WEAPON X-MEN #2 goes on sale this week by Joe Casey and ChrisCross and we know you're as anxious to dive into it as you were for the first issue. This book is a special one with equal parts character, story, and action and a strong focus on each so it really clicks with new fans, old fans, and fans of the MCU just dipping their toes into comics.
If you haven't read the first issue or missed our interview with writer, Joe Casey on that one, check it out right here.
For those of you chomping at the bit to find out more about issue #2 and where this series is heading, we've got Joe back for more and ready to answer our next round of questions:
Impulse Creations: With this second issue, Weapon X-Men feels even more firmly rooted in the larger Marvel Universe with a classic Marvel villain taking center stage. It’s something that really sets this series apart. Can you speak to what it’s like working with such an open world? Are there any restrictions you have to be mindful of (beyond obvious things like not killing off a character appearing in another title)?
JOE CASEY: I feel like I've known the particular in's and out's of the Marvel Universe -- the classic, old school Marvel Universe, that is -- since I was a kid, reading Marvel Comics as though my young life depended on it. And I guess, in a way, it did. So to be able to play in it now is an absolute blast. And, to be honest, I'm really not given any real restrictions to speak of, by anyone... mainly because I already know this world so well. So when I wanted the team to travel to Hydra Island (as originally envisioned by the great Jim Steranko), that's exactly where they went.
IC: We talked last time about how this is a team of people who are more prone to going off on their own rather than working well with others. How would you describe their team dynamic here?
JC: Chemistry between team members needs to grow organically. But as I started writing this series, I found that it was happening relatively quickly, like it was meant to be. Wolverine and Deadpool obviously have their own thing going, their own funky dynamic. Cable's got the greater vision, while Chamber and Thunderbird are still wild cards. But I promise it won't be long before the true team dynamics become clear to everyone. In fact, these five fit together much better than you might imagine.
IC: Initially at least, Weapon X-Men seems to be a loose affiliation based on the need at the time. Do you expect the bond that holds them together to last from one mission to the next or do you have plans for the lineup to change as the needs do?
JC: The lineup won't be changing. For me, personally, the model is the original 1960's X-Men... how often did that lineup change? Think about it. Besides, there's a specific reason these five characters are together. A specific story reason, I mean. Cable will often allude to it as if he knows exactly why, but he's holding his cards close to the vest for now. Y'know, you gotta keep some mystery going...
IC: The next issue appears set to feature quite a battle as well as the introduction of the brand new villain, Weapon Exile. Is there anything else you’d like to hint at or upcoming issues that fans should really be watching for?
JC: Yeah, issue #3 is the big, explosive finish to the first storyline. And Weapon Exile will indeed be a big deal. But after that, things get even more interesting. We'll explore more Marvel history with the return of Red Ronin. And after that, we have a cool time travel story that takes the team back to an early, seminal moment in X-history, which I'm extremely proud of.
Do you have questions about Weapon X-Men that are driving you crazy, keeping you up at night, or just mildly piquing your curiosity? Use the Help box at the bottom left of the page to let us know and we might include it when Joe returns for another round of questions once issue #3 hits our shelves!
Issue #2 is on sale now and you can also pick up issue #1 if you act fast. For the very best deal though, we're offering sets of the first three issues, all signed by Joe Casey!
Choose the signed sets, the individual issues, or grab both so you can read now and treasure the signed copies after issue #3 is released. The choice is yours but the only wrong choice is to miss out!
Order in-stock issues!
Preorder upcoming issues!
See Joe's interview for issue #1