Well this certainly hasn’t been done in quite some time (at least, not to recent knowledge).
It looks like in Astonishing X-Men this spring, the duties for the book will be split between the creative teams of Daniel Way/Jason Pearson and Christos Gage/Juan Bubillo. The reason for this is because now, for the “first time since it’s inception,” the Astonishing X-Men books are happening in the modern continuity of the X-books, thus making the “side/back door canon” element of the book moot. The books will be told in opposing issues, with every other book being Way’s and every other other book being Gage’s (think of the Incredible Thorcules/Amadeus Cho arc of Incredible Herc). Way will be telling his original story, featuring Wolverine, Cyclops, Emma Frost and Armor fighting monsters and Fing Fang Foom in Japan. Meanwhile, in the Gage stories, Storm, Colossus, Kitty Pryde and Beast (didn’t he leave?) fighting off a Brood invasion, which also promises involvement from SWORD/Agent Brand as well as the first meeting between Lockheed and Kitty since her return.
This is certainly interesting, if only given the fact that Kieron Gillen’s first solo Uncanny story will feature Colossus and Kitty Pryde dealing with their post-bullet relationship, as well as a return of SWORD and Breakworld. It’ll be interesting to see how Gillen and Gage split duties between two stories that every X-Fan wants to read. This also is definitely a neat way to try and make Astonishing X-Men more “intriguing,” so to say, so we’ll see if the dual storylines pay off for Marvel (although given the brief one sentence synopsis’, I’d wager it should be fairly fun).
For the full press release, check behind the cut.
Everything Changes In ASTONISHING X-MEN This May!
This spring, Astonishing X-Men takes a dramatic twist as two amazing pairs of creators team-up for a astonishing crossover event–all in one series! This April, acclaimed creators of Daniel Way, Christos Gage, Jason Pearson and Juan Bubillo set Astonishing X-Men on a monstrous monthly new path! The X-Men split into two teams, each on seemingly separate missions (told by rotating creative teams) that collide with major consequences for the X-Men!
“For the first time since its inception, the events of Astonishing X-Men are happening in the current X-Continuity” explains X-Men Senior Editor, Nick Lowe. “Not only are they reflecting where the X-Men are, you will also see the debut of a character that is going to be an important part of the X-Universe at the end of 2011!”
Way and Pearson kick things off in Astonishing X-Men #37 as Wolverine, Cyclops, Emma Frost and Armor are all ready knee deep in a giant monster outbreak flattening metropolitan Japan! When the monstrous Fing Fang Foom attacks, the X-Men head into action! But while the X-Men are fending off the catastrophic beasts of Monster Island, Armor is contending with matters of a more personal nature. Can the X-Men save Tokyo without losing Armor?
While that’s going on, Christos Gage and Juan Bubillo step in with Astonishing X-Men #38 for a story that truly shows you’re not always better off sitting it out when it comes to mutant adventuring! Starting this May, Storm, Colossus, Kitty Pryde and Beast will have to pick up the slack as Brood invasion threatens the other side of the Pacific coast in a tale that gives a whole new urgency to the term “meanwhile!” And that’s not all because not only will Lockheed be meeting Kitty Pride for the first time since the silver bullet, but S.W.O.R.D.’s Agent Brand comes back into the X-fold!
No fan can miss this truly unique take on serial storytelling as the X-Men take on Foom AND the Brood at the same time! The Astonishing line, bringing fans the top creators in the industry on the top characters, gets even bigger this April as fans get a monthly dose of Astonishing X-Men!
ASTONISHING X-MEN #37 (FEB110606)
Written by DANIEL WAY
Pencils and Cover by JASON PEARSON
Rated T+ … $3.99
FOC — 3/14/11, On Sale — 4/6/11
ASTONISHING X-MEN #38
Written by CHRISTOS GAGE
Pencils by JUAN BUBILLO
Cover by SALVADOR LARROCA
Rated T+ … $3.99
ON SALE THIS MAY!
