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In terms of cultural reach and legacy, film adaptation remains a problematic badge of honor for comics artists, and despite his rather large storytelling contribution to the X-Men franchise and its subsequent film adaptations, Claremont has not always received his due. #xmen 1/6
Wolverine takes offense, and speaks to his commendations, his sense of duty, and ultimately his code of conduct, emphasizing his perspective on self-defense, all of which portray Wolverine’s use of lethal force as rational, rather than beastial. 5/7
In the wake of this outsider experience, Kurt notes his concern that Logan is destined to follow a similar path as that of the Wendigo, despite the fact that it was Logan who actually talked Snow Bird down from her own primitive spiral. 3/7
This is not the kind of thing that can be easily broached by academic study, but the simple and obvious conclusion remains important here: X-Men are disproportionately sexy. So why is that? 7/7
Thinking optimistically, dare we suggest that Claremont's well-established emphasis on character depth and agency made the characters sexier? 6/7
These sources are dubious, of course, but they reflect broader cultural attitudes. There are a great many “hottest comics character” lists on the internet, and Claremont’s X-Men represent an enormously disproportionate number of characters on these lists. 4/7
Furthermore, with Rachel’s mixed feelings toward the X-Men and Kurt’s quick adaptation to the Excalibur new normal, it’s largely Kitty’s sense of loss and longing that offers a connection between X-Men and its British spin-off. 5/6
This contrast is perhaps exemplified by Logan referring to Warren as “boy,” effectively infantilizing him and highlighting the distinction in maturity between the two, an apt distinction as Logan has fought this battle for much longer than Archangel has. 7/10
Nonetheless, he acts strategically (and heroically), deciding to sever Warren’s wings in order to protect them both. Though noble, that choice has symbolic significance to Warren’s story as his fall from grace began quite specifically with the loss of his wings. 5/10
Warren (or rather Warren’s wings) fire the opening shots, acting outside of his own volition, a problem he had struggled with in the past, and one that was no-doubt exacerbated by his animosity toward Logan. 3/10