Readthrough: Classic X-Men 4
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x_men_classicIn this issue, Kurt and Logan begin to make friends, and Kurt's complicated relationship with the image inducer is introduced as well.
The story opens with them sparring via a rather dramatic game of tag. Kurt is being theatrical; Logan doesn’t approve.
All the same, Kurt is ahead for most of the match, with Logan unable to lay a hand on him—until he gets careless and Logan elbows him in the gut before threatening him with his claws.
I like this scene a lot—the suddenness of Wolverine’s shift from threatening to friendly, the extended claws turning into outstretched hand. It’s a good fit for early Wolvie, too--this story was packaged with "Night of the Demon", so it's an echo to the scene there where Wolverine nearly killed Nightcrawler.
While Kurt is still shaken from the close call, Logan suggests going to town for beer instead of drinking what they’ve got in the house. Kurt looks uncharacteristically glum at the thought, but he cheers himself up by playing with his image inducer, which Wolverine seems unfamiliar with. He mimics Professor X, Storm, and Wolverine himself before settling on his usual Errol Flynn disguise.
The two go to Harry’s Hideaway, which is to be the X-Men’s regular bar for the rest of the run. After a meal and a fair amount of alcohol, they get to talking. (Again, sorry about the blurry edge on this one.)
Logan picks up on a sore spot.
Kurt points out that the Professor had to rescue him from a murderous mob—but inwardly thinks that that mob had preexisting reasons to be riled up (a string of murders that they attributed to a bizarre stranger in their midst) which don’t apply in Salem Center.
Harry doesn’t react to Kurt’s appearance at all, which astonishes him; Wolverine is amused, and with a last swig of beer, they head out.
Kurt suspects that Harry knows about the school’s true nature from Professor X.
As nervous as he is, Kurt reassures himself in his own way—by acting the theatrical gallant, tipping his hat to an older woman who concludes he’s an actor, and helping a young lady with her heavy bags. (He steals a kiss from the latter, and her thought bubbles inform us that she would like to see more of him.)
Walking by a Star Wars poster, Kurt strikes up a conversation with some children.
(The kids instantly decide that he’s an alien, and delightedly plan to tell their parents.)
Eventually his luck runs out; he comes across a man who was clearly spoiling for a fight, and makes to start one. Wolverine leaps to Kurt’s defense—with his claws—and Kurt teleports him away, saying that it’d be a shame to spoil the day with violence.
It’s a nice end to a fun story.
It’s also interesting in context. People are startled by Nightcrawler’s appearance—but the only one who’s hostile is clearly actively looking for trouble. Interestingly, no one guesses that he’s a mutant. Several people guess that he’s wearing very good makeup (they venture no guesses about his tail); the Star Wars-watching kids actually come the closest to the truth. Even the one troublemaker insults Kurt as a German, not as a mutant. Mutation just doesn’t seem to be on these people’s radar, not yet.
So, what did you think of this issue--the game of tag, the bet, and its outcome?
Alternately, talk about your favorite Wolverine & Nightcrawler moments, our your favorite uses of the image inducer!
(And since Kurt brought up the subject, feel free to speculate about the other X-Men's favorite Star Wars characters if you like!)
The story opens with them sparring via a rather dramatic game of tag. Kurt is being theatrical; Logan doesn’t approve.
Nightcrawler: But I was raised in a circus, remember?
Nightcrawler: I learned acrobatics as soon as I began to walk!
Wolverine: Fancy footwork’s fine for a show, elf.
Wolverine: Not for combat.
All the same, Kurt is ahead for most of the match, with Logan unable to lay a hand on him—until he gets careless and Logan elbows him in the gut before threatening him with his claws.
I like this scene a lot—the suddenness of Wolverine’s shift from threatening to friendly, the extended claws turning into outstretched hand. It’s a good fit for early Wolvie, too--this story was packaged with "Night of the Demon", so it's an echo to the scene there where Wolverine nearly killed Nightcrawler.
While Kurt is still shaken from the close call, Logan suggests going to town for beer instead of drinking what they’ve got in the house. Kurt looks uncharacteristically glum at the thought, but he cheers himself up by playing with his image inducer, which Wolverine seems unfamiliar with. He mimics Professor X, Storm, and Wolverine himself before settling on his usual Errol Flynn disguise.
Wolverine: What’s the matter, misfit, you ashamed of the face you were born with?!
Nightcrawler: Of course not! I’m merely being practical.
Nightcrawler: No sense in terrorizing the local citizenry, and thereby making my own—and the X-Men’s—lives miserable.
The two go to Harry’s Hideaway, which is to be the X-Men’s regular bar for the rest of the run. After a meal and a fair amount of alcohol, they get to talking. (Again, sorry about the blurry edge on this one.)
Logan picks up on a sore spot.
Kurt points out that the Professor had to rescue him from a murderous mob—but inwardly thinks that that mob had preexisting reasons to be riled up (a string of murders that they attributed to a bizarre stranger in their midst) which don’t apply in Salem Center.
Harry doesn’t react to Kurt’s appearance at all, which astonishes him; Wolverine is amused, and with a last swig of beer, they head out.
Kurt suspects that Harry knows about the school’s true nature from Professor X.
As nervous as he is, Kurt reassures himself in his own way—by acting the theatrical gallant, tipping his hat to an older woman who concludes he’s an actor, and helping a young lady with her heavy bags. (He steals a kiss from the latter, and her thought bubbles inform us that she would like to see more of him.)
Walking by a Star Wars poster, Kurt strikes up a conversation with some children.
You young gentlemen like this film?
I, also. Chewbaccca’s my favorite character.
I have a friend…
…Who’s much shorter…
…But almost as hairy.
And I always let him win, too.
(The kids instantly decide that he’s an alien, and delightedly plan to tell their parents.)
Eventually his luck runs out; he comes across a man who was clearly spoiling for a fight, and makes to start one. Wolverine leaps to Kurt’s defense—with his claws—and Kurt teleports him away, saying that it’d be a shame to spoil the day with violence.
Wolverine: Should’ve let me carve the bozo.
Nightcrawler: And spoil my lovely stroll?
Nightcrawler: He wasn’t worth it.
Nightcrawler: You were right, Wolverine.
Nightcrawler: I am glad you shamed me into taking your dare.
Nightcrawler: What I learned today…
Nightcrawler: … I can never repay.
Wolverine: Hey, elf…
Wolverine: … what are friends for?
It’s a nice end to a fun story.
It’s also interesting in context. People are startled by Nightcrawler’s appearance—but the only one who’s hostile is clearly actively looking for trouble. Interestingly, no one guesses that he’s a mutant. Several people guess that he’s wearing very good makeup (they venture no guesses about his tail); the Star Wars-watching kids actually come the closest to the truth. Even the one troublemaker insults Kurt as a German, not as a mutant. Mutation just doesn’t seem to be on these people’s radar, not yet.
So, what did you think of this issue--the game of tag, the bet, and its outcome?
Open to: Registered Users, detailed results viewable to: All, participants: 6
What would you use an image inducer for?
View Answers
Like Kurt, I'd make myself look like a favorite movie star.
2 (33.3%)
Also like Kurt, I'd use it to imitate my friends' appearences.
1 (16.7%)
I would use it to confound my enemies!
2 (33.3%)
I'd use it to create the illusion of a different set of clothes than I'm wearing.
5 (83.3%)
Something else.
1 (16.7%)
Alternately, talk about your favorite Wolverine & Nightcrawler moments, our your favorite uses of the image inducer!
(And since Kurt brought up the subject, feel free to speculate about the other X-Men's favorite Star Wars characters if you like!)
no subject
Date: 2019-01-29 11:31 pm (UTC)I really like this issue too.