Earlier this month, when Marvel revealed that their new X-Force book by Charles Soule will be called Astonishing X-Men, readers were forced to assume that either the book would have a rotating art team, or the art would materialize fully formed out of thin air by sheer force of willpower, since no artists were announced for the title. Well, Marvel has confirmed that the former case is what's actually happening, and, in fact, each issue of the book will have a new artist. Jim Cheung will draw the first issue, with subsequent issues to feature Ron Garney, ACO, Phil Noto, Greg Land, and Ramon Rosanos with "more artists yet to be revealed." It could even be you! Who knows?! Marvel is still figuring this out.
"The threat facing our heroes touches on all corners of the X-Men mythology," said Marvel Editor-in-Chief in a press release. "So each issue — illustrated by a superstar artist — will dig deep into one of your favorite pieces of X-Men lore, with some eye-popping surprises along the way. The last page of issue one definitely qualifies as one of those, and it's bound to make X-Men fans very happy."
Well, hashtag not all fans. Because superstar artist Declan Shalvey doesn't seem too happy about the news on Twitter:
Marvel I love you SO much but this it the OPPOSITE of what I want in a top new series. https://t.co/HlvSXphvUl #ArtCred
— Declan Shalvey BOG BODIES out MAY 20 (@declanshalvey) March 28, 2017
To be fair to Marvel, their A++ artists can't keep a monthly schedule. But why not get a B+ guy and MAKE him A list on a book like this?
— Declan Shalvey BOG BODIES out MAY 20 (@declanshalvey) March 28, 2017
Oh, snap.
Superstar writer and star of the upcoming film Jumanji, Kieron Gillen, disagrees:
Following the chat about ASTONISHING's announcement. I find myself thinking I'd love to see an X-men book done like GLOBAL FREQUENCY.
— Kieron Gillen (@kierongillen) March 28, 2017
The writer becomes a stage, while the artist becomes the soloist. The attraction is SEE XYZ ARTIST DO THE X-MEN, FULL ON FOR AN ISSUE.
— Kieron Gillen (@kierongillen) March 28, 2017
The debate is sure to rage on all the way until the next big X-reboot, which we assume will be announced in about three months. What are your thoughts? Post in the comments below.
Astonishing X-Force hits stores in July.