Just a Sci-Fi Kid Like Me

What if the X-Men were black?

snip:

In the alternate universe where the all mutants are black, many events in the X-Men history become actual social commentary because they are dealing with real dimensions of power. Reading about black teenagers standing up to a largely white mob is different than reading about white teenagers in the same situation. These images show that when the writers of the X-Men do comment on social issues, the meaning of these comments is hampered and distorted by the translations from reality to fantasy and fantasy back to reality.

Re-coloring the X-Men so that all mutants are people of color not only makes the themes of discrimination more relevant, it also introduces hundreds of non-white characters who are complex and fully realized. This is something that’s lacking from the current Marvel Universe. Why is Psylocke not only an Asian person of British descent, but also a ninja? Why is Storm not simply a mutant of color, but an African witch-priestess? As comics great Dwayne McDuffie said, “You only had two types of characters available for children. You had the stupid angry brute and the he’s-smart-but-he’s-black characters.” There’s certainly more roles for a non-white characters now than when he said that in 1993, but most super hero comics are written about characters that were invented decades ago. By recoloring the comics, we can grandfather characters into the Marvel Universe who are not defined by their race.

Is that the Cap 2 trailer makes me want to sit down and start writing academic papers about popular representations of government policies in comics and the stills of X-Men: Days of Future Past make me want to write fic.

I blame pics like this one:



Source.

Title: Moon Shines Full On You
Author: caitri
Rating: PG
Pairings: River/Logan, Simon/Kaylee
Word Count: 2417
Summary: How Serenity got a new crewmember. An X-Men/Firefly crossover.
Disclaimer: I know this may come as a shock, but I am not, amazing as it may seem, Joss Whedon or Stan Lee.Just so you know. With apologies to Hugh Jackman, for what it’s worth.
A/N: For gadgetorious, just because.

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...I see this:



and it makes me think of them:



MY BRAIN, PEOPLE.

So: If you haven't seen it yet, for gods' sake stay through the very of the credits as Marvel Inc. seems intent on putting crucial scenes there.

Discussion after cut.

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Source 1. X-Men. Holy cow.

a) Mohinder is like stealing Beast's origin story wholesale. From Wikipedia: Hank isolates a "hormonal extract" allowing anyone to become a mutant for a short period of time, and uses the mutagenic serum on himself... *coff*

b) Days of Future Past and Days of Future Present ripped wholesale.

If Claire starts sporting a red leather catsuit with spikes and tats...yeah...

Source 2. Hulk.

Mohinder is freakishly green and veiny.

Source 3. Babylon 5.

Bruce Boxleitner for five whole minutes!!!!

Source 4. Greek mythology.

Pandora's Box much?

Source 5. Veronica Mars!

We missed you, Weevil!

Source 6. Watchmen.

Welcome back Ozymandias. Er, I mean, Mr. Linderman.

Some final notes for the ep:

Okay, Buffy Summers would be deeply ashamed of Claire. I mean, doesn't *everyone* know at this point that when dealing with a telekinetic you attack the head and DON'T STOP UNTIL THE BRAIN PAN IS MUSH?! Just sayin'.

I wonder if the African dude is Isaac reincarnated?

Also, how awesome would it have been if Matt could have heard the thoughts of the turtle? Cos that would be hellacool.