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Walk This Way: The Ambiguous Legacy of Fabian Nicieza's Run on 'X-Men'

Gabriel Blair

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Published in Walk This Way Fabian Nicieza

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Fabian Nicieza's run on Marvel Comics' flagship 'X-Men' title was a tumultuous one, marked by both brilliance and missteps. From 1991 to 1995, Nicieza brought sweeping changes to the X-Men's status quo, introducing fan-favorite characters like Cable, Deadpool, and Bishop, and creating iconic storylines like "Fatal Attractions" and "X-Cutioner's Song." However, his tenure was also dogged by accusations of convoluted plots and inconsistent character development.

The New Mutants' Rise to Prominence

Nicieza's association with the X-Men began with his work on the spin-off title 'New Mutants.' He was initially hired as an editor, but soon found himself writing the series due to unforeseen circumstances. Under Nicieza's guidance, the New Mutants evolved from a group of teenage misfits into a formidable team of young superheroes. He introduced new characters like Cannonball, Magik, and Karma, and developed the romantic relationships between Cyclops and Madelyne Pryor, and Wolverine and Jubilee.

Walk This Way

by Fabian Nicieza

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	6937 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
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Print length	:	14 pages

Taking the Helm of 'X-Men'

In 1991, Nicieza took over as sole writer of the main 'X-Men' title. His first major storyline, "Fall of the Mutants," saw the X-Men disband after their mansion is destroyed and several members seemingly die. This was a bold move that shocked fans and set the stage for a new era of X-Men comics.

Cable and Deadpool: Iconic Creations

Nicieza's tenure introduced two of the most enduring characters in X-Men history: Cable and Deadpool. Cable, a time-traveling cyborg from the future, quickly became a fan favorite due to his complex backstory and unique fighting style. Deadpool, a wisecracking mercenary, was initially intended as a temporary antagonist but proved so popular that he was quickly spun off into his own series.

Crossovers and Collaborations

Nicieza's 'X-Men' run was also marked by numerous crossovers and collaborations. The "Fatal Attractions" storyline saw the X-Men team up with the Avengers to stop the mutant villain Magneto. "X-Cutioner's Song" involved the X-Men, New Mutants, and X-Factor investigating the identity of a mysterious mutant killer. These events further cemented the X-Men's place as major players in the Marvel Universe.

Controversial Plotlines and Character Development

Despite his contributions to X-Men lore, Nicieza's run was not without its detractors. Some fans criticized the writer for over-complicating the storylines, with excessive subplots and convoluted character motivations. The "Bloodties" storyline, which revealed that the character Gambit was a traitor, was particularly divisive. Additionally, some felt that Nicieza's character development was inconsistent, with characters often acting out of character or changing motivations abruptly.

Departure and Legacy

Nicieza left 'X-Men' in 1995, handing over the reins to Scott Lobdell. His departure marked the end of an era for the title, and his legacy continues to be debated. While some fans argue that his contributions were overshadowed by his missteps, others credit him with rejuvenating the X-Men franchise and introducing characters who would become mainstays of the Marvel Universe.

Fabian Nicieza's run on 'X-Men' was a rollercoaster of creativity and controversy. He introduced iconic characters and created memorable storylines, but his tenure was also marked by convoluted plots and inconsistent character development. Despite the criticism, Nicieza's contributions to the X-Men mythos remain undeniable, and his impact on the franchise continues to be felt to this day.

Walk This Way

by Fabian Nicieza

5 out of 5