Monday Marvel Mimosas: I Must Quit You, X-Men Blue
Yep, I’m throwing in the towel, X-Men Blue. It really wasn’t anything that issue #6 did, per se. I’ve just finally come to grips with the fact that this series isn’t meant for me. It’s meant for the new generation of X-Men fans, just like it was back in 1963. It’s written for young adults, to get them into the original X-Men the same way we all were years ago.
The current X-Men of X-Men Gold speak to me, because these are the X-Men I grew up with. But they have a huge backstory spanning decades, and it’s hard for newcomers to jump in with all of those stories virtually being required reading.
By bringing back the original X-Men from the past, it creates a new subset of X-Men without a large library of lore. Since they’re young, teenagers and early 20s, they speak to young newcomers. I’m neither a young adult nor a newcomer. I no longer empathize with the plights young adults go through. It’s part of life as you age, or at least you should be. I think we’ve all met adults who still act like young adults and teenagers.
If anything, this is a huge testament to how well Cullen Bunn writes these characters. We tend to write what we know, or write what we understand. I’m not saying that those who write young adult or pre-teen stories act like those ages. I’m saying that those writers (if they’re good, anyway) know how to write for young adults and younger. They, on some level, understand those generations and can convey it beautifully. For Cullen Bunn to go from writing Uncanny X-Men, a very serious series with the older mutants, to writing about the younger generation is not an easy task. He’s an incredibly versatile writer, especially to write these guys so well he makes me want to bang all their heads together.
Because that’s what adults want to do to young generations—bang their Goddamn heads together. I’m dreading it when my own kids are teenagers.
Bringing on Jimmy, a teenager version of Wolverine, a character I’ve never liked, hasn’t helped my decision. He’s more angsty and sullen than his father ever was. This particular issue didn’t help matters too much either.
It ties together pieces of Jimmy’s past from the other universe, Miss Sinister and the New Marauders (also from another universe), and a new superhero ninja team called the Raksha. They also seem to be from a different universe. Considering that alternate universes are a bit of my kryptonite, I’m naturally checking out with this much overload.
In addition, I no longer care what twisted relationship Jean is trying to have with Scott. Their drama is definitely too much, and it’s one I parted ways with years ago once the two married. Since these are the originals, now with new experiences, it’s no surprise that drama is starting again.
X-Men Blue, you had me with Magneto, but it’s time to peace out. I’m sure I’ll hear bits of what will happen with Magneto later with X-Men Gold and the upcoming Astonishing X-Men.
Our Rating: Nope
Author: Cullen Bunn
Artists: Julian Lopez, Cory Smith, and Irma Kniivila
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Publish Date: 06/28/2017
Acquired via Purchase
