Tag: x-men

Uncle Tom of Mutants – Content vs. Context

There is going to be hours of talk around comic book stores over the next week about how Cyclops calls Dazzler the “Uncle Tom of mutants” in today’s issue of Uncanny X-Men. People are going to believe the step is too strong in the current push to pacify the word “mutants” and show it as a derogatory term. Is this literary reference too much, is it something to draw the press, or is it to make a strong point? What should we look at with the “Uncle Tom of mutants” line?

I Know I Know…

I do not like to give spoilers, but the “Uncle Tom of mutants” line does not give away the story. Also, it is important to discuss this right now.

Uncle Tom of mutants?

Uncle Tom of mutants?

Who is Uncle Tom?

Uncle Tom’s Cabin or Life Among the Lowly is an anti-slavery novel which was published in 1852 by Harriet Beecher Stowe. It is a book which is banned from many schools because it has course and derogatory language which can be misunderstood if taken out of context. It also deals with a horrible time from our nation’s past which should not be forgotten. Since many of you might not have read the book in school, it makes sense to explain the content behind the “Uncle Tom of mutants” lin.

Uncle Tom is portrayed in the book as a man who is able to hold through his slavery by relying on his religion and hope. In the last few decades, the term “Uncle Tom” and a term which will not be repeated here after “Uncle Tom” have become a derogatory way of stating that an African-American has “sold out” to Caucasians.

In the Uncanny X-Men Context

In the context of how Cyclops used the “Uncle Tom of mutants” reference, he points out how Dazzler, in his opinion, has sold out to the people who are trying to hunt down the mutants and start a war with them. He displays distaste for her, and gives a statement that she is lower than he is. The references is to be disgraceful and shows the prejudice mutants can have for each other in the Marvel Universe.

It was a Wise Move

The words “Uncle Tom of mutants” stuck out on the page for me. I was surprised at first when reading, but realized they fit perfectly in the storyline Marvel is going for. The publishing company is trying to battle hate and separation in the current storyline involving the X-Men and the term fits. I can understand how some might become offended by the term, but the content of the term needs to be overlooked for the context.

The Press

I would not be surprised if some of the major media outlets picked up on the “Uncle Tom of mutants” line. It will be interesting to see if they pick up only on the content, or if some pick up on the context as well.

Quicksilver in X-Men: Days of Future Past Opinion, Interpretation, Concern

So we will see Quicksilver in The Avengers 2 and we will see Quicksilver in X-Men: Days of Future Past. I will let that soak in for a moment because it boggles the mind how one character will be in two movies from different ends of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Why yes…I do have an opinion and a few concerns.

Quicksilver in The Avengers 2! Quicksilver in X-Men: Days of Future Past!

Quicksilver in The Avengers 2! Quicksilver in X-Men: Days of Future Past!

What Happened?

Recently, Joss Whedon acknowledged that both Quicksilver and Scarlet Witch would be in The Avengers 2. On Thursday, director [of X-Men: Days of Future Past] Bryan Singer tweeted: “Before he was an #Avenger, he was just a REALLY fast kid. Thrilled to say #EvanPeters is joining #XMen #DaysOfFuturePast as #Quicksilver.”

No Legal Issue

Legally speaking, there is not an issue with this as Fox has the rights to use Quicksilver and the Scarlet Witch since they are mutants. The company can also reference the fact that they are Magneto’s children. On the flip, Marvel can use the characters since they are Avengers but cannot reference them as mutants or reference that Magneto is their father. So legally, we can see Quicksilver in The Avengers 2, and we can see Quicksilver in X-Men: Days of Future Past.

Interesting Concerns

Since we will see Quicksilver in The Avengers 2 and see Quicksilver in X-Men: Days of Future Past, we have to be concerned about how he will be portrayed. We should expect fission in the comic book community over how he will be portrayed. We should also be expecting both Marvel and Fox to attempt to outdo the other in his portrayal.

Let’s Say…

Let’s say Marvel expects to use Quicksilver in The Avengers 2 as a background character who simply makes an appearance. Fox will have to answer that by using Quicksilver in X:Men: Days of Future Past as more of a secondary character. Marvel will have to respond by making Quicksilver a primary character. Foxwill have to…

Neither company is going to want to be outdone by the other on the portrayal of the character. Both know they will be fighting for the Quicksilver fans. They know there will be fissure in the comic book community over how Quicksilver is delivered and the companies will want their side of the fissure rooting harder, and as pleased as possible.

Quicksilver in Both Movies is Good

Fissures in the community cause opinions. Opinions cause discussions. Discussions in the comic book community are a good thing. Anything which will keep people talking about our favored form of entertainment is a good thing and it should be encouraged. On the negative side, a battle for attention could hurt both movies if overplayed in the media.

Precedence?

I am wondering if the use of the character in both movies could set some type of crossover precedence. While I highly doubt Fox will allow Wolverine to cross into the Avengers movies without a fight (even though he was an Avenger on many levels, there are slightly smaller X-Men who have been on the team composed of Earth’s Mightiest Heroes. Could we see Beast in one of the Marvel-made movies? How about Storm, Cannonball, or Rogue? Most importantly – SQUIRREL GIRL!!! Remember, the most powerful mutant ever (she did defeat MODOK, Terrax, and Thanos) was a recruit of the Great Lakes Avengers.

Give us Squirrel Girl!

Give us Squirrel Girl!

It will be interesting to see who this whole battle plays out. Will we be talking more about Quicksilver in The Avengers 2? Will we be talking more about Quicksilver in X-Men: Days of Future Past? Who cares? Controversy creates cash and that is all that matters in the end for the industry. Well, that and sustained income – but that is a story for another day.

Uncanny X-Men #6 is My Pick of the Week

While there are many comics coming out this week, Uncanny X-Men #6 is my Pick of the Week! Sorry that there was not a Pick of the Week last week, but as some of you know, I did not have any pulls last week. It was an odd week when nothing I was reading came out. As per the first Pick of the Week article, this will be free of spoilers.

Uncanny X-Men #6 is my Pick of the Week!

Uncanny X-Men #6 is my Pick of the Week!

What Initially Excited Me About Uncanny X-Men #6?

As a Doctor Strange fan, the revelation (from Uncanny X-Men #5) that Dormammu would be going after Magik was exciting. Uncanny X-Men #6 finds Cyclops’ team forgetting about the division in the X-Men and takes them away from crossover issues with the team we follow in All New X-Men. The team finds itself face-to-face with one of the most powerful otherworldly entities in the Marvel Universe.

A Little Bit of Information

There is a second story going on in Uncanny X-Men #6. Maria Hill is trying to figure out a way to get into the heads of the mutants. While talking with Agent Coulson, she decides to recruit a mutant to help S.H.I.E.L.D. understand mutants better by understanding the mutant mentality. On the final page of Uncanny X-Men #6, that recruit is revealed.

Not Going to Spoil it for You

I do not like giving spoilers on this site, and I am not going to start now. DC Comics hyped up (and then dropped) their “WTF Month,” but the final page in Uncanny X-Men #6 gave me the biggest WTF moment in months. The mutant S.H.I.E.L.D. recruits is so surprising, I have been trying to figure out why (s)he was picked to be an agent. I have been trying to wrap my head around how Marvel is going to play out using this particular character and what the motives would be to bring her/him back after not using her/him on a regular basis in…well, it might be a spoiler if I tell you how long.

Head out and pick up Uncanny X-Men #6 and see how the story plays out. See if you can wrap your head around the new recruit. You can thank me later.

Term ‘Mutant’ Being Eliminated by Marvel In Uncanny Avengers #5?

An interesting move is made in Uncanny Avengers #5 and Marvel might be veering from the term “mutant.” As you read the comic this week, you might pass over the statement, but it is very important, and shows a step by Marvel to teach people to be more inclusive and accepting of others. While I have been critical of Marvel in the past, I have to give them special mention for this move.

Is Marvel getting away from using the term "mutant?"

Is Marvel getting away from using the term “mutant?”

Mutant Term

Without giving a spoiler, the suggestion is made in Uncanny Avengers #5 about doing away with the term “mutant.” At the same time, we should include the terms “mutie” and “genefreak” which have been used in the pages of Marvel Comics. In the comic, it is suggested that the term “mutant” is derogatory as it separates mutants from other humans.

Marvel Inclusion Through Mutant Statement

In the Marvel Universe, “mutant” may be on its way to becoming a term which is not politically correct. If the publisher is admitting the term separates and degrades a type of human, it is acknowledging all of the terms we have which separate types of humans from others. I am not going to go through a lineage of demeaning terms as examples, but you should know what types of terms will force people to feel different or excluded from society or a particular group.

Statement to Fans

If Marvel is eliminating the term “mutant” from the Marvel Universe vocabulary, it is a statement to all of us to eliminate demeaning terms from our own vocabulary. The business world has come down hard on people who do not understand the need for inclusive language, and now Marvel is stepping up to show its support of inclusion. Over the years, our the government and private organizations have tried to make a better place. Now it is time for Marvel to make the needed changes towards practicing what it preaches.

Thank You Marvel

Marvel has stepped up to the plate to take a swing at drugs, racism, homophobia, general hate, the oppression of women, and dozens of other social issues. By taking steps to suggest that the term “mutant” not be used in the future is a step towards eliminating hate speech which would make the world a better place to live. Good job Marvel. You reminded me why I have stayed a dedicated reader for so many years.

Rogue As Ultimate Symbol of Mutants

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