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Abigail Bromley

Lauren Perry

ENGL 220-009

November 15, 2018

X-Men: Drawing Parallels Between Comics and the Real World

Since the beginning of the human race as we know it today, there has been a recurring

need to conquer and assimilate one another, whether it be between individuals, groups, races,

countries, or even continents. This struggle is one that has been long fought and often only brings

more tragedy and divide once the cease fire has been issued and the dust settles. This stated

divide is what then fuels opposing groups, one such being that of the majority, consisting of

people in positions of power and influence, while on the opposite end, there are the minorities

who have been prevented or in a number of cases, entirely removed from expressing themselves

due to conflict of opinion, albeit culturally, individually, or otherwise. In lieu of this, many

minorities have then flocked to others of similar struggles to form a unified congregation whose

main goal is to combat the negatives being pitted against them, and to also inform on the harms

that such bigotry has on not just their people, but all of society, and most importantly the

younger generations. What started as a means to protect themselves has now turned into a global

movement with activists and allies alike using any and all means of communicating their

message through multiple mediums. News columns, documentaries, word of mouth, media and

most prominently, books. Books are critically important because they have no one way about

them. They can be anything from a short story to a series of novels and range from having all

pictures to next to none. In having this option of multiplicity, one such type of literature that was
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birthed was the comic book. Authors like Stan Lee and Joss whedon saw this as an opportunity

to create new material to draw in readers, but use the same overhanging struggles as a means of

hitting on the constant problem that is repeatedly swept under the rug of ignorance or lack of

care. Not only that but, it also creates parallels that can be easily detected by adult readers and is

surprisingly teachable content for younger readers. In specifying one such comic franchise that

has focused on this technique, the X-Men comics have become crucial in conveying the plight

for equality among minorities as well as being unashamed of revealing the true evil of those who

refuse to be tolerable and just how far they will go to oppress others who don’t fit their ideals.

In demonstrating this, in the comic ​Astonishing X-Men, ​a recurring issue among the

mutants is the threat of the cure. This is due to a good majority of society pushing their

anti-mutant agenda with the claims that they are a danger to the public and should be dealt with

appropriately, that being through forceful measures or death. However, to the mutants

themselves, they see it as a means of killing not just their powers, but their very beings and

everything they identify and stand for. This was an intentional plot device that the author, Joss

Whedon, used because it makes for a relatable situation, even if it has been slightly altered to fit

the mutants narrative. Throughout the history of the United States alone, there has also been the

issue of cures for people who identify as something other than “standard”, one such group being

homosexuals and lesbians. This phenomenon, otherwise known as conversion therapy, has long

standing origins dating back to the 19th century with many early attempts at curing

homosexuality being through hypnosis and suggestion therapy. However, it was German

therapist Albert von Schrenck-Notzing, who made a supposed “breakthrough” as he claimed to

have “manipulated the man’s sexual impulses, diverting them from his interest in men to a
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lasting desire for women” (Blakemore). Eventually, these psychological methods would shift to

physical means of conversion such as castration and lobotomies which would result in lifelong

physical and mental scars or death of the patient. This would then give way to a new age of

homophobia and discrimination like never before as the fear and disgust of homosexuals would

cause many to become closeted and deny themselves completely by living as heterosexuals or in

a turn of darker events, commit suicide from the strain of existing after being converted. In the

comic, Dr.Rao can be likened to Notzing as she too claims to have found a cure through,

essentially, experimentation on Tilde, a child she has taken under her guardianship due to having

killed her parents in an accident involving her powers. In making her discovery public, she

causes mass panic and outrage in the mutants with them being fiercely either for or against it. We

can most clearly see this divide in two critical scenes, both playing important roles in progressing

the conflict between mutants and non-mutants. For the mutants being pro-cure, a two page

spread in issue 3 shows a line of mutants that spans as far as outside the Benetech Laboratories

gates. Due to the only text on the page being a news broadcast updating on the amount of

mutants that have shown up, it relies heavily on imagery to convey its deeper meaning. Starting

with surface details, the color palette says a lot about the tone and atmosphere of the scene as it

consists of muted cool tones which radiate a somber and clinical tone for the entire piece. This is

then carried in the way the people were drawn which can be seen mainly on the second page

toward the bottom right. Their expression range from resigned to anxious and even distressed.

The nearest mutant whose face we can clearly see is a child who would seem “normal” if it

weren’t for his eyes, which are bright red. Illustrator Cassaday used the exhibition of physical

mutations for the majority of the mutants drawn to not only clearly state their mutantism, but
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also place emphasis on the claim that these people, who have always been marked, are now

compelled to rid themselves of the burden that they were born with, similar to the homosexuals

forcing themselves to discard their sexuality through conversion therapy and living like

heterosexuals in order to become integrated citizens of society. However, in contrast, in the

pages directly before that, we are shown Kitty reassuring Wing that he does not have to take the

cure if he does not want to. When he is describing flying he says he “can’t lose that” (Whedon)

showing how much being a mutant means to him. His identity is heavily reliant on him being

able to fly and when he later loses it because of Ord, he starts to question his existence, which

eventually leads to him committing suicide in issue 7, correlating with suicides among converted

homosexuals as stated earlier.

In shifting views to focus on the representation of hate groups , the X-Men comics have

come up with their own oppressors like the purist group the Hellfire Club which is at the center

of chaos in ​X-Men Schism, ​and evangelists like William Stryker in ​X-men God Loves, Man Kills.

In doing this, the authors have taken direct inspiration from notorious hate groups in the real

world who have caused mass devastation and suffering such as the Hellfire Club being

represented by the KKK,White Supremacists, anti-LGBTQ+ groups, and other radicals. In the

case of Stryker and other evangelists, this type of hate spreading was widely popularized in the

80’s as it used national television to share “God’s Word”, which was actually a ploy to invalidate

homosexuals and African Americans with no real explanation other than that it going against the

natural order of things, not unlike the Nazi’s in World War II. What both have in common,

however, was the use of public spectacles and propaganda, dehumanization, and eventually,

genocide as the main weapons in their self appointed purifying. In the exemplifying of public
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spectacles, both texts make use of television and news coverage as a way of showing the mutants

at their worst. Kilgore plans for his attack at the museum to happen when the X-Men and other

high profile affiliates will be present which will then cause the blame to be shifted onto them as

if it is their presence alone that causes mayhem. Stryker takes the approach of publically

exaggerating the differences between mutants and non-mutants by making the argument that they

wouldn’t be able to defend themselves from such advanced individuals. This also plays into his

propagandic campaign as he uses out of context bible scriptures and use of “preachy” talk to

make the claim that it is because they are so different that they have nothing to offer but

problems for the rest of the world to have to clean up after. In transition, dehumanization in both

texts is huge as they will use keywords in repetition when referring to mutants as a way of

“othering” them from the human race. When the Hellfire Club initiates Kilgore, they made clear

that they “Eradicated that infestation… and in these seats you will once again find only those of

the most extravagant wealth, refined lineage, and impeccable genetic purity” (Aaron). This

meaning that they cleaned house for the new age of Hellfire members who are truly deserving of

such a title. Similarly, in multiple panels, Stryker makes claim to the blasphemy of mutants by

calling them “monsters”, “abomination”, “an affront to the lord”, “thing”, “creature”, etc. These

words allow them to self fuel their hatred for mutants which in turn makes it easier in instilling

the same views in others. Following these events, things then hit a peak in violence as genocide

eventually becomes attainable as a means to an end both for Stryker and the Hellfire Club. In

Astonishing X-Men, t​ he colossal sentinel is sent to destroy the entire island and everyone one it

to kickstart the eradication of all the X-Men in a single blow. On the other hand, Stryker takes a

more militarized approach by sending his squadron of purifiers to exterminate civilian mutants
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right in their homes as seen in the beginning of ​God Loves, Man Kills​ when Mark and Jill are

being pursued by Anne and her team. When they are cornered, Jill asks why they are doing this,

to which Anne says “Because you have no right to live” (Claremont pg. 10). In this instance, this

is a direct manifestation of the saying “Hate doesn’t discriminate”, meaning that no one mutant

is truly safe from the tyranny of those with corrupt power.

Touching back on the harms that come from bigotry besides the obvious exclusion of

groups by close-minded individuals, one such phenomenon is the bigotry that occurs at the micro

level from one minority to another because of the domino effect at the macro level, that being the

minority-majority interaction. This is more clearly shown in the comic ​X-Men Season One​ by

Dennis Hopeless. In a series of panels, we see the teenage X-Men having a night off from their X

duties and enjoying themselves when suddenly a commotion is heard coming from the direction

of the stage. We are then shown people throwing things and shouting insults at the performer due

to her being a mutant. This then snowballs into a fight as the non-mutants attack the mutant

carnies, to which Hank and Bobby become involved in order to protect them. The pivotal point

after this, however, is when Freddie, another mutant in the carnival whose size makes him tower

over everyone else, comes charging in demanding the fight be put to an end. Following this Hank

thanks him for his help only to be punched in the face and have his offer of friendship thoroughly

rejected. Freddie, who seems to be more angry at having the X-men there than having had to

fight off anti-mutant supporters, clutches hanks face in his hand and angrily tells him “You

bunch of pretty-pretty mutants come down here and mix it up with our customers for a night?…

​ utant
Then run back up to your hidey-hole to play pretend. Leave behind those of us who ​look m

to pick up the pieces” (Hopeless). His entire countenance is accusatory, as if he blames them for
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everything that's happened, not just in the moment, but in their entire lives. In Hopeless creating

this scene, he has highlighted an important problem that people typically think only applies to the

minority-majority relationship when in actuality the same thing has trickled its way down even

deeper than that. The idea of “passing” or assimilating oneself seamlessly into society has now

become a cause for resentment and in turn discrimination as Freddie so clearly pointed out to

Hank, saying they “pay for privilege” (Hopeless). What he means by this is that the X-Men look

normal with no outward indicator that they are mutants which helps them negate being hassled in

public, whereas the carnival performers have obvious physical attributes like orange-stripped

skin, horns, scales, and unusually large size. It is because of this that they feel it unfair for

mutants like the X-Men to even be called “mutants” in the first place because of the double

standard being formed, i.e. normal looking mutants get the label of mutants as well as the

privilege of escaping discrimination and stigma, yet other mutants who look like anything else,

do not. In today’s world, this scenario has started happening more and more and most often in

the Latinx and African American communities where those of lighter skin are resented for

partaking in the culture, speaking the language, or even claiming rights to ceremonial or religious

events. The problematic phenomenon with this is due to people who are light skinned showing

no indication, at least physically, of being black or latino so it becomes a matter of half truths as

they only seem to receive the positives of the culture in turn increasing the anger and frustration

in those that have experienced racism, stigma, and bias. Also, in relation, this same notion has

been applied to the LGBTQ+ community, or more specifically for people who identify as

transgender. People identifying as cisgender have come to believe that in being trans you must

have a full transition and at the end will appear fully male or fully female. This binary thinking
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excludes all people of in between or non-identifying and is harmful as it negates the spectrum

and makes it instead either or. The dilemma of “passing” is once again brought up as some

“non-passers” have begun to harbor resentment and jealousy as their idea of trans is now

incorrect and makes anything they say otherwise seem like a grab for attention. It is quite

startling to see just how much this harmful mentality and the ideas that come along with it have

now begun to take root in the very people who are being targeted in the first place. People who

should be lifting one another and celebrating their diversities are now once again being divided

and categorized, however, with the addition of the division coming from themselves this time.

As a last example, one thing that is important to note is the support that comes from allies

of minorities. Massive protests have become increasingly popular and relevant in our world

today as they aim to draw attention to serious issues being overlooked or wrongfully dealt with.

The majority of protestors that turn up consist of millennials and generation Z seeing as they are

typically the generations most comfortable with change and reform of the old ways that harm

and exclude people from living full lives. Also, they are generally more conscious of the

politically and socially correct ways of society and have made strides to put a stop to oppression,

erasure, appropriation, and any and all forms of discrimination. Regarding the United States in

particular, recent protests have been about immigration and to protect those who fall under

DACA, formerly known as ‘Dreamers’. Paralleling this in comic culture, there are similar

​ hown in chapter 3, a group

protests in Brian Bendis’ ​All-New X-Men Vol.1: Yesterday’s X-Men. S

of college kids are depicted rallying together at the University of Texas in support of the

mutants. While many are holding signs, the main two to stand out are of one saying “Mutants are

people too” and the other having a heart drawn with both the word“Mutant” and an equal sign
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inside it to mean mutant equality. These types of slogans are often used to associate whatever is

being supported with positive things and “good” feelings as a way of canceling out the negative

stigma. Also, on another note, something that is addressed further on in the comic is the possible

backlash as a result of protests. Just as Benjamin was exposed for being a mutant, many people

identifying with more controversial aspects of minorities are also outed whether it be from

actively showing support for their cause or accidentally in similar circumstances as his and,

sometimes, the reception isn’t as welcoming as to be expected. In a later scene, we are shown an

update of Ben’s situation at university and it is then that we can gather that things have taken a

complete turn around as he is now publicly ridiculed and shunned. His friend, whom was the one

responsible for pulling him into the protest in the first place, approaches him to find out what has

happened after seeing him come out of, presumably, some administrators office. She then finds

out that he has been kicked out. When offering her support as a means of comfort, however, she

is met with indignance and a cold shoulder saying, “I didn’t ​do ​anything… I’m going to sue

them” (Bendis). He then goes on to point out how quick his “amazing powers” turned into

something to mock from the very people who were apparently allies of his kind. “And you

people, one minute you’re protesting for mutant freedom, but when an ​actua​l mutant shows up

on campus-- …It’s not fair that you like your mutant rights in theory more than actuality…?”

(Bendis). Whilst saying this, his friend looks resigned and guilty indicating that she knows what

he is saying is true, but there's nothing she can do about it as the damage has already been done

with no fixing in sight. While unfortunate, it is not uncommon in the real world as countless

youth and young adults have or will face these types of situations and just as Benjamin had, they
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will see if the self proclaimed supporters will truly be what they say they are at the end of the

day.

Upon reflection, it is clear to see that minorities, as a whole, have faced many challenges

and opponents all for the chance at basic rights as humans and for the freedom to express

themselves as they see fit. To the simplest of matters, history has proven unkind and cruel and it

is with this knowledge that these authors have begun to utilize their writings as a way of

preserving the past and all the tragedies the have happened so that we may never forget as a fail

safe of preventing more irreparable repeats. Not only that, but it also goes hand in hand as them

loudly celebrating those of diversities through creative means and allowing them become more

popular when associated with big name comics like the X-Men and the characters in them.

Black, homosexual, transgender, blue, furry, striped, any and all differences, no matter where

you identify on the spectrum. It is with these revelations that the argument of saying that these

parallels, which were once oversighted, have truly been a helpful strategy in drawing attention

and raising questions about ourselves, others, the world around us, and what we will do with it to

better everything as a collective, rings resoundingly true.

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