Details leaked on X-MEN: RELOAD titles, creators, stories

By: Patrick Sauriol
Date: Wednesday, February 18, 2004

While it's been the subject of gossip columns and message board discussions for months in the comic book community, the lid was unexpectedly torn off yesterday concerning Marvel's plans for its upcoming X-MEN: RELOAD event, scheduled for this coming May. Hours after it was sent out to journalists and business associates, the solicitation information for all of Marvel's comic books for that month was uploaded on the Internet even though the company had ordered an embargo on the material.

The biggest shockwave contained in the solicitation info was the confirmation of what many readers have been hearing about for months, but only as gossip: that BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER creator Joss Whedon and PLANETARY artist John Cassaday will be teaming up on a new X-Men book titled ASTONISHING X-MEN.

Also confirmed in the solicitation material:

The return of UNCANNY X-MEN writer Chris Claremont to the book that made him a legend. Claremont will take over writing duties on UNCANNY X-MEN with issue #444, joined by EXCALIBUR artist Alan Davis.

AVENGERS writer Chuck Austin will be taking over as writer on X-MEN #157 (formerly NEW X-MEN). That book will be pencilled by X-MEN X-TREME artist Salvador Larroca.

EXCALIBUR #1 will launch in early May, written by Chris Claremont and drawn by Igor Kordey. Professor X will be attempting to rebuild the destroyed mutant nation of Genosha, obliterated by a Sentinel attack during Grant Morrison's run on NEW X-MEN.

NEW MUTANTS will be folding into NEW X-MEN: ACADEMY X, an ongoing series written by Nunzio DeFilippis and Christina Weir and drawn by Randy Green. The book will follow the exploits of the young mutants enrolled in Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters as they are given codenames, costumes and training in the use of their powers.

DISTRICT X #1, written by David Hine and drawn by David Yardin, will launch as part of the Marvel Knights line-up. This new series explores the residents living in a New York City ghetto where the concentration of mutants is high and hope is low. The X-Man from the future, Bishop, will patrol the neighborhood as its primary lawgiver and protector.

CrossGen writer Tony Bedard will be taking over writing dutues on EXILES starting with issue #46 while artist Tom Mandrake joins the team of WEAPON X with issue #23. MYSTIQUE's new writer will be Sean McKeever effective with issue #14.

The news started appearing on all the major comic book websites Tuesday evening. Marvel Comics has not released a statement on the leak at the present time.


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