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From: boyajian@akov68.DEC
Newsgroups: net.comics
Subject: X-Men and headsucking
Message-ID: <2573@decwrl.UUCP>
Date: Sat, 8-Jun-85 11:52:01 EDT
Article-I.D.: decwrl.2573
Posted: Sat Jun  8 11:52:01 1985
Date-Received: Mon, 10-Jun-85 20:55:06 EDT
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> From:	sdcc3!ee171ael	(Larry G. Kim)  [From two different postings]

> Admit it.  The Xmen suck head right now.  Too much time IS
> wasted on character development and hardly any time on 
> just a plain old good story.

While I can't argue that Claremont is perhaps throwing on the character
development at the expense of story, I don't see why this makes the
comic "suck head". In my book, character *is* the most important thing.
If you can't believe in the characters, the story means nothing.

> In fact, every issue after about 150 sucked.
> I won't give any reason because it is all too plain and
> evident.

Obviously it isn't *too* evident, otherwise no one would buy it.
But tell me, how do you *know* that "every issue after about 150 sucked"
unless you've read them? And if that's the case, why do you read a
comic that "sucks head"?

It's true that the comic hasn't been what it once was. After Byrne left,
there were very few issues that really stood out. The first non-Byrne
issue (#144 - Cyclops vs. D'Spayre); Kitty's Fairy Tale (#153); the
Belasco issue (#160), Kitty & Peter's break-up (#183), "Lifedeath" (#186).
The run of Paul Smith issues was quite good, in general.
	I have panned the comic when it deserves it, such as the second
Morlock 2-parter (#188-189) and the Kulan Gath garbage (#191-192). But
I also feel that when an issue is exceptional, it deserves a good mention.
The issue before last (#196) was worth a positive remark because of the
character development of Magneto, and his interaction with Rachel.
	Five or so years ago, I thought THE X-MEN was the greatest thing
since Swiss cheese. Now, it's definitely a second-stringer. Still, for the
most part, it's readable and enjoyable.

> I don't know why Jeff Meyer and the Jerry B. give it
> C ratings (on the average).  In my opinion it always
> deserves an F.

You've seen through my cover. I actually think THE X-MEN is a piece of
unredeemable trash, but no one (except Gary Groth) would ever take me
seriously as a reviewer if I admitted to despising the X-Men.

Anyone with an ounce of brains could figure out that Jeff and I give
it C's because we think it's a good comic. Just because *you* think it
deserves an F doesn't mean that *we* have to think so.

> The x-men are for little grade school kids who
> like to pretend that they are wolverine.

Quite likely so, but it's certainly not restricted to that audience.
First of all, I'm going on 32 and are a college graj-ee-ate. And secondly,
I've *never* (never? well, hardly ever) been fond of Wolverine. I presume
that you're referring to Wolverine's "I'm the best at what I do and what I
do isn't nice" character as what appeals to little kids. I've never cared
for that. The character had only started to appeal to me once he began
his father/daughter relationship with Kitty.

--- jayembee (Jerry Boyajian, DEC, Maynard, MA)

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