First, let's place this into it's proper historical context. At the time of GSXM 1 I was the newest of the new kids on the block. X-MEN 94 -- at which point all this speculation really starts -- came out several months before my first MARVEL PREMIERE issue of IRON FIST. I was the DOOMSDAY + 1, SPACE: 1999 guy. Not exactly demanding fireworks and tickertape parades. And most certainly not ready, on any sort of level, to take on a group book like X-MEN.

John Byrne: Not going to happen, campers! For a start, after my experience on XHY, I'd need a helluva pre-nup!

***

Mr. Byrne

Question- hypothetically, if we are pretending you wanted to do this idea from the creative side, is there really anything Marvel could offer up as assurance at this point? what would have to be in this pre-nump for you to even consider it?

Not going to happen, campers! For a start, after my experience on XHY,
I'd need a helluva pre-nup!

--

I was actually thinking if something like this could be arranged.  In a way that allows both sides to get what they want. 

I would assume from yourself you would just want to be able to do the work without all the bullshit that can sometimes be attached.

Could a possible scenario be that Roger Stern could be your Editor?  He's done it before, and he's someone with whom you're comfortable to work with in that capacity.

I'm sure that if a set of ground rules were put down, agreed upon, and kept to, it would be a rewarding experience for those involved.  Including us as readers. 

And if at any point either side was to go back on what those rules were, then the other would be within their rights to pull the plug.

Being perfectly frank, I'm sure that ultimately it's the bean counters that would have the final say.  If I were in such a position and enough interest is shown then I would say, 'Whatever it takes, sign the pre-nup, make it happen.'  Then if it does, and things don't work out sales wise (it's been given a fair chance to be the best it can be and on the market long enough to gauge its impact) and there is no choice but to finish the book, then that's what happens.  That's an unfortunate part of this industry but that's the only reason why a book should be cancelled.  This is a business after all.

One thought that has wandered through my little brain is that 'wouldn't it be cool, and ironic, if Forever (and Evermore - maybe?) became the popular, and then the standard version of the X-men.  If done correctly, it could be expanded throughout the rest of the M-verse, work as a retro version of the Ultimate line.  Instead of creating new takes on characters so that it makes them accessible to new readers.  We go back to the original (accessible) versions that we all fell in love with in the first place. 

Wouldn't that be a nice world to live in?