Joss Whedon

Joss Whedon spoke extensively about his upcoming Serenity movie on Saturday at WonderCon, but also had a few words about his comic book work, first off, confirming what Marvel’s solicitations for May suggested, that Astonishing X-Men #1-#12 is the creators’s first year on the series.

From the panel:

Whedon and Cassaday announced at the Serenity panel that they will stick around for another year of Astonishing X-Men. Whedon said that after issue #12 ships, there will be a brief respite, followed by another 12-issues by Whedon/Cassaday. This will be capped off by Giant-Size Astonishing X-Men Annual #1 as Whedon called it.

Whedon also mentioned that the forthcoming Serenity mini-series from Dark Horse has a bunch of variant covers coming from his favorite artists. Cassaday does one of the covers featuring the Captain, Mal.

Update: When contacted by Newsarama Sunday, Marvel Editor in Chief Joe Quesada said that keeping Whedon on the title - and at Marvel - for another year came down mostly to publisher Dan Buckley and Whedon himself. "Well, negotiating is Dan Buckley’s territory. On the creative end, Joss had always said he had a longer story that he wanted to tell and who am I to get in the way of that?"

Quesada added that he gets to enjoy Astonishing on two fronts: "I’m delighted as both. As a fan because I get to read these incredible stories, as EIC because I’m blessed enough to be here while both Joss and John produce this series."

But as for any teases as to where Whedon and Cassaday will take the series in Year 2? "Are you kidding? Have you ever felt the wrath of Whedon? Nope, I’m keeping my nose clear of any Astonishing spoilers."