Louise Simonson returns to X-Men

Louise (Weezy) Simonson, one-time editor of Uncanny X-Men from 1980-84 and co-writer (with husband Walt) of X-Factor is returning to the X-Men universe with the Magik portion of the upcoming Mystic Arcana mini-series, out this week.

Both Louise and Magik are strong ties to the X-Men of the 80’s, a time when the Marvel Universe was at its height of popularity and marketability.

Illyana Rasputin (Magik), the sister of Colossus, was given the most unusual origin story almost directly after her introduction to Xavier’s School for Gifted Youngsters. Kidnapped by Belasco, she was rescued by the X-Men but not before she aged almost 10 years in Limbo.

In addition to her aging problem (a weirdly common trait for comic characters), she also gained the magical abilities of a dark sorceress, a curse that she struggled with throughout the X-Men Junior-spin-off, The New Mutants.

A one-time fan favorite character, Magik has been a confusing character for Marvel in recent years. If anyone can sort her out, my money is on Weezy.

Surprisingly, Louise Simonson did not begin her comics careeer by editing Uncanny X-Men, but by acting as Bernie Wrightson’s model for a House of Mystery cover (below).

After this unusual beginning, Louise co-created Power Pack with June Brigman and later joined DC Comics on the Superman series (and was one of the chief architects of the Death of Superman plot).

Marvel has chosen well with this series. After all, if you’re going to bring back an 80’s character, who better to get on writing chores than an icon of the 80’s comics?

Here’s a preview featuring an aged Storm and one of my fave New Mutants of the 80’s, Dani Moonstar.

Stan Lee joins Disney??

Stan Lee, the man who single-handedly (along with Herb Trimpe, Steve Ditko, Paul Reinmann, Joe Sinnott, John Buscema, Roy Thomas, Jack Kirby, Don Heck and countless others) breathed new life into the comic book medium in the 60’s with Marvel Comics, has just signed a mysterious ‘first look’ deal with Disney.

Stan’s production company (called POW!)  will begin developing and producing new projects in various media (I’m assuming watercolors and architecture are out).

Most likely ‘various media’ will mean PC games and movies. Stan and his clan will probably be creating products similar to those seen on the DVD racks everywhere that may have caused you to stare in utter confusion.

I’m talking about “Mosaic” and “The Condor.”
“The big thing is we’re trying to do projects that are high concept, stories that will lend themselves to franchises,” said Lee, whose POW! stands for Purveyors of Wonder.

“Stan has so many fantastic new ideas for films, and we can’t wait to get started,” said Oren Aviv, president of production at Walt Disney Studios. “Stan Lee is a living legend in the world of pop culture, and his characters and stories have been the inspiration for some of Hollywood’s biggest blockbusters. We’re very excited to be working with him and his talented team in creating some incredible new motion picture experiences.”

I gotta hand it to him, if he can garner this kind of attention at his age, he’s earned it. The man is now 86 and still making bank on the ideas in his head. This is something most people can only dream of.

If anyone is living in the Marvel Age, it’s Stan “the Man” Lee.

“Excelsior!”