Terry's version of events is somewhat different from what Shooter told me, when he (as Archie's assistant) called to offer me X-MEN. His version was that the book was going monthly, and that Dave, knowing he could not handle a monthly title, was leaving. If Terry's version is closer to the actual sequence of events -- and I have no reason to doubt it! -- it would seem the book going monthly was predicated on my agreeing to do it.

When I accepted the X-MEN assignment, I was living in London, Ontario. That's where I was when I drew STARLORD. Not long after I said "Yes" to X-MEN, I moved back to Calgary, Alberta, and spent about three weeks in a motel while I looked for an apartment. I drew my first issue of X-MEN in that motel room. I drew the AVENGERS job in my new apartment.

JB:

What was it about X-Men that made you want to draw the title so badly?  Was it the concept?  Your own "personal history" (as a fan) with the book?  Was it based on what was happening in the book at the time? On working with Claremont again?  Why X-Men instead of Captain America or some other title?

Great story JB. Thanks for sharing.

JB, was it tough to draw that first issue in a motel room?