By Courtney Key
With the death of Wolverine just a few issues away, his successor as the head of the Jean Grey School has already been announced. ComicBook.com reported that Spider-Man will be taking over teaching duties in the retitled Spider-Man & The X-Men.
The Daily Show head writer Elliott Kalan is on script duties for the relaunch, which hits shelves in December, while Marco Failla, who previously inked X-Campus, will handle the art.
Speaking to ComicBook.com, Kalan acknowledged the challenges Spidey will face as a non-mutant heading up a mutant school.
“He’s not a mutant, and though he may be a friend of the X-Men, he’s not a member of the family,” Kalan said. “There’s a lot of tension between mutants and an outsider whose true identity they can’t even know for sure. But before Wolverine died he made it clear he wants Spider-Man at the school, and he asked Spider-Man to go on a mission for him. Unfortunately, Logan also wanted the mission kept secret from the other X-Men, so all they see is Wolverine’s crazy pal inserting himself into their business.”
As a writer best-known for a satirical television show, it should come as no surprise that Kalan’s first issue promises some humor, with the solicitation including a tease for a battle with Sauron and Stegron the Dinosaur Man.
“Their teaming is going to be played mostly straight in that these two guys are a serious threat to our heroes, but there will definitely be a silly edge to what happens with them,” Kalan told the website. “The tone of this book is fun, exciting, light-hearted adventure, so don’t expect a grim and gritty take on Stegron.”
Kalan promised that he will focus the book on the newer X-Men, rather than established favorites.
“The stars of this book are Spider-Man and his class of students,” he said. “We’ll see many of the other X-Men, but characters like Storm and Beast get plenty of attention. Time for Shark Girl and Glob Herman to take the main stage!”
Source: ComicBook.com
