I know QEI died in 1603, on March 24 (the day after my birthday, although not the year. No undead here, nosiree). I've been googling to find out how, but no luck.

I think that the first two panels that have the Watcher's narration, that talks about particles forming and disappearing in nanoseconds, with effects on the time and space. I'm guessing that will somehow bring this timeline and the "normal" Marvel timeline in synch.

I was thinking the same thing.

Probably the same as using Javier for Xavier

In doubting the historical accuracy of this detail, I discovered that the name Xavier comes from Arabic (it means splendid), which means it entered European usage primarily through Spain (I presume). Spanish had a consonant shift some time in the Middle Ages so that initial X became J, but I don't think this happened in any other western European language. (Xavier is still Xavier in French, or so says Google.)

So for Xavier to become Javier, he has to be of Spanish or Spanish-related origin. Or else the comic book is making stuff up and doesn't care about such things.

How did people pull off the irritating "um actually" thing before Google came along?

Or else the comic book is making stuff up and doesn't care about such things.

Ya think?

Actually, I think Javier is probably Spanish, but then Fury's acceptance of him doesn't seem to make a lot of sense given how well England and Spain got along (not) during that period.

But in the "normal" Marvel world, he's FRENCH?!?!

Well, possibly descended from the French. Or not. (One of my middle names is Xavier, but I'm not French at all. I'm just partially named after a saint... Who I thought was born in Spain, but maybe I'm wrong about that... Googling... Nope - "Born in the Castle of Xavier near Sanguesa, in Navarre, 7 April, 1506.")

Sanguesa, now THERE'S a name.

I went to school with twins named Sebastian and Xavier, and those were supposed to be their saints' names. Actually, I'm sure there's a Saint Xavier.

So is Jean hiding her gender because even Javier wouldn't have women boarders openly in 1602? Or is this subtle commentary that female superheroes were few and far between, and mostly derivative of male heroes, prior to 1969?

Actually, I think Javier is probably Spanish, but then Fury's acceptance of him doesn't seem to make a lot of sense given how well England and Spain got along (not) during that period.

Then again, Fury's working with an Irishman and (indirectly), a Russian. I get the feeling that Fury's willing to use whatever agents might come to hand, and that he would much rather have Javier and his crew feel friendly towards him rather than otherwise. Issue #2 implied rather heavily that Fury has relied on Javier's telepathy on past occasions.

The reason that the last panel surprised me was that I did not know that Gaiman was that willing to futz with the known historical timeline. Allowing the Roanoake colony to survive was pretty small beans in terms of historical impact as compared to the results of Doom's little toy.

So is Jean hiding her gender because even Javier wouldn't have women boarders openly in 1602?

That's my guess. What I want to know is whether or not 1602!Cyclops knows about Jean/John's gender. I'm also mildly curious as to whether or not any of the X-Men have code names in this time frame.

Also, the more I think about it, the more I think that the fact that Peter doesn't have his spider-powers is going to prove to be an important plot point later on.

The reason that the last panel surprised me was that I did not know that Gaiman was that willing to futz with the known historical timeline. Allowing the Roanoake colony to survive was pretty small beans in terms of historical impact as compared to the results of Doom's little toy.

My comics buff co-worker read 1602 #3 at lunch, and pointed out that, from the last panel, we don't actually know if Queen Elizabeth is *dead.* It seems like it, but she could be unconscious, in a coma, whatever.

So is Jean hiding her gender because even Javier wouldn't have women boarders openly in 1602?

That's my guess. What I want to know is whether or not 1602!Cyclops knows about Jean/John's gender.

I think yes to both.

Your co-worker has a good point, Teppy. Still doesn't diminish the HSQ, however. I am resolutely remaining unspoiled for this series, since I have learned from experience that Gaiman is a Clever Bastard and that the thrill of being misled, deceived, and lulled into a false sense of security is well worth putting up with suspense and unsatiated curiosity.

In my dearest dreams, I would love for Neil Gaiman and Tim Minear to collaborate on a sequence of episodes for AtS.