Save me, Warren!

The soon-to-be "plotmaster" offers his views on the concepts of X-Force, Generation X and X-Man.

November 9, 1999

Warren Ellis (The Authority, Transmetropolitan), soon to take over as "plotmaster" of the second tier X-Men titles, recently discussed his feelings on each book with Comics Continuum.

Of the currently abysmal X-Force, Ellis noted that the book is "about saving the world. From itself."

"X-Force are the flipside of the attempt to integrate the new mutant race into mainstream humanity: a proactive strikeforce that holds humanity and mutantkind to task for their secret crimes." he continued. "X-Force has to be about saving the world. Again and again. It has to be about doing whatever is necessary to protect us from ourselves. Otherwise it's not worth doing."

On X-Man: "X-Man is one of those high-concept premises that you can hold in your hand -- the most frightening psychic talent ever known, blasted clear of a dying Earth, left to pursue a life he's not designed for on an Earth he barely recognizes -- but it needs to go further than that. I've been referring to him in memos as 'a telepathic shaman for the 21st Century...'"

And finally, those crazy teenagers, Generation X: "Generation X is a fine concept that needs refocusing; young mutants being trained by two ethically opposed covert ops veterans to survive at any cost in a world that hates and fears their kind -- that's fine. But, again, it needs to go further. They're teenagers. They are, if they are real teenagers, becoming fully engaged with the world. They'll be developing political views, aesthetics, their own ethics. For teenagers, especially bright and talented and alienated teenagers, survival can't be enough for them and the world they want. If they want a safer world and a better world, they'll know; they have to change it with their bare hands."

So, it sounds like Warren knows where he's going with this. We can't wait for his run as "plotmaster" to begin -- these titles are in dire need of help, and Ellis, as we keep saying, is just the man to do provide it.

What would you do as "plotmaster" of these books? Ask a question about this story or send us your opinion on it, and be sure to check in later for the responses!

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