Spike Spiegel
Member
WHAT IS "X-MEN: SCHISM"?
"X-Men: Schism" is a five-part X-Men event beginning this July, exclusively from Marvel Comics. Written by the acclaimed comics author Jason Aaron (Scalped, Ghost Rider, PunisherMAX, Wolverine) and featuring a different superstar artist for each issue (Carlos Pacheco, Frank Cho, Daniel Acuna, Alan Davis, and Adam Kubert), "Schism" is a story years in the making; one that will shake the foundations of Marvel's mutant heroes, and ultimately divide the X-Men into two groups: those siding with current leader Cyclops, and those siding with Wolverine. Once head-butting rivals, now brothers united in a common cause, these two heroes will clash over wildly conflicting methods, set against the backdrop of one of the largest threats the X-Men have ever faced. The outcome of "Schism" will determine the future of the X-Men for years to come, and thrust them back into the spotlight of the Marvel Universe in a very big way.
SO HOW DID IT COME TO THIS?
The events of "Schism" have been subtly building in the X-Men books for years now. Its roots reach all the way back to "House of M" and its aftermath, when Professor Xavier stepped down and Cyclops became the unofficial leader of a race on the edge of extinction. Tasked with ensuring the survival of mutantkind, Cyclops has been forced to make some very difficult and often contraversial decisions. He has moved his team across the country, from upstate New York to San Francisco. He has allied himself with Namor and Atlantis, and raised an island form the sea; called Utopia, its shores are open to all mutants seeking asylum. He has welcomed former enemies into the X-Men's ranks -- including the Master of Magnetism himself, Magneto. He has created a secret death squad, X-Force, and tasked it with exterminating those who would commit mutant genocide. He has led allies into battle against impossible odds, and sacrificed the lives of friends and even family, for pursuit of the "greater good." He has done all of this in the name of mutant survival, and with the "messiah" Hope now returned and the X-Men publicly viewed as heroes, Cyclops's goals now appear to be within reach.
Being shepherd to the mutant flock was far from easy, and Cyclops's decisions have on a personal level cost him at least one friendship (Beast has left the X-Men and rejoined the Avengers) and a son (Cable died returning X-Force to the present, after a mission to the future to save Utopia). Although he shoulders a heavy burden Cyclops has never been alone however, and is able to rely upon a diverse support group that includes his lover Emma Frost, his mentor Professor Xavier, and his most ardent acolyte Magneto. But through it all, there has been one mutant to back his every play, to offer brutally honest opinions and encouragement, to get his hands dirty when necessary, to rely upon to get the job done: Wolverine.
Wolverine is the one Cyclops turned to when his secret X-Force death squad needed a leader. Wolverine is the one Cyclops turned to when the hard things needed doing. And Wolverine has done those hard things, not without questions or reservations, and not without coming to blows on more than one occasion; but ultimately, done because he believes in and shares their common goals. He trusts in Cyclops and his vision, but that trust of late has cost Wolverine, and those closest to him, much. He watched as his X-Force teammates stained themselves physically, emotionally, and spiritually in the blood they spilled and shed for the "greater good." His closest and best friend, Nightcrawler, gave his life protecting the mutant messiah Hope from Bastion during "Second Coming." And in recent months, Wolverine has glimpsed the nightmares that await him in hell after an unnaturally long lifetime of killing, when his soul was sent there prematurely by an organization seeking revenge for loved ones killed by the Wolverine.
Despite all this, Wolverine remains a close and trusted ally, someone that Cyclops can still rely upon to carry out orders with quick and decisive action. But what happens when Cyclops gives an order that Wolverine can't -- or won't -- follow? What happens, when Wolverine no longer believes that the decisions of their leader are still contributing towards the common goals of mutantkind?
"Schism" is the story of what happens when that day comes.
WHO ARE THE MAJOR PLAYERS?
==> Real Name: Scott Summers. One of the original X-Men. Currently leader of the X-Men, and unofficially of mutantkind. Fires concussive force beams called "optic blasts" from his eyes, directed through a ruby-quartz visor.
==> Real Name: James "Logan" Howlett. Recruited by Xavier from Canada's Alpha Flight program. Currently leader of secret X-Force team. Possesses heightened senses, retractable claws, and a regenerative "healing factor." Skeleton bonded with unbreakable metal called adamantium.
==> Real Name: Quentin Quire. A student at Xavier's during Morrison's "New X-Men" saga. Leader of the Omega Gang. High-level intellect combined with advanced psychic powers, able to influence and control others. Returns during "Schism" to act as a catalyst for the events that follow.
==> Enormous mutant-hunting robots created by Bolivar Trask. Comes in a variety of models, some more advanced than others. Typically armed with energy beam weapons, flight capabilities, and mutant-detection sensors. Revealed through preview artwork to play a role in "Schism," presumably in a massive coordinated attack on Utopia.
==> Member roster: Hope, Transonic, Velocidad, Primal, Oya, and Zero. Together known as "The Five Lights." Led by Hope Summers, they are the newest generation of mutants, their powers activated after Hope's awakening during "Second Coming." Preview art reveals they play a role, and theirs is the only series to cross directly with "Schism."
==> Founded by Professor Charles Xavier. Tasked with protecting a world that hates and fears them, in the hopes of one day being accepted. Roster and powers vary from member to member. Currently residing on Utopia, an island off the coast of San Francisco created with help of the Atlanteans. It is unknown which members will play a role in "Schism" aside from Cyclops and Wolverine, but the Frank Cho illustration below may give some indication.
From left to right, working from back to front:
Archangel, Mercury, Wolverine, Blindfold, Dazzler, Cannonball, Gambit, Magma, Psylocke, Namor, Sunspot, White Queen, Deadpool, Northstar, Aurora, Rockslide, Graymalkin (thanks 2th!), Colossus, Shadowcat, No-Girl, Lockheed, Dust, Storm, Iceman, Dr. Nemesis, Pixie, Rogue, Warpath, Moonstar, Surge, X-23, Magneto, Magik, Cyclops
WHAT DO I NEED TO READ TO FOLLOW "SCHISM"?
Good news, everyone! Unlike previous or currently running event books coming from Marvel or DC, there's not going to be dozens of "Schism" spinoff comics clogging up the racks at your local comic shop. "Schism" is a self-contained event, five issues long, and the only book tying into it from the current lineup of X- titles is an optional buy -- 'Generation Hope'. That's one comic, maybe two, that you'll need to purchase each month to follow along. And sorry, digital readers, but Marvel hasn't announced they're going day-and-date with this one, so you'll either have to wait or venture outside into the harsh sunlight to buy "Schism."
Now, on the subject of catching up. I've already laid out the basic premise and sequence of events leading up to "Schism," so you should be armed with a general grasp of things, enough to enjoy reading. Beyond that, how far you want to go down the rabbit hole is entirely dependent on two things: how long you've been gone, and how much time/money you're willing to invest. If money is an issue, then sites like Wikipedia and ComicVine can be invaluable resources. If you don't mind spending money, then the timeline I made for "Second Coming" holds up pretty well as a buyer's guide for graphic novels. And don't forget about Marvel's limited-time offer of one free month of its online digital comics service; it's a great way to catch up on important storylines for virtually nothing, and the paid service is a great deal as well.
Just remember though: "Schism" isn't a story about the past, it's a story about charting the future of the X-Men. As always, my advice is to READ FIRST, AND IF YOU LIKE IT THEN START BUYING BACKISSUES.
Below, you'll find the solicitation copy including prices and release dates, along with cover artwork, for each issue.
JULY 2011
AUGUST 2011
SEPTEMBER 2011
OCTOBER 2011
(Continued...)
Rogue's boobs.
