NATION X #2 preview art by Tim Fish

Since most of the remaining mutants in the Marvel Universe relocated to the island nation of Utopia off the California coast, they've had several new challenges to face. But Northstar has had to deal with a problem many experience after a major move: Maintaining a long-distance relationship.

Fans will learn more about how Jean-Paul Baubier and his boyfriend, Kyle have dealt with their new situation in a story written and drawn by Tim Fish in the pages of NATION X #2, on sale January 13.

"I think there's a lot about Northstar that's unexplored," says Fish of his interest in tackling the character. "He's an arrogant jerk on the surface, but what's underneath? The NATION X series is a great opportunity for artists and writers to explore in more depth some of the X-characters that might get overshadowed in a team situation."

NATION X #2 preview art by Tim Fish

"Jean-Paul is the famous jet-setter involved in incredible X-adventures, and I saw Kyle as a grounding influence on his life," he explains. "Someone to keep him stable and reasonable."

Though Northstar's move to Utopia has certainly put a complication in his relationship with Kyle, Fish thinks that it ultimately proves no more problematic than many of the mutant's other traits.

"I suspect Kyle's used to Jean-Paul doing whatever he wants whenever he wants," he posits. "Considering Jean-Paul's skiing, business ventures, and the super hero bit, I would think Kyle's got to be the easy-going type."

The writer/artist got the chance to flex a number of muscles in this short story, packing in as many elements as possible in eight pages.

"It was great to do a little bit of everything," relates Fish. "Delve into the

NATION X #2 preview art by Tim Fish

While perhaps best known for his series Cavalcade of Boys, a slice-of-life story about a group of friends and lovers, Fish also enjoys the dynamism that working on a super hero story can create.

"For me, the greatest difference [between the two genres] is probably the layouts," he notes. "The range of motion, action and special effects sequences provide a widely different set of story-telling challenges than a slice-of-life story."

Beyond Northstar, Fish has a couple of other X-Men characters he would one day like to get a chance at:

"I think the New Mutants or Dazzler would be fun to work on."

NATION X #2 cover by Dustin Weaver

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