Gen 13 #6 cover by Jim Lee

Gen 13 is a comic book originally written by Jim Lee and Brandon Choi and illustrated by J. Scott Campbell. It was published by Wildstorm Productions. Later writers have included John Arcudi, Scott Lobdell and Adam Warren. The comic features a loosely-organized team of super-powered beings composed of five teens (three girls and two boys) and their mentor. Image File history File links Download high resolution version (485x754, 208 KB) Summary Danger Girl #6 cover by Jim Lee, more covers here : http://abcovers. ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (485x754, 208 KB) Summary Danger Girl #6 cover by Jim Lee, more covers here : http://abcovers. ... Lees depiction of DC Comics Batman. ... A comic book is a magazine or book containing the art form of comics. ... Lees depiction of DC Comics Batman. ... Brandon Choi is an American comic book author best known as one of the co-creators of the series Gen13 which enjoyed high popularity in the middle and late 1990s. ... Danger Girl:Back in Black Jeff Scott Campbell is best known as the original artist and co-creator of Danger Girl. ... WildStorm WildStorm Productions, or simply WildStorm, is an American publisher of comic books. ... John Arcudi is an American comic book writer best known for his work on titles such as Gen13, Major Bummer, and The Mask. ... Scott Lobdell (born 1963) is an American comic book writer. ... Adam Warren, a self Portrait Adam Warren is an American comic book illustrator and writer who is most famous for his adaption of the Dirty Pair into comic book form. ...

History

The series takes place in Jim Lee's Wildstorm universe, and Gen 13's stories and history intertwine with those from his own works, such as Wildcats and Team 7 (in fact, each of the main characters in Gen 13 was the child of a Team 7 member). The title featured flashy graphics and was noticeably more risque than other titles of the time, such as X-Men, so it quickly grabbed the attention of a loyal audience. Wildcats is the name of multiple incarnations of the Wildstorm comics superhero comic book. ... Team 7 is the name of a comic book team from DC Comics/Wildstorm. ... The X-Men are a group of comic book superheroes featured in Marvel Comics. ...

The original working title, Gen X, was changed to Gen 13 after Marvel Comics threatened legal action against Wildstorm for use of their "X" trademark which they wanted to use on a X-Men spinoff curiously named Generation X right after Gen 13 debuted to blockbuster sales. It didn't help that Wildstorm founder Jim Lee had recently left Marvel as their all-time best-selling X-Men creator to start up a competing company. However, the hard feelings did not last long as Lee helped Marvel revamp some of their characters (Iron Man, Fantastic Four) through Heroes Reborn. It has been suggested that Felicia (pseudonym) be merged into this article or section. ... WildStorm WildStorm Productions, or simply WildStorm, is an American publisher of comic books. ... The X-Men are a group of comic book superheroes featured in Marvel Comics. ... Generation X was a Marvel Comics superhero team, featured in an eponymous monthly series from November 1994 until June 2001. ... WildStorm WildStorm Productions, or simply WildStorm, is an American publisher of comic books. ... Lees depiction of DC Comics Batman. ... Iron Man (Tony Stark) is a superhero from Marvel Comics. ... The Fantastic Four is Marvel Comics flagship superhero team, created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby and debuting in The Fantastic Four #1 (Nov. ... Heroes Reborn is the name of several comic book mini-series and one-shots published by Marvel Comics after 1996s Onslaught megacrossover. ...

The teens were originally invited to take part in a government project, but when they learned that the project was actually a prison-like testing ground on "Gen-active" teens, they made their escape, but not before they "manifested" superhuman powers, and they were labelled dangerous fugitives. Their only hope was to rely on each other to fight their foes and unveil the personal secrets that linked them to Team 7 and International Operations.

After a very successful run, co-creator and illustrator J. Scott Campbell handed the reins of Gen 13 over to other creative teams, and moved onto his own new mega-hit series Danger Girl. Danger Girl:Back in Black Jeff Scott Campbell is best known as the original artist and co-creator of Danger Girl. ... cover to Danger Girl : Back in Black #1 by J. Scott Campbell Danger Girl is a best-selling comic book series created by J. Scott Campbell and Andy Hartnell. ...

Following the run of Choi and Campbell were John Arcudi and Gary Frank. Their realistic style, both in writing and art, were too drastic of a change for most fans who had appreciated the title's more fantastical elements. Following their run, Scott Lobdell returned the title to its less serious, more sexual roots, but still fans did not receive the title well. Comic book artist, notable for his work with J. Michael Straczynski on Midnight Nation and Supreme Power. ... Scott Lobdell (born 1963) is an American comic book writer. ...

After Lobdell's run, Adam Warren was assigned to the title. He had previously proven himself writing two miniseries using Gen13 characters (Grunge: The Movie and Magical Drama Queen Roxy) as well as a two issue fill-in piece featuring a pop idol who threatened to take over the world with a catchy song. Warren's run was well-received by fans and critics, but sales did not support the title. Adam Warren, a self Portrait Adam Warren is an American comic book illustrator and writer who is most famous for his adaption of the Dirty Pair into comic book form. ...

Despite outrageous story arcs and many artist collaborations, the popularity of the book dwindled to the point where Wildstorm decided to blow up the entire team with a 6 megaton bomb (#76, July 2002). This served as the catalyst to revamp the series with a new number one issue written by Chris Claremont with pencils by Ale Garza. This title featured an all new team mentored by Caitlin Fairchild, however, this title was cancelled after barely a year. The final issue of the series revealed that the original team was, in fact, still alive, and that the new series had taken place in an alternate dimension which had in some fashion crossed over with the known continuity. Chris Claremont (born November 30, 1950 in London, England, United Kingdom) is a comic book writer, best known for his 16-year (1976-1991) stint on Uncanny X-Men, during which the series became one of the comic book industrys most successful properties. ... Ale Garza is a very precocius penciler and comic artist. ...

During the height of its popularity, Gen13 spawned two spinoff books, DV8 and Gen13 Bootleg as well as a number of one-shots and mini-series. The team also starred in crossovers with other comic book characters such as Superman, Spider-Man, the Maxx, Monkeyman and O'Brian, two crossovers with the Marvel Comics teen hero team Generation X and a crossover with The Fantastic Four. DV8 is a comic book published by Wildstorm. ... An intercompany crossover (also called cross-company, or simply company crossover) is a comic or series of comics where a character (or group of characters) from one company meets a character from another (For example, DC Comics Superman meeting Marvels Spider-Man). ... Superman is a fictional character and superhero of DC Comics who first appeared in Action Comics #1 in 1938 and is considered the first character to embody the particular combination of traits that characterize the modern superhero. ... Spider-Man swinging around his hometown, New York City. ... The Maxx #1, illustrated by Sam Kieth. ... It has been suggested that Felicia (pseudonym) be merged into this article or section. ... The Fantastic Four (sometimes called the FF) are a Marvel Comics superhero group. ...

Currently, the title is not being published. However, a new series will be part of a plan by Wildstorm Comics to refresh their franchise in 2006. Gail Simone will handle the writing while Talent Caldwell will handle the art. Gail Simone at the 2002 SDCC. Photo copyright 2002-2005 Lea Hernandez Gail Simone is a popular American writer of comic books. ... Talent Caldwell is a comic book artist best known for his work on Superman Godfall and Fathom: Killians Tide. ...

Controversy

Gen 13 was subjected to controversy early in its run mainly due to J. Scott Campbell’s depiction of the female form. Although comic books of the time were well known for exaggerating the feminine form to physically impossible standards, Campbell was particularly risqué in that stories often involved the main character Caitlin Fairchild ripping her clothing off as much as possible, without causing the book to be labeled as an adult title. Danger Girl:Back in Black Jeff Scott Campbell is best known as the original artist and co-creator of Danger Girl. ... Caitlin Fairchild is a fictional character from the comic book series Gen 13. ...

In the second issue of the ongoing series, the character of Sarah Rainmaker was revealed as being a lesbian. Criticism came from all sides over this issue. Many suggested that this was entirely conceived to titillate male readers while the following issue’s letter pages were filled with letters protesting that lesbianism was not appropriate for comic books. Meanwhile, critics from the gay community slammed on Rainmaker's portrayal as a flighty lesbian when, in the next few issues, she made out with her male teammate Burnout while drunk. Sarah Rainmaker is a fictional character from the comic book series Gen 13. ... A lesbian is a girl or woman who is aesthetically, sexually, romantically and/or emotionally attracted primarily to other girls or women. ... This article is about homosexual women, not inhabitants of the Greek island of Lesbos A lesbian (lowercase L) is a homosexual woman. ...

Sexual content was also depicted overtly in the script (usually written by Brandon Choi) including unintentional groping, intentional voyeurism, and drunken coupling. Brandon Choi is an American comic book author best known as one of the co-creators of the series Gen13 which enjoyed high popularity in the middle and late 1990s. ...

The series also received some controversy from the fans when it was made known that a panel showing Sarah Rainmaker sharing an open mouth kiss with another woman was replaced with one of a tepid kiss on the forehead. However, J. Scott Campbell has commented on several occasions that the editorial move was a suggestion, not overt censorship, and he agreed with the editor that the original version of the kiss did not suit the story.

Characters

Gen 13 V3 #1 cover by Talent Caldwell

The original line up of Gen 13 was: Image File history File links Download high resolution version (504x768, 288 KB) Summary Promo Cover to Gen 13 vol 3 #1 Src: http://photobucket. ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (504x768, 288 KB) Summary Promo Cover to Gen 13 vol 3 #1 Src: http://photobucket. ... Talent Caldwell is a comic book artist best known for his work on Superman Godfall and Fathom: Killians Tide. ...

• Caitlin Fairchild: Once an ordinary girl, Caitlin's muscles spontaneously increased in density, granting her superhuman strength, agility, speed, and endurance. The manifestation of her "Gen-active" status caused her body mass to increase, shredding her clothing at the time. Fairchild is by far the most intelligent of the group.

• Bobby "Burnout" Lane: Son of John Lynch (Gen13's mentor), Bobby manifested the ability to generate and manipulate high-energy coherent plasma, which ignites on exposure to oxygen. He later developed the ability to fly, as well as certain psionic abilities.

• Roxanne "Freefall" Spaulding: "Roxy" is the youngest Gen-active teen, with the ability to control the effects of gravity on herself and on others. She can nullify gravity (and float) or multiply it (making objects ultraheavy). It is also suggested by some other characters, that if She thought about it and used her powers to thier fullest advantage she could manipulate space time as this is related to gravity. She has a crush on Grunge and is jealous of Fairchild's physique. Keeps Queelocke as a "pet". It was later revealed that Spaulding and Fairchild were half-sisters, both the daughters of Alex Fairchild from Team 7.

• Sarah Rainmaker: Rainmaker can influence local weather systems, manipulating air currents to grant herself flight and direct water with a gesture. Amplifier bands on her wrists augment her ability to project lightning. Rainmaker is Apache, and a lesbian.

• Percival Edmund "Grunge" Chang: Able to mimic the molecular structure of any material he touches (and partially bestow this effect on others), Grunge is a surf rat who enjoys sleeping in. He possesses brown belts in five martial arts styles, and has few if any redeeming characteristics - though he does possess a photographic memory that allowed him to take the same classes as Fairchild does (much to her surprise) during the period that the team went to college. His father is Team 7 member Phillip Chang.

• John Lynch: The team's mentor and father of Robert "Burnout" Lane. Lynch was the leader of Team 7 and close friend of the children's parents. His eye has been replaced after he gouged it out as a result of a mental attack. Like all surviving members of Team 7, Lynch was granted powerful telepathic and telekinetic abilities that are highly unstable and dangerous. Because of this he tries to avoid using his powers if at all possible.

• Anna: a heavily-armed covert-assassination android programmed to serve Gen13 as a maid, and to love them as her own children.

Caitlin Fairchild is a fictional character from the comic book series Gen 13. ... Burnout is the name of a comic book character from DC Comics/Wildstorm. ... The factual accuracy of this article is disputed. ... Freefall is the name of a comic book character from DC Comics/Wildstorm. ... Sarah Rainmaker is a fictional character from the comic book series Gen 13. ... Group of Apaches Apache is the collective name for several culturally related nations of Native Americans, aboriginal inhabitants of North America, who speak a Southern Athabaskan language. ... A lesbian is a girl or woman who is aesthetically, sexually, romantically and/or emotionally attracted primarily to other girls or women. ... Grunge is the name of a comic book character from DC Comics/Wildstorm. ... John Lynch is the name of a comic book character from DC Comics/Wildstorm. ...

Influences

Gen 13 #5 cover by J. Scott Campbell

Gen 13’s most obvious influence is Marvel’s X-Men which originally featured five young friends who were trained in secret by an older man who tried to protect them from a dangerous world. Many of the more social aspects of the team were inspired by the second generation X-Men spin-off series: New Mutants. Image File history File links G13_05. ... Image File history File links G13_05. ... Danger Girl:Back in Black Jeff Scott Campbell is best known as the original artist and co-creator of Danger Girl. ... The X-Men are a group of comic book superheroes featured in Marvel Comics. ... New Mutants is the name of two comic book series, published by Marvel Comics. ...

The character of Rainmaker highly resembled the X-Men’s Storm in that both characters had weather controlling powers and little modesty which lead them to frequent skinny dipping. This article is about the X-Men character. ...

Also, the character of Freefall had her direct parallel in the character of Jubilee, both of whom had similar attitudes and physical attributes. Freefall also had an unearthly pet, Qeelocke, which parallels the baby dragon Lockheed belonging to Kitty Pryde of the X-Men. Jubilee (full name Jubilation Lee) is a fictional character, a Marvel Comics mutant superhero. ... Lockheed is a fictional character in the Marvel Comics universe. ... Shadowcat (Katherine Kitty Pryde) is a comic book superhero in the Marvel Comics universe. ...

John Lynch was inspired by Clint Eastwood both in appearance and personality. Clint Eastwood Clinton Eastwood, Jr. ...

Many of the early Gen 13 adventures also paralleled the X-Men. In issue #2 of the ongoing series, the team fought Helmut, a practically unbeatable armored opponent with a vendetta against the team’s mentor, similar to the X-Men’s Juggernaut. In the next five issues, the team went on an inadvertent world tour, similar to early adventures of the “All-New, All Different” X-Men of the 1970s. After their mansion was destroyed (a recurring element of the X-Men comics), the team went to a prehistoric island (similar to the X-Men’s Savage Land), before going into outer space (X-Men’s Phoenix Saga), and returning to a dark future (X-Men’s Days of Future Past). Most of the X-Men parallels faded after this point when Brandon Choi was replaced by John Arcudi as writer on the series, however it is worth noting that when WildStorm decided to revamp the series, they hired perennial X-Men writer Chris Claremont to do the job. Juggernaut (real name: Cain Marko) is a fictional character in Marvel Comics universe, a former supervillain and current superhero. ... The Savage Land is a hidden prehistoric land within the fictional Marvel Universe. ... Phoenix debuts on the cover of Uncanny X-Men #101. ... Cover to Uncanny X-Men #141. ... John Arcudi is an American comic book writer best known for his work on titles such as Gen13, Major Bummer, and The Mask. ... Chris Claremont (born November 30, 1950 in London, England, United Kingdom) is a comic book writer, best known for his 16-year (1976-1991) stint on Uncanny X-Men, during which the series became one of the comic book industrys most successful properties. ...

Gen 13 also highly embraced the MTV Generation and built its sense of style on what was the contemporary fashion at the time including the name Grunge (which was a quickly dated reference), references to popular bands such as Soundgarden, and youthful drama inspired by MTV’s Real World. Not coincidentally, Gen13’s editor was Sarah Becker who was part of the cast of The Real World: Miami . The MTV Generation is a term describing a generation gap or sub-generation that includes the end of the Generation X (a generation following the Baby Boom, especially Americans and Canadians born in the 1960s and 1970s) yet importantly includes the elders of Generation Y (a generation considered to follow... Soundgarden was a seminal Seattle rock band who helped to define the sound that came to be called grunge. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ...

Other media

Screenshot from the animated Gen13 movie.

Kevin Altieri (Batman: Mask of the Phantasm) directed a Gen 13 animated feature for Buena Vista Pictures, a Disney company. This title was seen by very few people because it was shelved by Disney soon after Wildstorm was bought by DC Comics, a Time Warner company — presumably due to awkward studio politics. It has seen at least a limited video release in Europe and Australia however. Image File history File links Gen13shot. ... Image File history File links Gen13shot. ... Batman (originally referred to as the Bat-man, and still sometimes as the Batman) is a DC Comics fictional character and superhero who first appeared in Detective Comics #27 in May 1939. ... The Walt Disney Company (most commonly known as Disney) (NYSE: DIS) is one of the largest media and entertainment corporations in the world. ... WildStorm WildStorm Productions, or simply WildStorm, is an American publisher of comic books. ... DC Comics is one of the largest American companies in comic book and related media publishing. ... Time Warner Inc. ... Politics, sometimes defined as the art and science of government[1], is a process by which collective decisions are made within groups. ... Europe is conventionally considered one of the seven continents of Earth which, in this case, is more a cultural and political distinction than a physiographic one, leading to some dispute as to Europes actual borders. ...

External links

• Gen 13 at The Internet Movie Database
• Wildstorm Productions
• Gen 13 Complete Cover Gallery
• America's Best Covers Campbell's Gen 13 covers
• International Hero entry for Gen 13