Posted in: Comics | Tagged: c2e2, jonathan hickman, marvel, Marvel Comics

Jonathan Hickman Is Not Writing X-Men. Probably.

Published Thu, 21 Mar 2019 09:00:08 -0500

Last updated Thu, 21 Mar 2019 19:15:19 -0500

Bleeding Cool was first to tell you that Jonathan Hickman was returning to Marvel Comics, and that whatever he was doing would begin in July.

And that whatever he was doing, would be announced at Marvel: The Next Big Thing panel on Saturday March 23rd at Chicago's C2E2.

There has been much speculation as to what this may be, depending on the teasers released by Marvel – and by Hickman himself.

They seem to point to two directions. The evolution and 2001 aspect may point towards a revival of Jack Kirby's Eternals series, ahead of a planned Marvel Studios movie.

And the other direction is towards the X-Men, with an aim to reviving what was once Marvel's premier property until internecine rivalry saw Marvel stop promoting the comic or the license, over issues with Fox Studios.

The X-Men rumour has been very popular. And this week, I have had a number of people confirm it for me. With some well=placed people wondering why I haven't confirmed it yet when everyone and their partner knows. But do they?

I'm not saying that Jonathan Hickman won't be writing mutant-based comics. But I understand that won't be writing X-Men. Or Uncanny X-Men. Or any title with X-Men in the title. Or with a separate X, pronounced 'ex', part of Marvel's mutant branding.

I understand the title may have an x in it. But not pronounced like that, or separated as is traditional with Marvel's mutant titles.

Maybe it's a way to tie Eternals and mutants together? They do have shared genetic history… or maybe it's something else entirely?

We'll find out how right – or how wrong – I am on Saturday.

And whatever it is called, it won't stop us calling it HIX-Men if we really want to…