X-Men Forever
Encyclopedia
X-Men Forever is the name of three comic book
series published by Marvel Comics
based on the mutant
superhero
group The X-Men. The first is a 2001 miniseries, unrelated to the others. The second and third are the work of writer Chris Claremont
.
, starred Jean Grey, Iceman, Mystique, Toad, and the Juggernaut. Time travel
was used as a plot device
to explore the themes and history of the X-Men, and to resolve several dangling plotlines.
The series, written by veteran X-Men author Chris Claremont
, was a continuation of his storylines for Uncanny X-Men
and X-Men that were never enacted after his resignation from the title and Marvel Comics following X-Men #3. It ran as semimonthly as a regular title, set in an alternate continuity of the Marvel Universe.
In interviews conducted with Newsarama
and Wizard Universe, Claremont discussed the appeal of launching a fresh continuity that allowed a long-time writer to be granted an uninterrupted vision:
X-Men Forever Alpha, which was released in May 2009, was largely a reprint of the first three issues of the 1991 X-Men. The last pages were devoted to a bridge story meant to segue into X-Men Forever, including a scene that hints at the main plot point of the first story arc, the death of Wolverine
. X-Men Forever began its run proper the next month, in June 2009. The story starts by leading directly from X-Men 1–3, as the team (no longer divided into Blue and Gold Teams) is dispatched by Charles Xavier—as well as by Nick Fury
, who has become the team's liaison with S.H.I.E.L.D.
—to apprehend Fabian Cortez
, who was last seen escaping from a disintegrating Asteroid M
. The first five issues take place on the same night, and resolve some long-hanging plot threads left from Claremont's departure from the title in 1991. Among the events that occur in the first issue is the death of Wolverine at the hands of Storm, whose true nature is left undisclosed, outside of a stated allegiance to a group called "The Consortium".
Marvel released X-Men Forever Annual #1 in April 2010, which dealt with Wolverine and Jean Grey
's relationship, elaborating on their relationship in more detail, including insight to the betrayed heart of Cyclops
. X-Men Forever Giant Size #1 involved the Shi'ar Imperial Guard desiring something from Professor X
and the X-Men, resulting in a battle between the two teams.
This series continues as X-Men Forever, Volume 2.
Comic book
A comic book or comicbook is a magazine made up of comics, narrative artwork in the form of separate panels that represent individual scenes, often accompanied by dialog as well as including...
series published by Marvel Comics
Marvel Comics
Marvel Worldwide, Inc., commonly referred to as Marvel Comics and formerly Marvel Publishing, Inc. and Marvel Comics Group, is an American company that publishes comic books and related media...
based on the mutant
Mutant
In biology and especially genetics, a mutant is an individual, organism, or new genetic character, arising or resulting from an instance of mutation, which is a base-pair sequence change within the DNA of a gene or chromosome of an organism resulting in the creation of a new character or trait not...
superhero
Superhero
A superhero is a type of stock character, possessing "extraordinary or superhuman powers", dedicated to protecting the public. Since the debut of the prototypical superhero Superman in 1938, stories of superheroes — ranging from brief episodic adventures to continuing years-long sagas —...
group The X-Men. The first is a 2001 miniseries, unrelated to the others. The second and third are the work of writer Chris Claremont
Chris Claremont
Chris Claremont is an award-winning American comic book writer and novelist, known for his 17-year stint on Uncanny X-Men, far longer than any other writer, during which he is credited with developing strong female characters, and with introducing complex literary themes into superhero...
.
2001 series
The 2001 miniseries, written by Fabian NiciezaFabian Nicieza
Fabian Nicieza is an American comic book writer and editor who is best known for his work on Marvel titles such as X-Men, X-Force, New Warriors, Cable and Deadpool, and Thunderbolts, for all of which he helped create numerous characters.-Early life:The son of Omar and Irma Riguetti Nicieza, Fabian...
, starred Jean Grey, Iceman, Mystique, Toad, and the Juggernaut. Time travel
Time travel
Time travel is the concept of moving between different points in time in a manner analogous to moving between different points in space. Time travel could hypothetically involve moving backward in time to a moment earlier than the starting point, or forward to the future of that point without the...
was used as a plot device
Plot device
A plot device is an object or character in a story whose sole purpose is to advance the plot of the story, or alternatively to overcome some difficulty in the plot....
to explore the themes and history of the X-Men, and to resolve several dangling plotlines.
2009 series
In February 2009, Marvel announced a second X-Men Forever, which began its run on June 10, 2009. The second title bears no relation to the earlier comic.The series, written by veteran X-Men author Chris Claremont
Chris Claremont
Chris Claremont is an award-winning American comic book writer and novelist, known for his 17-year stint on Uncanny X-Men, far longer than any other writer, during which he is credited with developing strong female characters, and with introducing complex literary themes into superhero...
, was a continuation of his storylines for Uncanny X-Men
Uncanny X-Men
Uncanny X-Men, first published as The X-Men, is the flagship Marvel Comics comic book series for the X-Men franchise. It is the mainstream continuity featuring the adventures of the eponymous group of mutant superheroes...
and X-Men that were never enacted after his resignation from the title and Marvel Comics following X-Men #3. It ran as semimonthly as a regular title, set in an alternate continuity of the Marvel Universe.
In interviews conducted with Newsarama
Newsarama
Newsarama is an American website that publishes news, interviews and essays about the American comic book industry.-History:Newsarama began in Summer 1995 as a series of Internet forum postings on the Prodigy comic-book message boards by fan Mike Doran. In these short messages. Doran shared...
and Wizard Universe, Claremont discussed the appeal of launching a fresh continuity that allowed a long-time writer to be granted an uninterrupted vision:
X-Men Forever Alpha, which was released in May 2009, was largely a reprint of the first three issues of the 1991 X-Men. The last pages were devoted to a bridge story meant to segue into X-Men Forever, including a scene that hints at the main plot point of the first story arc, the death of Wolverine
Wolverine (comics)
Wolverine is a fictional character, a superhero that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. Born as James Howlett and commonly known as Logan, Wolverine is a mutant, possessing animal-keen senses, enhanced physical capabilities, three retracting bone claws on each hand and a healing...
. X-Men Forever began its run proper the next month, in June 2009. The story starts by leading directly from X-Men 1–3, as the team (no longer divided into Blue and Gold Teams) is dispatched by Charles Xavier—as well as by Nick Fury
Nick Fury
Colonel Nicholas Joseph "Nick" Fury is a fictional World War II army hero and present-day super-spy in the Marvel Comics universe. Created by artist Jack Kirby and writer Stan Lee, Fury first appeared in Sgt. Fury and his Howling Commandos #1 , a World War II combat series that portrayed the...
, who has become the team's liaison with S.H.I.E.L.D.
S.H.I.E.L.D.
S.H.I.E.L.D. is a fictional espionage and a secret military law-enforcement agency in the Marvel Comics Universe. Created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby in Strange Tales #135 , it often deals with superhuman threats....
—to apprehend Fabian Cortez
Fabian Cortez
Fabian Cortez is a fictional character, a mutant comic book supervillain from the Marvel Comics universe and an adversary of the X-Men. Created by writer Chris Claremont and writer/illustrator Jim Lee, he first appeared in X-Men #1 ....
, who was last seen escaping from a disintegrating Asteroid M
Asteroid M
Utopia is the name of the sepratist mutant homeland created by the X-Men from the remains of Asteroid M which is the name of several fictional settings, each an asteroid converted by the mutant Magneto into his home/orbiting base, in the Marvel Comics Universe...
. The first five issues take place on the same night, and resolve some long-hanging plot threads left from Claremont's departure from the title in 1991. Among the events that occur in the first issue is the death of Wolverine at the hands of Storm, whose true nature is left undisclosed, outside of a stated allegiance to a group called "The Consortium".
Marvel released X-Men Forever Annual #1 in April 2010, which dealt with Wolverine and Jean Grey
Jean Grey
Jean Grey-Summers is a fictional comic book superheroine appearing in comic books published by Marvel Comics. She has been known under the aliases Marvel Girl, Phoenix, and Dark Phoenix and is best known as one of five original members of the X-Men, for her relationship with Cyclops, and for her...
's relationship, elaborating on their relationship in more detail, including insight to the betrayed heart of Cyclops
Cyclops (comics)
Cyclops is a fictional character, the leader of the X-Men superhero team in the . A mutant, Cyclops emits a powerful energy beam from his eyes...
. X-Men Forever Giant Size #1 involved the Shi'ar Imperial Guard desiring something from Professor X
Professor X
Professor Charles Francis Xavier, also known as Professor X, is a fictional character, a Marvel Comics superhero known as the leader and founder of the X-Men....
and the X-Men, resulting in a battle between the two teams.
This series continues as X-Men Forever, Volume 2.