The ‘X-Men’ come out

[Cannikin]

Being a ‘mutant’ in films can be read as a metaphor for homosexuality



“Have you tried not being a mutant?” asks the mother of Iceman, one of the misfit kids in Bryan Singer’s “X2,” the 2003 sequel to his 2000 “X-Men.” Iceman may attend Xavier’s School For Gifted Youngsters, but he’s more than gifted and not exactly a youngster.

Indeed, his mutant nature, which includes the ability to freeze ponds with his fingers, only becomes stronger as he ages. A minor character in the original “X-Men,” Iceman comes into his own in “X2,” revealing his true nature to his baffled parents, who react as if he’s just announced he’s gay. His mother worries that it’s all her fault, while his brother is so revolted that he calls the police.

Jean, Iceman and presumably Angel are heterosexual, as are the other mutants in the “X-Men” pictures. But they behave a lot like runaway gay kids, forming their own families of gifted outlaws as they escape birth parents who feel nothing but embarrassment for having brought them into the world.

In “The Last Stand,” which the producers emphasize is not the last installment in the series (after all, the first two collected $700 million worldwide), Iceman is completely “out” as a mutant. He uses his frosty charms to woo Rogue, who matches his ability to chill out.


The full article:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/12956661/

[Hong Kong Cavalier]

1. I've always enjoyed the X-Men as an allegory to bigotry.

While it can be very heavy-handed, the underlying story of the X-Men and their (neverending) fight against bigorty
is what brought me in to read it when i was younger.

I think Stan Lee said it was originally an allegorical statement on racism, but that's just one (very prominent) layer of bigotry
that I think is still pervasive in this country.

[Cannikin]

2. I have a lot of reading to do. I've never read an Xmen comic...

but I loved the movies.

[Hong Kong Cavalier]

3. The best stories (in my opinion) are when the X-Men are fighting Magneto

And other "earth-based" stories. I believe Marvel is releasing a massive amount of the past X-Men comics
in trade paperback form.

[Placebo]

4. Total metaphor for homosexuality.

Especially in the newest X-MEN where a "cure" is found and the "mutants" revolt, saying they are not a disease and don't want to be cured.