Thoughts

So, the Kitty/Colossus relationship finally comes to an end – at least as far as Claremont is concerned. And for me, it works in the first part of the issue. Colossus breaks up with Kitty, who then goes through all the stages of teenage heartbreak. Crying, while the older, wiser X-men tell her the truth that this will pass, and broken teenage hearts will mend.

And then the issue takes quite a weird turn. Wolverine forces Colossus to the bar. And then gets him beaten up by Juggernaut. Because of his mistreatment of Kitty. The thing is, I don’t think any of this works. I don’t get Wolverine’s point here at all.

It’s understandable that readers who like Kitty Pryde feel sad and angry over the fact she’s heartbroken and being made to cry. It’s a shame they’re breaking up because it will make her cry. BUT its not a shame they’re breaking up because they are kids, with an age gap. They don’t have a romance for the ages, they have a teenage crush. And if Colossus no longer has that crush, its the right thing to do to break up the relationship.

I think what Claremont might be trying to do here is have it both ways. The teenage romance is dying, but Wolverine is suggesting that they had a love that should have lasted. They were potentially a romance for the age, like Scott and Jean. They’re breaking up now, but maybe they might come back?

All of which lands on the icky side of the underage romance. And so the fight and the whole “moral lesson” side of things just feels weird to me. This issue has something of a classic reputation for its emotional storytelling, but for me this is a moment that misfires.

That said, the issue itself, is not without its highlights. Mystique is back and she’s being awesome. I aboslutely, completely and without any reservations love, love, love this panel. So much so I made a t-shirt out of it.

Honestly – I’m not lying – an actual t-shit.

There’s also a lovely slice of horror cliffhanger at the end, revealing that Selene from the New Mutants is now in the X-universe. It’s very similar to the reveal of Emma Frost a few issues earlier. What can I say, I’m a sucker for Evil Woman Reveals.

Fun Panel

John Romita Jr absolutely delivers in this sequence. All of Kitty’s facial expressions here capture a teenage heart breaking, and as a result inspires a strong emotive reaction from the reader.