X-POSITION: "All-New X-Men's" Hopeless Preps For "Champions," "Inhumans vs. X-Men"

Now that "All-New X-Men" has emerged relatively unscathed from "Apocalypse Wars" (although the emotional effects will no doubt linger), the team will be put to the test in all-new ways. The mutant teenagers have jumped from one crisis to another, and Hank and Evan have even jumped from one time period to another, but the series' next story arc will see the young heroes deal with more personal and internal adversaries. But, as writer Dennis Hopeless reveals, there are big things looming on the horizon. This team can't rest for long!

In this week's X-POSITION, "All-New X-Men" writer Dennis Hopeless answers your questions about everything from Evan's powers to Cyclops' upcoming role in the new "Champions" series.

CBR News: Welcome back to X-POSITION, Dennis! Let's start things off this week with a few questions from Jeanpaul123.

Iceman has been always handsome looking and women have always been interested in him. Will we see how he deals with the opposite gender now, or does he still have some doubts about his sexuality?

Jeanpaul123! I wouldn't say Bobby has doubts about his sexuality. He absolutely knows he's gay. But he does have major questions, concerns and doubts about what exactly that means for him and how he's supposed to deal. Issue #13 is all about Bobby and his love life.

So far we have seen Evan use his powers only for stretching just like Ms. Marvel or Mister Fantastic. When are we going to see Evan do more complicated stuff with the power to control his molecular structure?

NEVAH! Well, I can't say that. I won't be writing Evan forever, and other writers are free to use him however they like. I'm just not all that interested in exploring Evan's molecular restructuring powers.

Speaking of Evan, Kamose1234 has a question about the team's resident Apocalypse clone.

Evan has spent much of his life worrying about his connection to Apocalypse and living in fear that one day he will become him. But would you say that -- given Evan's reaction upon being returned to the present in issue #11 and his words to Hank that "En Sabah Nur is not a monster. He's me." -- that Evan has new insight into himself and is closer to making peace with who he is and the man he was cloned from?

Kamose1234! Well, I wrote that scene and Evan's reaction in it, so I definitely noticed. I also agree that he has new insight... or at least a new perspective on the situation. I'm not sure he would say he's closer to making peace with any of it, but he definitely has a lot to think about. We'll be exploring all of that soon enough.

And here's Kamose's Q about another All-New X-Man.

In Cullen Bunn's "Uncanny X-Men" series, Angel's older self has had some significant changes. As Psylocke put it, "Warren and Archangel have merged. Where there were two individual entities now there's one." Can we expect some similar character development to happen to the time-displaced Angel, or see what's happened to his older self finally affect him?

Nope. Cullen Bunn is a monster and I don't read his comic books. Nothing that happens in "Uncanny X-Men" will ever have any effect on "All-New X-Men." End of story.

That said, we have a lot of big plans for Angel coming up. I know how much fans love his relationship with Laura, and I know you were devastated to see them break up. I'm right there with you. We'll be circling back around to that storyline very soon.

Finally, X-Fans are aware of the real civil war between you and Cullen Bunn! (I kid, of course!) Fake feuds aside, Master of Sound wonders if one X-Man is due for some attention.

Now that this new member [Evan] had a story on him, when will Oya get some special attention?

Master of Sound! Issue #15!!!! I think. It might be issue #16. One of those. Either way, Idie's spotlight issue is on the way... And it's going to be a fun one. We're bringing a big, cool villain in for this next arc.

Big, cool villain? Get your speculation brains, going, X-Fans! Meanwhile, here's a question from Kyle about crossovers.

Since the all-new X-Men will finally encounter the Terrigen Mist in "All-New X-Men" #13, how will your series tie-into the current "Civil War II: X-Men" and "Inhumans vs. X-Men" stories?

Kyle! I would argue that we've been dealing with the Terrigen Mist since issue #1. The "All-New" team has dealt with it by turning a blind eye. It's almost as though they are actively and obstinately avoiding that entire situation... Which couldn't possibly come back to bite them.

"ANXM" won't be tying into "Civil War II" directly, although there is the "Civil War II: X-Men" series coming out (written by that beast Cullen Bunn). The kids will play a big role in the upcoming Inhuman conflict both in the book itself and elsewhere.

somacula has a few questions about a big change coming to "All-New X-Men.

Was it a surprise that teen Cyclops was going to join Champions or did you receive a heads up?

Somacula! Editorial always gives us a heads up on that sort of thing so I knew about it early on. Mark Waid is also a total gentleman who emailed me privately to make sure I was cool with it. I absolutely am cool with it and can't wait to read what they have in store. That book is going to be a lot of fun.

Will Cyke's motivations for leaving the team be explored in ANXM, or is that Waid's job now?

Who said he's leaving the team?

Oh, well that answer makes Cognition's question even more intriguing!

If [Cyclops is] leaving, will the team gain a new member?

That's a difficult question to answer because until 5 minutes ago, I hadn't been told anyone was leaving. Where did you people hear this stuff?! WHY AM I ALWAYS THE LAST TO KNOW?!

Just kidding. After Teen Scott dies in "Champions" #1, we replace him with a Gamma irradiated version of Pickles. He doesn't have optic blasts but he does wear Scott's visor from time to time... Which looks surprisingly good on him.

Yes, it's about time Pickles took on a more prominent role in everything. Now that that's settled, here's a Q from healed1337.

There have been a lot of issues lately that focus mostly on one or two characters. While these issues are fine, will we see the team working as a whole soon?

Healed1337! We were planning on doing more big team-focused issues but you may have changed my mind. I've been aiming for "fine" comics my entire career and apparently just happened across the formula. Wink. Wink.

The end of this next arc is a big, team-based story. I like to bounce back and forth between the two types of story so that we can give the individual X-Men more development and page time. Some people prefer one. Some people prefer the other. I (obviously) happen to dig both.

And we'll close with a fun ask from Healed1337.

And now for a silly question: What would you choose for each All-New X-Men team member's theme song? You can include Pickles in this if you want.

Pickles: David Bowie's "FAME."
Evan: Justin Timberlake's "Can't Stop The Feeling."
Idie: MIA's "Bad Girls."
Scott: Timbuk3's "The Future's So Bright, I Gotta Wear Shades"
Hank: Oingo Boingo's "Weird Science."
Bobby: The Kills "Cheap and Cheerful."
Warren: LMFAO's "Sexy and I Know It."
Wolverine: Uncomfortable silence.

Special thanks to Dennis Hopeless for taking part in this week's X-POSITION!

Next week, the team behind the madcap boundary-pushing "Deadpool Annual" #1 (Gerry Duggan, Scott Koblish, Jordan D. White and Heather Antos) will join us here at X-POSITION! Have a question for the team? Go ahead and send 'em in via an e-mail with the subject line "X-Position". But get 'em in quickly, because the deadline's Friday! Make it happen!