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Off My Mind: Professor X's Secret Agents

Why did he need secret agents and what other secrets is he hiding?

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We've all heard those famous words that pretty much sum up Charles Xavier, "Professor X is a jerk!" To me, from the very first time I saw him, I was creeped out a little. I'm not saying Professor X is a bad guy. He's done a lot of good things. His whole mission of trying to create a world where mutants and humans could live in harmony is something to be admired. He dedicated his life and family fortune to creating a school for gifted youngsters. He helped troubled and confused children learn to control their newfound abilities so they wouldn't hurt themselves or others. If they happened to have cool enough powers to become a member of his team of X-Men, it was an added bonus. 

But Professor X is far from an honest man. He has had so many secrets revealed and I wonder how many more he has locked away. He faked his death early on, had a secret crush on his student Jean Grey, was a deadbeat father to Legion after promising to always be there for him, manipulated Magneto's personality (which lead to the birth of Onslaught), knew the Danger Room became a sentient being and still kept it enslaved and erased Cyclops' memories of his brother Vulcan when it looked like he died on an ill-prepared mission. 

All of these are pretty bad things but what I've been thinking about is another secret he's kept for many years (no, I'm not referring to his possession of an Infinity Gem with the Illuminati). Why did Professor X employ Mystique and others before her as his secret agents
 == TEASER == 
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  Agent 16 is dead.
Agent 16 is dead.
In the 2003 series, Mystique, it was revealed that Professor X had a mutant named Prudence Leighton as his secret agent sent on who knows what sort of missions. He needed agents he could send out and if they were caught or compromised, Xavier or the X-Men wouldn't get the blame. 
 
I can understand his reasoning for this but it's still a big secret to keep from those closest to him. Make that another big secret.  
 
  Shhhh.... 
Shhhh.... 

  She was the best around and no one was gonna keep her down. 
She was the best around and no one was gonna keep her down. 
Not only did Mystique become his new secret agent, he also employed another mutant, Shortpack, as her handler. Throughout the series, Mystique was sent on missions to Cuba, North Korea, Africa, Brazil and Sweden. As far as I know, this secret never really came out or was discussed. The X-Men were pissed when they found out about Cyclops sanctioning X-Force, how would they feel about Xavier using a killer/terrorist like Mystique?   
 
An argument could be that he was just using Mystique for a greater good. She was expendable. He tried getting her to use non-lethal weapons (Forge was her gadget maker) but come on, this is Mystique we're talking about. 
 
  Mystique is questioning Xavier's ethics? That's not good, Chuck. 
Mystique is questioning Xavier's ethics? That's not good, Chuck. 

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Besides just using Mystique as his secret agent, Xavier did have other agents. Prudence's field name was Agent 16. Were there at least fifteen other agents out there? There was even mention of a mutant cleaner in Germany that would take care of any messes left behind. We saw the few missions that Mystique was assigned to. What other missions did Xavier send agents on? What other secrets did he have? How long did he employ these agents? He even spoke to Mystique telepathically during other X-Men/Xavier Institute activities. This says that he could have been doing this or still be doing it. 
 
It's a cool idea. I wish we could've seen more of Xavier's secret spy organization. Maybe after working with Mystique he decided to put a stop to his secret shenanigans. The events of M-Day could have reduced the available agents or maybe he's still employing them. Who knows if we'll ever find out more about what missions he had and what information he gathered. So does this secret add another layer to him being a jerk or does it make him a little bit cooler?

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Chane

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Edited By Chane

Good read. I did enjoy that Mystique series back in the day.

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RYU/BATMAN

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Edited By RYU/BATMAN

Secret Avengers, now this. Why didn't Prof. X just call them "Secret X-Men"

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riri4life

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Edited By riri4life

If we ever do find out about these other agents, no doubt Wolverine would be on that roster too. *eye roll*

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Meteorite

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Edited By Meteorite

I think that Professor X being written as a jerk is just something writers have started doing over the past 10-20 years to try and create tension, drama, etc. etc.

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MutieLover

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Edited By MutieLover

Tessa, or Sage, is another one of Xavier's spies who he used to keep tabs on Sebastion Shaw and the other Hellfire Club members. She was one of the first mutants he came across but he decided she was too rough around the edges to be a public X-man.

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Eyz

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Edited By Eyz

Such a jerk XD
 
But that's why he's an interesting character too.
Plus, anyone with that kinda huge power and responsibility ought to have some skeletons in his closet...

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vprvnmsrt10

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Edited By vprvnmsrt10

Most characters have that dark, secret side that they try to hide from those close to them.  
 
If Professor X was a goody two-shoes then we wouldn't be reading X-men today. 
 
The fact that he had all these secrets and made these "bad" decisions is what the X-men such an awesome story.  
 
My example is when Clark and Lois got married and he revealed his Superman secret, it killed that aspect of the story for me. Don't get me wrong Superman is still awesome, but I miss that aspect of the story. The same goes for X-men, without all the Professor X deception it wouldn't be the same. It set up a whole lot of further stories. 

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Norusdog

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Edited By Norusdog

ah..mystique..our favorite shape shifting red-headed drow.

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xerox_kitty

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Edited By xerox_kitty

I have this solo series.  In fact, I've had it for about a year & still haven't got around to reading it (I even considered giving it away as a future Contest prize). 

 

It doesn't sound like one of Xavier's darkest secrets.  The fact he kept Vulcan a secret from Cyclops is worse, but even that I don't really care about (primarily because I don't like Vulcan & he turned out to be an A1 A-hole). 

 

The last few years have been pretty rough for the Professor.  It's easy to see why, since he's been the all-mighty mutant messiah & answer to all X-prayers for the best part of 30 years.  Given these more grittier & darker times, it seems only natural that there was a creative backlash to knock him off the mutant pedestal.

 

But I have to admit, I'm a little tired of it.  Xavier's actions aren't that bad when you consider that Wolverine was ready to execute the Scarlet Witch purely for having a mental breakdown, or that Cyclops recruited teenaged girls in his team of assassins.  I'm glad that Xavier is going to be back in X-Men: Legacy.  At least Mike Carey can continue his development & character redemption.

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deactivated-5c6600594117e

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@xerox-kitty:
The Mystique series is fabulous! You should give it a gander.
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papad1992

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Edited By papad1992

Professor X is such a two-facer!!!.... Cool and awesome.... but a two-faced liar!!!
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xerox_kitty

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Edited By xerox_kitty

@Jake Fury said:

"@xerox-kitty: The Mystique series is fabulous! You should give it a gander. "


I must admit, I found it cheap on eBay & was dazzled by the covers.  As soon as I opened the first issue I was bored & disappointed with the rather basic comic art.  So you're saying it's a strong character piece? 
   
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Golden Cod

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Edited By Golden Cod

I think having 10+ secret agents is a bit much, but I think being willing to play dirty is a trait that makes him a realistic leader-type.  

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StarKiller809

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Edited By StarKiller809

I didn't think that Proffesor X was like that... but I only read the series for a short time and I've seen the movies. If I was on the X-Men and we found out what he was doing, I would be really upset about the whole thing.
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vprvnmsrt10

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Edited By vprvnmsrt10
@xerox-kitty: I agree with you. Professor has had to deal with a lot. Look at it from his perspective, he had to make some tough decisions for the better of Mutant-kind and the human race.  
 
Perfect example of this was Jean Grey. The only class 5 mutant that ever existed ( I stand to be corrected). Her power potential was so dangerous. He kept her power under control and everything was ok. When Phoenix was unleashed, she caused tons of devastation and destruction. 
 
So I somehow feel sorry for Charles Xavier. You win some, you lose some.
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Band Lone

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Edited By Band Lone

Wow professor Xavier is a jerk! Kitty is right! But hes a smart jerk O_O  

Hehe Shortpack, poor dude

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PrinceIMC

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Edited By PrinceIMC

I loved the Mystique series, it was so good. Mystique, Forge and Shortpack working together was very good. Professor Xavier was also partially involved with the Mutant Underground Support Engine that helped Jesse Aaronson of X-Force get used to his powers.
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Doctor!!!!!

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Edited By Doctor!!!!!

Xaiver with Mystique..... maybe The First Class movie knows something?

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jubilee042

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Edited By jubilee042

when did kitty say that prof. x is a JERK!!!!

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xerox_kitty

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Edited By xerox_kitty

 
@jubilee042 said:

"when did kitty say that prof. x is a JERK!!!! "


When he was going to demote her from the X-Men into the New Mutants (where she'd be among other mutants her own age, but she saw as inferior).  Uncanny X-Men #168, I believe :)
   
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deactivated-5a98cd905fc97

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I wondered why Prof. X didn't simply have Forge make a machine that would enable him to mind control any one person on the planet.  He could simply have them kill themself, make them forget something, or change their ways.  Then I remembered... The writers.  Well them and it would be boring.

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Billy Batson

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Edited By Billy Batson
good read (omm)
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GT-Man

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Edited By GT-Man

Mystique SEXTYYYY
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The Impersonator

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Edited By The Impersonator

Xavier picked Mystique because she can shape-shift into anyone during secret missions. It's sort of like that spy show, Alias.

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TDK_1997

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Edited By TDK_1997

For me Proffesor X is a big jerk.I don't like him

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The Devil Tiger

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Edited By The Devil Tiger

I'm seriously wondering if Marvel don't try to bring back the old "nineties anti-heroes" feelings... 
 
The X-men are becoming something that I really don't like : Cyclops is a underhanded magnificient jerkass with good publicity, Emma Frost is her main cheerleader and the rest of the team is the chorus and now we learned through various retcon that Prof. X is a bastard manipulator. (Tough some of te things that's been stated in the article are partially out of context.) 
 
Something stink in the realm of Marvel, I guess it's the cadaver of a good writing...

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Seraphim84

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Edited By Seraphim84

One of the few things that I enjoyed what Ultimate X-men brought to the table was the compromised ethics you could tell Prof. X immediately got involved in, as he had covert mutants as well (around the same years too, hm...). 
It's hard because I feel like he's a shell of the great man he once was, but at the same time it'd be unrealistic for him to be some shining, perfect example.

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Baddamdog

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Edited By Baddamdog

You. Forgot. SAGE. 

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she was a secret agent for the Prof in the Hellfire Club!  

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Lovingdamnation

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Edited By Lovingdamnation

I hold PX to the Batman standard, always a plan always prepared. He'll get his hands dirty and never let on to the kids.

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JonesDeini

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Edited By JonesDeini
@Meteorite:  
Agree, folk. But can't say I disagree with that characterization. A lot of his secrets I don't think he should've kept. But a few like his inifinity gem, the illuminati, and his spies are cool by me 
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nick7913

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Edited By nick7913

I wish the X-writers would find a new horse to flog as this one has been dead for about 15 years. Yes, Professor X had to do some shady things to help further his cause (although to me that's just bad writing, but to each his own I guess.) It just seems that whenever a writer runs out of ideas they'll go back to the classic: Look kids! Here's another bad thing that Charlie has done and kept secret! Yay!  
Seriously, stop demonizing one of the few people in the Marvel Universe who was actually trying to do some good instead of just parading around. To me the more interesting approach would have been to try to model Xavier on someone like Marting Luther King Jr. of Gandhi. But then again, how would that mesh with the strike team he's assembled? Hmm... Anyone else think Charlie might be going about this the wrong way?

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xerox_kitty

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Edited By xerox_kitty
@Baddamdog: Oh yeah, I forgot about that.  Probaly because I always hated that retcon.  Tessa was a strong woman in her own right a a non-mutant associate to the Hellfire Club & PA to Sebastian Shaw.  They should have just created a separate character called Sage instead of retconning her.
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gmanfromheck

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Edited By gmanfromheck

I just wanna know if we'll ever find out more about his numerous secret agents.

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goldenkey

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Edited By goldenkey

I never liked Prof. X.

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weapon154

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Edited By weapon154

Like X-Force.

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Darkmount1

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Edited By Darkmount1

Look at it this way: his fellow genius paraplegic, Niles Caulder (thanks to the writing of Grant Morrison), has done worse things than him.
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sora_thekey

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Edited By sora_thekey

Hmmm... Interesting, it seems like Cyclops is picking up a pattern from his' mentors. Both Magneto and the Prof.

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JonesDeini

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Edited By JonesDeini
@The Devil Tiger said:
" I'm seriously wondering if Marvel don't try to bring back the old "nineties anti-heroes" feelings...  The X-men are becoming something that I really don't like : Cyclops is a underhanded magnificient jerkass with good publicity, Emma Frost is her main cheerleader and the rest of the team is the chorus and now we learned through various retcon that Prof. X is a bastard manipulator. (Tough some of te things that's been stated in the article are partially out of context.)  Something stink in the realm of Marvel, I guess it's the cadaver of a good writing... "
I see your angle but I like the over all direction of marvel's mutant universe (aside form the vampire bujou in X-Men). Uncanny as a series has always had an up and down nature, and post Messiah Complex I will be the first to admit that the stories haven't been up to snuff. Second Coming got me to give X-Men a chance again and I did and have been more or less satisfied. I dumped Uncanny during the 5 Lights arc, and got back on with Quarantine, which has been very solid. I love Matt Fraction, but I'll be the first to say that he has no real grasp of who the X-Men are and what they're about, but he has his moments. And since Kieron Gillen has been co-writing, I've seen marked improvements in his Uncanny Issues. Hopefully Gillen's takeover with 535 in April.  
 
I also feel that Cyclops, Emma,& Professor X overall are behaving in a realistic manner given their situation and the present state of mutant. All three of them have made morally questionable decisions, but most of the times (at least for Emma & Scott) they were the most logical and necessary ones. 
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marvelunivers_deleteme

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how has xavier been able to walk 
 
i know dumb question

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xerox_kitty

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Edited By xerox_kitty
@G-Man said:
" I just wanna know if we'll ever find out more about his numerous secret agents. "
Possibly.  After all the Professor is going to feature more in X-Men: Legacy & Mike Carey doesn't like to leave plot threads dangling...  He may use this hidden resource.
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_Sojourn_

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Edited By _Sojourn_
@riri4life said:
" If we ever do find out about these other agents, no doubt Wolverine would be on that roster too. *eye roll* "
I was thinking this... It would explain all of the times Wolverine got away with all his bs 
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JonesDeini

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Edited By JonesDeini
@Slight:  
LOL I just thought that was because Chuck felt sorry for him :P
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ConnorKentSB

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Edited By ConnorKentSB

I believe the idea is solid, Prof X to me has always been a sketchy character. Ever since I found out who him and Magneto were based on, I knew their views were just. But the difference being how they went about handling a situation. In the public eye, they played their roles. Pacifist and Extremist. Even the most passive leaders have done extremist. Just my view. Love the article. 

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B'Town

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Edited By B'Town
@Chane:
I really enjoyed that Mystique run also.  I picked up the entire series and started off expecting just to learn a little more about Mystique.  I never expected that  I would get hooked on the first issue and read them bang bang bang one after another.  I wanted more.  I still want more hahahhah.
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B'Town

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Edited By B'Town

This whole idea of having more secret agents is intriguing!  I have to say though, I have never liked Proff. X, he grates my nerves, my eyes frequently glaze over whenever I turn a page and am forced to  read his dialogue.  Egads, I have to concentrate hard to NOT just flip the pages to find someone who won't bore me silly.  I have to have super self control to make it though any Prof X storyline.

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Caligula

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Edited By Caligula
@G-Man: Maybe this sheds some light on the image of Colossus donning Juggernauts helmet.  Maybe he has found out and is going to confront Xavier. Or even Kill him. the Solicit does say "I will do what must be done" or something like that I think. 
 
I could be entirely wrong because i haven't read any x-men books in at least  5 years or more. Do you think the Colossus Juggernaut solicit may be implying this?
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JonesDeini

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Edited By JonesDeini
@Caligula said:
" @G-Man: Maybe this sheds some light on the image of Colossus donning Juggernauts helmet.  Maybe he has found out and is going to confront Xavier. Or even Kill him. the Solicit does say "I will do what must be done" or something like that I think.   I could be entirely wrong because i haven't read any x-men books in at least  5 years or more. Do you think the Colossus Juggernaut solicit may be implying this? "
Ummm...nothing I've read recently would lead me to this interpretation. 
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Caligula

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Edited By Caligula
@JonesDeini: like i said I have no clue cause i haven't read X-Men in years. But i saw this the other day. and then read this blog so it made a lot of sense at least to me. since Juggy's helmet can block telepaths.
No Caption Provided
that's all I was going off of.
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JonesDeini

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Edited By JonesDeini
@Caligula:  
Hmm based on that solicit and this article I can see the source of your interpretation. When Gillen takes over Uncanny with issue 535 he's going to have a ship from Break World play a big role in the story. from the solicits for the issue (and cover) it seems like it's going focus on Kitty & Colossus. 
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Caligula

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Edited By Caligula
@JonesDeini said:
" @Caligula:  Hmm based on that solicit and this article I can see the source of your interpretation. When Gillen takes over Uncanny with issue 535 he's going to have a ship from Break World play a big role in the story. from the solicits for the issue (and cover) it seems like it's going focus on Kitty & Colossus.  "
Yeah I'm totally going to give Uncanny a new chance, after being so turned off by the X-Men stories of late. I'm looking forward to Kitty and Colossus action.
 
So you at least see where I was coming from now saying that Colossus appears to be looking like he is going to take on at least some telepath, I assumed with all of the dark stuff going on with Xavier and the Caption in the solicit that it may be a show-down between Colossus and Xavier. but anything X-Men these days is out of my range of knowledge.

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