Thoughts

Issue number 193 is an odd place to pick for a special. It says a lot about how much the relaunched X-men title was seen as its own success that one hundred issues after it restarted it gets a special.

It’s a great issue too. Thunderbird returns – or rather his younger brother does – out for revenge for his brother that died 99 issues ago. It makes sense that a warped sense of macho honour is driving on the younger brother, given that this was what killed the first Thunderbird – but it is a little shame that there isn’t more to the character. This feels like the start of a story for the character – but as the Hellions aren’t ever going to get their own title – we’re unlikely to see it anytime soon.

But another fun aspect of this issue is that it returns us to a story those early issues did so well – the X-men besieging an enemy base. It has all the hallmarks of Claremont’s skill in this mini-genre, it’s inventive and all the little plot strands as the attack goes on keep things gripping.

The special is also meant to the change the status quo of the X-men, they’re now outlaws due to attacking an army base. We’ve sort of been here before and it doesn’t really work – falling foul of the fact that if a few important heroes just talked to each other after the end of the issue this could be resolved really quickly. But there’s a bigger picture here, the extent to which Mutant heroes are outsiders – outlaws even – is going to be pushed heavily going forward. It needs a set-up here, in an anniversary issues. And lets just assume that they just won’t all talk to each other because … reasons.

Fun Panel

Of course there’s going to be a great Wolverine issues for the celebratory issue of the comic that made him famous!

Any Googling

There’s a pleasing amount of Hellions appearing in this issue. As someone who would have loved them to have launched a Hellions title during this era, I’m enjoying seeing a few of these characters again. And taking on the X-men too.

And then… Firestar appears. Firestar from the cartoon! Not only that but she drops in as if it is in the middle of some larger story. I wasn’t aware there was one, so thought I’d look online for more info.

To my surprise I discovered that there was indeed a limited series around this time. Designed to bring the character into the Marvel comics universe. Looked interesting, so decided to check it out.

Very happy I did! But this is a surprisingly full mini-series. Or at least given that its chock full of Hellions Action, definitely something in my wheelhouse. It’s an especially odd seriesin its treatment of the events in this X-men issue (which was, Google tells me, her first ever appearance in Marvel comics continuity). They don’t follow on from it – or they aren’t a story set before it. The events of this X-men issue take place about halfway through the miniseries. After her discovery of mutant powers and joining Emma Frost’s Academy, but before the last two issues which see her defeating the White Queen.

I enjoyed this discovery a lot – indeed if I had known and read this title before embarking on this project I probably would have included these issues in the running narrative. It’s got a nice tone and some fun art. And the political machinations of the Hellfire club, and Firestar discovering this world and rejecting it, all makes for a great story.

It does rather gloss over Empath’s decidedly icky power set being abused in the way he does it. Sure, Firestar ultimately defeats it but I am surprised this isn’t more of a comeuppance for the character. The last few issues have demonstrated that Claremont does have a sharply honed idea of consent – but this doesn’t carry over to DeFalco’s script.

But back on the plus side, I do enjoy Mary Wilshire’s colourful art and, of course, MOAR HELLIONS!!

None More Claremont

Helloooooooo Charley!

Thoughts

Mystique, Nightcrawler, Arcade Oh my! This is how you get me to like an issue. There is so much great stuff in this, especially when it comes to developing the characters of Mystique and Nightcrawler.

The opening sequence is great – a thrilling action sequence that you know can’t quite be real but even the curtain being thrown back on what is really happening is a delicious moment.

John Romita Jr continues his new stint on art duties. But it all seems somewhat different this time. Simpler, clear lines that suit a Sixties pop art colour. A quick look at the credits suggests the reason why – John Romita Sr is on inking duties this issue. For someone like me without a background in art, this maybe gives an indication of quite how important inking is. A different name on inking duties can radically change the impression the art gives.

Fun Panel

That Don’t Make A Lick of Sense

Pyro returns with all the usual suspects in the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants. Except this Pyro is changed somewhat. Rather than the arrogant posh stereotype of his previous appearance – he’s suddenly become noticably Australian.

This being Claremont’s global outlook, his Australian nature is illustrated by a healthy lexicon of Australian vernacular like ‘cobber’. He’s unambiguosly changed, and at no point is that explained.

Looking into the characters origins provides some clues. Pyro original look came from Byrne, who in a regrettable dated stereotypical way decided to draw him as a homosexual. Reading something different in this loo, Claremont decided to make him British. Not only that but feeding into another stereotype – that of a louche, posh degenerate.

Maybe its that awkward origin that meant that it was decided to revamp the character. It’s harder, though, to find the story of who decided on the change. The first mention of Pyro’s Australian nature predates this issue – appearing in his profile in the Official Handbook Of The Marvel Universe.

Was this a mistake? Did the person who drafted the article misread the venacular of the character’s first few appearances, and decide they were the sort of person who came from Sydney? Or had editorial decreed by this point that the change should be made?

Or did Claremont just decide he wanted to have an Australian mutant in his globally-minded title? And in those days before reprints, the internet and ready access to all back issues, did he decide that this change didn’t require any explanation.

Whatever was the reason, its an interesting, inexplicable change.