediums. I'm sure some of the Jean fans here will disapprove. I respect that. But this is something I feel should be addressed because it's been so mangled in so many other ways.

Right now I'm just 9 issues in and Jean and Logan have been together since issue 5. I'm still left with some questions about this apiring. Can it be done well? Has it been done well? Have I done an okay job with it on my end? Am I completely wrong on my assessment? If so, please tell me. I want to know what you think. Jean and Logan are both some of my all time favorite comic characters. I've often had a conflicted view of the romance plots they've endured and I think it's something that deserves to be discussed.

X-men Second Coming: Prepare

The countdown has begun and Second Coming is merely a month away! To bill the event as the can't-miss X-men tale of the decade Marvel released a short teaser comic called Prepare this past Wednesday. It starts off by showing the teasers that have been released over the past few weeks that include

One will rise
One will fall
One will lead
One will sacrifice
All will unite

Then it breaks right into the event, showing a scene that occurs two days after Hope and Cable return to Utopia. Someone has died and various reactions are shown from the likes of Bobby, Cannonball, Cyclops, Magneto, Cable, and Wolverine. At one point the body is shown, albeit covered by a white sheet. It's impossible to see who it is, but it seems to be a major character. It has been listed in the solicits that someone will perish and Matt Fraction said himself in a recent interview it's someone he cherishes. So who could it be?

I'm tempted to be reasonable in determining who this may be, but as history has shown being reasonable doesn't always pan when you're trying to decide what Marvel is going to do. The prevailing sentiment is that Nightcrawler will die. He's not someone Fraction has written about that much so it may be a bit of a long shot. However, Wolverine did state that the victim was his "Friend" and he and Nightcrawler have always been good friends. I'm not sure about this. I give it about a 30 percent chance of happening.

Some go so far as to say that Emma will be the one that dies. This is just plain stupid. Marvel and Matt Fraction LOVE Emma Frost. Fraction would have quit months ago if he learned they were going to kill off his favorite X-woman and the other half of his favorite X-men couple with Scott and Emma. Plus, Quesada has said before he loves Scott and Emma as a couple too much. There's no way in hell he'll do anything to break them up. There were some hints. The outline of the body did show some female characteristics and Cannonball did say at one point he worried about how this was hurting Scott, but it's still doubtful. This is Emma Frost and Marvel seems determined to make her and Scott the new Jean and Scott, turning Emma into what is essentially a Jean Grey replacement. I've never liked this and always thought Joss Whedon did a better job of showing Emma as she should be shown. But the Marvel writers seem determined to undo history and turn Emma Frost into the golden girl Jean Grey once was. It's sad and maybe killing her would help put a stop to that, but for that very reason I give this a ZERO percent chance of happening.

I'm led to conclude that the one who dies will be Pixie. Here is a character that Fraction clearly loves and who has become more prominent as of late. Her dying would cause quite an impact and it wouldn't destroy too much of the core team. It would show just enough impact to really bring about the necessary shock value, but so much that it takes away from the story (unlike bullshit shock comics like Ultimatum). Of all the possible deaths, Pixie is the one that seems most likely and for that I give her a solid 50-50 shot.

Now aside from the death, there was also a part at the end that went over the history of the Phoenix Force. It asked What is the Phoenix Force? as if many X-fans don't already know. It gave a brief history of the Phoenix and spent time highlighting recent events where traces of the Phoenix force left both Rachel Grey and the Stepford Cuckoos. Then the focus turned to Hope Summers, offering yet another clue that she's going to be a new bearer of the Phoenix. They left it vague, stating only the Phoenix knows. But it also offers yet more proof that Marvel is trying to separate the Phoenix from Jean Grey. This is something that cannot and will not end well.

As I blogged earlier, Marvel has been trying since Phoenix Warsong to take Jean Grey out of the equation so they can have the star power of the Phoenix without bringing her back. Because bringing her back may mean that they can't have this bulldog version of Cyclops and cannot continue the Scott/Emma relationship, it's just unthinkable that they would use her again. Yet because she has so many passionate fans they can't just ignore her. So just using the Phoenix gives them a way to have their cake and eat it too. Even after they overtly said in Phoenix Endsong (which by the way sold WAY more than the Jean-less Warsong) that Jean is always Phoenix, they're treating the Phoenix like a separate entity. With no explanation, that's just poor storytelling. Jean and Phoenix are forever linked and to use one without the other is to completely disrespect the characters.

Now this could all be made right if Hope turns out to be Jean in human form, but again that would make too much sense. Marvel seems intent on keeping Jean out of the picture so they can keep Scott and Emma. This is something that only hurts stories, having to force something so that a bias version of a character must remain. This is what led to One More Day and the Clone Saga. It seems it can only be remedied if someone other than Matt Fraction or Joe Quesada aren't present anymore. Since that doesn't appear to be happening, the chances of a clean resolution are slim at best.

As always, however, I hold out because I have been wrong before. Marvel has surprised me with uncanny awesomeness like Messiah Complex, Messiah War, X-Force, and Nation X. So I go into second coming with an equal amount of excitement and trepidation. I'm not expecting everything to be cleanly handled. I'm expecting awesomeness that will blow my face clean off my skull. This is the third and final chapter to the Messiah Trilogy. The first two set the stage in a big way and I'm just aching to see how it all comes together. Despite my cynicism for how Marvel handles characters like Scott, Emma, and Jean Grey there is far more awesome than non-awesome. March cannot come quickly enough and my appetite for Second Coming has officially been stoked!

New Pics Dedicated to Jean Grey Added to X-men Supreme

Just posted a new section on my website that many Jean Grey fans are sure to appreciate! She may be dead in the comics (for now), but that doesn't mean we still can't enjoy her hotness.

Check out her new section on X-men Supreme

Jean Grey has always been one of the sexiest ladies in the Marvel Universe. She's always easy on the eyes and she always gives the X-men that extra special touch of awesome. It adds all the more imperitive to bring her back into the comics! In the meantime she has the cartoons and the Ultimate universe (albeit utterly destroyed) for now. Enjoy the pictures! And stay tuned for more picture sections dedicated to the hot women of the X-men.