@The Thunderbird: Hmm... But who do you consider that was the one who got into the crystal in the Phoenix Saga? I think it was Jean, therefore I don't think whatever we say about her is over-inflating her importance in the MU.

But anyway, personally, I'd prefer her to be brought back in a small, intimate story (possibly non-phoenix related - but I guess it would be more than too much to ask), instead of a mega-event.

What I think is making so many fans upset is the fact that Marvel has admitted they will bring Jean back in a big story (for instance, they didn't let her come back through Age of X because it wasn't big enough). And now we're having a big story, involving the Phoenix, and she isn't part of it. Despite my personal preference, I absolutely understand the disappointment.


@Macsimus: you're right about the what's happening with this questions/answers issue.

Brevoort mocks Jean and says absurd things. Fans can't take those answers seriously and get upset. The tone of the questions get more aggressive and his willingness to be respectful shrinks.

But the simple fact is that we cannot change his attitude. We can only change ours.

Believe me: I take continuity VERY seriously so I do get upset with what they're doing. But again: it doesn't matter what I do, I cannot change the direction they're going. I can only choose to focus my energy into something productive, intead of letting it feed my frustration.

And it does make me feel good, you know? That's why I'm writing all those messages here lately: I understand what everyone here is feeling and I don't want any of you to feel so bad about people who so clearly don't deserve it.

As for death... Oh, I wish it was possible to make it work the way you suggested. I hate characters coming back to life. Believe me: I do. If it was up to me, Jean would have never died. That being said, think about how many ways one can be ressurected in the MU... How can you undo all those ways and preserve continuity?

See? I told you I take continuity very seriously. I take it so seriously I can even accept (although I'd definitely prefer it to be different) that characters die and live again...


@Phoenixx9: Hi!

You know? Your post has given me an idea. I'll let things calm down a bit here, then I'll be posting it soon.

I have to confess though you put my mind thinking about Jean's alien dates! Since for you she's having her cosmic adventures, I'm assuming they're alien 'men'... Oh my! So many possibilities!


@Arkham House: Do you remember when the editors actually asked for the fans to write to them? Well... I don't really remember it, but I've read letter's pages of older mags. It seems like something coming from a fantasy world!

Then we see interviews with Stan Lee saying that on an even earlier decade he'd replace the 'dear editor' for 'hey Stan' in the letters, so the fans would feel like they were part of the group. Soon enough, the fans started writing 'Hey Stan' by themselves because they felt welcomed.

Stan was a clown (and being a clown myself, I say that with my deepest admiration and respect - you know how much I love him) and he'd reply to them with humour, many times he'd even make fun of something that a fan had written. But he was never, ever rude.

Back then, they praised their fans. They tried to please them. They tried to make their lives lighter and more fun and exciting. And, if they did their jobs right, money would come as consequence.

Today those guys just keep taking advantage of what was built over a foundation of good stories and respect for the fans (continuity, in my opinion, being one of the forms of respect). Man... this is the same publisher we're talking about! Unbelievable, isn't it?

About the cult: I suppose you're the Pope, considering how long you've been reading those stories. So I'll address you as your eminence from now on!

Changing subjects: No, no, no... The sanest answer can't EVER be mine!

Also, reviving Jean means changing this excuse of a concept the X-Men have become. The truth is that they are in love with it. They won't change it. They don't want to change it. Why should they? It reflects the world we live in... God forbids anyone to dare to dream, right? So let's keep the dream dead. Let's keep the heart of the X-Men dead.

But you know what? No! Let's not. I'm a John Lennon fan. "You may say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one". I refuse to accept a world where 'Imagine' is just an old song. So I do my part. So here I am... writing and writing...

As for thanking me... Are you a masochist, sir? I've been giving you such a hard time lately! Seriously: despite all my annoying comments, it's been a pleasure. I can only hope people will want to read it (lately I have the impression most people have a pre-lazyness about big texts and they don't even give it a try).


@The Greatest Username: I'm keeping the flame alive as well as I can, Supreme Leader.

Hail to the RED!


@Perdid: I'm sending you a psychic hug as an expression of my understanding and compassion: I do feel your pain!

Seriously... I do know what you're feeling. Everything you say about continuity and what they're doing... That comparison about losing a friend... It's so in tune to what I've been feeling...

I'm joking and smiling, but I agree with you and share this frustration.

And that is why I'm telling you: it's hard to let go of things we love. It's hard to accept things we cannot change. But, please, give yourself the chance to let things renew themselves.

I'm not telling you to give up on Jean or the good old Marvel stories. I'm asking you to open yourself up to new possibilities of how you can enjoy them despite whatever decision Marvel has made.

I don't suppose that what works for me will work for you, but I'm certain that you don't need to feel the way you're feeling now. Although I understand it's natural you feel this way (God, I know it is...), this feeling doesn't need to linger, you know?

So many things in life we have no control over... But over this you have: don't let guys like Brevoort affect you so much. Use this emotional energy to bring light and beauty to the world through your art: I bet it'll do the same to your life.


@Crescent: you're right. This is our haven. This is where we help each other. We're kind of a support group, really.