A lot of people are pissed as hell over Kitty's "dingbat teenager" style in the origins issue not long ago. I for one view it as an issolated incident much like her "outsider days" noted at the beginging of the Soul Sword trillogy. An incident, that if used only once in a while adds depth to her character.
First of all, I have no idea what you mean by "dingbat teenager" style. If people are still griping about the fact that I used current teenage colloquialisms to convey that Kitty's still a relatively young girl in a book that came out AN ENTIRE YEAR AGO...? Well, I'm afraid it's something they're gonna have to get past.
Hate to break the news, but there's been a helluva lot of water under the bridge since then, and Kitty is NOT the same character she was at the age of 14 1/2 (or, however old she was then). I didn't put her thru the paces over the intervening 17 years or so, but I am responsible for building on what those who came before me started. Believe me, I don't like everything that's been done with her since those days, but wishing for them to return is pointless. It CAN'T happen.
Also, what was he thinking with the New Mutants LS?
Well, I was thinking I'd try to tell a good solid story. I take it you didn't like it. Sorry to hear that.
What happened with Colossus' anguished character? I loved the conflict between the brutal, mighty powermachine and the melancholic artist. Now he's just a lame-o character.
He's been thru the ringer over the years, and to be honest, it got played out. It's hard to sympathize with someone who's constantly whining. After a while, you just don't wanna hear it anymore. My goal with Colossus was to try and focus on his powerhouse/artist nature (which you'll see some in #119-120)Ébut I've hardly been able to maintain a steady vision for the book let alone some of the individual characters thanks to the seemingly incessant shuffling of editors on to and off of this book. Which brings me to your next questionÉÊ
You can also ask Raab what role he think Excalibur should play in the Marvel Universe. They should have a determinated aim or goal instead of just goofing around as they do now.
Well, I don't seem them as necessarily "goofing around" now. If you see the events of the past year as "goofing around", I'd hate to think of what you think is "tension"! I've been trying to focus Excalibur as more of a hub for Xavier's "Mutant Underground"...but like I said, it's hard to do that when 3 different bosses tell you they want the book to go in 3 different directions -- all in the span of one year!!! In the coming months, you'll see them taking a more active role as an "X-team" as they search for the missing Professor X. (IF I can get those plans approved!)
Do you realize Mr. Raab that Katherine is a brilliant individual, tests have proven so, in computers amongst other things. She also has gained much over the years and one of those things is a biting sarcastic wit. I have witnessed NONE of these characteristics in her character in a long while. I actually sat in shock and stared at the page in Excalibur when she used the word "Rad"...slang??? Kitty??? I have not heard her use such ditzy (if you don't mind my usage of the word) language since she first joined the X-men many years ago. She has always gone about things with a maturity that belies her age, and she is acting completely out of the boudries of her character that previous writers have set.
First of all, I don't see slang as something "ditzy". The British slang Warren had Kitty speaking with Wisdom is no less slang than American slang. So, according to YOUR take on the character, she shouldn't even be talking that way just because her "maturity belies her age". As for the use of slang maybe TWICE over the course of 12+ issues...? All I can say is, you've gotta move on.
Also, let's not forget that I had to write her out of the book for almost half year, so you're basing your criticisms of my take on Kitty on about 4 issues worth of stories told over 8 months ago. Again, let it goÉit's not worth bugging out over.
Nightcrawler...I have always loved Kurt for his wit and charm as he was decking it out in a swashbuckling manner. He has not shown this characteristic in a long while...he has just become...somehow depressing to me. I do like his new uniform, but I consider it odd that his verbal jabs have become next to nill of late. Is there a reason for this?
Kurt's always been my fave since I first saw him as a little kid, age 6, in UXM #107 (my first comic ever). Unfortunately, he's seen a lot of shit go down over the years, and like any good character, he has changed some. Sometimes it bums me out that he did change, but as the writer I have to take that into account. I also love his wit and charm, and am doing my best to re-infuse the character with those traits. Granted, it was hard to do that over the past few issues while he was captured by aliens, but if you look closely, you'll find moments of humor just like the old days. (Which, ironically, Chris Claremont himself found TOO jocular. HmnnnÉnow, who should I try to satisfy? You? Him? Or me? Walk a mile in my shoes, man.)
Meghan...used to be naive and loving, then gained some power...I was pleased with that development when it occured. She is an elemental though, and therefore immune to the elements...she doesn't feel the cold due to the fact that she is supposed to be half fairy, and yet in a recent issue of Excalibur when she and Collosus are in the Artic she suffers from EXPOSURE? That is supposed to be impossible with her powers Mr. Raab..
The reason why her elemental powers failed her was because she was under attack by the High Evolutionary's defenses at Wundagore. Thought we made that clearÉbut I guess not. Well, now you know. (Oh, and it wasn't the Arctic....it was the Alps. They're in totally different locations)
Collosus...a man who has always fought with the artist and warrior parts of his soul, he has been through much in the past couple of years, and yet he has always held onto his honor. In the olden days he would never have even LOOKED at another man's true love...his honor would be too deep to allow him to do so.
Yeah, okay. He's so "honorable" he would fall in love with another woman during the Secret Wars when he was supposed to be in love with Kitty...? Nice try, but he's humanÉhe has moments of emotional weakness just like the rest of us. Besides, whoever said HE was falling in love with MEGGAN...?
Also, the man is composed of organic steel...therefore as has been proven before, he doesn't have to breathe nor suffers from exhaustion...and yet in the same issue with Meghan he suffers from exhaustion and over exertion in his steel form? I am still trying to comprehend what you were trying to get across with that act.
That's my gaff. Sorry. But then again, it happened about 6 months ago...once again, it's time to let it go and move on.
Lockheed...this one little dragon has lost something since he can now talk and I find he has lied to Kitty all these years about the extent he could speak to.
And I'm supposed to do what about this? I didn't set this situation up -- it was established waaaaay back in #41 or #43 (I forget offhand) that Lockheed came from a race of talking, RHYMING dragons. If I change it, people will get pissed. Again, walk a mile in my shoes...
Moira...she is too caught up in the fact that she is dying...she is not the type to dwell on that. She would have gotten on with her life. Also the whole fact about her having the Legacy Virus is very old in my opinion...just cure her please.
I agree, the Legacy Virus story should have been wrapped up about 2 years ago! Wish I could cure Moira. The powers-that-be won't let me. Oh, well.
Rahne...At first I thought she was going to be a good addition to the team, but she is just dwelling on her mother dying and on Douglock...I never see her in any type of team format anymore.
Well, that just might change soon. Stay tuned...
Douglock...the demon storyline was confusing and he has not been the same since.
I didn't write the demon story (I'm assuming you meant #100), and while I had plans for Dougie, I was told to concentrate on the "main X" characters more. Again, an editorial decision I must abide by.
9) Pete Wisdom...I believe he should stay with the team and should definitely get his sarcastic nature back without all the Black Air storylines.
Well, I'd actually like to do some Black Air-less stories with Wisdom on his own, but since I can't do 'em in a team book, I figure maybe writing him out will give me a chance to do them in either one-shots or X-MEN UNLIMITED. I hope to keep him active in the Marvel U. even after he leaves EXCALIBUR, so keep your eyes peeled.
Will Amanda Sefton a.k.a. "Daytripper" be returning? (oh please no, not the "i'll call you in a few years" girlfriend from hell....) hope not. she's just another boring-blonde-bimbo
Check out X-MEN UNLIMITED #19 (starring Nightcrawler)ÉI'll be answering that question there!
why does Raab hate Wisdom? every team needs a cynic
I DON'T hate Wisdom at all. I think he's great, I just feel that given the direction the book's going in the coming months, his character would be better served on his own. And like I said, I hope to do more with him as a solo character. Stay tuned!
Is he planning on doing something about the number of undeveloped character personalities in Excalibur? Wolfsbane, Daytripper,as cited above, Captain Britain (is he in or out guys?)...
I have lots of plans for these charactersÉonly question is when I'll be allowed to implement them. Still waiting to find out the fate of EXCALIBUR...
Hope these answers are satisfying. I know you're all curious to find out the cancellation status...but ya know what? That makes TWO of us!
:-)
-- Ben
This is brought to you by courtesy of Rahsas (TBB)
Go on to the 4th Raab Interview.