Following the end of World War II,
consumers were not seeking the same escapist and nationalistic entertainment
that superhero comic books provided. The end of the Golden Age of Comics
allowed for new and experimental comic genres to emerge. In the Silver Age of Comics
(1956-1970) companies began rebranding the superhero comics of the past as more
complex and varied than their original Golden Age counterparts. Creators found
that superheroes that faced real issues with forming a personal identity and
accepting the sociopolitical views of their society resonated with teenage
audiences, who were turning to the countercultural movement in hordes because
of dissatisfaction with government, politics, and social injustice.
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| Reflective of the counterculture ideals of the 1960s. Source |
Marvel’s Jack Kirby and Stan Lee
first created the X-Men comic books in 1963. Centered on a rag-tag group of
extraordinary mutant-humans that are loathed by non-mutant humans, the X-Men
comics continuously explore themes of discrimination and identity struggles.
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| God Loves, Man Kills--showing the prejudice the X-Men face. Source |
Though
the X-Men represent a diverse group of people (different ages, genders,
sexualities, ethnicities, nationalities, and powers), they are all subject to
the same exact bigotry and prejudice. However, the reactions of each X-Men to
their expected prejudice vary. Through a close examination of the X-Verse, we
can see three specific ways in which widespread societal prejudice of a certain
group influences identity and self-actualization; the minority individual will
either 1. Believe normal society is better, and will attempt to rid themselves
of markers that identify them as different, 2. Believe in their superiority to
society, and will attempt to destroy those who oppose them, or 3. Believe in
their unique worth and importance to society, and attempt to foster wider
acceptance and understanding of differences between “normal” and “abnormal”
groups.
1. The Rogues
Many mutants in the X-Men world
choose to conceal the markers that make them “abnormal”. For example, mutants
with unnatural hair colors choose to dye their hair, so as not to attract
attention to the fact that they are different. Others use technology from the
Marvel universe to conceal skin discolorations, or extra body parts that are
not easily disguisable by regular human means. (Brewer 144). These strategies
never work for long, as the mutants are unable to deny their true natures. Many
are disappointed when their covers are blown. They have been brought up in a
world that views their differences as abominable, and not useful, and have
begun to internalize the social ideal that things that are not “normal” are
unwanted. For readers it can be difficult to understand why people who have
amazing and unique abilities would choose to hide them. Even some X-Men do not
understand why their fellow mutants would not want to be honest about who they
are. In the third X-Men movie, The Last
Stand, a cure for genetic mutation is discovered that can reverse mutants
into regular humans, and Rogue excitedly signs up, while Storm asks why any
mutant would be so cowardly to accept the cure (Housel 5).
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| Called the "Hope Serum," the cure for mutanism attempts to inspire hope in those who fear mutants. Source |
Patrick Hopkins
writes in X-Men and Philosophy that the
lure of the abnormal, or what some may view as the unique and desirable, is
only appealing to those who do not have to worry about the ostracization that
is associated with being physically different or limited in popular society. He
writes, “there can be great comfort in being normal, even if it is sometimes at
the cost of never standing out” (Housel 15). The extreme comfort of normality
and fitting in with norms and ideals can be so appealing to ostracized groups
that they become increasingly willing to reject all aspects of their individual
identity to be accepted. In addition, when continuously told that the very
qualities that make an individual who they are are weird or wrong, many believe
that rejection of self for normality’s sake can offer them greater happiness
than acceptance of self.
2. The Magneto's
Completely opposite to the view that
those who are different are lesser than those who are normal is the belief that
those who are different are better than the mainstream. X-Men’s Magneto is the
forerunner of this ideology in the X-Verse. He says to Charles Xavier, “We are
the future, Charles, not them. They no longer matter” (Housel 99). Magneto
cherishes his, and other mutants’, supreme abilities, and considers them to
have more to offer than non-mutants. A deeper look into Magneto’s background
reveals that he was a victim of the persecution in Nazi concentration camps,
and fears that he will later face similar physical persecution at the hands of
humans on account of his mutantness (Brewer 143). He also is distrusting of the
“mutant cure”, believing it to be a secret attempt to exterminate mutants once
and for all, “No one ever talks about it. The just do it… They will force their
cure upon us” (Housel 180). Magneto is often the heads a group of mutants who
are intent on fighting prejudice with prejudice, and extreme violence with extreme
violence throughout the comic books and movies (Housel 216 and Claremont 10).
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| Believing himself superior to humans, Magneto seeks to destroy in God Loves, Man Kills. Source |
This type of resistance and hostility towards oppressors is not unique to the
X-Verse; it is responsible for the Black Panthers creation in opposition to the
KKK, and for several extremist political organizations. When prejudice does not
decrease individuality, it amplifies it. Rather than creating a sense of
self-loathing and dissatisfaction with individuality, continual prejudice can
spark resentment and dissatisfaction with society. Within that resentment
breeds more hatred and propensity for violence and destruction of mainstream
society.
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| Film Magneto, addressing a mutant who has yet come to terms with his difference from society. Source |
3. The Charles Xavier's
Through Charles Xavier we see the
third type of response to widespread societal prejudice: peace and acceptance.
Charles does not allow the societies distrust and distaste for him and his
fellow mutants to negatively affect his personal feelings of self-worth. In
fact, Charles views the extreme prejudice as a simple obstacle in the way of a
more accepting future. The original purpose for Xavier to gather the X-Men
together at his special school is to teach the mutants how to “foster better
relations between mutants and normal people—to be agents of social change” (Housel
143).
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| Xavier explains his desire to create a school for mutants. Source |
Unlike Rogue and others like her, Xavier does not wish to rid himself of
his powers or his unique mutant identity. He believes that he has the capacity
to help humankind. Unlike Magneto and other like him, Xavier does not wish to
use his powers to exploit or hurt others. Rather Xavier asks, “When an
individual acquires great power, the use or misuse of that power is everything.
Will it be used for the greater good, or will it be used for personal, or for
destructive, ends?” (Housel 209). Charles acknowledges that he possesses
something different from what is “normal” (in his case, telepathy and
telekinesis), but refuses to get rid of it to conform to society. He views his
individuality as a tool that can be used for the greater good. In many ways
Xavier represents the ideal sense of individual identity—a unique understanding
of his difference, but a love and acceptance of himself all the same, and a
strong desire to help others overcome their prejudice through peaceful means.
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| Xavier continually boosts the moral of other mutants, in an attempt to get them to see things his way. Source |
The X-Men comics have been long
regarded for their portrayal of complex social, political, and emotional
themes. Because the series is so heavily based on concepts of ostracization and
prejudice, they are a source of guidance for those who feel unloved,
unappreciated, and unwanted by their own social worlds. Within the comics and
movies we see several instances of characters positively and negatively
reacting to their prescribed prejudices. It is through the actions of
characters like Rogue, Magneto, and Charles Xavier that we better understand
how deeply out identity is shaped by the prejudice we receive from others. In
turn, we better understand why it prejudging or unfairly excluding certain
groups of people because of uncontrollable physical, mental, and emotional
characteristics is wrong and damaging to self-worth and the overall societal climate.
Works
Cited
Brewer, H. Michael. Who Needs a Superhero? Grand Rapids:
Baker, 2004. Print.
Claremont, Chris. God Loves, Man Kills. New York: Marvel
Comics Group, 1982. Print. X-Men.
Housel, Rebecca, and J.
Jeremy Wisnewski, eds. X-Men and
Philosophy: Astonishing Insight and the Uncanny Argument in the Mutant X-Verse.
Hoboken: John Wiley and Sons, 2009. Print.
