MCM Expo Reveals X-Men First Class Panel

By John Freeman on February 22, 2011

X-Men: First Class writers Ashley Miller and Zack Stentz are to appear on a panel at the next MCM Expo London Comic Con at ExCel London on 27-29 May, show organisers have announced.

A prequel to the popular superhero franchise from Marvel and Twentieth Century Fox, X-Men: First Class focuses on the relationship between Professor X (James McAvoy) and Magneto (Michael Fassbender) and the origin of their groups, the X-Men and the Brotherhood of Mutants.

Miller and Stentz also collaborated on the screenplay of another soon-to-be released Marvel Comics film, Thor, which stars Chris Hemsworth, Natalie Portman and Anthony Hopkins, as well as sharing writing and production credits on hit sci-fi shows such as Fringe, Andromeda and Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles.

“We’re delighted that Ashley and Zack will be part of our X-Men: First Class panel,” said MCM Expo co-organiser Bryan Cooney. “As London’s Comic Con we play host to tens of thousands of comic book and film fans, so to have the writers of two of the biggest superhero movies of 2011 at the show is perfect.”

“Only last week we announced much-anticipated action-adventure Green Lantern as the MCM Expo’s official title sponsor, and the addition of two such talented writers helps ensure that this May’s show will be one to remember.”

• For more on X-Men: First Class, visit www.x-menfirstclassmovie.com

• For more on the London MCM Expo, visit www.londonexpo.com

John Freeman

The founder of downthetubes, which he established in 1998. John works as a comics and magazine editor, writer, and on promotional work for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. He is currently editor of Star Trek Explorer, published by Titan – his third tour of duty on the title originally titled Star Trek Magazine.

Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine, Babylon 5 Magazine, and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics. He has also edited several comic collections, including volumes of “Charley’s War” and “Dan Dare”.

He’s the writer of “Pilgrim: Secrets and Lies” for B7 Comics; “Crucible”, a creator-owned project with 2000AD artist Smuzz; and “Death Duty” and “Skow Dogs” with Dave Hailwood.