Chris Claremont, born in London in 1950, is best known as the creator of the X-Men alongside the talented cartoonist Dave Cockrum. In a candid conversation during his stay at the Palacio de Avilés hotel, where he attends the Celsius 232 festival—a gathering dedicated to fantasy, science fiction, and horror literature—Claremont reflects on his work and the enduring appeal of his iconic characters. Translator Virginia de la Fuente assisted in delivering this interview to readers.
– When you were asked to work on X-Men, did you think it was just another assignment?
– At the time, it looked like a low-budget venture Marvel hoped would find its audience. There weren’t big expectations for the project from the start. Claremont was young and often traveling monthly. Yet the opportunity to collaborate with Dave Cockrum, one of the finest artists he knew, turned the contract into something meaningful beyond the initial scope.
– When did you realize you were taking on something significant?
– I knew from the outset that we were crafting something from scratch. The characters were new, and the chance to shape a groundbreaking team was exciting. Dave Cockrum brought a fresh aesthetic, and editor Len Wein helped steer the first story into what would become a defining moment for Marvel. Near the end of that first issue, Claremont added an idea that contributed to the X-Men’s eventual triumph and lasting resonance.
– So you were involved from the second issue onward?
– Yes. Entering the second issue felt like stepping into a deeper understanding of the characters. In the first issue, only the basics were laid out; developing them alongside Cockrum felt almost magical. There hadn’t been a series quite like X-Men in a long time. Marvel comics had a decade of superhero adventures behind them, but X-Men offered something new that demanded to be explored from the ground up.
– What about your thoughts on Stan Lee and Jack Kirby during this period?
– That era placed Claremont in a rare position: a writer who could help shape his own creations. It was a special situation where a creator could infuse personal vision into a shared universe, something not every writer experiences.
– Have you noticed changes in your characters since you stepped away from X-Men more than fifty years ago?
– They have evolved, sometimes growing, sometimes shifting in surprising ways. Fans have seen the team transform, and new interpretations keep it alive in the modern era.
– Do you appreciate the changes that have been made, or do you prefer the original vision?
– There are moments I admire in the newer iterations and times when I miss the original tone. The world of comics is dynamic, and evolution is part of its lifeblood. Changes appear in both comics and films, and audiences often react with strong opinions. Hugh Jackman, for instance, became a defining face for Wolverine on screen, while Halle Berry helped bring Storm to life. Some fans argue about whether these actors perfectly match the comic versions, but the performances contribute to a new layer of the X-Men experience. The core identity remains—strong, resilient characters navigating a broader universe of heroes and threats—and that resilience is what keeps the stories compelling.
– Which version of the X-Men do you feel most connected to, the original or the newer ones being developed?
– The core X-Men created by Claremont and Cockrum hold a special place, and the characters still offer rich storytelling potential. Even after nearly half a century, each resurfacing of the team reveals new narratives and fresh angles to explore, proving the timeless nature of these figures. The joy of revisiting them lies in discovering how their journeys continue to unfold while staying true to their foundational dynamics.