This is the Way

Yes, the X-corner of the Marvel Universe is x-panding (sorry) yet again. This time it’s with the iconic X-Man Nightcrawler at the helm of a brand new team. Way of X is officially a part of Reign of X, the next part in writer Hickman’s saga.

This time, writer Sy Spurrier will be taking up the storytelling task with Bob Quinn attached as artist. The book will see the teleporting mutant on a kind of religious quest.

As some fans have speculated, it seems that there might be something wrong with mutantkind…

Mutantkind has built a new Eden… but there are serpents in this garden. Some mutants struggle to fit in. Some mutants turn to violence and death. And the children whisper  of the Patchwork Man, singing in their hearts…Only one mutant senses the looming shadows. Snared by questions of death, law and love, only Nightcrawler can fight for the soul of Krakoa. Only he – and the curious crew he assembles(including fan-favorites Dr. Nemesis, Pixie and Blink) – can help mutants defeat their inner-darkness and find a new way to live. This is the WAY OF X. 

Here’s what Spurrier had to say about this bold new series: 

“I should probably just tell a lie for the sake of a neat elevator pitch and say that Way of X is a story about the creation of a new mutant religion. But it’s not – not really. That’s kinda where it starts, for sure. Nightcrawler realises something’s wrong with the hearts and minds of mutantkind and sets out to fix it. But as he quickly discovers, this isn’t a job for priests and prayers … The question is, what do they have to become in order to fight it? Preachers? Cops? Executioners? Or something entirely new? 

“Way of X is a smart, psychedelic tale about faith, science, culture, love and law. And Bamfing. Bamfing just for the joy of it.”

Marvel Comics|Sy Spurrier

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I was pretty down on X-Men: Apocalypse for a while, but pretty much everything that we’ve seen as of late for the film is looking pretty solid. That’s including Apocalypse by the way, who definitely looks a lot more like the villain that we’re used to seeing in the X-Men comics from Marvel. He’s still not spot on really, but he’s looking better with every peek we get. At this point, I’m thinking that he evolves as the movie goes on. Could be.

Also appearing in the film, which is set in the 1980s, are new (yet returning) characters Cyclops, Jean Grey, Storm, and Nightcrawler. They’re in addition to all the returning mutants from the First Class and Days of Future Past and all-new characters like Psylocke and Archangel. That’s a pretty awesome team of classic X-Men no matter how you look at it.

I’m going to go ahead and say I’m cautiously optimistic on this one, which is a pretty big improvement over my previous thoughts. The second mutant movie of 2016 (Deadpool being the first), X-Men: Apocalypse hits screens on May 27th.

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This May, Nighcrawler’s loved ones have been targeted – and it’s up to him to put an end to it in NIGHTCRAWLER #2, the next exciting chapter from legendary writer Chris Claremont and fan-favorite artist Todd Nauck! Someone is hunting down those close to Kurt Wagner, and he’s determined to find out who. The journey will take the newly-resurrected Nightcrawler across the globe to save his nearest and dearest from suffering the same tragic fate he only recently escaped. Classic X-Men characters meet new and deadly threats when the exciting NIGHTCRAWLER #2 teleports its way into comic shops this May!

Is there any X-fan who’s unhappy that Nightcrawler is back in the Marvel U. And I mean the real Nightcrawler here, not a clone, or alternate dimensional version, or some such nonsense- just the real, honest-to-goodness Kurt Wagner. Though now that he’s back, old Kurt has an all new problem- his own family.

As you can see from the promo art below, there’s more than just Nightcrawler in on this one too, with Wolverine pretty clearly displayed. Wolvie and Kurt on a mission together definitely makes this old school X-Men fan pretty happy and I’m hoping that the fuzzy elf’s solo book features more classic X-characters going forward.

Not that Marvel is going to go this route, but having Nightcrawler be an almost ‘team-up’ book would be pretty darned awesome… but then again, I’m a sucker for those kinds of things, so I might be biased. Team-ups aside though, Nightcrawler #2 (co-starring Wolverine) is definitely on the way from all-time great X-Men scribe Chris Claremont and artist Todd Nauck on May 14th.

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This April, an X-Men legend returns. Prolific and iconic X-Men writer Chris Claremont teams with fan favorite artist Todd Nauck for NIGHTCRAWLER #1 – a swashbuckling new ongoing series that’s sure to have everyone talking!

“He’s smart, tough, creative and daring, with an instinctive understanding of people and situations. He has a wicked sense of humor and a devastating charm,” says Claremont, in an interview with Marvel.com. “His ‘normal’ is revolutionary to most people; throw him a problem, he’ll find a way to solve it that’s unique to him. He quite simply is the kind of man others trust; to know him is to have faith in him.”

When Nightcrawler sacrificed his life to protect mutantkind, a hole was left in the X-Men’s ranks that has never been filled. With his recent resurrection in the pages of Amazing X-Men, Kurt Wagner has returned to a world far different from the one he left behind. Charles Xavier is dead. Scott Summers is on the run. Even Wolverine, his closest friend, has changed, becoming the headmaster of the Jean Grey School for Higher Learning. And though a deep schism divides the X-Men, Kurt Wagner isn’t going to waste one minute of his new lease on life.

Now, Nightcrawler is hitting the road, eager to right some wrongs and help safeguard the future of mutantkind. And he’s going to do it the only way he knows how: swashbuckling, lady-charming, and of course BAMFing!

Don’t miss the start of a brand new adventure as Nightcrawler and Chris Claremont make their triumphant return to the X-Men for NIGHTCRAWLER #1 – teleporting its way into comic shops this April!

When you see just how different the Marvel Universe has actually become in Nightcrawler’s absence it’s actually a bit jarring from a fan standpoint. I knew the X-Men’s section of Marvel’s pantheon had changed pretty remarkably in the last few years, but I hadn’t realized how much till I read through this preview sent over by the publisher.

There isn’t too much that resembles the X-Men of the 80’s and 90’s left for older fans who remember the team from their glory days. But, there is Nightcrawler.

This is an X-Man from that time, who’s as much a fish out of water in this modern age of turned-tables and switched alliances as any reader of the classics might be. From that angle alone, it should be pretty great to see him interact with even characters who are his better friends, like Wolvie.

Plus, it’s just fun to see Kurt back in action after having him be missing for so long from Marvel’s continuity. I move the fact that he has a solo book too, but I hope that he’s still involved in a big way in the core X-Men titles. It just wouldbt be the same without him.

You can Nightcrawler live and in living color when the first issue of his book of the same name arrives on April 9th from the legendary Chris Claremont and artist Todd Nauk.

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This March, the most bombastic X-Book continues! Marvel is proud to present your first look at AMAZING X-MEN #5, from the critically acclaimed creative team of Jason Aaron and Ed McGuinness! The X-Men have been reunited with their fallen brother Nightcrawler – but how long will the reunion last? Azazel and his fleet of hellish warships are advancing – set to pillage the afterlife for all eternity! Now, Nightcrawler – the most swashbuckling X-Man of all, must once again take up the sword to save the entire universe! And with his team of amazing X-Men at his back, there’s no stopping him! But as the battle for the afterlife commences, one of the X-Men must make the ultimate sacrifice. Don’t miss the next blockbuster issue of the series that has everyone talking when AMAZING X-MEN #5 hits the stands this March!

This is one of those stories that’d only makes sense in terms of the X-Men. The team literally goes to hell and fights off a whole mess of demons to rescue Nightcrawler. Personally, I’m pretty pleased that he’s back as Kurt has always been one of my favorite X-characters and the Marvel UNiverse really didn’t feel the same without him.

Now that he is back though, he might wish he wasn’t since he and the rest of the X-Men are headed into a collision with Azazel’s fleet of nasties in a fight for the afterlife itself. Yes, that’s crazy to the extreme, but this is the X-Men we’re talking about here; it’s par for the course.

Oh, and Ed McGuiness is ripping it up on this book. Seriously great stuff. Catch his artwork and the scripts of writer Jason Aaron when Amazing X-Men #5 *bamfs* onto the stands on March 26th.

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In many ways, Nightcrawler #1 represents a view of the modern day X-Men through the eyes of a past member who hasn’t been in the loop for a while. Remember that Kurt Wagner (Nightcrawler) has been out of commission in Hell (long story) and has no idea what the X-teams look like today.

As Marvel points out, Wolverine is the headmaster at the Jean Grey school, Cyclops is basically a fugitive and Professor X is dead. That’s a sharply different world than the one old Kurt left behind and one that should make for some very interesting reading for fans- especially lapsed ones. Casting Claremont as the lead writer is a nice move too as he wrote the X-Men in the golden age of the mutant team and is a huge fan favorite.

Both he and artist Todd Nauk are nothing but pumped to get into the X-verse as they both comment here on the character of Nightcrawler:

“He’s smart, tough, creative and daring, with an instinctive understanding of people and situations. He has a wicked sense of humor and a devastating charm,” says Claremont, in an interview with Marvel.com. ”His ‘normal’ is revolutionary to most people; throw him a problem, he’ll find a way to solve it that’s unique to him. He quite simply is the kind of man others trust; to know him is to have faith in him.”

“Nightcrawler has been one of my all-time favorite X-Men,” says artist Todd Nauck. “He’s a fun, cool character and he’s easy to care about. He’s a guy you root for.”

If you’re a longtime fan, this is one not to be missed. Bamf a copy into your collection when Nightcrawler #1 appears on the racks this coming April. And if you are one of those longtime fans, here’s a little something to tide you over in the form of a sneak-peek at Nauk’s concept art for Kurt’s look.

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The X-Men are through mourning the loss of Nightcrawler, the “heart and soul” of their family – it’s time to act! Wolverine must lead Storm, Beast, Ice Man and more on an epic journey to recover one of their greatest allies – in a story that’s been building since Wolverine and the X-Men #1!

“AMAZING X-MEN is the newest can’t miss X-Men book.” says Senior Editor Nick Lowe. “Two creators at the top of their game, fully committed, bringing back possibly the best X-Man ever… and that’s just the first arc! Just wait until you see what Jason and Ed have up their sleeves!”

Deadly foes! Swashbuckling adventures! Plenty of little blue Bamfs! How far will the Amazing X-Men go to rescue one of their own? And what price will they pay? Find out just how far this November when Nightcrawler returns in Amazing X-Men #1!

I don’t know if I could say that Nightcrawler is my favorite X-Man, but he’s definitely a part of my favorite teams of X-Men. The premier mutant team’s roster changes on a seemingly monthly basis, but there are some characters that are just, well- X-Men. Kurt is one of those.

Along with the likes of Wolverine, Cyclops, Colossus, Gambit, Rouge, Jean Grey and about a half a dozen others, he’s a big part of most X-Fans first thought when they think of the classic version of the team’s roster. Bottom line- it’s good to have him back. Here’s to hoping that Aaron and McGuinness have a few more surprises up their sleeves (it certainly seems like they do) for the rest of their run with the new book.

Look for Amazing X-Men #1 on stands this November from Marvel Comics.

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I’m a big time fan of pretty much all the X-Men characters from the era of Giant Size X-Men #1. That single book published in 1975 launched most of the characters that’d become the greatest and most popular X-Men of all time onto the main stage in Marvel’s mutant universe.

One of the biggest of the lot was Kurt Wagner himself- Nightcrawler. The Fuzzy Elf was a mainstay in the x-books for years and years until the Second Coming crossover event in 2010. Nightcrawler sacrificed his own life to save Rogue in the mini-series and hasn’t been seen in the x-books since- not that being dead has stopped comic book heroes from coming back before.

Fast forward to the present and we find Marvel Comics debuting a brand new X-men book with Amazing X-Men #1. Coming from the creative team of Jason Aaron and Ed McGuinness, AXM is starting things off in style with an all-star team of X-Men (Storm, Wolverine, Ice Man, Beast…) set to head into the heart of hell itself to rescue Nightcrawler. For Aaron, the book’s writer, this is a tale that he’s been waiting some time to tell.

“Nightcrawler has always been my favorite X-Man, so I’ve been planning this story for years now, going all the way back to Wolverine and the X-Men #1,” explained Aaron. “I’m thrilled to be bringing Nightcrawler back to the forefront of the Marvel Universe. Of course it may not be much fun for the X-Men, once they realize what they’ll have to go through to rescue their friend.”

Looking down the line, Aaron’s Amazing X-Men doesn’t look to let up either with the comic being described as an ‘event book’ in every sense of the word.

“Get ready for the most epic book at Marvel, where every arc is an event!” said senior editor Nick Lowe. “X-Fans know Jason Aaron, but I can’t wait until they see Nightcrawler fan #1 Ed McGuinness’ incredible first X-Men book!”

There hasn’t been an X-Men book like Amazing on the market for a long time. The feel of Marvel’s latest mutant-powered volume is very similar (at least, it is to me) to the classic X-Men comics of the ’90s and I can’t wait to see what the publisher is cooking up for it.

Amazing X-Men #1 hits comic shops and digital platforms this coming November.

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A real classic character from Marvel Comics’ stable of mutants in just about every way, Kurt Wagner was a part of maybe the most beloved X-roster to date. Since his appearance in Giant Size X-Men #1, Nightcrawler has been through a bunch of pretty radical changes- including being replaced in the Marvel U by his alternate dimensional self.

This is the classic elf though, right down to the puff of smoke (or ‘Bamf’ if you know your comic book sound effects), that serves as his base.

The offspring of a mutant and a demon, blue-furred acrobat Kurt Wagner has shown the signs of his mixed heritage since he was born, and sculptor Jean St. Jean has brought out the scarier aspects of the X-Men’s resident teleporter in this new figure. Nightcrawler stands approximately 7 inches tall with 16 points of articulation, and he comes with a “bamf” cloud base, representing the purple cloud he leaves behind when he teleports.

Nightcrawler is available now for preorder from your local comic shop and online retailers, look for him to ship next month.

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Marvel is pleased to present your first look at X-Termination #1, from fan favorite creators David Lapham, Marjorie Liu, Greg Pak and artist David Lopez! In this opening salvo to this high stakes X-Event, joining together the teams from Astonishing X-Men, Age of Apocalypse and X-Treme X-Men, the fate of our universe and more are at hand! Nightcrawler wants to return back to his own world and has no problem sacrificing our world to succeed. But can he get through Wolverine before doing so? In a battle between the claws and the crawler, X-Termination starts now! So what are you waiting for, head on over to your local comic shop and reserve a copy of X-Termination #1 today!

Has there been a rash of X-Men turning ‘bad’ or is it just me?

X-Men X-Termination #1 hits stands on March 30th from the creative team of David Lapham, Marjorie Liu & Greg Pak with art by David Lopez and a pretty awesome looking cover by the great Ed McGuinness.

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