By Ben Morse

After a half decade of knocking Spider-Man's life into order and overseeing the groundbreaking Marvel Knights imprint, Executive Editor Axel Alonso took on a new challenge earlier this year when he grabbed the full reins of the X-Men family of titles as Group Editor.

Once Marvel's undisputed flagship franchise, the X-Men have had to share the spotlight with the Avengers in recent years, but Alonso came onboard with the goal of bringing the mighty mutants back to the forefront.

With the blockbuster "Messiah CompleX" event, Alonso and his team of editors and creators put the X-Men back on the map. Now, after taking them apart, Alonso looks to the future and putting the mutants back together over the next several months with exciting new titles, new directions and new talent as part of "X-Men: Divided We Stand."

Marvel.com sat down with the always busy Executive Editor to get the scoop on what lies ahead for the X-Men as well as their friends and foes.

Marvel.com: When you took over the X-Books, what were your goals? How many do you feel you've accomplished thus far and how many still remain?

Axel Alonso: The immediate goal was to create a story that would excite X-Men fans and spike sales for all the titles—which "Messiah CompleX" appears to have done. The long-term goal, however, was to set up launching pad for years worth of stories across several titles, which is where we find ourselves with "Divided We Stand."

Marvel.com: When you and your editors and creators conceived "Messiah CompleX," what were you looking to achieve?

Axel Alonso: "Messiah CompleX" was a collaborative effort by the writers and editors. When I was tapped to be Group Editor, all I knew was that I wanted the mutant birth to be the inciting incident for a war that stratified mutants into two distinct camps. And I had a general idea about where Cable would fit into the equation, him being a time-traveling mutant. Beyond that, it was a blank slate.

We filled in those details at an X-Men summit attended by all the writers—Ed [Brubaker], Mike [Carey], Peter [David], Craig [Kyle] and Chris [Yost]—and editors. We holed up in a room for [three] days and went at it. It was one of the most exciting story meetings I've participated in.

It went so well, we reconvened in Los Angles a few months later to discuss our post-"Messiah CompleX" plans, the highlight of which was Craig Kyle acting out an extended action sequence from X-FORCE—all the players. Man, is that guy limber!

Marvel.com: Now that the story is over, how well do you think everything went?

Axel Alonso: I'm pleased. Sales are up, and interest is high for the new line-up. We're looking to debut a new ongoing or limited series each month in 2008.

Marvel.com: Moving forward into "Divided We Stand," what is the status quo of the X-Men?

Axel Alonso: There are no X-Men. Just a handful of survivors, dispersing around the globe as they try to figure out what to do next.

The only "team" during this time is X-Force, who'll be tasked by Cyclops to tie up some loose ends. X-Factor, which has always been a satellite team, will suddenly find itself all alone in the former Mecca of New York.

Marvel.com: Who are the characters you want to move to the center of the X-Universe?

Axel Alonso: That's a tough question to answer because I really want to elevate all the characters—I'm fond of Colossus and Nightcrawler, for instance, and Emma is my kind of girl. To do this, however, a few characters that need to step onto center-stage— Cyclops and Cable, for instance—and stir things up.

Marvel.com: What characters do you feel will be most important to the X-Universe in 2008 and why?

Axel Alonso: Cyclops will be at the center of a lot of new developments. His actions will have a profound effect on everyone—particularly Emma and Logan, who'll see a whole new side to him.

Cable will be very important, as will Bishop, because their war will determine the future of mutantkind.

And the remaining teams—X-Force, [the] Young X-Men and X-Factor—should show the nuances of the new status quo. There's nothing redundant about these teams; they each fulfill a very different function.

Marvel.com: How is Cyclops a different character now, following the events of "Messiah CompleX"?

Axel Alonso: Cyclops has always demonstrated leadership skills, but in "Messiah CompleX," he took it up several notches. Cyclops saw the situation for what it was—war—and assumed the role of Field General He didn't shy away from making tough, on-the-spot decisions. Judging from the results, he was very comfortable in that role, and pretty good at it. Look for him to continue in that vein.

Marvel.com: What is the mission statement of UNCANNY X-MEN post-Messiah Complex?

Axel Alonso: UNCANNY X-MEN is the core title of the X-Men Line. It is X-Men Central. Every other title feeds into it, and will feel its effects.

Marvel.com: With the X-Mansion destroyed, will it be rebuilt or will the X-Men find a new base of operations?

Axel Alonso: They will not rebuild the mansion. Cyclops makes the decision. If you got back to X-FACTOR #26—"Messiah CompleX" part 7—there's a scene where Xavier confronts Scott in the rubble that was once the mansion. You'll notice that Scott speaks very little and barely looks at Xavier. That's because in his mind, he's already thinking ahead—he's thinking to himself, "Heck with it—we're not rebuilding."

Marvel.com: What is the mission statement of X-MEN: LEGACY?

Axel Alonso: It's literally about the legacy of the X-Men and, specifically, Charles Xavier. By using the past to understand the present, this book will define the future course of several key X-characters like Magneto, Rogue, Gambit [and] Beast.

Marvel.com: Where is Professor X's place in the X-Universe? Do he and his dream remain central to the X-Men mythos moving forward or is he more off to the side doing his own thing?

Axel Alonso: Professor X's dream—like Xavier himself—is in critical condition. Right now, the top priority for mutants is survival, plain and simple. Whether or not they can live in peaceful coexistence with humans—that's a question they can wrestle with later.

Ditto for Xavier, who, last we saw him, had taken a few bullets to the dome. First of all, he's going to have to fight for his life, with help from some unlikely sources. After that, he can take a good look at himself in a mirror—or what's left of himself—and figure out if he's the same man; if he has the same priorities. One thing's for sure: Xavier is not going to hurry to repeat any past mistakes.

Marvel.com: Where will the journeys of Professor X, as well as Magneto, Rogue, Gambit and the other principals of LEGACY lead them? Back to the X-Men or elsewhere?

Axel Alonso: The answers can be found in X-MEN: LEGACY. The inciting incident of this series is the death of Charles Xavier. As for Magneto, Rogue and Gambit—these are all characters whose lives are in flux. Each has been shattered by recent events. They don't know where to go, or what to do. This book will change that.

Marvel.com: What is the mission statement of X-FORCE?

Axel Alonso: The X-Force are Cyclops' dirty little secret. He wants to take the fight to the doorstep of anyone who'd mess with mutantkind before they bring it to his. He wants certain pieces off the board, permanently, and the X-Force allows him to do this.

Marvel.com: Why is there a need for a mutant team like X-Force in the post-"Messiah CompleX" X-Universe?

Axel Alonso: The stakes have never been higher. Mutants look into the future with the hope—but not the knowledge—that they will have a future.

During "Messiah Complex," they went from no hope to some hope, and that counts for a lot—ask anyone who's told they have a 20 percent chance of surviving, and they'll tell you they cherish every percentage point in their favor. But mutants are entering into an era that will test their faith—in themselves, in their fellow mutants and in God.

Marvel.com: Will we see more characters join the X-Force early on?

Axel Alonso: There will be one surprise addition to the team in the first year.

Come back tomorrow for more when Axel discusses Cable's new central role in the X-Men Universe, the mortality rate of the Young X-Men and much more!