Before the beginning
Nov. 30th, 2013 04:12 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
nevannaI originally took the list you'll see below from an online conversation with a friend. I posted it on LJ, took it down because there are no fandom brainweasels like these fandom brainweasels, and am reposting it, between working on my paper and heading out to work at the bookstore, partly as a way to stick out my tongue at said weasels. And partly because this seemed like the day to do it.
I watched the first X-Men movie for the first time in early December of 2000 (I think I know the exact date, but I'm not sure.) When I say that it was my introduction to the that universe, I mean that pretty literally. So that means that, as of thirteen years ago today, my understanding of the franchise - based on a few scattered episodes of the '90s animated series and my hazy recollections of same - was as more or less as follows.
1. THERE ARE SOME MUTANTS AND EACH OF THEM HAS A DIFFERENT POWER AND I GUESS THIS MAKES PEOPLE TETCHY
2. WOLVERINE HAS CLAWS AND WEARS A YELLOW SUIT AND I THINK HE'S THE LEADER OR SOMETHING BECAUSE HE'S THE ONE WE SEE THE MOST
3. WHITE HAIRED CHICK IS STORM SHE CONTROLS THE WEATHER I LIKE HER YES GOOD
4. THERE'S ALSO A LADY NAMED ROGUE IDK WHAT HER DEAL IS
5. AND A BIG BLUE GUY HE'S A SCIENTIST OR SOMETHING I LIKE HIM TOO I GUESS
6. AND UM THE X-MEN PROTECT A WORLD THAT HATES AND FEARS THEM APPARENTLY I KNOW THIS BECAUSE I PICK UP BOOKS SOMETIMES
Obviously, I knew that other characters existed, but I was unaware of their names or power sets or personalities, and was not a big reader of superhero comics in general. While the "super-powered outcasts" premise was moderately relevant to my interests, that wasn't enough to make me actively seek out this particular interpretation of said premise. The "hidden school for young people with wacky abilities" concept was much more relevant to my interests - it's one of the reasons why I loved the Harry Potter series - but those books were my One True Rendition and my One True Obsession at that point (and another story that I engaged with on a recommendation from someone close to me, without any idea of what it would come to mean to me). What, I thought, did these X-Men and their world have to offer that could possibly draw that much of my attention?
Okay, maybe I didn't ask that in so many words. That would have been a little too heavy on the irony.
I sometimes over-mythologize what happened next, both in good and bad ways. And I know that looking back can have consequences. But considering how invested I became in so many of these characters (again, in both good and bad ways), I don't want to undersell it, either.
I watched the first X-Men movie for the first time in early December of 2000 (I think I know the exact date, but I'm not sure.) When I say that it was my introduction to the that universe, I mean that pretty literally. So that means that, as of thirteen years ago today, my understanding of the franchise - based on a few scattered episodes of the '90s animated series and my hazy recollections of same - was as more or less as follows.
1. THERE ARE SOME MUTANTS AND EACH OF THEM HAS A DIFFERENT POWER AND I GUESS THIS MAKES PEOPLE TETCHY
2. WOLVERINE HAS CLAWS AND WEARS A YELLOW SUIT AND I THINK HE'S THE LEADER OR SOMETHING BECAUSE HE'S THE ONE WE SEE THE MOST
3. WHITE HAIRED CHICK IS STORM SHE CONTROLS THE WEATHER I LIKE HER YES GOOD
4. THERE'S ALSO A LADY NAMED ROGUE IDK WHAT HER DEAL IS
5. AND A BIG BLUE GUY HE'S A SCIENTIST OR SOMETHING I LIKE HIM TOO I GUESS
6. AND UM THE X-MEN PROTECT A WORLD THAT HATES AND FEARS THEM APPARENTLY I KNOW THIS BECAUSE I PICK UP BOOKS SOMETIMES
Obviously, I knew that other characters existed, but I was unaware of their names or power sets or personalities, and was not a big reader of superhero comics in general. While the "super-powered outcasts" premise was moderately relevant to my interests, that wasn't enough to make me actively seek out this particular interpretation of said premise. The "hidden school for young people with wacky abilities" concept was much more relevant to my interests - it's one of the reasons why I loved the Harry Potter series - but those books were my One True Rendition and my One True Obsession at that point (and another story that I engaged with on a recommendation from someone close to me, without any idea of what it would come to mean to me). What, I thought, did these X-Men and their world have to offer that could possibly draw that much of my attention?
Okay, maybe I didn't ask that in so many words. That would have been a little too heavy on the irony.
I sometimes over-mythologize what happened next, both in good and bad ways. And I know that looking back can have consequences. But considering how invested I became in so many of these characters (again, in both good and bad ways), I don't want to undersell it, either.
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no subject
Date: 2013-12-02 07:14 am (UTC)I like your use of the word "tetchy." ;)
WOLVERINE ... WEARS A YELLOW SUIT...
LOL In my head canon he will always were a brown and tan suit. :b
THINK HE'S THE LEADER OR SOMETHING BECAUSE HE'S THE ONE WE SEE THE MOST
I still haven't forgiven Marvel for having gotten into putting him everywhere. *Shakes head.*
WHITE HAIRED CHICK IS STORM SHE CONTROLS THE WEATHER I LIKE HER YES GOOD
I like her as team leader. :D
THERE'S ALSO A LADY NAMED ROGUE IDK WHAT HER DEAL IS
The biggest turn-off about Bryan Singer's movies for me may have been his making Rogue the Kitty/Jubilee character in the films. x_x
no subject
Date: 2013-12-04 11:31 pm (UTC)Hee! Thanks! I feel that "tetchy" is an understatement, but I'm glad that you were amused.
I still haven't forgiven Marvel for having gotten into putting him everywhere. *Shakes head.*
I don't actually hate Logan - he can be pretty entertaining, at least in some universes - but his overexposure does wear a bit on fans who are interested in seeing other characters and stories take the spotlight.
I like her as team leader. :D
As did I!
The biggest turn-off about Bryan Singer's movies for me may have been his making Rogue the Kitty/Jubilee character in the films. x_x
Understood. I ended up liking Rogue and her friendship with Logan for what it was, but I get how it might be jarring for someone who's used to seeing another character in a certain role!
no subject
Date: 2013-12-05 09:55 am (UTC)You're welcome!
I feel that "tetchy" is an understatement...
Oooh, it totally is an understatement, but for me that was part of what made it amusing. It wasn't just the sound of the word that was funny, it was also how N00b!Neva guessed that mutants' powers made people tetchy. She had a lot to learn. ;)
I don't actually hate Logan - he can be pretty entertaining, at least in some universes...
Oh, I don't hate Logan. Hell, I'm a Logan/Mariko shipper who still hates how they originally ended the 'ship in the Earth 616 canon. I haven't seen The Wolverine because I've been afraid of seeing what they did to the 'ship in it, not because Hugh Jackman as Wolverine still makes me giggle. A pretty 6'2" Wolverine is so surreal to me. I just hate how overexposed the character has gotten over the years.
As did I!
Cool!
Understood.
Thanks!
I ended up liking Rogue and her friendship with Logan for what it was, but I get how it might be jarring for someone who's used to seeing another character in a certain role!
Heh, funny thing is, one of the things I like about X-Men:Evolution is that it lets Rogue be the bad girl with mommy issues, and has Kitty there to fill her part in the team. ;)