Early today this tweet made its rounds on X-Men Twitter
The only people who like Nathan Grey are gay fans for some reason ?♂️ pic.twitter.com/dBA4bXFWw7
— josh! (@bobbydrakenjosh) January 30, 2018
This got current GENERATION X writer (and friend of the site) Christina Strain thinking of how to make Nate Grey, a character who once held down a 75 issue run, relevant in 2018. She promptly texted X-Men editor Chris Robinson saying.
Guys, I tried, but @chrisrobinson (and the rest of the world) weren’t biting at my newest pitch for an X-book. pic.twitter.com/3P52MnYXLS
— Christina Strain (@christinastrain) January 30, 2018
Fan reaction to this pitch was very positive, to say the least.
Please let this exist
— Ghost House (@geneticghost) January 30, 2018
MARK PANICCIA LET CHRISTINA DO THIS BOOK, THIS ACE GUY WANTS TO HAND YOU MONEY!!
— Ian REVICS NAV NAHTE ERIF Cameron (@KalelData) January 30, 2018
This is a need not want kind of thing.
— Everett Christensen (@Zhurenaissance) January 30, 2018
Robinson was sadly unconvinced saying that the niche market this book would occupy would need to show up to get the necessary sales number.
Guys, I think we’re getting traction! pic.twitter.com/6hHGFEDFek
— Christina Strain (@christinastrain) January 30, 2018
While hope might seem lost, Strain began to provide details about her pitch. Jubilee would be Nate’s best friend and Nate could be Shogo’s godfather. There would be a lot of glitter. Nate would always be a beefy boy who never wore a shirt. And many of the teens for GENERATION X would make an appearance. It seems like a book tailor-made for a very specific and vocal audience. The pitch got even better when superstar artist Kris Anka thought it might be fun to relive the early days of his career.
When am I drawing this
— Imperator Anka (@kristaferanka) January 30, 2018
i mean its not like my very first marvel gig involved him pic.twitter.com/hiIYaLKh0y
— Imperator Anka (@kristaferanka) January 30, 2018
This stoked the fan’s fire for this book and I can confirm that the Marvel X-Office has already received letters asking for this to exist.
It is relevant to note that Nate Grey is a historically straight character whose most memorable relationship was with a genetic clone of his mom. Beyond that, he has been a pretty blank slate in terms of sexuality. While the change would retcon the character, it wouldn’t be a massive shift. In fact, there are long-standing fan theories (held by Chris Claremont himself) that Nate’s Earth-811 counterpart Rachel Grey is queer as well.
If this is the type of book fans want to see, as an ongoing, a mini-series, or a one-shot, let Marvel, and Chris Robinson know by sending an email to OfficeX@Marvel.com
Can we will this into existence? Only time will tell but guys, I really want this to happen now. I’m invested.
Edit: WE HAVE NEW KRIS ANKA ART!!!!
a little Nate Grey warm up
cc: @christinastrain pic.twitter.com/pL9ZVte618— Imperator Anka (@kristaferanka) January 30, 2018
Zachary Jenkins co-hosts the podcast Battle of the Atom and is the former editor-in-chief of ComicsXF. Shocking everyone, he has a full and vibrant life outside all this.
