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 Complete Marvel Chronology Astonishing X-Men - Gifted (motion comic) [h33t][PeteThePIPster]



Astonishing X-Men - Gifted [motion comic] episodes 001-006





This upload replaces, and upgrades, the previous version from earlier this year which has now been deleted.





This version is a dvd rip and is of the highest quality, in mov format, and also features the bonus features which appear on the disc.





In 2004, Marvel used Astonishing X-Men (a title that had been used twice previously) for a new ongoing X-Men series written by Joss Whedon and illustrated by John Cassaday. It is a continuation of Grant Morrison's New X-Men title and features a similar line-up of characters, including Cyclops and Emma Frost (as co-team leaders), Beast, Shadowcat, Colossus, Lockheed and Wolverine. This team became the usual focus for most X-Men limited series from then on as well.





Whedon/Cassaday's Astonishing X-Men introduced a number of original characters into the Marvel Universe including Special Agent Brand, S.W.O.R.D., Hisako Ichiki, Ord of the Breakworld and Blindfold.





Also many large scale events in the Marvel Universe such as House of M, Decimation, Civil War and other Marvel crossovers have been ignored almost completely during the run, due to the long delays between issues and Whedon's own stated desire to remain away from big cross-overs, which he personally dislikes, and what he saw as hectic and unfollowable X-Men continuity.





"Gifted" (Issues 1-6)


The first story arc focused on the introduction of several key characters and their involvement on the team. Whedon introduced a "mutant cure" designed by Indian Benetech scientist Dr. Kavita Rao, who was secretly sponsored by warrior alien Ord. The prospect of "real" humanity aroused a heavily-mutated Beast, who visited Rao, where he discovers that the drug is the product of illegal human experimentation on an unknown victim. The X-Men raided Benetech and were reunited with Colossus. With Colossus' help, the team took down Ord, but not before it was revealed that a mutant (most likely an X-Man) would destroy Ord's home planet, — the Breakworld — within the next three years.





With this 2005 arc, Whedon brought in Colossus four years after his comic book death in 2001. The "mutant cure" plot was also base of the X-Men: The Last Stand movie plot. The arc was critically lauded and won the 2006 Will Eisner Award for "Best Continuing Series".





IGN called the arc "best X-Men run in a decade" and lauded Whedon for flawless character dynamics.





For it's second motion comics, Marvel chose an adaptation Gifted.





John Casaday talks about the upcoming motion comics (Comicbookresources)





What was your initial reaction to the idea of a motion comic adaptation of "Gifted?" What made you want to get involved with this project?





I'd seen some motion comic animation, and the quality varied. When Marvel approached me, I was initially hesitant, but after looking at some test footage and hearing how committed they were, I knew what direction they were wanting to go.





The images you originally drew for "Gifted" were meant for the printed page and not meant to be seen moving. Is there any extra work that needs to be done by you to get your pages from "Gifted" ready for the motion comic process? Or are they pretty much ready to be animated?





There's a great deal of additional drawing to be done. Talking mouths, add-ons to shots to fit the new and necessary dimensions, and some action in-between bits. I contribute here and there, but Neal Adams has been undertaking the bulk of that task.





For their "Spider-Woman" series, Brian Michael Bendis and Alex Maleev are producing two versions, one for the medium of motion comics and one for print, and there are some differences between the two versions. Will that be the case with the motion comic adaptation of "Gifted?" And if so will there be any new scenes added or cut out?





The goal for "Astonishing X-Men: Gifted" is to make as literal an interpretation as possible. Shots may get tinkered with and added on to for the sake of movement, but nothing will be left out, and [there are] no dialogue changes, for sure.





On average, about how long is an episode of "Gifted?"





We're doing the first six-issue storyline at around ten minutes each episode.





I know from talking with Alex Maleev about the "Spider-Woman" motion comic series that a number of visual effects are employed in the making of that series. Can people expect some of those shots in "Gifted?" And if so, were you involved in producing them?





There are many effects in the series. Some fun stuff. Neal Adams and his animators at Continuity are responsible for that aspect.





Motion comics also involve audio aspects, like voice actors and music. Were you involved in the this part of the 'Gifted' adaptation? What was it like trying to find the right voices for characters like the X-Men and Ord?





This was maybe the most enjoyable aspect of the project for me. I worked alongside voice actor/producer/director, James Snyder, to get an amazing cast. Sitting in on many of the voice sessions, I was enamored with the process. Characters I've spent so much time with in the past several years were coming to life right in front of me! Working with James and the actors was very rewarding, in and of itself.





Now that you've been in involved in several production aspects of a motion comic, what are your thoughts on the medium as a whole? In your mind are they comics? Animation? Or something new?





Something new and, also, something strange, to be honest. It's a medium trapped in the middle. I don't know what the future of motion comics may be, but it's gonna be exciting to find out.





If people respond to the adaptation of "Gifted," will we see adaptations of the other "Astonishing X-Men" stories that you and Joss did? If so, can we expect you to be involved in those projects as well?





We'll see where these first six take us. But I would love to see the rest of the series get the treatment as well. Keep your fingers (and claws) crossed!





Episode 001 [2009-10-28]


In this first episode, Kitty Pryde returns to the Xavier Institute to find that much has changed in her absence, with former enemy Emma Frost running the school, Wolverine at Cyclop's throat and a brand new threat on the horizon!





Episode 002 [2009011-11]


In this second episode, the X-Men confront a deadly new enemy when they face the alien Ord! But will going up against this new foe be as dangerous as…meeting the press? Plus: Kitty Pryde confronts Emma Frost, the X-Men get a surprise assist from an old friend and the supposed mutant cure divides the team as one member makes a shocking move! Marvel Motion comics: watch and hear your favorite comics, authors and artists come alive. You've never seen Marvel move like this.





Episode 003 [2009-11-25]


In this third episode, the controversy over the mutant cure continues to heighten tensions around the Xavier Academy, even bringing Wolverine and Beast claw-to-claw in a furious confrontation! Also, Cyclops confronts Nick Fury, the head of S.H.I.E.L.D., and demands answers! 





Episode 004 [2009-12-09


In this fourth episode, the X-Men storm the Benetech research facility seeking the truth about the mutant “cure,” but nothing can prepare Kitty Pryde for what she uncovers in the basement! Plus: While the team’s away, Ord invades the Xavier Institute looking to send a painful message! Marvel Motion Comics: Watch and hear your favorite comics, authors and artists come alive. You've never seen Marvel move like this.





Episode 005 [2009-12-23]


In this fifth episode, Kitty Pryde must come to terms with the unexpected return of her true love, Colossus! However, neither they nor theX-Men will have much time to reflect as Ord and the power behind the "mutant cure" don't intend to let them escape Benetech in one piece! Marvel Motion comics: watch and hear your favorite comics, authors and artists come alive. You've never seen Marvel move like this.





Episode 006 [2010-01-06]


In this final climactic episode, Ord makes his last-ditch attempt to leave Earth with the power to destroy mutantkind forever. With Benetech crumbling and mutants rioting, it takes the combined efforts of S.H.I.E.L.D., S.W.O.R.D. and the X-Men to stop him! And even if they halt Ord's mad quest, what will happen to the X-Men afterwards? Marvel Motion comics: watch and hear your favorite comics, authors and artists come alive. You've never seen Marvel move like this.