Bendis on Cancelling X-Men Titles

[Tawmis]

Okay, let's add to the list of "Things Marvel Would never Do Because It Sounds Stupid" -

http://www.newsarama.com/21572-thor-...his-place.html

Um, how about replacing Thor with a brand-new Thor? Also, I see in this article that we are also getting a brand-new Captain America this fall as well.

Yup, there is No Way that Marvel will stop putting out X-Men books. LOL. Think Again, true believers!

Indeed. New Captain America is coming. Thor will be a brand new female character. (Even though there is already an existing Thor Girl).

And with the popularity of both of these characters (Cap and Thor) with their movies - and they're making these bold moves... if one thinks they won't tamper with the X-Men in a major way (or all "mutants" - well that's just silly!) Like I have been saying - they won't cancel the X-Men - EVER - but I have a feeling they're going to do something that allows Disney not to fook around with FOX and movie rights.

They had Dark Horse stop their run of STAR WARS (here very soon) - and what is Marvel doing?
http://www.nerdist.com/2014/07/marve...ibus-editions/

Releasing their old Star Wars comics again.

Disney wants to capitalize in every regard. And if it means changing X-Men to something else - I see it happening.

[Phil]

Okay, let's add to the list of "Things Marvel Would never Do Because It Sounds Stupid"

Why is it stupid though?
What's wrong with young female readers having a big three Avenger they can look up to?
Eric Masterson has been Thor, Beta-Ray Bill has been Thor, hell, a Frog has been Thor. Why can't a woman become Thor?

We all know it'll be reversed by the time Avengers 2 is in theatres so why not enjoy the storyline if it's good. Or y'know, actually wait and see if it is before calling it stupid?

Also, I see in this article that we are also getting a brand-new Captain America this fall as well.

Again, See Bucky-Cap, Nomad, etc etc.

Yup, there is No Way that Marvel will stop putting out X-Men books. LOL. Think Again, true believers!

They won't.

(Even though there is already an existing Thor Girl).

That's the equivalent of saying because there was Xavier there couldn't be Jean Grey, or Emma Frost, Or Psylocke.

They had Dark Horse stop their run of STAR WARS (here very soon) - and what is Marvel doing?
Releasing their old Star Wars comics again.

That was always part of the license though.
What's wrong with a new generation being able to finally read these comics for the first time?
And new material is coming.

Disney wants to capitalize in every regard.

Which is the job of any company, surely?
Do you work for free?

And if it means changing X-Men to something else - I see it happening.

Changing, possibly. Cancelling, no.
As you said above the point is to capitalize; X-books sell, Inhuman books don't. Marvel aren't going to destroy profits just to spite Fox.

[Flightpath07]

Why is it stupid though?
What's wrong with young female readers having a big three Avenger they can look up to?
Eric Masterson has been Thor, Beta-Ray Bill has been Thor, hell, a Frog has been Thor. Why can't a woman become Thor?

We all know it'll be reversed by the time Avengers 2 is in theatres so why not enjoy the storyline if it's good. Or y'know, actually wait and see if it is before calling it stupid?

My point was, people are calling the rumours of cancelling (or halting, stopping, or momentarily ceasing, or ultimately changing) the X-Men comics Stupid...things Marvel would never do. Yet here are examples of huge changes coming, ones which people would never have believed would be happening, yet here they are.

My comment was more about those who call the rumours of what is coming Stupid.

And I don't necessarily think that changing Cap and Thor is a Bad Thing, not at all. Actually, I don't collect those titles (or any Marvel titles), so I couldn't care less. Heck, at this point, I am all for it! It is a 'plot' that Marvel has come up with, one to freshen up stories, and to sell more merch...which should indeed be expected of them. In the same way, whatever change comes to the X-Men comic franchise, will be done with the same thoughts in mind - and I likely won't think THAT is Stupid, either.

[Phil]

My point was, people are calling the rumours of cancelling (or halting, stopping, or momentarily ceasing, or ultimately changing) the X-Men comics Stupid...things Marvel would never do.

Changing is totally different though.

The thread title specifically says the word 'Cancelling' which is ludicrous.

There have been X-Men titles since 1963.

Even when the title wasn't publishing new stories it reprinted old issues and thus there were X-titles.
Even when the Age of Apocalypse were on there were X-titles.

X-titles practically got Marvel through bankruptcy in the 90's.

If you took out every X-title in the Top 300 Marvel would seriously lose their marketshare and not make a profit.

Yet here are examples of huge changes coming, ones which people would never have believed would be happening, yet here they are.

Changes are not 'Cancelling' though - There will still be a Thor title and a Captain America title.

My comment was more about those who call the rumours of what is coming Stupid.

You're the only one that's used the word stupid though.
Panicking that the sky is falling or prematurely dancing on Marvel's grave based on unsubstantiated rumours of 'Cancelling' X-titles is pointless.
If we get an official press release from Marvel saying that the X-Titles have been 'cancelled' then people can deal with it (and you can fully rub this thread in my face)

In the same way, whatever change comes to the X-Men comic franchise, will be done with the same thoughts in mind - and I likely won't think THAT is Stupid, either.

Then I'm really lost as to what your point is.

The whole thing stemmed from rumours regarding the Fantastic Four title.
Fantastic Four is a different beast; it's less profitable and it's one single title.
I can totally see another FF situation or a Heroes Reborn situation; but again that's a change, not a cancellation.
However I admit cancellation could be possible for that particular title based solely on money.

The X-titles won't be cancelled.
Changed, is a possibility; and I've never disagreed with that.

Even if the only X-titles are ones without the word "X-Men" (ie. Cyclops, Storm, X-Factor, whatever...) there will still be X-titles.

Wolverine, even in death hasn't been cancelled; there are at least a year's worth of books with Wolverine in the title coming out while he's dead.

[Flightpath07]

Then I'm really lost as to what your point is.

The whole thing stemmed from rumours regarding the Fantastic Four title.
Fantastic Four is a different beast; it's less profitable and it's one single title.
I can totally see another FF situation or a Heroes Reborn situation; but again that's a change, not a cancellation.
However I admit cancellation could be possible for that particular title based solely on money.

The X-titles won't be cancelled.
Changed, is a possibility; and I've never disagreed with that.

Even if the only X-titles are ones without the word "X-Men" (ie. Cyclops, Storm, X-Factor, whatever...) there will still be X-titles.

Wolverine, even in death hasn't been cancelled; there are at least a year's worth of books with Wolverine in the title coming out while he's dead.

Actually, Phil, the 'whole thing' came from this thread, originally.

http://community.comicbookresources....e-to-the-X-Men

And I'm not quick to dismiss this as mere fiction.

And, X-Titles without the word "X" in them are still X titles?!? That makes very little sense.

I'm talking about the potential to limit the use of most of the mutant characters, pick and choose a few to use (on teams called Avengers, Defenders, whatever, just not a 'mutant team'), and then wait a few years for the hullabaloo to die down, see what they want to do down the road. It may not make sense from a comics viewpoint, but from a Financial viewpoint, big-picture? Considering that another movie company is getting filthy rich off of Marvel's mutant characters? Yeah, it makes a Lot of sense.

[Phil]

Actually, Phil, the 'whole thing' came from this thread, originally.

http://community.comicbookresources....e-to-the-X-Men

Which came from
http://www.bleedingcool.com/2014/05/...r-to-snub-fox/
http://www.bleedingcool.com/2014/05/...ur-characters/
http://www.bleedingcool.com/2014/05/...rtainment-fox/
http://www.bleedingcool.com/2014/06/...antastic-four/
http://www.bleedingcool.com/2014/06/...-2015-but-how/
http://www.bleedingcool.com/2014/06/...can-ascertain/

And I'm not quick to dismiss this as mere fiction.

No, instead you're promoting it as likely happening and creating ways to defend it.

And, X-Titles without the word "X" in them are still X titles?!? That makes very little sense.

I'm pretty sure 'X-Factor' has an X in it.
The point is that it's the word "X-Men" that is supposedly the issue as Fox currently own the film rights to "X-Men"
But titles starring X-Men characters are clearly still X-Titles.

It may not make sense from a comics viewpoint, but from a Financial viewpoint, big-picture? Considering that another movie company is getting filthy rich off of Marvel's mutant characters? Yeah, it makes a Lot of sense.

Again, the two are not connected and no it doesn't make sense.
While Marvel Studios/Disney wish they were getting the film money from the "X-Men" films they're not going to cut their publishing profits just to spite Fox.
The comics get a small spike when the films come out, at least in trades/collections etc. - Fox's films help Marvel Comics to an extent.
If Marvel get rid of the X-titles now they'll be destroying the fan-base that watches the films and then the films will be worthless when they regain the rights.

[Tawmis]

Which is the job of any company, surely?
Do you work for free?

No. And that's my point. Why would Disney sit on making an X-Men movie, because Fox has the rights to Marvel's mutants?
As a way to get around it, they're making Scarlet Witch and Quicksilver Inhumans in Avengers.
We have seen already that the Terigan Mist or whatever - has restored mutant powers to MANY mutants who lost their powers thanks to Scarlet Witch's "No More Mutants."
Is it a far stretch to say - the mist restored these powers - because they were mutants? And those humans, who have recently gained powers, did so because they had the "X" factor in their genes (let's not call it the Mutant Gene). And the Mist simply awakened their powers.
And thus, couldn't we logically say, that all "mutants" are indeed Inhumans?
Is that such a far leap?
I think not.

[MistressMerr]

No. And that's my point. Why would Disney sit on making an X-Men movie, because Fox has the rights to Marvel's mutants?
As a way to get around it, they're making Scarlet Witch and Quicksilver Inhumans in Avengers.
We have seen already that the Terigan Mist or whatever - has restored mutant powers to MANY mutants who lost their powers thanks to Scarlet Witch's "No More Mutants."
Is it a far stretch to say - the mist restored these powers - because they were mutants? And those humans, who have recently gained powers, did so because they had the "X" factor in their genes (let's not call it the Mutant Gene). And the Mist simply awakened their powers.
And thus, couldn't we logically say, that all "mutants" are indeed Inhumans?
Is that such a far leap?
I think not.

No, but it would still be completely pointless. Retroactively calling them Inhumans isn't going to magically let Marvel Studios make movies about X-Men characters, that's not how licensing works. They can use Quicksilver specifically because he's an Avengers character every bit as much as he's an X-Men character and so fell into a tricky grey area regarding who can and can't use him. They're not allowed to use the twins BECAUSE they're not calling them mutants, mutantdom is just the one PART of them that Fox inextricably owns. Just because you say "turns out Gambit was an Inhuman all along" doesn't make him eligible for Avengers 3, he's still an X-Men character and Fox still owns the movie rights to him.

So no, while it wouldn't be IMPOSSIBLE for Marvel to rebrand the entire X-Men line (not even remotely close to 'cancelling' it, as this thread starting out by saying), it would be completely pointless and would only serve to hurt their sales by completely altering a flagship property, in name if nothing else. If all McDonalds changed all their signs to Burgerville overnight, it probably wouldn't go so well. Branding counts for a lot. It's never gonna happen.

[Phil]

No. And that's my point. Why would Disney sit on making an X-Men movie, because Fox has the rights to Marvel's mutants?

Because of the legal contracts signed before Disney were on the scene, that Marvel made to stop them going bankrupt.
Marvel Studios will not risk getting sued.

As a way to get around it, they're making Scarlet Witch and Quicksilver Inhumans in Avengers.
We have seen already that the Terigan Mist or whatever - has restored mutant powers to MANY mutants who lost their powers thanks to Scarlet Witch's "No More Mutants."

We haven't seen that at all.
The Phoenix Force and Hope Summers un-did Scarlett Witch's hex at the end of AvX.

The Terrigan Mist had absolutely nothing to do with it.

All the Terrigan bomb did, at the end of Infinity a year after AvX & a year after new mutants, was re-awaken the hidden Inhumans.

And they're not making them Inhumans in the films as far as we know so far - they were clearly called 'Miracles'

Is it a far stretch to say - the mist restored these powers - because they were mutants? And those humans, who have recently gained powers, did so because they had the "X" factor in their genes (let's not call it the Mutant Gene). And the Mist simply awakened their powers.

Yes it's a complete stretch in the Marvel mythology.

And thus, couldn't we logically say, that all "mutants" are indeed Inhumans?
Is that such a far leap?

It really is though.

It's the IP and branded trademark of the character/series that's the problem; not the word mutant. The word mutant isn't copyrighted. There are varying films with mutant in the title and there still can be.
The mutant gene isn't the problem it's the trademarked character names under the X-Men umbrella.

The agreement between Disney and Fox for Scarlett Witch & Quicksilver so that both companies and universes can freely use the characters is that they're not referred to as mutants in MCU films so as not to cash in on each other's films - a fair compromise and one that certainly doesn't stop X-Men comics being created.

[Le Messor]

You're the only one that's used the word stupid though.

He never said those things were stupid - only that they sounded that way on the surface.

The X-titles won't be cancelled.
Changed, is a possibility; and I've never disagreed with that.

Agreed.
Mutatis mutandis... or something. Mutancy is about change.

Well, isn't it possible that Marvel has come up with a plan of action that has some big cosmic character coming along, The Collector or The High Evolutionary or Thanos, or whomever, and this character then reveals that "mutants" were never any such thing.

Hasn't this already happened? Aren't they the result of Celestial tampering?

Marvel doesn't make much money on comics, they are MUCH more concerned with movies and other merchandising where they make the real bucks.

"Moichandising! Moichandising! Where the real money for the film is made!"
~ Yogurt

It may not make sense from a comics viewpoint, but from a Financial viewpoint, big-picture?

I've never known Marvel (or DC, for that matter) to be big-picture thinkers.

~ Le Messor
Dr Evil: "We punch a hole in what I call" (air quotes) "the Ozone layer."
#2: (cough) "Sir... That, too, has already happened."

[Tawmis]

We haven't seen that at all.
The Phoenix Force and Hope Summers un-did Scarlett Witch's hex at the end of AvX.
The Terrigan Mist had absolutely nothing to do with it.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terrigen_Mist

It is also shown in this series that depowered mutants, if exposed to the Terrigen Mists, gain an uncontrollable version of their former powers. For example, the Mists restore the hyperacute senses of Callisto, but all the amplified stimuli cause her to fall into a coma. However, the effect is only temporary as powers fade after a short while. As shown with Quicksilver, the bodies of those exposed to the mists for extensive periods begin to produce their own Terrigen Crystals with the same mutagenic effects. At the end of the Son of M series, the U.S. government confiscates the Terrigen Crystals dropped by Quicksilver, which leads Black Bolt to declare war on the United States.