I like the X-Men.
Yup, I really never thought I would say that about any
superhero series, but I do. I like the X-Men. Granted, I feel like I liked the
X-Men, as characters, more in the films we watched than in The Astonishing
X-Men. Why?
The superhero part.
When Cyclops suggests the X-Men become “a real superhero
team,” it was almost like a joke to me. I think what really drew me to the
X-Men in the films was that although they had powers and acted like
superheroes, they didn’t need the trivial “tights” and costumes to fight for
their goal.
However, that’s not to say I didn’t enjoy the comics,
because I really did! They were entertaining, funny, well-drawn, and
well-written. I really appreciated the Harry Potter
references (you guys didn't expect me not to comment on the Potter references, right?) I also think the comics, like
their film counterparts, displayed the fact that there is a gray area between
heroes and monsters. Not only because the characters are themselves “monsters”
or mutants, but because in these comics, some characters which you would think
would be heroes, in fact are not.
One instance where the gray area between monsters and heroes
occurs is in relation to Dr. Rao’s “cure.” Doctors are traditionally thought of
as “heroes,” and in this instance, I see how she can be considered a monster.
Sure, she thinks she is saving Tildie from her powers; maybe she is. However,
her intentions, I believe, are not so pure, for when explaining the cure to
McCoy, she says, “innocent people will live normal, decent lives.” To me, this
sounds like she wants mutants to live “normal, decent lives.” Although she of
course isn’t forcing anyone to take the cure who doesn’t want it, she has to
know that this kind of thing could affect mutants everywhere. Additionally, I
feel my suspicions of Dr. Rao’s intentions could be proven right, at the end of
episode 3, we get a hint that the cure could have been tested on Jean.
This same idea where a figure of government authority who
should be considered a hero also shows up in Cyclops’ meeting with Fury. Again,
a government figure who you would think would help, instead groups all mutants as
one evil entity – “your boy Magneto” – and says that the X-Men are harboring “dangerous
criminals” at their school, including Frost. (Disclaimer: I don’t know Frost’s
backstory, so I can’t really comment on that part, but…) Anyway, Fury does not
seem to be a hero figure of any sort.
On an unrelated note, I just wanted to comment on the fact
that Frost annoys me. She really needs to put on some clothes…
A final example of how the Astonishing X-Men show the
gray area between villains and heroes has to do with McCoy. Although he is part
of the X-Men superhero team, he could potentially stray and try the cure on
himself. A true hero is selfless by our definitions, and that is definitely a
selfish act.
In conclusion, though: I liked reading my first real comic.
Alyssa-I do agree that there seems to be a difference in the comic and movie, especially between the heroes. It seems almost too forced in the comic, like they have to prove that they are heroes, whereas in the movie it is made very clear. With that distinction in mind, do you think there is a gray area between heroes and villains in the movie like there is in the comic? While the movie may be easier to follow than the comic (at least it is for me) I would still say that there is a bit of a grey area at times as to who I consider a villain or monster and who I consider to be a hero.
ReplyDeleteHeyyy Alyssa! Girl I can definitely say that I also enjoyed the comic. I don't really find comics really that overstimulating and I really enjoy the art. I can see what you mean about the movie and the comic being kinda different but I think that some of the parts of the comics were over exaggerated (like the whole tights and being a superhero thing) was just part of the whole comic experience. As a younger kid reading it, I probably would appreciate it much more with it being so clear and exaggerated. The gray areas really blew me with some of the characters. With the Dr. Rao and Frost being so sketchy it just stressed me out. And lastly, honestly I felt bad for Dr. McCoy. In class some people thought that him looking for a cure is just being a selfish hero. But still think hes a great hero, and every person has their low points. He wasn't always a mutant so the fact that him being a mutant was a accident really would be worrying because what could reallt happen to him in the long run? I feel like he has a right to worry and want some sort of normal life back while other mutants can't relate because they were always a mutant.
ReplyDeleteHey, I found someone else who hasn't read a comic before! In regards to the topic at hand, what you said about Dr. Rao brings up an interesting idea. Mainly, the thought of someone who we nominally see in the hero archetype actually being the "bad guy" this time around could play havoc with our senses of right and wrong. I think we'll be seeing more of a gray area, especially in regards to Rao's methods, emerge as we go further into the comic. Perhaps the steps she took to get the cure weren't so humane, which will be expanded upon later. But that's just my guess.
ReplyDeleteHey, I agree with you about the "grey area" in this comic. I think people try to divide other ideas and choices into categories because it is easier to understand things in black and white. In reality, life is an endless sea of grey and the answers aren't always clear cut. Beast has many valid reasons to pick one side or another which is why he is such an interesting character.
ReplyDelete