...sigh...

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Which is frustrating, since the credits list me as co-plotter. (Curiously, I am given full plotting credit on the previous issues, with Wendigo.)

Of course, as has been discussed many times in this Forum, there are people out there who would describe themselves as avid comicbook fans, but who do not understand how the "Marvel Method" of plot>pencils>script worked. The assumption is that everything was done full script, and I, as penciler, was merely drawing what Chris told me to draw.

I've been convinced for years that stories of my "giant ego" had their beginnings in this. Attending conventions -- which I did frequently in those years -- I would invariably find myself talking with fans who praised what Chris was doing, this "bit" or that "bit," and when appropriate I would say "No, that was mine." Eventually I would hear it bubbling back to me that "Byrne is always trying to take credit away from Claremont!"

It became a standard joke, from me, that blood fairly gushed from stones, compared with the ease with which Chris gave or shared credit!

A "classic" example was the creation of Kitty Pryde. As most -- tho not all, even after so many years -- know, Kitty was entirely my creation. Her look, her name, her powers, her backstory. All mine. (Chris made her a "genius," which was actually contrary to what I wanted her to be.)* When the character proved popular, Chris mentioned in the lettercol that "we knew Kitty was a fun character when we created her." Seeing this, I called him up and, using the punchline to an old joke about the Lone Ranger and Tonto, said "What you meanum 'we,' White Man?"

One positive aspect to come out of all this, mind you, was that it created in me almost an obsession about credit where credit is due, not just for myself but for everyone. This created a point of contention between Chris and me, as he would insist on listing himself in the credits as "author" while Terry and I were "inker" and "penciler" respectively. Time and again I argued that Chris was the scripter, or, generously, the writer, but all three of us were the "author."

Go flip thru the issues of X-MEN Chris and I worked on. The credits alone tell a story, for those who have the key!

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* This is one of many examples where Chris' "contribution" is in the dialog only, not in the pictures. If it had been my intent that Kitty be a "genius," I would have filled her room with science fair trophies. But I wanted her to be completely and utterly ordinary, until the powers came along.