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All The Rage: Bollocks To The Lot Of You

Well, after the last few specialised columns, it's time for a mixed bag… and what a bag it is. Stuff about Marvel, DC, 2000 AD, Wizard and the start of a new appeal. But with a word count topping 4300, it has been decreed again that the column should be split… this time into three parts. So, Part One was on Sunday, Part Two was on Tuesday, and Part Three on right here and now!. And today it's a real mixed bag of rumours!

Remember, these are rumours and gossip. If they were the word of God, your ears would be bleeding. And we don't want a mess on the carpet. Don't repeat these rumours as fact, do look to see what actual news columns are saying instead, but do sent comment to Kick Rich In The Bollocks, the message board section for this column.

Days Of Future Numbered

After a backlash of bad press from his takeover of Marvel's X-Men & Uncanny X-Men, Claremont's tenure as X-writer may be shorter than expected, at least on one title. I've been told that Claremont will be leaving X-Men early next year, concentrating instead on Uncanny X-Men, which he will continue to write, and the quarterly X-Men Unlimited which he will take over. As for X-Men, I hear that Marvel believe this would be the title most movie fans will be picking up, especially with the publicity for the DVD in December. The rumour goes that X-Men's team will reflect the line up in the film, and be less continuity heavy. Considering the books have basically been bi-weekly issues of the same comic, this would be quite a departure.

I contacted both Bill Rosemann and Chris Claremont with no response.

This Has A Rage Value Of Six Out Of Ten

Back To The Future Past

Why is Chris Claremont announcing an X-Men / Avengers crossover when apparently writer Kurt Busiek isn't aware of it?

Possibly because instead of crossing over with the modern-day Avengers, Operation Galatic Storm II will instead see the current day X-Men travel to the past to meet the Avengers and probably put some serious retcons into the original Operation Galactic Storm.

I contacted both Bill Rosemann and Chris Claremont with no response

This Has A Rage Value Of Six Out Of Ten

Malibu Days Of Past In The Future Quashed.

I also heard that X-Men Forever will be the first title in many years to revist the Malibu Universe and finally explain how Juggernaut fits into the whole Black September crossover madness, as well as his relationships with The Exiles and in particular Amber Hunt.

However, Fabian Nicieza as on hand to quash this rumour, stating "Absolutely untrue, unless of course they substitute new pages behind my back that wouldn't have been written by me or drawn by Kevin! Which isn't beyond them, y'know! ;-)"

"Seriously, no, it is not true. There is no mention (or need to mention) that phase of Juggy's continuity in the X-Men Forever limited series."

I also contacted Bill Rosemann with no response.

This Has A Rage Value Of Two Out Of Ten

Pugh Phew

After last week's column discussed Generation X, I've been told that "Marvel is getting Steve Pugh on schedule to begin inking himself around issue #71. Hence the fill-in artist on issue #69." Joy to the world!

This Has A Rage Value Of Eight Out Of Ten

So Tonight We're Gonna Party Like It's 2000 AD

I love being on inappropriate mailing lists.

Just got one sent to 2000 AD creators from editor Andy Diggle. He says "Now that the dust is starting to settle on the whole Rebellion buy-out, I think now's a good time for 2000 AD's creators to get together and meet Jason Kingsley, the guy behind Rebellion, over a pint or three."

"I'm planning to hire a bar somewhere in London, put a few hundred quid behind the bar, and let you all ask Jason and myself some straight questions and get some straight answers about our vision for the future of 2000 AD."

"It'll also be an opportunity for you all to get together and swap ideas/dirty jokes/hot lead/bodily fluids."

"PS. I'm preparing a "mission statement" (if I can think of a less wanky term for it) for what I want to see in 2000 AD. In the meantime, my ears are open to any strong "here's what I think is wrong with 2000 AD"-type opinions. New owner, new editor, new look, new era…"

Well chaps, I look sufficiently like a 2000AD creator, what with my long hair, scruffy beard, faded pop culture t-shirts and jeans, so I'll try an infiltration exercise… see what I can tease out!

This Has A Rage Value Of Eight Out Of Ten

The Art Of Zenith

Talking of 2000 AD, I hear the delicious rumour that Grant Morrison has sent in a new Zenith script. Zenith, for those not in the know, was an early Grant Morrison and Steve Yeowell creation for 2000 AD and, unusually for them, a superhero story. Set in Thatcher's Britain, it told the story of a young, self-centred brat who gained media prominence and a rock star attitude and although successful at saving the world, it was hardly his main priority.

Reprints of Zenith have been hard to come by… the American reprints were muddy and a long time ago, while the rights to trade paperbacks were divided colour and black-and-white between Titan Books and Hamlyn, neither wishing to print in case it promoted the other company's printing. That deadlock is rumoured now to have been resolved and the rights reverted to the new Rebellion-owned 2000 AD. Look forward to TPBs soon!

Grant's threatened to do a 'fat Elvis' Zenith story, later on in Zenith's life, but this new story isn't that. A quick e-mail to editor Andy Diggle reveals a confirmation.

"Yup, it's true. Not so much a story as a 'day in the life of Zenith', circa 2000. Grant's script's already in, and Steve Yeowell will be drawing it in luvverly retro black and white."

Mark Millar was also keen to comment, "Yeah– just read it the other day and it's brilliant. It's an eight-page thing for an upcoming special issue and I can't BELIEVE how twisted it is. God bless 2000AD– It's been shite for the last few years, but Andy Diggle looks set to put it back on track."

And as an added rumour bonus, Diggle concludes "I'm discussing the possibility of a new Bad Company story with Pete Milligan."

Woo hoo! I also hear on the grapevine that Halo Jones is to be reprinted as a TPB again. Can Skizz or DR and Quinch be far behind?

This Has A Rage Value Of Nine Out Of Ten

Transcontinental Interference

A number of news sites, including our very own Silver Bulletins and the ubiquitous Newsarama have mentioned the confirmation of two 'prequels' to Transmetropolitan. However, writer Warren Ellis doesn't think they're as set in stone. On his Delphi forum, he wrote "Oh, this…"

"I came up with the TRANSOCEANIC and TRANSCONTINENTAL ideas back during the first year of the book. Looks to me that something I said two years ago has gone around the world and come back here again. Might do them, might not. They've never been officially pitched, and don't expect that they will be for a very long time. Just talk."

This Has A Rage Value Of Nine Out Of Ten

Bat Baloney

Looks like Warner Brothers may be held to ransom by Joel Schumacher over next Batman film… while the powers that be don't want him anywhere near it, they'll have to pay him a six million dollar kill fee not to direct the film under the multi-picture deal signed by both parties.

Apparently Clooney AND Kilmer would both be willing to don the cowl again if JS wasn't directing. If the right script attracted the right director Schumacher would be bought out.

This Has A Rage Value Of Three Out Of Ten

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