I can totally understand why Marvel want Joss to stay on the book long term and as a fan of the comics i'm all for it in principal.

However as a fan of the slayerverse i really hope he says no. There are a lot of brilliant comic book writers out there that could do wonders with the X-Men. However there is only one guy that can run the slayerverse and that is Joss. As long as he is writing other peoples creations his own are gathering dust.

On a purely selfish basis i'm hoping that Joss sticks to the twelve issue deal but my instincts tell me that he is having fun with the mutants so given the opportunity he may well stay on for longer.

Technopagan | September 02, 03:55 CET

I've got a friend who has never, never watched anything Joss has done, but is reading Astonishing X-Men. Just today, he wrote me, "I want to have Joss's child." I'd say he's doing a good job on the book. Hopefully, he'll put in for at lease one more year.

jack knight | September 02, 04:54 CET

There are a lot of brilliant comic book writers out there that could do wonders with the X-Men.

Meh. With a continuity that muddled and so many titles running concurrently, it would take a real Joss-level genius to cut through the crap and write a really resonant sort of story.

I don't read the X-Men anymore. I read Joss.

TheJoyofZeppo | September 02, 04:55 CET

Not even Joss could get me to go near an X-book again (at least not the original continuity brand. I've been eyeing the Ultimate X-Men/Spider-Man stuff a bit, might have to check out the trade paperback collections for those before the video game RPG that's based on it comes out for the PS2 later this month).

For me, it's not enough to have 12 issues (or however many he stays on the book for) of quality. Fact is, once he's gone you'll have mediocre writer after mediocre writer and an occasional stint of quality writing every so often. That's not good enough. The continuity of the X-books (and most likely of all the major Marvel characters, though I can't say since I was never into the comics for Spider-Man, Hulk, Fantastic Four, etc) is muddled beyond repair from years of being handed off (and mishandled) from one writer to the next. Joss won't be the one to end the X-titles, give them a proper conclusion...who knows when they'll end. So I figure, why bother? Get invested in the story and characters again with Joss' run only to get pissed off when the book goes downhill once again? Not worth the cash and frustration. And anyway, I'm the kinda guy who likes a solid beginning, middle, and end. It's not pure art/storytelling when it's being kept alive for financial reasons and the demand of fans who don't realize that it's healthy to eventually move on and find new entertainment, to let their stories end and maybe be treated to the occasional mini-series if there's more story to be told...

I don't regret that I bought Marvel superhero comics from age 13 to 17, they were good fun and all, but if I was as critical and as cynical back then as I am now at 22, I never would've touched them. Good thing I wasn't like that, 'cause they opened a lot of doors back then. An appreciation for animation, eventually finding indie comics, etc.

Oh, speaking of Marvel, some of their most enjoyable stuff that I've checked out in recent years have been their superheroish titles that take place in the Marvel Universe but don't directly involve or at least aren't focused on the big names. Alias (not based on JJ Abrams' TV series--the one with Detective Jessica Jones) and Runaways were both great. I really miss Alias and will probably miss Runaways when it goes on break, though Brian K. Vaughan's excellent Y: The Last Man will still be around for a good while longer to tide me over with more of his writing.

Kris | September 02, 06:47 CET

If and when Joss does decide to hang up his X-Men-writing pen, you could just stop reading then and there. Most comic writers, when they know they're ending their particular run, try to bring things to some kind of conclusion so as to leave a clean slate for the next creative team.

It's not as if you have to keep reading once Joss is gone. In fact, I imagine that's why Marvel are so keen to keep Joss around - they know damn well that unless they get another big name to take over from him, the sales figures will plummet once all the comics newbies (who've come JUST to read Joss) disappear.

Outsider | September 02, 12:24 CET

Kris, The Pulse is a good continuation of Alias. Although it is more involved with standard heroics and spandex it still has that unique view you saw in Alias. Also i've been hearing rumblings of an Alias Vol. 2.

Runaways looks to be over permanently though.

Technopagan | September 02, 12:35 CET

Do we have any idea how many issues Joss is currently signed up for?

I'm just wondering how much more brilliance there is to look forward to, for the time being, at least.

Rob | September 02, 19:04 CET

Currently signed up for 12, I'm hoping he carries on, but if not I'll follow him to whereever he next lays his hat so to speak.

Paul_Rocks | September 02, 20:17 CET

Runaways isn't over. Vaughan has been outspoken that the book is returning for a "Season Two."

Great book.

Jace at Televisionary | September 03, 04:09 CET

Hope you are right Shadowmagik but don't forget we are talking Marvel here. The creatives are usual the last to know about what the editorial types have planned so with all due respect to Vaughan i wouldn't count on Runaways coming back anytime soon.

Admittedly it's a great book, just didn't impress with the sales numbers. Be nice if Marvel did prove the grapevine wrong though and actually gave a critically acclaimed series a chance rather than the usual quick cancellation.

Technopagan | September 03, 04:55 CET