If the X-Men can do anything lately in the Marvel Universe, it’s relaunch their books. Wolverine, Uncanny X-Force, Uncanny X-Men, it seems every title needs a new volume at a breathtaking clip and now the simply titled X-Men, which just ended after 41 issues, is getting the same treatment, albeit one delayed six weeks until May as of the time of this writing.
Why? Well, just because. I mean, we’ve already established that Marvel loves number issues like Charlie Sheen loves crazy. But, really, what makes this one different? It’s all about Brian Wood and the choice to make the entire roster, for the first time ever, completely female centric.
If that sounds like a gimmick, let’s be fair—it’s not Wood’s fault.
Why? Well, just because. I mean, we’ve already established that Marvel loves number issues like Charlie Sheen loves crazy. But, really, what makes this one different? It’s all about Brian Wood and the choice to make the entire roster, for the first time ever, completely female centric.
If that sounds like a gimmick, let’s be fair—it’s not Wood’s fault.
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I said it’s not WOOD’s fault; it might be Woods’ fault for all I know. |
Now, any time something like this happens—whether it’s the decision to make the DCnU version of Alan Scott gay, or have a black/Puerto Rican Ultimate Spider-Man, or Muslim Green Lantern—the call of the day has been fanfare. And lots of it.
It’s not enough to just let things happen anymore in comics; there’s an almost obsessive need to cry, “Look! Look at me! Look at what I’m doing!,” and then, moments later, ask in astonishment, “What? Why’s everyone looking at me?”
It’s Marvel that’s been making a big deal about the cast of the book, and it’s sadly brought out the worst in all sides of fandom, from the men who crassly whine that it’s “reverse sexism” despite a very phalocentric industry, to the women who take female empowerment to embarrassingly ignorant and militant levels, and it’s a damn shame.
It’s not enough to just let things happen anymore in comics; there’s an almost obsessive need to cry, “Look! Look at me! Look at what I’m doing!,” and then, moments later, ask in astonishment, “What? Why’s everyone looking at me?”
It’s Marvel that’s been making a big deal about the cast of the book, and it’s sadly brought out the worst in all sides of fandom, from the men who crassly whine that it’s “reverse sexism” despite a very phalocentric industry, to the women who take female empowerment to embarrassingly ignorant and militant levels, and it’s a damn shame.
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This does seem to be the marketing tactic of late… |
