Starjammers Not in Secret Invasion: X-Men :(

Mike Carey revealed to CBR that he originally planned on having the Starjammers in Secret Invasion: X-Men, the SI tie-in he is writing:

The X-Men may have connections in the interstellar Shi’ar Empire with groups like the Starjammers, but Carey is keeping the action in this series Earthbound. “I did toy with some ideas about bringing the Starjammers in and taking some of the action into Skrull space, but in the end it just weakened the drama,” Carey said. “We have this very compelling and scary situation developing on Earth and it seems like that’s where we should be focusing. So that what we decided to do in the end.”

Back in March at Wizard World LA, Marvel's Jim McCann revealed that the Imperial Guard would be playing a role in Secret Invasion, and the most likely spot seemed like Secret Invasion: X-Men. It was hoped then that the Starjammers would as well, but perhaps that isn't happening now. Bummer.

Starjammers Question in X-Position

In this week's X-Position, X-Editor Nick Lowe was asked about the follow-up to Emperor Vulcan:

As long as we’re talking about Skrulls and aliens, EC sent in an email that reminds us there are mutants in outer space too.

1) I'm probably going to be hated for asking this, but with everything that’s occurred with Vulcan, the Shi’ar Empire, and the Starjammers -- and with all the Abnett/Lanning Marvel outer space craziness (not to mention the current “Secret Invasion”) -- is there any chance of seeing “Emperor Vulcan” evolve into something bigger? Like “Annihilation” bigger?

NL: Be careful what you wish for, EC.

The Latest on the Vulcan Saga, Divided We Stand #2, and MCP #8

In this week's X-Position, once again the future for Rachel, Alex and Lorna brought up, but no knew information to report:

2) Chris, has the third part of the “Emperor Vulcan” story been written? Will Polaris, Havok, and Marvel Girl be the ones to defeat Vulcan? Or will other X-Men join the fight?

Yost: There has been talk. I can say no more.

X-Position also had two pages from the upcoming X-Men: Divided We Stand #2 story featuring Havok and Vulcan, written by former X-Editor Andy Schmidt with art by Frasier Irving. So far no word whether or not Rachel will appear (someone needs to save poor Alex).


Also, next week Marvel Comics Presents #8 is in stores, and that features a story (also by Schmidt) about Cyclops dealing with the aftermath of Rise & Fall of the Shi'ar Empire and the death of Corsair.

Marvelnoise.com has a multi-page preview, including a scene where Alex sends word to Scott about their father's death, but no indication yet if Rachel will or won't be mentioned in this.

Emperor Vulcan #1 Added to Marvel Digital Comics

Marvel.com has a short interview with writer Chris Yost about X-Men: Emperor Vulcan in their Digital Comics Creator Spotlight.

Yost has this to say about EV:

I had a blast working on this series, and really got to let loose with Havok, one of my favorite X-characters. My goals for the series were to blow up a planet, have Havok kick some butt and tell some classic X-Men space opera.

Marvel Digital Comics has added Emperor Vulcan #1 and you can view it for free!


Also, this week Emperor Vulcan is being released in trade paperback format.

Another Starjammers Question in MyCup o' Joe

Remember last week when there was a non-answer to the Starjammer question?

Well, this week Joe Quesada answered the question I asked in MyCup o' Joe:

Ashley's a big Rachel Summers fan and wants to know:

Hi Joe,
I was wondering what's next for the X-Men who were left in space (Havok, Polaris, and Rachel) and when they might be finally returning to Earth?

JQ: As far as Havok and Polaris go, Ashley, they're going to have to break out of the prison that Vulcan put them in at the end of X-Men: Emperor Vulcan. Can Rachel break them out? We shall see!

Andy Schmidt Writing Havok & Cyclops Stories

Former X-Editor Andy Schmidt talked to CBR about writing the upcoming Havok & Vulcan story in X-Men: Divided We Stand #2 and a story about Cyclops' reaction to Corsair's death in Marvel Comics Presents #8:

"In Ed Brubaker's run on Uncanny X-Men, Cyclops's father died and he wasn't around to see it or react to it," explained Schmidt, "and Ed didn't have time to follow up on it in the book before we were running into Messiah CompleX, so I asked him if he was okay with me tackling how Corsair dying affects Cyclops. He was open to the idea so I cleared through him, then X-Men editor Nick Lowe and finally through Marvel Comics Presents' editor John Barber."

Following the Cyclops story for MCP, Schmidt is working with Frasier Irving [Gutsville, Seven Soldiers of Victory] on am X-Men: Divided We Stand story, following what happened to Havok in the Emperor Vulcan storyline called "The Hole." "Starts off with Havok, [also known as] Alex Summers, in a prison at the bottom of the ocean on a world that is an ocean world," said Schmidt. "Cut off from cosmic rays. You go in there, and you pretty much don't come out. He's in a prison cell, except there isn't any real point to have him in one. He's in one because they want to keep him isolated, to break him, more than anything else. Not because they're afraid he's going to escape, because if he opens up the door they all die."

Since the Havok & Vulcan story for DWS is only 8 pages, it seems unlikely that Rachel will appear.

Marvel Comics Present #8 is out on April 30, 2008. Divided We Stand #2 hits stores on May 21, 2008.

Wizard World Los Angeles Report

I received an email from an X-fan who attended the X-Men Panel at Wizard World yesterday and spoke the writers and editors in attendance, and has a bit of information for Rachel fans on the status of the Starjammers:

The only news on Rachel & the Starjammers from the X-Panel was that their story continues in the Divided We Stand limited series.

A Havok fan asked the panel a question about what was next for the Starjammers, and the way Jim McCann (Marvel's marketing director) answered the question made it seem like Havok may appear in both issues of Divided We Stand.

Matt Fraction was announced as the new co-writer of Uncanny X-Men, and he may be better suited to write Rachel than Brubaker. Fraction said he liked the Paul Smith/JR, Jr era Uncanny and characters like Magma that Brubaker doesn't like.

The panel was asked about Selene returning, and there wasn't a clear answer, but both Marc Guggenheim (Young X-Men) and Yost & Kyle (X-Force) said they might be using her. Since Wolverine nearly killed Rachel the last time an X-Man tried to kill Selene, X-Force facing off against her would be interesting.

A couple other things (not to get anyone in trouble for revealing this):

- Rachel, Alex and Lorna will return to X-books, eventually.

- Rachel & the Starjammers' story will likely continue in Uncanny X-Men.

- No Annihilation or Guardians of the Galaxy tie-in with the Starjammers are planned.

No idea when Rachel will return to Uncanny. It seems to be going in a completely different direction with the relocation to San Francisco. (The Uncanny X-Men will be based out of San Francisco starting in #500, which is the location where the X-Men were when Rachel faced off against the Beyonder).

Uncanny X-Men will have a new rotating penciling team of Terry Dobson (hurray!) and Greg Land (boo!). Dobson told Newarama that there are plans to do more than 12 issues a year, maybe 14, although both pencilers are known for being late...


Update:

Today at the Mondo Marvel Panel at WWLA, a question was asked about the Imperial Guard:

Q: Will we see the Imperial Guard on Earth?

McCann said that they'll be involved, somehow, in a Secret Invasion tie-in.

This could be in the X-Men Secret Invasion tie-in. Yesterday at the Secret Invasion Panel, McCann said that there would be an X-Men Secret Invasion tie-in but "but they're not going to announce anything specifically yet."

Tom Brevoort, the editor for Secret Invasion, talked a little about the X-Men's involvement in Secret Invasion to IGN last month, and mentioned that there would be a tie-in to avoid disrupting anything going on in the individual titles.

Although that is unlikely to be resolution readers have been hoping for, it is at least a positive sign...

No end in sight for the Starjammers

Unfortunately, today’s X-Position with X-Editors Nick Lowe, Axel Alonso and John Barber didn’t give any updates on when the Vulcan saga might finally, at long last, be coming to an end.

And speaking of Polaris, John Crowley (along with several other fans) wrote to me with questions about the status of her and her associates.

Will we be seeing a resolution to the Shi’ar civil war by the end of the year? I thought I had read earlier that “Emperor Vulcan” was supposed to be the final act of the whole story with the Summers (at least for a while). What changed? And when will we see what happens with the Starjammers, Havok, Polaris, and Rachel?

LOWE: As the person who wrote the solicit text for “Emperor Vulcan” and did a lot of interviews about it, I don’t remember reading or saying that it was the final act of the Summers’ story. We always saw it as a middle chapter. As for when you’ll see them again, you’ll just have to wait and see.

How disappointing. I’m tired of waiting for this to be over. I wish they would just give us some sort of time frame for when this is ending.


Also, new Cable writer Duane Swierczynski will be answering questions in next week’s X-Position. Rachel fans need to send in questions (you can find the email address and instructions at the bottom of this page).

Although with Rachel stuck in the never-ending space story, it’s doubtful he’ll be able to answer questions about Rachel appearing in Cable, but it’d be nice if a question related to Rachel or the Askani was asked, but hopefully none of the monotonous "is the baby Rachel" questions.

What's Next For Rachel & The Starjammers After Emperor Vulcan?

So far, there hasn't been any word about what will be next for the Rachel and the Starjammers. With Emperor Vulcan’s cliffhanger ending with Havok, Polaris, Ch’od and Raza captured, and Rachel, Lilandra and Korvus regrouping and Vulcan announcing plans to expand the Shi’ar Empire and kill Professor Xavier, obviously the story will continue – the question is where and when.

A short story with Alex and Vulcan will be appearing in Divided We Stand Issue 2. So they haven’t been completely forgotten.

Emperor Vulcan scribe Chris Yost posted on CBR that “There are plans, from even before I came onboard”.

So what could those plans be?

In light of everything that’s happened in Messiah Complex, a Shi’ar invasion of Earth or even a rescue mission seems unlikely.

Professor Xavier is, for all intents and purposes, brain dead. X-Men becomes X-Men: Legacy and will for at least 12 issues be an Xavier solo book with Xavier trying to piecing his memories back together. Vulcan coming to kill him is rather pointless until he recovers.

Meanwhile, the X-Men are officially disbanded while Scott figures out what to do next.

Could Rachel returning to Earth with news of Alex and Lorna’s capture bring the X-Men back together? While it's nice to think that could happen, all signs point to the return of Magneto in Uncanny X-Men 500 as what will bring the X-Men together – a classic storyline for such a major milestone issue. Another space story in Uncanny any time soon seems highly unlikely.

Ed Brubaker stated at Wizard World Los Angeles in 2007 that he had no interest in finishing the story, preferring to leave it as a dangling storyline for another writer to pick up. So as long as he is writing Uncanny X-Men, it seems incredibly unlikely the story will continue there in any form.

That would leave the Vulcan story for either a crossover event (with the X-Men, Marvel Universe or Cosmic Marvel having to stop a Shi’ar invasion) or a separate miniseries.

Is Vulcan even popular enough to carry his own crossover event, whether it’s within in the X-books, Marvel universe or Cosmic Marvel? Space X-Men stories are generally unpopular, Vulcan himself hasn’t caught out with readers and Rise & Fall of the Shi’ar Empire isn’t all that well-regarded of an arc. Sales did steadily decline for Emperor Vulcan, and it wasn’t just fans of Rachel, Alex and Lorna who were thoroughly pissed off at the lack of an ending with Emperor Vulcan. Will that limit the possible avenues to finally end this story?


Some of the possible places for the story to continue:


Secret Invasion

One of the other problems with Vulcan and the Shi’ar attacking Earth is that they have to wait in line for the Skrulls to finish their secret invasion.

Editor Tom Brevoort told IGN that the X-Men will be involved in Secret Invasion, but it will be handled in a separate limited series to avoid disrupting the X-books’ plans for the aftermath of Messiah Complex. This likely will be similar to X-Men: Civil War and will deal with any X-Men revealed to be Skrulls. It's incredibly unlikely anything with the Shi'ar will be involved.

Could something following the Secret Invasion involve the Shi'ar, like a Skrull and Shi'ar alliance? Perhaps, but there is no proof of anything like that happening.


Starjammers Limited or Ongoing Series

From what we heard this time last year, some at Marvel are dead set against another Starjammers series because historically they’ve done poorly.

Emperor Vulcan has sold marginally well, but with sales to comic book stores around 36,000 copies and lots of unsold copies still on the shelves, is there a mandate for an ongoing? Probably not, unless it's another limited series killing time until the "plans" to finally happen. But with the backlash from the last non-ending, would Marvel put other another filler series?


Annihilation

Currently, Marvel is wrapping up the second Annihilation storyline, Annihilation: Conquest (the last issue is out in April). Sales have been okay, but nothing spectacular, with the Conquest books selling less than Emperor Vulcan. Hints have been dropped that there could be another Annihilation series, but it probably wouldn’t be for at least six months or a year. There are also hints that the cosmic Marvel characters could get involved in Secret Invasion.

Former Annihilation editor Andy Schmidt is one of the writers involved in Divided We Stand #2, prompting speculation the Alex story could be a bridge to bring the Annihilation/Cosmic Marvel characters into the Starjammers/Vulcan storyline.

It would be just like Marvel to want to prop up the sales of the Cosmic Marvel titles by adding the X-Men, Starjammers and Vulcan to the mix.


Guardians of the Galaxy

Out of Annihilation: Conquest is coming new Guardians of the Galaxy ongoing series in May, and there has been speculation that they could go and help the Starjammers.

Writer Andy Lanning told Marvel:

"One of our first stories will deal with somebody taking advantage of the aftermath of CONQUEST to expand their power base. [And] apart from the new threats and menaces, we're planning on the return of at lest one old, old foe and an even older hero."

If Vulcan is looking to expand the Shi’ar empire, he’s a likely candidate to be taking advantage of the aftermath of Conquest.

If the Starjammers and Vulcan are going to be part of Cosmic Marvel instead of the X-Titles, the Guardians getting involved in stopping Vulcan or rescuing the Starjammers is a strong possibility.


Uncanny X-Men and Legacy

Like previously stated, it’s unlikely that any Starjammers or Vulcan story would take place in Uncanny or Legacy this year since they are still dealing with the aftermath of Messiah Complex.

Once Xavier recovers from his brain injury, he could gather a team and go help the Starjammers in Legacy.

Or, the story could continue in Uncanny once Ed Brubaker is no longer writing the book.

In several years, there could be an X-crossover with multiple books getting involved in stopping Vulcan. The X-writers don't seem eager to do another crossover event any time soon, and the storylines coming out of Messiah Complex could play out for years to come.

One point often brought up in discussions about an X-Men rescue mission is Scott having to go save his little brother, and how Scott’s involvement would once again repeat the pattern of Alex never escaping the shadow of his older brother. Unfortunately, if the other X-Men are involved, it would be impossible for Alex to avoid being overshadowed by Scott, especially after Scott has solidified his role as commander-in-chief of the X-Men following Divided We Stand.


Astonishing X-Men

Axel Alonso mentioned that there will be a strong sci-fi theme in Warren Ellis’ Astonishing X-Men run (which is expected to start in July 2008). It seems unlikely that it will deal with Vulcan, since Astonishing is designed to be less continuity heavy than the other X-books and the sequel to a long running space storyline wouldn’t easily accessible to new readers.


My conclusion:

Unfortunately, I think all signs point to the Starjammers becoming part of Cosmic Marvel and the most likely scenario is that the rescue mission will be in a Cosmic Marvel title like Guardians of the Galaxy and then Vulcan will be the antagonist for Annihilation 3. Then in several years, Vulcan could target Earth and Xavier and that would be a storyline for one of the X-books or an X-crossover.

Last year at Wizard World Los Angeles, Rachel fans heard an ominous report from a fan who spoke to Ed Brubaker and got the impression that the characters left behind at the end of Rise & Fall of the Shi'ar Empire would be in space for a very, very long time. It wasn’t merely them being written temporarily out of X-books, it was a permanent status quo change. Vulcan becoming Emperor seems to have been part of a long-term plan to establish him as a reoccurring, major villain, and it looks like those left behind were intended to become the new Starjammers for the foreseeable future.

Of course, WWLA '07 spurred the Bring Rachel Home Campaign. Whether or not that worked remains to be seen, but it appears that Emperor Vulcan was merely trying convince fans to like Vulcan and the new Starjammers, and filling time before whatever “plans” are going to happen.

For me, I absolutely hate space stories and wish this would all end as quickly as possible and Rachel would be back in one of the core X-books.

X-Men: Emperor Vulcan #5 - A Major Disappointment

X-Men: Emperor Vulcan #5, the final issue of the mini-series, is out this week, and Rachel's fans have been anxiously waiting for the conclusion of the Shi'ar adventure and for news on which of the X-books Rachel will appear in next.

But, lost unfortunately, fans are going to have to be waiting much, much longer.

Spoilers for the issue are out and it ends with (scroll for spoilers):






A cliffhanger with Alex, Lorna, Ch'od and Raza captured.


So, like Rise & Fall of the Shi'ar Empire, there isn't an ending, only set-up for another story.

This is incredibly disappointing, since it means Rachel will be out of X-books for most of this year as well, perhaps the rest of the decade. :(

So, Rachel-Summers.com's Bring Rachel Home Campaign continues, urging Rachel fans to boycott the issue and urge Marvel to wrap up with story as quickly as possible and bring Rachel back to the mainstream X-books.

X-Men: Emperor Vulcan #4 Preview

Marvel has posted the first six pages to Emperor Vulcan #4, which is due out on Friday, December 28th (comics are delayed two days due to Christmas.).

This is the issue that features the fabulous Rachel cover.

Also due out this week is X-Men #206, which has an Askani flashback!!!

Emperor Vulcan #3 Preview

Comic Book Resources has a six page preview for the third issue of Emperor Vulcan, which is due out on November 21st.

What If? X-Men: The Rise & Fall Of The Shi'Ar Empire First Look

Comic Continuum has a five page first look at the art for the What If? X-Men: The Rise & Fall Of The Shi'Ar Empire one-shot that will be in stores on December 5th. The fifth preview page reveals some rather special guest appearances. :)

Nick Lowe on Rachel, Havok & Polaris's Fate Following Emperor Vulcan

In the latest X-Position, X-Editor Nick Lowe was asked about what will happen to the X-Men in Emperor Vulcan:

Along those lines, John Sage was curious about a few other mutants. "Assuming Marvel Girl, Polaris, and Havok make it back from their space jaunt alive, is there a place for them in any of the post-MC X-titles?"

NL: That's a bigger assumption that I'm willing to make, John. At least one of those characters will make it out of "Emperor Vulcan" alive. And I think it's safe to assume that they're big enough characters to have a future in the X-Books.

The article also includes information on the new X-Force (written by Chris Yost and Craig Kyle) and Cable (written by Duane Swierczynski), which are two books it's quite possible Rachel could be showing up in (assuming she returns).

Marvel January 2008 Solicitation for Emperor Vulcan

ComicBookResources got an early look at Marvel's January 2008 X-Book Solicitations, which includes the final issue of X-Men: Emperor Vulcan:


X-MEN: EMPEROR VULCAN #5 (of 5)
Written by CHRISTOPHER YOST
Penciled by PACO DIAZ LUQUE
Cover by BILLY TAN

The star-shattering conclusion! Everything has been building to this...Polaris versus the Imperial Guard. Marvel Girl versus Gladiator. And finally, brother versus brother. Havok makes his final stand against Vulcan, whose power dwarfs his own. Who will control the M�Kraan Crystal? Will the Shi�Ar Empire break apart, or unite? What is the fate of the Scy�ar Tal? And will any of the X-Men survive to tell the tale? The answers will surprise you.

32 PGS./Rated T+ �$2.99

Preview for X-Men: Emperor Vulcan 2

PopCultureShock has a six page preview for the second issue of Emperor Vulcan. Rachel appears on the fourth page.

Chris Yost Interview with Preview Art from X-Men: Emperor Vulcan 2

Pulse News has interviewed writer Chris Yost about X-Men: Emperor Vulcan, and posted several pages of preview art from the second issue.

Here are the Rachel-centric highlights from the interview:

THE PULSE: With a miniseries the trick is getting the reader excited about the next issue and totally vested in coming back for more. What are some of the things you’re going to be doing to get your audience putting this series on their pull list? What’s at stake in these five issues that even has Havok teaming up with Vulcan?

YOST: Issue 2 raises the stakes incredibly, and issue 3 puts our heroes in an impossible position. Havok and Rachel especially will have to do things that will make everything in them scream against it. Every issue has the situation getting worse and worse and worse for our X-Men, and quite literally the fate of the universe is on the line.

THE PULSE: How, if at all, does what’s happening in these pages affect the bigger Marvel mutant picture?

YOST: Beyond ‘fate of the universe?’ On the last page of issue five, things will be changing for the X-Men in general.

Rachel on the Cover of Emperor Vulcan 4

Rachel is on the cover of X-Men: Emperor Vulcan #4, in a full Phoenix effect.

Here's how Marvel describes the issue:


X-MEN: EMPEROR VULCAN #4 (of 5)
Written by CHRISTOPHER YOST Penciled by PACO DIAZ LUQUE
Cover by BILLY TAN
It's super-powered space warfare as Polaris leads the Starjammers and the Imperial Guard into battle, while Havok and Vulcan face off against a villain who is way out of their league. And will Marvel Girl's personal vendetta against the Shi'Ar cause her to do the unthinkable? It's the penultimate chapter as the situation goes from “horrible” to “end of all that is.”
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$2.99

What If: Rise & Fall of the Shi'ar Empire in December

Rise & Fall of the Shi'ar will get the What If treatment in December.

Here's how Marvel describes the issue (no cover art was released:

WHAT IF? X-MEN: THE RISE & FALL OF THE SHI’AR EMPIRE
Written by CHRISTOPHER YOST
Penciled by LARRY STROMAN
Cover by OLIVIER COIPEL
THE RISE & FALL OF THE SHI’AR EMPIRE was an X-Men event like no other. Fresh off X-MEN: DEADLY GENESIS, Ed Brubaker took Marvel’s mighty mutants off Earth and on an intergalactic journey to stop VULCAN, the third Summers brother, from exacting revenge on the Shi’Ar Empire! But in that final battle in front of the M’Kraan Crystal, what if Vulcan absorbed the very energies that contained it many years ago? In other words, what if Vulcan became PHOENIX? When his unlimited rage is fueled with unlimited power...who will be able to stop him now? Writer Chris Yost (X-23, New X-Men, TV’s Fantastic Four) welcomes the return of legendary X-Factor and Alien Legion artist Larry Stroman to the X-Universe with this action-packed issue.
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$2.99

Emperor Vulcan #1 Preview

The full preview for X-Men: Emperor Vulcan #1 is up at Comicscontinuum.com.

The color of Rachel's power signature has been corrected. (It had been orange but is now blue).

X-Men Emperor Vulcan #1 Preview Art

Marvel released a few pages of preview art from the first issue of Emperor Vulcan. Rachel appears on several of the pages.

Assistant editor Will Panzo talked briefly about the mini series:

It may be personal for Havok, but Marvel Girl and Polaris are onboard for other reasons. The X-Ladies are seeing the bigger picture. Vulcan is oppressing the entire Shi'Ar empire, and although he has personal ties to the Summers family and the X-Men, he's still a threat to millions more lives. Is this a fight of both vengeance and the protection of innocent life?

"A little of both. But there's a wildcard in there as well, a surprise that will make both sides rethink this conflict," affirms Panzo.

Emperor Vulcan #1 is due out on September 12th.

Marvel Solicitation for X-Men: Emperor Vulcan #3

ComicBookResources.com has posted Marvel's November solicitations early. Here the cover and description for Emperor Vulcan #3:



X-MEN: EMPEROR VULCAN #3 (of 5)
Written by CHRISTOPHER YOST
Penciled by PACO DIAZ
Cover by BILLY TAN

Havok and the Starjammers' world is turned upside down as they're forced to help Vulcan in his war against the enemies of the Shi'ar Empire. What horrifying secret of the Scy'ar Tal would make Havok join forces with his brother? And the question isn't IF Vulcan will betray the X-Men... it's WHEN.

32 PGS./Rated T+ …$2.99

Emperor Vulcan #3 will be out on November 21, 2007.

Chris Yost on X-Position Week 9

It was Chris Yost's turn in the hotseat in X-Position this week:

A couple of weeks ago, Ashley Keller had sent in a question to Brubaker about Rachel Summers. He claimed ignorance, as the events she asked about would possibly take place in "Emperor Vulcan." Well, since you're the one writing that mini, I'll let her ask again ...

"Will we be seeing any reaction from Rachel in regards to Cable's death (if he is dead) in 'Emperor Vulcan?' Since Rachel has a strong psi-bond with Nathan, she would instantly feel his death. Considering everything she's gone through to try to protect her 'baby brother,' she should be one of the characters most impacted by his death, shouldn't she?"

Yost: Rachel would absolutely be affected by Cable's death. He's her brother, and if she were aware of it, she'd be devastated. That being said ... we don't really know that Rachel would instantly feel his death. After all, how do you test that out? And given she's in a whole other galaxy, their link is strained as it is. But when she does learn of his death, I expect Rachel to react and act accordingly. Gambit and Sunfire better start running if she gets back is what I'm trying to say.


"If she gets back?" And as long as we're being a bit morose, Brian Moranor had a question about another death: "Are we going to be seeing some reaction from Havok and Rachel regarding the death of Corsair (his father/her grandfather) in 'Emperor Vulcan?' I know the mini takes place some time after the 'Uncanny' arc (or does it?), but I was wondering if we'd get any insight to their feelings."

Yost: Of course. Corsair's death affected Havok deeply and is influencing every decision he's making now, for better or worse. And Polaris has to deal with extra-angst Havok.

Rounding things off about the "Emperor Vulcan" miniseries, AZPolaris wanted to know more about – surprise! – Polaris: "I am a huge Polaris fan and would love any info about her that you can share. Are she and Havok officially a couple? Will Lorna discuss any of the turmoil that her life was in before she left Earth? I hope to see a bond form between Lorna and Rachel (Havok's 'niece') – will this occur in 'Emperor Vulcan,' or will it be nonstop action?"

Yost: I'm a huge Polaris fan as well, and yes – she and Havok are officially a couple. The insanity of Lorna's life will get brought up, and while what she's up against now is extreme, it's a little more straightforward. Except when Doop shows up to kill Vulcan and take over the Shi'ar empire. No one's going to see that coming.

Lorna and Rachel are definitely going to bond, and drink. After all, the two hottest women in the Shi'ar empire have to stick together. Plus, they've both got man troubles. I lean toward non-stop action, but I try to take breaks for angst.

Want To Ask Yost A Question About Rachel or Emperor Vulcan?

CBR's X-Position is taking questions for X-Men Emperor Vulcan writer Chris Yost for next week's column. You can email your questions for Chris to george@comicbookresources.com.

October Marvel Solicitation For X-Men: Emperor Vulcan

Newsarama posted Marvel's solicitation for the second issue of X-Men Emperor Vulcan: X-MEN: EMPEROR VULCAN #2 (of 5) Written by CHRISTOPHER YOST Penciled by PACO DIAZ Cover by BILLY TAN As the war between brothers continues, a vast new power just entered Shi'Ar space... but what have they come for? For Havok and Vulcan, the answer to that question changes everything and the fate of the Shi'Ar Empire rests on one man's shoulders. 32 PGS./Rated T+ �$2.99 X-Men Emperor Vulcan is due out on October 17, 2007.

Lots of Rachel & X:EV News in X-Position

Comic Book Resources weekly X-book column, X-Position, this week features and interview with Ed Brubaker (and Nick Lowe helping) and many of the questions relate to Rachel and the upcoming X-Men: Emperor Vulcan. Here are some excerpts:

Ed, this next one might be difficult for you to answer at the moment, but I'll give SGuthrie the opportunity to ask anyway because, hey, that's why we're here at X-Position! I know there are long-range plans involving Havok, Polaris, and Marvel Girl Emperor Vulcan, but are there any plans to bring at least one of them back to the fold during your run, or are you planning on keeping them with the Starjammers in space indefinitely? Or can you not answer this until that limited series is over?

Brubaker: Yeah, I can't really answer that. Ask Chris Yost, since he's writing Emperor Vulcan.

Chris isn't around, but Nick is still here with two more cents - we almost have a nickel!

Nick Lowe: Keep your eyes peeled for Emperor Vulcan to see what happens with those characters. Rest assured, they are some of my favorite characters in the whole world and Chris Yost is doing some awesome things with them.

We had several fans write in about the Cable and his "sis" Rachel. To cover our bases, I'm combining jarrod and Ashley Keller's emails to come up with the following query: "I'm just curious if Yost (or anyone) plans on dealing with Rachel's reaction to Cable's recent death. Given that Rachel forged a permanent mindlink with Nathan, she should've actually experienced his death. Will we see her go after those responsible for killing him"�

Brubaker: I don't know. I notice whenever anything happens in any X-book, someone wants to see some specific character react to it, and all I can say is, give it time. Patience is a virtue, supposedly .

We'll take your word on that. Hey, it seems as if rodyega might have a solution to that whole Endangered Species problem. "Couldn't Rachel undo M-day since she has been displaying powers she got from her 'Mom' She has chronokinetic powers, right? Couldn't she just change the past and prevent Wanda from ever saying, 'No more mutants'?�

Brubaker: Hold on, let me write this down...

September Marvel Solicitation for X-Men: Emperor Vulcan 1

CBR posted the solicitation for X-Men: Emperor Vulcan:

X-MEN: EMPEROR VULCAN #1 (of 5)
Written by CHRISTOPHER YOST
Penciled by PACO DIAZ
Cover by BILLY TAN

It's brother versus brother and the outcome could decide the fate of billions. UNCANNY X-MEN'S "Rise and Fall of the Shi'Ar Empire" continues here! Vulcan is the Shi'Ar Emperor and Havok is leading the rebellious Starjammers. But who is really right and who is really wrong?

Emperor Vulcan #1 will be released September 12, 2007.

Chris Yost Talks Emperor Vulcan

Newsarama has posted an interview with Chris Yost, who is writing the X-Men: Emperor Vulcan mini-series:

NRAMA: So where and when does Lord Vulcan pick up? How soon after the events of Uncanny X-Men #486 do we find the characters?

CY: Months later. Much has changed, in somewhat surprising ways. Proclaiming yourself Emperor is easier than being one. The Shi’ar people suddenly have an insane mutant earthman on their throne. It doesn’t sit well. Which actually helps out the X-Men quite a bit.

NRAMA: Are there any characters that you came in, automatically liking? Any that you gave the hairy eyeball to?

CY: I really like Havok, Marvel Girl, Polaris, Raza, Ch’od, Vulcan, Korvus, the Major General and Lilandra. I hate Chancellor Araki! I just don’t trust that guy.

I wrote a short 11 page thing on Havok and Marvel Girl back in X-Men Unlimited, the two of them never really got a chance to just sit down and talk before. They’ve got a lot of shared history, in an alternate timeline uncle/niece way. But Polaris is quickly becoming a favorite. And I do like Ch’od and that weird ferret he’s got.

NRAMA: Any words on Deathbird? The Imperial Guard?

CY: They're all in there, and they're hugely important to the story. Personally, I'd like to see a Marvel Girl/Gladiator throwdown.

X-Men: Emperor Vulcan

Newsarama.com has posted an interview with Ed Brubaker that reveals that a mini-series dealing with the Starjammers, the Shi'Ar & Vulcan will be out in the fall and written by Chris Yost. (And it looks like our campaign really made an impact)

NRAMA: Looking at the bigger X picture, Endangered Species is coming up � so where do the adventures of the spacelost X-Men and Vulcan pick up from here?


EB: I believe there's a mini-series in the works called: X-Men: Emperor Vulcan that spins out of the whole Shi'ar arc. I'm not writing it, Chris Yost, of New X-Men fame is, though. I've read the outline and seen the first cover, and it's great stuff. It's going to really surprise people. I don't know the release date, but it's not too far away, for people angry about Rachel being left out there. That's the one character readers seemed to really be upset about me leaving out in space, but she's got a great story ahead of her, I promise.

Shi'Ar Mini-Series Coming In The Fall

In the letter page in Uncanny X-Men 487, it says, "a mini-series that will be coming out in the fall, expanding on events in the Shi'Ar Empire storyline. So Havok, Marvel Girl and Shi'Ar fans -- prepare to have your faces rocked off."

No word yet on who the creative team will be. Brubaker confirmed that he is not writing the Starjammers mini-series. Top candidates to write it would include Christopher Yost (who Brubaker suggested should write it at WWLA), Christos Gage or Chris Claremont.

Of course, there have been mini-series announced in letter pages that have gotten fans hopes up and then never been released.