Mastodawn

J. Steven York Jul 14, 2024

Here's a lost bit of Marvel history never before seen by the public! This is an unused cover design for my Second Generation X novel, "Mutant 911." Why unseen? First, because the book was written by me, and ultimately released, under the title "Genogoths." Second, because the art was rejected by the powers-that-be at Marvel Comics and totally replaced. Two different stories. First, the title.
A day or two after the Columbine High School shooting tragedy I was contacted by my publisher. Early headlines had described the shooters as "Goths," and he was concerned that there would be an association with the upcoming book. Publication schedule was held back so the title and cover could be changed. I was dubious about this, but had little choice but to go along. As long as they didn't kill the book or make me rewrite it. Fortunately, the "Goth" thing blew past after a few news cycles as more became known about the terrible story.
Of course, because of the delay, if they'd gone forward with "Mutant 911" it would have launched shortly before the terrible 9/11 terrorist attacks, and the book would have almost certainly been pulled and pulped.
The story of the cover art is less dark. The original cover was done by well-known artist Julie Bell, and the rejection had nothing to do with her considerable talents. In fact, it was a bit TOO good.
The problem was that the characters here are all minors, and the work is -- sexualized. The costumes are barely painted on, and in particular that butt-shot, front and center, likely killed it. Probably if the characters were adults, it would have flown, or they'd just have put the title over the offending buttocks. But the art went back and a new cover was commissioned, also by Bell. I like the new one much better, in part because of the dramatic split-screen design, and in part because it includes excellent renderings of several of the original characters I created for the book. The original art, stripped of all Marvel trappings and retitled, later appeared in a Julie Bell quality art book.
The long delay probably hurt sales, but I'm pleased with the results at least.

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