Tired And True: The State Of The X-Line
by Scott Redmond
Hated and feared. Three words that potentially stand out to anyone even vaguely familiar with the world of the X-Men. These words are often tied to a status quo that can be tiring and often depressing, especially in the comics.
Except, when they aren’t.
Recently on the BlueSky platform, I posted about my exhaustion with that status quo. It ended with also pointing out that at the same time, I’m quite excited for the current Fall Of X thread line/event/status quo. Seems contradictory, yet it’s not.
For most of the 2000s Marvel’s Merry Mutants have been in a hated and feared/extinction depression cloud. Status quo after status quo was them being hunted or put out or worse. Then in 2019, House Of X/Powers Of X changed all that. Gave them their own nation, way of life, and freedom of sorts from humanity’s bigotry. Then this year’s Hellfire Gala and a contingent of humanity ripped it all away.
Krakoa is empty, its citizens scattered to the wind (presumed dead in some cases), with the fascist Orchis using Sentinels & propaganda to turn the world against them. Once more the hated and feared status quo reigns supreme. So why am I not tired of it this time?
While I’m pissed to see Krakoa potentially done (there are other reasons it might be fully gone soon), there is a spark of something right now. The hated and feared status quo might be exhausting but with the right creative spark, it has also been exciting at times.
In the handful of books, we have for this status quo the casts are somewhat diverse. Their locations and focus are diverse and interesting. Also, the characters are bashing and taking revenge on fascists, which is just delightful. It also helps that the Avengers are on their side this time and helping the mutants fight back.
Marvel and DC far too often return to “tried and true” status quos that can be exciting or tiring, your mileage will vary. It’s a vicious circle of comics that isn’t helping the medium grow one bit but it’s the way things are. Many times it’s a burden or an anchor to a line or title.
On the other hand, dipping a toe into that status quo in a different or creative way can tickle curiosity and attention.
We’ll see how it all ends, but currently, I’m not feeling exhausted or tired. Instead, I’m very much wide awake.
