"The Strangest Show On Earth"
Excerpts from the unpublished manuscript (in review) titled, “The Strangest Show on Earth – A History of Marvel Mutants” (179 pages)
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The Curious Case of Cobalt Man
In X-Men #31 (April 1967), the titular team of young superhero mutants encounter the maligned Cobalt Man. Cobalt Man was a minor villain in the Marvel Universe, having only one other notable appearance against the Hulk. In the X-Men issue, Cobalt Man is stigmatised as being “schizophrenic” and this condition is represented through him talking to himself as well as having an acute paranoia regarding his conspiracy theory that Iron Man was insidiously thwarting Cobalt Man’s research. Cobalt Man came to believe that the X-Men were in-league with Iron Man, and so they did battle. However, only a few issues later, the X-Men confront Spiderman (X-Men #35) and do battle with him based on ambiguous intel that turned out to be misleading for the young mutant squad. Worth noting, is that in this issue Spiderman also talks to himself and shows a distinct paranoia about being tracked. The exact same behaviour from two different characters was to be considered charming and sensible when it was an established hero, and alternatively irrational and problematic when it was an unknown villain. |
The New Old Guard – All New X-Men (1975)
The original X-Men team was composed of teenagers bristling with angst and prone to bouts of over-enthusiasm that often resulted in them accidentally attacking other superheroes. They were dependent on second impressions and it is ironic that the X-Men series required a reboot for mutants to become established as canon for the Marvel Universe.
The X-Men is a prime example for how Marvel had many flubs and flops before audiences became sold on characters and stories that today hold almost mythic value for fans. In the early 1970s, the comic industry was ailing and the X-Men had proved to be unpopular to the point that 26 issues were made reprints (X-Men #67-93), in addition to a reprint of Beast's origin story in the Amazing Adventures series, as well as two annuals that were reprints of four regular X-Men issues. X-Men was rebooted as a series in 1975, starting with Giant-Size X-Men #1.
Chris Claremont took over the writing duties for Uncanny X-Men shortly after the reboot. Claremont altered the nature of comic book narratives and this manifested in obvious ways (for example, recurring epic villains in almost every issue) as well as through deft and nuanced creative touches (for example, flashbacks/recaps were integrated into the diegesis and they didn't always appear as “recaps” at the start of issues). The new X-Men team which formed in Giant-Size X-Men #1 was grittier than their predecessors, as well as being mysterious and exotic having been recruited internationally. Founding X-Men members, Cyclops and Jean Grey, stayed on with the team to provide guidance to the new recruits regarding Charles Xavier’s dream of humans and mutants coexisting peacefully.
The original X-Men were wet behind the ears even fifty issues into the series, however, the new X-Men team had a sophisticated dynamic through each member already having had developed professional competences where some of the members arrived at the X-Mansion as cagey veterans when it came to leadership roles or shouldering serious responsibility. The new X-Men members’ demeanor and maturity made more sense for the nature of mutants who had already been represented as an oppressed and feared underclass always on the run. It wasn't easy performing selfless acts and heroic deeds for those who underappreciated you, and so it made sense that only wise, exotic personalities would be able to handle the responsibilities. Additionally, interesting dynamics were forged between the original X-Men and the new team because Cyclops was no longer leading a bunch of kids… and his orders were no longer followed blindly.
The original X-Men team was composed of four chauvinistic teens and then Jean Grey who was often rendered chattel to satisfy the boys’ machismo and competitive spirits. However, the new X-Men team became acquainted with a mature Jean who had become incredibly confident and competent through her fusing with the cosmic Phoenix entity. Meanwhile, Storm had already been a leader when worshipped as a goddess while growing up in her native Africa. Prior to that, Ororo (Storm) had been orphaned as a child in Egypt and she quickly learned how to fend for herself. By the time she agreed to join Xavier’s outfit of mutant heroes, Storm could do anything that the men could do, and often better. She was an accomplished and skilled fighter and she bested in battle other mutants whose superpowers were in fact related to hand-to-hand combat (for example, Callisto and Crimson Commando). Eventually, Storm developed her relationships with the X-Men and would take over as leader of the team, marking an exciting era of gender equality for the mutant superheroes.
The original X-Men team was composed of teenagers bristling with angst and prone to bouts of over-enthusiasm that often resulted in them accidentally attacking other superheroes. They were dependent on second impressions and it is ironic that the X-Men series required a reboot for mutants to become established as canon for the Marvel Universe.
The X-Men is a prime example for how Marvel had many flubs and flops before audiences became sold on characters and stories that today hold almost mythic value for fans. In the early 1970s, the comic industry was ailing and the X-Men had proved to be unpopular to the point that 26 issues were made reprints (X-Men #67-93), in addition to a reprint of Beast's origin story in the Amazing Adventures series, as well as two annuals that were reprints of four regular X-Men issues. X-Men was rebooted as a series in 1975, starting with Giant-Size X-Men #1.
Chris Claremont took over the writing duties for Uncanny X-Men shortly after the reboot. Claremont altered the nature of comic book narratives and this manifested in obvious ways (for example, recurring epic villains in almost every issue) as well as through deft and nuanced creative touches (for example, flashbacks/recaps were integrated into the diegesis and they didn't always appear as “recaps” at the start of issues). The new X-Men team which formed in Giant-Size X-Men #1 was grittier than their predecessors, as well as being mysterious and exotic having been recruited internationally. Founding X-Men members, Cyclops and Jean Grey, stayed on with the team to provide guidance to the new recruits regarding Charles Xavier’s dream of humans and mutants coexisting peacefully.
The original X-Men were wet behind the ears even fifty issues into the series, however, the new X-Men team had a sophisticated dynamic through each member already having had developed professional competences where some of the members arrived at the X-Mansion as cagey veterans when it came to leadership roles or shouldering serious responsibility. The new X-Men members’ demeanor and maturity made more sense for the nature of mutants who had already been represented as an oppressed and feared underclass always on the run. It wasn't easy performing selfless acts and heroic deeds for those who underappreciated you, and so it made sense that only wise, exotic personalities would be able to handle the responsibilities. Additionally, interesting dynamics were forged between the original X-Men and the new team because Cyclops was no longer leading a bunch of kids… and his orders were no longer followed blindly.
The original X-Men team was composed of four chauvinistic teens and then Jean Grey who was often rendered chattel to satisfy the boys’ machismo and competitive spirits. However, the new X-Men team became acquainted with a mature Jean who had become incredibly confident and competent through her fusing with the cosmic Phoenix entity. Meanwhile, Storm had already been a leader when worshipped as a goddess while growing up in her native Africa. Prior to that, Ororo (Storm) had been orphaned as a child in Egypt and she quickly learned how to fend for herself. By the time she agreed to join Xavier’s outfit of mutant heroes, Storm could do anything that the men could do, and often better. She was an accomplished and skilled fighter and she bested in battle other mutants whose superpowers were in fact related to hand-to-hand combat (for example, Callisto and Crimson Commando). Eventually, Storm developed her relationships with the X-Men and would take over as leader of the team, marking an exciting era of gender equality for the mutant superheroes.
The Outback X-Men (1984-91)
Beginning in the issues published in 1984, the X-Men were experiencing tough times as a superhero squad. They suffered numerous defeats to evil mutants and Colossus almost died during a battle with the villain team that would later go on to become Mystique’s government supported and funded “Freedom Force”. In fact, Colossus would continue to have deadly encounters with evil mutants, including Juggernaut and Mr Sinister’s Marauders.
Charles Xavier’s life had been saved through transplanting his brain to a cloned body, courtesy Shi’ar Empire medical high technology. However, the professor was now suffering from a psychological block that rendered him useless to the X-Men team, and he would later be forced to leave Earth so that his sweetheart, Empress Lilandra, could provide him with full-time medical care in her foreign galaxy.
Back on Earth, Rogue was torn through her consciousness being split with Carol Danvers and the Danvers personality was beginning to surface to both cause and address Rogue’s mental breakdowns. Kitty Pryde was suffering heartbreak after her beau, Colossus, became infatuated with an alien succubus during the Beyonder’s Secret Wars event. Forge had been developing weapons for the government designed to suppress mutant powers and his lover, Storm, was the first victim of his ingenious invention causing her to lose her meteorological powers for a time. Finally, the interdimensional traveller, Rachel Summers, joined the X-Men team but arrived at the X-Mansion emotionally broken and her acts of vengeance were leading her teammates into confrontations they were ill-prepared for.
The Hellfire Club, The Morlocks, The Marauders, and Freedom Force all seemed better prepared and more organized than the X-Men. The US government was pushing for mutant registration given mounting public outrage regarding the advent of mutants and the lack of legal accountability for the destruction they wrought through use of their powers. The X-Men leader, Cyclops, left the team when they needed him most and he too was experiencing psychological turmoil over the loss of his beloved, Jean Grey. He was now hanging onto the memory of Jean through living a sham marriage with what would turn out to be a Jean Grey clone – Madelyne Pryor.
Mr Sinister unleashed his grizzly Marauders on the maligned mutant Morlocks living in the New York City sewers. During this “Mutant Massacre” event, Wolverine had his healing factor mutant powers scrambled by the Marauder known as Scrambler. Wolverine was on death’s door for several issues. In fact, the X-Men were ailing so much that they had to reach out to the nefarious Hellfire Club for an alliance, leading to the arch-villain, Magneto, become the head honcho of the X-Men outfit.
With the chips down, some of the X-Men were out of commission and the team was sorely in need of support to bolster their ranks. Fortunately, Psylocke, Dazzler, Longshot, and Havok separately came to the rescue and joined the remaining X-Men members to form a new team. The quartet was inexperienced as members of superhero teams, but each had had their own adventures to hone their mutant powers. The new members suffered some lumps early on but would settle into their new roles as X-Men. Storm became the new leader of the X-Men, while Colossus and Wolverine recovered from their injuries, and Rogue overcame her psychological demons. The octet would form into one of the great superhero squads of all time – the Outback X-Men.
Officially, the Outback X-Men are recognized as a team forming during the Fall of the Mutants event and only after the mysterious Roma sends them through her Siege Perilous cosmic portal where the mutant octet (plus Madelyne Pryor) find themselves in the Australian desert and then takeover the old hideout of Donald Pierce and his Reavers. The Outback X-Men era became a rebuilding period where the squad were able to pick their battles and learn more about themselves and how they form as a team. The X-Men were regaining their confidence and it was an exciting time because after years of being battered the mutant heroes were finally ready to strike back.
Beginning in the issues published in 1984, the X-Men were experiencing tough times as a superhero squad. They suffered numerous defeats to evil mutants and Colossus almost died during a battle with the villain team that would later go on to become Mystique’s government supported and funded “Freedom Force”. In fact, Colossus would continue to have deadly encounters with evil mutants, including Juggernaut and Mr Sinister’s Marauders.
Charles Xavier’s life had been saved through transplanting his brain to a cloned body, courtesy Shi’ar Empire medical high technology. However, the professor was now suffering from a psychological block that rendered him useless to the X-Men team, and he would later be forced to leave Earth so that his sweetheart, Empress Lilandra, could provide him with full-time medical care in her foreign galaxy.
Back on Earth, Rogue was torn through her consciousness being split with Carol Danvers and the Danvers personality was beginning to surface to both cause and address Rogue’s mental breakdowns. Kitty Pryde was suffering heartbreak after her beau, Colossus, became infatuated with an alien succubus during the Beyonder’s Secret Wars event. Forge had been developing weapons for the government designed to suppress mutant powers and his lover, Storm, was the first victim of his ingenious invention causing her to lose her meteorological powers for a time. Finally, the interdimensional traveller, Rachel Summers, joined the X-Men team but arrived at the X-Mansion emotionally broken and her acts of vengeance were leading her teammates into confrontations they were ill-prepared for.
The Hellfire Club, The Morlocks, The Marauders, and Freedom Force all seemed better prepared and more organized than the X-Men. The US government was pushing for mutant registration given mounting public outrage regarding the advent of mutants and the lack of legal accountability for the destruction they wrought through use of their powers. The X-Men leader, Cyclops, left the team when they needed him most and he too was experiencing psychological turmoil over the loss of his beloved, Jean Grey. He was now hanging onto the memory of Jean through living a sham marriage with what would turn out to be a Jean Grey clone – Madelyne Pryor.
Mr Sinister unleashed his grizzly Marauders on the maligned mutant Morlocks living in the New York City sewers. During this “Mutant Massacre” event, Wolverine had his healing factor mutant powers scrambled by the Marauder known as Scrambler. Wolverine was on death’s door for several issues. In fact, the X-Men were ailing so much that they had to reach out to the nefarious Hellfire Club for an alliance, leading to the arch-villain, Magneto, become the head honcho of the X-Men outfit.
With the chips down, some of the X-Men were out of commission and the team was sorely in need of support to bolster their ranks. Fortunately, Psylocke, Dazzler, Longshot, and Havok separately came to the rescue and joined the remaining X-Men members to form a new team. The quartet was inexperienced as members of superhero teams, but each had had their own adventures to hone their mutant powers. The new members suffered some lumps early on but would settle into their new roles as X-Men. Storm became the new leader of the X-Men, while Colossus and Wolverine recovered from their injuries, and Rogue overcame her psychological demons. The octet would form into one of the great superhero squads of all time – the Outback X-Men.
Officially, the Outback X-Men are recognized as a team forming during the Fall of the Mutants event and only after the mysterious Roma sends them through her Siege Perilous cosmic portal where the mutant octet (plus Madelyne Pryor) find themselves in the Australian desert and then takeover the old hideout of Donald Pierce and his Reavers. The Outback X-Men era became a rebuilding period where the squad were able to pick their battles and learn more about themselves and how they form as a team. The X-Men were regaining their confidence and it was an exciting time because after years of being battered the mutant heroes were finally ready to strike back.
