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There’s a traditional logic that the more kids featured in a fantasy story, the more juvenile the story will be. This is usually not the case with Claremont's X-Men; quite the opposite, in fact. 4/4
This function is taken to a further level with the introduction of the New Mutants, who are immediately subjected to violence, terror, and death. In this way, the spinoff series is used to build gravity in the original series, something that is often reiterated in UXM. 2/4
Throughout the run, Claremont repeatedly uses children to weave a sense of vulnerability into his otherwise fantastic world. The surreal juxtaposition of these vulnerable kids with superhero fantasy helps to ground the world and give weight to the violence within it. 1/4 #xmen
The most prominent element is the death of Destiny, who has seen it coming and chooses to send Forge to protect Mystique, sacrificing herself in the process and thus showcasing the extent of her love for her wife. 2/5
One attribute that makes Nightcrawler distinctive is his emotional intelligence and empathy. This is established very early in the run. IN UXM 98 he checks in on Cyclops for overworking. In 99 he checks in on Colossus after noticing his anxiety about space travel. 1/3 #xmen
Colossus gets to be a Soho artist. It speaks to his gentle, creative soul and the tragedy created by his mutant powers, due to the responsibility that goes with them, taking him away from the artist’s life. @LetsColossus 2/7
@Jamielog1 If it helps, his one kiss is Jean, like right on the mouth right in front of all the other X-Men, including her boyfriend, Scott, and his girlfriend, Candy, so I guess points for boldness?
Improving on the original, Madelyne Pryor (a Jean Grey clone) is given a sense of agency and righteousness that Dark Phoenix never had. Madelyne has been wronged and she deserves her revenge in a way that Dark Phoenix did not. 3/4
Both feature interference from alternate planes of existence (aliens vs demons) and both force the X-Men to choose between moral righteousness and family loyalty. 2/4
Just to editorialize a bit: Wolverine's lack of thought bubbles helps establish his stoicism, but also preserves his mysteriousness at a time when Claremont seemed to be setting up a heel-turn for the character, or at least a red herring thereof. @WolverSteve @LetsTalkLogan