From the Bullpen to the Gulf: How I Landed a Legendary X-Men Writer on Superheroes of Arabia
Legendary X-Men writer Scott Lobdell recently joined Superheroes of Arabia for a historic interview. From Age of Apocalypse to Red Hood and Superman, discover the stories behind Marvel’s 90s heyday, DC’s New 52, and what really happened behind the scenes.
There are moments in every fan's journey that feel too surreal to be true. For me, one of those moments became reality when Scott Lobdell, one of the most important architects of 90s X-Men comics, joined me on the Superheroes of Arabia podcast.
The man behind Age of Apocalypse. The co-creator of Onslaught. The writer of Generation X, Red Hood and the Outlaws, and Superman during DC’s bold New 52 era. The guy who took the torch from Chris Claremont and helped lead the X-Men into one of the most explosive, emotionally charged, and unforgettable decades in comic book history.
And now? He’s the first legendary Marvel and DC Comics writer to appear on a podcast born out of the Gulf region.
📚 Shop Scott Lobdell's Marvel & DC Comics Collection
Want to dive deeper into the world of Age of Apocalypse, Onslaught, Red Hood, and more? Grab your copies now on Amazon:
🛒 Amazon Saudi Arabia 🛍 Amazon UAE
The Dream That Became Real
Back in the 90s, I would stare at panels from X-Men: Alpha or Onslaught: X-Men, not even daring to imagine that decades later, I would get to talk to the man who helped write those very pages. As a fan growing up in Saudi Arabia, comics weren’t always accessible, but the few issues that made it into my hands were magic. One name that kept showing up? Scott Lobdell.
Fast-forward to 2025, and Superheroes of Arabia—a project born from my startup Son of Jeddah—has become a platform to spotlight legends like Scott.
Why This Interview Matters (A LOT)
This isn’t just another comic book podcast episode.
Scott Lobdell appearing on Superheroes of Arabia is a first:
The first writer of Red Hood and the Outlaws to speak directly to a MENA-based fan platform.
The first major X-Men architect post-Claremont to appear on a podcast from Saudi Arabia.
The first writer of Teen Titans and Superman (New 52 era) to reflect on those projects in the Middle East’s comic culture space.
His interview also lands at a time when Marvel is struggling to recapture the magic of the 90s. As Scott puts it:
"They're too emotionally invested in believing they saved the X-Men in the 90s. That’s why they’ll never ask the original creators what they think."
That quote hit me hard. And it’s just one of many moments of raw honesty in the 3.5-hour conversation.
Marvel: From Phalanx to Onslaught (and Chaos in Between)
Scott didn't just write comics. He changed comics.
He took what Claremont and others laid down and lit it on fire—in the best way possible.
Phalanx Covenant: A precursor to Generation X, which introduced an entirely new generation of heroes.
Age of Apocalypse: Arguably the most successful alternate timeline in Marvel’s history, now referenced in X-Men '97.
Onslaught: Born from a random idea after Juggernaut crashes into a tree—and it became one of the biggest crossover events of the 90s.
In the podcast, Scott reveals the chaotic genius behind these creations. How Onslaught wasn’t planned out at first. How Age of Apocalypse was the first story where his fingerprints were all over the narrative. And how spontaneity, not rigid planning, allowed him to surprise even himself.
That’s what made it special. That’s what made it resonate.
The Truth About His Exit From Marvel
One of the most powerful moments in the interview? Scott opening up about how his relationship with Marvel ended.
“They were trying to be punitive. Like, ‘If you’re not gonna work for us, we don’t even want you working for us.’ I said, ‘I’m sorry you feel that way… but I’ll see you later.’”
It wasn’t personal—it was business. But Scott never lost the joy he had writing for characters like The Fantastic Four. In fact, his love for the medium still shines through every anecdote.
DC Comics: New 52, Red Hood & Controversy
Scott’s time at DC Comics is equally compelling. He tackled Red Hood and the Outlaws, Teen Titans, and Superman during one of the publisher’s most ambitious relaunches.
The creative freedom and editorial pushback during the New 52.
How he reimagined Bizarro as a more intelligent being.
The controversy around Starfire’s portrayal—and the emotional toll of fan backlash.
Why Red Hood and the Outlaws continues to have one of the most loyal cult followings of any New 52 title.
Whether you loved or hated the New 52, this part of the interview is a must-listen.
Beyond Comics: Screenwriting, Multiverse Fatigue & Secret Identities
Now working in Hollywood, Scott has moved from panels to scripts. But he hasn’t let go of his comic roots. In fact, one of the most emotional moments in the podcast comes when he laments what modern superhero media has lost:
"What I loved about comics as a kid was the secret identity. That was the hook. That idea that anyone could be a hero."
He also takes a few shots at multiverse overload, especially the way modern films treat X-Men cameos like gimmicks instead of storytelling.
And he shares how he would bring back Don Blake, Thor’s original human persona, to make the God of Thunder human again.
Available Now: Watch the Full Interview
This 3.5-hour epic interview is now live on:
YouTube (with Arabic subtitles)
Watch it in one sitting—or break it into chapters—but don’t miss the wisdom, humor, and history Scott Lobdell brings to the table.
📚 Shop Scott Lobdell's Marvel & DC Comics Collection
Want to dive deeper into the world of Age of Apocalypse, Onslaught, Red Hood, and more? Grab your copies now on Amazon:
🛒 Amazon Saudi Arabia 🛍 Amazon UAE
Final Thoughts: From a Fan to You
I still can’t believe this happened.
Interviewing Scott Lobdell wasn’t just a personal milestone—it’s a milestone for comic fans across the Arab world. We grew up loving these characters. Now, we’re shaping the global conversation around them.
And this is just the beginning.
Stay tuned for more legends, more stories, and more Superheroes of Arabia.
Because here in Jeddah, Riyadh, Dubai, and beyond—we’re not just fans.
We’re the future of comic fandom.
🦸♂️ Follow me @sonofjeddah across platforms
📩 Join the Superheroes of Arabia community on WhatsApp, X, and Facebook
🎙 And support the podcast on Patreon for early access, exclusives, and merch
