A couple of guys at work are into comic books, like I am, and one of the things we do to pass the time is ask each other questions about them. Sometimes it’s picking two characters and debating who would win in a fight between them. Sometimes it’s picking characters we’d like to form a superteam with. Other times, it’s random off-the-wall stuff. I think I’ll save that last category for next week and start with something a little more normal for this first question.
IF YOU COULD BE GIVEN COMPLETE CREATIVE CONTROL OF ANY MARVEL CHARACTER, WHICH ONE WOULD IT BE?
It would be very easy to answer this with my favorite Marvel character, Daredevil, but that’s not who I would choose. There are other characters that I’ve read a lot of over the years that would be easy to answer with: Wolverine (the original), Deadpool, and Gambit, to name a few. I wouldn’t choose them either.
The character I would pick is Chamber.
I know a lot of you out there probably aren’t familiar with him. Jonothan Starsmore is a mutant who first appeared in Generation X, later joined the X-Men, Weapon X, and the New Warriors at various times. He had his own miniseries at one point, as well.
When he was first introduced, and at other times throughout his publication history, it was hinted that Chamber would eventually become one of the most powerful mutants on the planet. Over the years, however, that never happened. In fact, he’s been used less and less as time has gone on. The last I saw of him, he did a storyline with the New Mutants around 4 or 5 years ago that lasted probably 6 issues.
If I was ever given the opportunity to do so, I would love to do a story where Chamber finally reaches his potential. A story where he becomes one of the heavy hitters in the X-Men universe.
Although, at this point, I’d just be happy if they started using him more.
33 Grams of Blog 
I am intrigued. Can’t find anything in my library system unfortunately. So, on the list for when I finally have time for marvel unlimited.
I really enjoy Unlimited. I didn’t think I’d like looking at comics on the smaller screen of my phone, but it doesn’t bother me at all. It gives me something to do on breaks and lunch at work.
Yesssssssss. ‘Generation X’ was such a landmark title for me in my X-Men reading youth and, like you, I always loved Chamber. There was simultaneously this sense of excitement and deep tragedy around who he was. Thinking about it, it is odd he never became a more central character – especially with Sync basically running the X-Men now. Chamber had just as much (if not more!) potential.
As to your question, I am a classic overthinker so I could leave this tab open and reply to you sometime mid-2025 and be only mildly sure of my answer XD. But in the interest of how fun this question is, I’m gonna ask my overthinking part to step to the side and just pick a character.
If I was to pick a more mainstream character, I’d go with Bruce Banner/the Hulk. I’ve been doing parts work with my therapist for years now and a) I wonder if that influenced Peter David’s iconic run in the ’90s at all because what he did with the Grey/Green/Professor Hulks really seems like it did and b) I think what I’ve learned with it could allow me to write some very interesting, layered stories about the Hulk and take the “human side” / “monster(s) side” dichotomy into some new territory. Also, as my affinity for horror has grown, I think that would mingle well with with my love of superheroes to make for fun stories, too.
If I was to pick a more off-the-beaten-path character, I’d go with Eric Masterson/Thunderstrike. I’ve always loved the world of Thor and he was my favorite Thor when I was a kid. I’d love to bring him back from the dead – which could add a whole new level to his struggle with/guilt around his presence as a single parent – and see him wrestle with an MU that’s filled up with Thors and Thors who have done some major heavy lifting since he was gone. Eric always had a bit of insecurity during his time as the God of Thunder, so to see him come back after the War of the Realms when Jane has served so well as Thor and Thor Odinson has ruled as All-Father Thor the King of Asgard, and Volstagg has been the War Thor and King Thor from the future and Young Thor came to battle Gorr AND Maleketh and Thor’s granddaughters – Atli, Ellisiv, and Frigg – have had their own career as the Goddesses of Thunder…it just seems like an interesting area to place his character. And, if I’m playing with his sense of worthiness (always fun with a Thor!) and insecurity, the more Thors and the more adventures they are having, the better! It would be a story where the size of the ever-growing MU helps as opposed to waters down the sense of inner conflict.
Whew! See what I mean about the overthinking? But there’s my answer :).
There’s nothing wrong with putting a lot of thought into something. Even if it’s just a hypothetical question, as long as you’re having fun with it, or are interested in the subject matter, you’re not overthinking it. You’re making an informed decision 🙂
[…] of episodes of the Justice League cartoon. I also thought about picking Chamber, who I used in my Marvel “creative control” post, but I wanted to pick someone I hadn’t picked before. Then, I tried to think about a […]