#colossus x reader series

[emma-frxst]

Steel Heart (2)

Pairing: Colossus/ Piotr Rasputin x HopelessRomantic!Reader

Summary: After Piotr’s heartbreak, he decides to give up on love, but then, he meets you. But of course with a new relationship comes complications and hesitations. Can Pete overcome his pain and insecurities or will his heart remain cold as he pushes you away?

Series masterlist

Authors note: many thanks to you all for hanging in there with me through my writers block, and specifically being patient with this story. Special thanks to @reiner-exodus-rasputin for helping me out with this fic! I’ve made reader a hopeless romantic, I just think it fits. I figured I owed you guys a long chapter after not updating this for *looks at calendar* 3 fucking years. Reblogs/comments help me out a lot. Thanks for reading! Also I know tipping is exclusively an American thing so yeah that just how it be. Also please read at the end about tag list!

Warnings: none

A cool shiver went down your spine after Piotr ..or.. Peter shut the door.

Oh my god he’s so cute, In a scruffy and ragged kind of way. Maybe he’ll order again and your paths will cross once more. You shoved the generous tip money in your bag and went on about your evening, definitely not daydreaming about the muscly, scruffy tall man with big blue eyes.

“I’m in love!” You barged into the cafe ready to spill all the details of your recent encounter to your coworkers.

It was after closing time so you could be as unabashed about your feelings as you wanted.

The kitchen staff collectively let out a sigh. Let’s just say this definitely wasn’t the first time you barged in telling everyone you were in love

“Who is is this time y/n?” Jeannie asked with exasperated tone.

“Oh hush, you love it.” You teased back.

She rolled her eyes at you as she wiped down the counter.

“It was this guy I just delivered to. He was tall and handsome! In a rugged kind of way.”

You grabbed a pile of dishes and put them in the sink. You happily helped close up while filling others in on every detail of your encounter with Peter.

“You’re such a hopeless romantic.” Jeannie teased.

“Yeah, well, what can I say.” You said hanging up your apron.

As you and the other staff departed for the night, you wished them a goodnight and went home. Thankfully you’d be back on day shift soon after picking up a few nights for some extra cash.

…

It had been weeks since your encounter with...Piotr..or Peter. You had resumed your normal routine, because why wouldn’t you? It’s not like you thought about his pretty blue eyes all the time or that spark when your hands touched.

Unfortunately, it was the end of your 15 minute break, so time to stop daydreaming about him and get back to waiting tables. Not that you were a romantic, (you definitely were but to admit it would result in endless teasing from your work friends) but something just felt different.

You were working your usual morning shift at the cafe today, it was uneventful so far. You were thankful for that though. Working with the public, you never knew what you were getting into.

You walked over to the broad shouldered man sitting in the corner booth.

“Good morning, my name is y/n and I’ll be taking care of you today. What can I get started for you?”

He looked up and a pair of familiar blue eyes looked back at you.

It was Piotr

Your swore you saw a flash of recognition grace his features.

“Good morning.” He said flashing you a polite smile. As he placed his breakfast order, you noticed a few things.

He looked a lot better than when you first saw him, he was clean shaven, didn’t smell like booze and he had gotten a haircut.

“Sure coming right up!” You said overly cheerful at 8:00 in the morning.

Damn, chill y/n it’s too early for all that. You told yourself.

You weren’t sure if you should say anything about when you met Peter before. On one hand that would be super weird, and on the other hand that’d still be really weird, y/n come on.

After giving it some thought, you decided not to. Unless he said something. But it didn’t seem like he was going to.

..

Colossus decided to get back into his old hobbies again, hoping it would bring him out of his funk. The cafe sat at the entrance to a city park so he had brought his sketch pad with him, hoping to get some quick doodles in. Plus maybe he would see that pretty lady, (y/n). He decided to start off easy by drawing the flowers that were blooming in the planter that hung on the railing of the cafe’s patio.

“Okay here you are, Peter, Anything else?”

Shit! Fuck. just called his name. Maybe he didn’t notice.

He looked up from the paper he was scribbling on.

“This will be all, y/n thank you.”

Oh, shit. He called you by name, with emphasis on the name. He definitely remembered.

“Great.”

You turned and headed to the kitchen cursing yourself.

You looked over your shoulder at the dark haired man once more.

He was concentrated on his drawing.

‘Don’t fuck this up y/n.’ you thought to yourself.

You barged into the kitchen, hoping Jeannie was there.

Your eyes darted around the room until you found her- that gorgeous red hair always caught your eye.

“Jeannie, wait!” You ran over to her.

“I’m busy, (y/n).” She explained as he held a plate of food in each hand.

“I know…but..He’s here!”

“Who?”

“Peter!”

“Peter?”

“You know..Peter.”

Her brown knitted in confusion.

“The one she is in love with! Most recent!” One of the line cooks shouted out.

“Thank you Jeremy!” You exclaimed. At least someone listened to you.

“Oh yeah. Well, good. Maybe you can actually talk to him.”

“No. You don’t understand! I called him by name.”

She laughed. “(Y/n) you are overthinking this, just chill.” She said and walked out the kitchen doors to the dining room.

Just chill. Just chill. You thought to yourself.

Thankfully you were pretty chill throughout the rest of your time with Peter. Chill meaning being able to serve him without combusting.

When you went back to get the ticket from his table, he had already left, but he gave you a good tip and doodled a little drawing on the receipt. It was a flower; a tulip to be exact.

You decided to keep it for yourself. The cafe won’t miss one receipt.

-

Tags:

Note about tags- I had a note in my phone for everyones tags separated by the character/ series they wanted tagged for..but while trying to put this post in my tumblr drafts (after having too much wine) I’ve messed it up so if I’ve tagged you for the wrong character/series/ fandom let me know otherwise I’ll just keep tagging everyone lol.

(tag list of open, send me an ask if you want to be tagged, removed or only tagged for certain characters.) @chromecutie @xenomorphique @evelyn120700 @nightriver99 @iamwarrenspeace @this-that-and-every-thing-else @hsk-puma @bungeewabbit @pianomad @lesbianstarkx @hazilyimagine-blog  @super-darkcloudstudent @thehuntress26 @siren-lamented-vampire @mooleche @rovvboat @leo-writer @dandyqueen @nitemaremotionless @thewintersoldierswife @stxrt-a-rixt @smol-nemesis @xytoskeleton @tinytiana @lesbianyondu @hunbun-posts

I’ve got everyone for det loki and namor so those haven’t changed.

[couldeatthatgirlforlunch]

For the yandere! Justice League x assistant reader, how would they react if they had Deadpool as a friend? Like he randomly shows up. They would try to keep the reader as far away from him as possible, but it's Deadpool. Lol. How would Yandere Justice League feel if the reader liked Deadpool because he's funny and makes the reader laugh even if in a tense situation, randomly just talking about nonsense and/or making funny jabs at some of Justice League members? Not only that, but he would just annoy them for his and the reader's amusement. I can also imagine Wonder Woman or Superman trying to kill/critically injure him but finding out he has a super healing ability. LOL. I can imagine the scene where Deadpool punches Colossus, but his hand breaks, then he tries again while saying, "Cock shot!" but his other hand breaks. Instead, he does it to Superman and says, "Oh, your poor Lois Lane!" I feel like that would make the reader laugh out loud.

I finally saw the Deadpool & Wolverine movie, and I loved it! So now I want to see more content about Deadpool. I forget how funny he can be. I would like you to add a Deadpool & Wolverine, but I don't know if you have seen the movie yet. But I recommend you go and watch the movie.

A Day in Life: Best Friends Forever

Synopsis: A day in your life where a visit from your friend ends up in Deadpool losing his thumbs and re-attaching them back.

Pairing: Yandere!Justice League X Gn!Assistant!Reader; Platonic!Deadpool

Tw: 18+; No spoilers from the movie; Some violence; Light gore descriptions (not really); Some sexual comments (it's Deadpool); English is my 2nd language.

Word count: 830

Requested? Yes.

Extra notes: I loved this request, saw the movie on like the same week it came out, sorry this took so long</3

General masterlist | A Day in Life - Series masterlist

— So that's what happens when I’m not around, huh?! — Hal Jordan snarked, faking amusement by the sight in front of him, but being very much not amused.

How? Was the question going through everyone's minds, as they watched their dear assistant (Y/N), in the middle of Hall of Justice, chatting away with a very infamous criminal known all around the hero-villain underground, who every single soul despised, and yet, there you were, choking your laughter and in tears with Deadpool, acting as if you've been friends all your life.

Diana was the first one to approach, followed by the rest of the Justice League.

— (Y/N), is this man bothering you? — She squared up and stared directly on Deadpool’s blank white lenses. That grounded you and helped you come back from the stories your friend was telling you.

— B-Bothering me? — Your laughter slowly died down, and you wiped your tears. — No, we’re just talking. — You shrugged and sniffled, so happy that a genuine smiled was fixed on your face, hypnotizing all the heroes for a moment.

— Wonder Woman! — Deadpool gave little fangirl jumps. Diana swallowed a groan. — It’s amazing to see you again! I’m even wearing my fanciest anal plug and thinking about you, all in your honor. — Diana couldn't control the disgusted and astounded expression on her face, while Wade saluted her. You bite your lips to not giggle.

— Don't be silly, Pool. Not everyone understands your humor. — You lightly slapped his shoulder and he sighed.

— I know! That's why I'm so introverted and depressed! — He shook his head. — That's why Disney sold me to DC, they couldn't handle my deep and complex character. Let's hope James Gunn knows what he's doing now. — Everyone, including you, furrowed their eyebrows, but no one decided to question what the hell he was talking about, since the mercenary was known for being insane. — And just after my third movie with Wolvie came out! Unbelievable. — He threw his hands in the air and shook his head while looking at an empty space as if there was someone there. He did that sometimes.

— You seem… Close. W-When did that happen, (N/N)? — Flash looked between you and Deadpool, biting his lower lip, slightly anxious. You blinked.

— Oh, well. Like, a few months ago? He sent his curriculum because he wanted to be part of the Justice League. There were no records of him in the system so I Interviewed him. Obviously he didn't pass, but we became good friends! — You shrugged with an easy smile.

— That's… Great, (N/N). — You narrowed your eyes on Hal Jordan.

— Hey… — Deadpool's mask gave the slightest hint that he was furrowing his eyebrows, and he pointed at Green Lantern. — (Y/N) told me about you. I don't like you. — He took his guns out of the holsters and pointed at the brunette. You gasped and stepped back, slightly regretting having told Wade about that. — STEP BACK WORST RYAN REYNOLDS SUPERHERO MOVIE OR I’M GONNA BLOW YOUR BRAINS OUT IN 4K R-RATED! — Hal raised his arms. He was already on thin ice with you, and beating your bestie would probably be a bad idea to start over.

Batman grunted for someone to cover your eyes and threw two batarangs that disarmed Deadpool before he could react. Deadpool gasped and looked at the ground wide eyed. His thumbs had been chumped off in the ordeal (Batman was jealous and also knew he would just regenerate).

— WHAT? WHAT’S HAPPENING? — You blindly yelled, since Superman had zoomed to just behind you and was covering your eyes.

— HE CASTRATED ME! — Deadpool cried, reaching back for his swords, but since he didn't have thumbs anymore, he couldn't even hold them, making him just cry more from frustration. — THE DADDY ISSUES JUST GET WORSE! AND JUST BECAUSE I WAS READY TO BE ADOPTED BY YOU! — Batman furrowed his eyebrows at the mention of him having more than just one kid.

— Guys, we should all just calm down. — Flash tried to play the pacifist, standing in the middle of the chaos with his hands up, but Wade’s cries were covering his voice.

— WHAT'S HAPPENING? — You tried to tug Superman’s hands off, but he didn't let up, and started trying to sooth you.

Deadpool got to his knees and pathetically tried to push one of his thumbs into place, trying to accelerate his healing process, and after 30 seconds of chaos, he perked up when the thumb got attached again. He did the same to the other one.

— The sight is gross, (Y/N). You do not want to see it… — Wonder Woman mumbled, eyes fixed on the scene, feeling a mix of grossed out and impressed.

— Gross? This is natural. Like the birth of a little naked newborn baby. You wanna know what's real gross? My roommate Blind Al’s stink! She might as well be dead at this point… Uh, oh… — Wade slowly got up. — (Y/N)... Call me an Uber. I need to check on someone.

Like, comment and reblog 🥰

[dinogoofymutated]

SFW!Colossus/Fem!Reader

I've been infected with another fictional man the way in which I pumped this out was ridiculous. I happened to re watch the scene in the movies where the government breaks into the mansion and seeing Piotr act like a big brother/dad to all the kids really got to me. That and the Deadpool movies (even though I thinks he's a little stuffy in those.) I even rewatched the episode he had in the animated series so that I knew I would get his character right and DAMN ugh god I juts have a thing for big men with soft hearts. especially the ones who are family oriented.

ALSO HOLY SHIT TY FOR 600 FOLLOWERS???? when did yall get here???? I swear I was at like 48 two weeks ago lmao time flies when you're thirsty for the X men I guess!! TWs: None? No pronouns mentioned but I went ahead and labeled it as fem because it's basically about kids forcefully adopting you as their mom. Kids having night terrors mentioned.

Can you imagine sort of just being adopted by the students at the mansion as mutant mom?? At that point you don't really get a choice. Like you start out being very patient with these kids and making sure to keep bandaids, burn cream, pain meds and all of that because one way or another something is gonna happen- and you want to be prepared.

And then you start making breakfast. I feel like normally they probably have a schedule for who has breakfast duty but if you wake up and can't go back to sleep and you take over no one really cares. More sleep for them!!

And then a few times turns into every morning. And you're setting out ketchup for one kids eggs and syrup for another ones hashbrowns- and making sure not to cook with nuts and make sure there's at least three different things on the table that are Kosher or gluten free. Keeping an eye on everyone as they come to get food and noting who did and did not make it to breakfast this morning so that you can make sure they eat later-

And one day you're waking up at 5am and getting ready for the day so you can go make breakfast like always, and you look in the mirror at some point and just realise, holy fuck, when did you become a parent?

It's such a regular thing for kids to call you mom at that point, a knowing how so many of them have come from rough backgrounds, it makes you really happy to know they find comfort in you and will come find you if they need comforting.

And then there's Piotr. Big, strong, Piotr. Piotr who wakes up before dawn and does chores around the mansion in the early morning air. You can take the man out of the farm, but you can't take the farm out of the man. He does the lawn care, chops wood, takes care of whatever animals that might need feeding, replaces the feed in the bird feeder.

Piotr who makes sure to stop by the kitchen to share a small cup of coffee with you before he does chores. Piotr who hangs Hummingbird feeders right outside the kitchen windows because you mentioned you missed the ones your grandmother used to hang. Just Piotr, being strong and masculine and an absolute sweetheart.

He reminds me of that one quote that heard somewhere about masculinity being about protecting femininity, not rejecting it??? That one!!!

Kids call him dad all the time, and even though yall aren't even together, you become the parents of the school. Scott and Jean?? Love them, but they don't have that same kind of parent energy.

It's such a regular thing for kids to find the two of you interacting one way or another. Someone woke up way too early and enters the kitchen to find yall during your coffee, and there's a sweet moment with yall telling them to go back to bed, or offering to make them a quick breakfast. Maybe if they're really young Piotr will offer to tuck them in. He might be really blunt when telling them there are no monsters, but will be a little more gentle when you set a hand on his arm and give him a bit of a look.

The kiddo asks for both of you to tuck them in and you obviously aren't going to refuse them. Which leads to everyone wanting both of you to tuck them in and soon enough you two are doing curfew checks instead of the professor.

It's becomes so regular for the students to treat you two as their parents, and no one actually believes it when they find out that no, you're not a couple. So, they do what kids do and try to get you two together.

First it starts with making sure you two are sat together during everything they can get away with. Then it moves on to things like mistletoe (out of season, Piotr mistook it as an accidental bloom made by one of the agrokinesis kids and took it down) and then more mischievous plans like telling one of you that the other needed help with one thing or another, knowing that either one of you would help out at the drop of a hat. Sureee, they were lying, but you two didn't know that. (most of the time)

The kids just want to see their parents happy and in love. There's nothing wrong with that, is there? It's not like You and Piotr hadn't been helplessly pining for the other the entire time anyway.

You sigh deeply once you finally sneak out of the dorm room, Piotr right behind you. The tall man takes extra care to shut the door very gently, making sure it clicks in place just as silently.

"I thought we were never going to get her to sleep." You whisper to him. One of the youngest girls attending the school had a rather difficult time with night terrors, and would struggle to fall asleep without being tucked in. When you and Piotr were doing curfew checks tonight, she was the only kiddo still awake, and she had practically begged both of you to stay with her untill she finally did fall asleep. It couldn't be just one of you, It had to be both. No matter how many rooms you both had to check tonight, you would never have left her shaken up in such a state. You just hadn't expected it to take an hour.

"Illyana had similar dreams as a little one. It takes time for children to overcome it." Piotr whispers back as you begin to walk down the hallway to check the rest of the rooms. Even when he whispers, his voice is strong and hard to keep quiet. You know there's truth to what he says, and yet you can't help but wish you could do something more to help her with her nightmares. You rub some warmth into your arms anxiously as you think about it, surprised when you feel the warm weight of Piotr's hand settle in between your shoulder blades.

"You're worrying again." He states, frowning slightly when you look up at him. You send him a resigned smile, before it quickly falls as you look away.

"I can't help it. I worry about all of them, her especially. They just... deserve so much more than their lot in life." You say. Piotr hums in response, his thumb brushing idly against your back.

"Their life like us, you mean? Mutants?" His question makes you wince.

"No. Yes? I don't know. I just... I just wish that we could give them more than... this." You say, waving your hands to motion about the mansion. "The school might very well be the only safe space they have their entire life. The world hasn't been kind to them, and I'm not sure it ever will be." Your words begin to quiet down as you finish the sentence, lowing to a whisper that only he can hear. You'd never, ever want any of these kids hear a word of what you're saying. Knowing that hope is really all they have at their age, and you of all people refuse to be the one to destroy that beautiful childlike optimism.

"That is what we are working for as the X-men, yes? To change that?" Piotr asks you point blank, his hand moving up towards the back of your neck in a soothing manner that still gives you goosebumps, feeling the comforting heat of his hand even stronger than before.

"Yeah, but..."

"Then we are doing all we can." He finishes, a smile on his face that's so determined and confident that it very nearly changes your mind completely. Nonetheless, it's a reassuring smile that makes your chest feel warm and fuzzy. You smile back at him finally, and you swear you see fondness in his eyes.

It doesn't take long before the two of you are finally at your door. You give Piotr a short and sweet goodnight as you begin to step inside, but he stops you before you go, gently catching hold of your arm. For the first time, you think you've seen him debate on his words. His mouth opens, but he doesn't speak at first, and you swear you see a blush rising to his cheeks as he does so.

"You'd make a good mother." He says eventually, and it makes you smile widely.

"You'd make a good dad." You tell him. There's silence between you as he brushes a stray lock of hair away from your face in a fond and caring manner, and you swear you could trick yourself into believing that you and Piotr were already in domestic bliss if this moment goes on for any longer. The tall man leans in, and you find your mind short circuiting as he presses a kiss to your forehead. The simple action somehow leaving you beyond flustered.

"Sleep well, Любовь моя. I will see you in the morning." Piotr tells you, before walking off at his regular stiff pace. You stand in your doorway for a minute, watching him leave with a bit of a confused smile on your face. Out of all the Russian nicknames he's called you in the past, you had never heard him say that one before. You wonder if you should pick up a book on the language as you close your door and finally crawl into bed, although part of you is content to leave it be. Colossus had always been blunt, and you're sure he'd tell you eventually. You fall asleep just as you always do, excited to see him when you wake up in the morning.

[justsomerandomfanfic]

Humans And Mutants - Chapter 11 - Logan Howlett X Female Reader

Title: Falling To Pieces

Previous Chapter | Current Chapter | Next Chapter

Logan Howlett X Female Reader

Additional Characters: Jean, Scott, Kurt, Ororo, Charles, Magneto (Mentioned), Stryker (Mentioned), some of the children (Mentioned), Mutant 143, Rogue (Mentioned), Bobby, and Colossus (Mentioned)

WC: 1,115

Warnings: X-Men canon violence, X-Men canon storyline, brief mention of death/killing, italics, cursing, yelling, slow burn, fluff, and angst

(Sorry, if this series is a bit odd, I made this in 2018)

“No…” The girl began as Charles stared at her, concentrating. “No! Stop! You’re hurting me!” The little girl was furious and in pain, and the whole room flashed from illusion to illusion, an amalgam of horrible nightmares and melancholy landscapes. Death, pain, agony, and horror. The platform continued to be suspended throughout each illusion. “Get out of my head!” 

Suddenly, the girl flashed into 143 in the illusion, as Charles broke it down. Ororo saw this and concentrated, her eyes turned white. Electricity culled from the ceiling, and the wind blew in their faces; lightning flashed and then hit 143. The little girl screamed as the illusion broke, her face twitched and flashed into the leering, ghoulish image of Mutant 143, then back to the girl. She then vanished, revealing 143 completely. The illusion finally dropped. Broken.

Dark Cerebro was falling apart, beams and pieces of the structure fell from above. Charles closed his eyes and reached up with his hands and quickly removed the helmet. The lights dimmed and the hum ceased. Charles stared at Mutant 143, whose face was emotionless, but his eyes seemed to be filled with sadness… Possibly regret. The room was hit hard. The ceiling above them began to chip and crack, a giant grinder hit the platform, destabilizing it, and 143 was knocked off the edge; they all helplessly watched him fall into the abyss. The platform was about to break away completely, so Ororo moved close to Charles, and Nightcrawler did his best to cover his arms around them both. 

Massive cracks spread through the dam like spider webs. Parts of concrete began to fall away. Water gushed from the holes, and the entire dam was about to collapse. Scott, Jean, and the kids stood, blasted by snowy wind, waiting beside the abandoned helipad. Nightcrawler and Ororo emerged from the tunnel, followed by you and Logan; he was carrying Charles.

“Logan?” Ororo asked, staring at the helipad.

Logan walked past her. His jaw dropped. The helicopter was gone. Stryker’s body laid on the ground, eyes wide in a frozen outcry, the steel chains coiled around his throat. “Magneto.” Logan said with a growl. Logan stared at Stryker's body for a beat, then suddenly turned, and stared at the surrounding woods.

“What’s wrong?” You asked as you gently placed a hand on his arm, your eyes following where he was looking. 

Trees began to shake, clumps of snowfall fell from the branches. A faint thunder and the sound of snapping wood echoed in the distance. It was growing louder. “Shit.” Logan muttered.

“What is that?” Nightcrawler asked, warrily.

Logan pursed his lips, his eyes narrowing, “Alkali Lake. All of it.” Logan answered, his voice deep and stiff.

Eyes widening, you felt your heart race in horror, “Crap.”

Suddenly, wind explodes from the forest like a shockwave, almost knocking the group to the ground. They turned to see a huge black shape, tearing through the woods. The X-Jet was slicing treetops over their heads, awkwardly trying to slow down over the helipad. Ororo grabbed onto Nightcrawler’s arm, and he knew what to do. Wrapping his arms around her, they both quickly disappeared into the jet.

They appeared in the cockpit, and she took the seat next to Rogue, who was still wide-eyed and shaken, she held onto the controls with white-knuckled fear. “It’s okay. You can let go.” Ororo muttered quietly, reassuringly before she grabbed the controls from the terrified teen and steadied the jet.

The jet was maintained and lowered onto the helipad, and the ramp dropped, revealing a frantic Bobby. “Hurry!”

The kids scrambled up the ramp, and Colossus took Charles from Logan. Rogue looked out the windshield and saw a massive wave of water heading straight towards them, trees snapping like twigs in the process. Rogue eyed her nervously, Ororo had her hand on the controls, ready to lift off. 

Scott led Jean up the ramp. You and Logan followed behind them. “Take us up!” Scott yelled out, and Ororo yanked back on the handles. The then X-Jet raised, barely dodging more debris and water as the tunnel exit, helipad, and Stryker’s body were engulfed.

Logan stood on the ramp, looking down at the furious waters below. He looked closer to see the waves head down-river, flooding over the old base, washing away any remnant of Logan’s past. With a solemn look on his face, Logan turned around and headed up the ramp, and it closed behind him. As he looked up, he spotted you standing there, hands in your pockets, a sad expression on your face.

“It’s ain’t fair.” Logan said, annoyed, turning his gaze down to the metal flooring of the X-Jet.

“I know...” You sighed - disappointed - as you leaned against the wall of the jet.

Logan sighed right back, before “Are ya okay?” Logan asked, considering you found out that you were experimented on by Stryker and his men. 

You shrugged, “Yeah, physically yeah… Mentally, I don’t know, but my question is how’d you get so good at making me like you?” You asked, crossing your arms, trying your best to change the subject, and lift the sour mood.

“I’m the best at what I do.” Logan replied, amused, his frown slowly slipping into a smirk.

You nodded, happy that you were able to bring a smile to his face; albeit a smirk. Your face felt warm, even though you weren’t in the cold snow anymore. “You know, I’m sorry about this. I knew you really wanted your revenge. So, I got a surprise for you.” You then spoke up, before you disappeared in a bright light. Logan stood there very confused for a quick second before you reappeared. You smiled and looked around you to see and make sure that no one was watching, and no one was; you then handed him a Dr. Pepper.

Logan smirked turned into a smile as he took it from you, his fingers gently brushing against yours; accidentally? Who knows? “Where’d you get this?” He asked, popping the lid.

“My cabin. When I sneak one from the mansion, I save some. So, I thought you would like one since there’s nothing here on the Jet. And, you know, after everything, a Dr. Pepper can really brighten someone's day.” You shrugged, rubbing the back of your neck as you glanced away briefly.

Logan chuckled and took a sip of the drink, “That was very cliche.” His words made you gasp in faux offense.

“Cliche?” You exclaimed with a chuckle, pressing a hand to your chest, “Okay, no more Dr. Peppers for you.”

Logan’s grin softened, admiring your smile - and laugh - as he made a mental note to thank you later.

~~~

@ashdoctor @powergirlsupremacy @weallhaveadestiny @amandarobertsboyce @casey162 @ayamenimthiriel

~~~

Main Masterlist | X-Men Masterlist

[gh0stofstarman]

A Ramble about X-Men

I’m a pretty big Marvel comics fan. I’ve had a Marvel Unlimited Subscription since the pandemic and I’ve pretty much run the gamut of heroes. Avengers, Iron Man, Captain America, Captain Marvel, Ms. Marvel, Squirrel Girl, Fantastic Four, Peter Parker Spider-Man, Spider-Gwen, Miles Morales Spider-Man, Spider-Girl, Quasar, Thor, Eternals, Hawkeye, Howard the Duck, What if?, Deadpool, I could go on forever. And I can pick a run for each of these characters that I specifically clicked with a certain author and the themes they chose.

Except X-Men.

Which is ironic, because I love the X-Men shows, the characters, their major themes, their designs, their movies. Heck it’s not like I haven’t read most of Claremont’s run and beyond.

But I’ve never had a run that actually fully clicked with me, and I kinda wanted to ramble about why. No idea if this will be a series or whatever.

Chris Claremont

Admittedly I’ve never really been one to seek out every single spinoff of a series so most of my experience with the “golden age” of X-Men is with the mainline Uncanny X-Men rather than stuff like the New Mutants. I know it’s sacrilege in some circles not to go in full chronological order with the spinoff series bouncing between but I’m just not that way.

Anyways while Jack Kirby and Stan Lee created the blueprint for what would define X-Men on a fundamental level, Chris Claremont would be the author who made the heroes popular. Storm, Colossus, Wolverine, Jean Grey, Cyclops, Nightcrawler, Banshee … Sunfire, Thunderbird … okay not all of them stuck. But Claremont would write iconic stories that are beloved and I love as well such as the OG Giant Size X-Men comic, Proteus, Days of Future Past, God Loves, Man Kills, and the Dark Phoenix Saga. Stuff that truly gets to the heart of the X-Men fighting against discrimination and hate, proving they deserve a chance to live as they want.

Then that should settle it! I like Chris Claremont, then! These are the most iconic storylines that means I love the most iconic incarnation of the X-Men.

Not really.

Chris Claremont founded a lot of good ideas that would be the springboard used by other authors in years to come. But it’s not as though his stint was as brief as Lee/Kirby or Roy Thomas.

16 years.

And most of what I mentioned is spread far across the first 8.

So what about the bits in-between?

Well, if I had to describe the majority of Claremont’s writing as X-Men outside of these storylines is that it’s kinda a roulette wheel.

This was back in the day where you had to have some bonkers concepts to hook the reader in. Vampires, sci-fi tech, aliens, gods, demons, etc. And most of the time Chris chose a random one to analyze the X-Men under and reevaluate how they can be used for the X-Men’s explicit purpose of fighting against discrimination and promoting equality and diversity.

Which often leads to those aforementioned storylines where they build on this very well. X-Men vs Televangelism does go out into creating weird devices to mind control people but it’s all in service to the team’s message. The bad future the sentinels create in Days of Future Past can easily be seen as a dystopian future where discrimination is normalized.

However sometimes Chris can’t help himself and adds more layers of insanity to the plot, to the point the message kinda gets lost in the mix.

Here’s an example.

X-Men go mysteriously missing, only for Beast to find them working at a circus freak show. Interesting. Leads back to the idea of them being demoralized and treated as freaks rather than real people.

Beast does some snooping around, finding that Magneto is the mastermind behind this. Perhaps he’s trying to humiliate the X-Men and get them to give up their hope for equality seeing how humanity makes fun of them while also getting revenge because he’s the bad guy.

They fight Magneto but are bested in combat. It’s then revealed that Magneto, after being turned into a baby in a previous comic did want revenge, so he took the X-Men to his Antarctic base to … mentally regress them into babies and torture them with a nanny bot.

Huh?

And I’d be lying if I said this sort of weird progression isn’t a repeating theme.

X-Men go to space to fight aliens; makes sense because all the other heroes were fighting aliens so they gotta prove they’re on the level. Alien fighting leads into them meeting Xenomorph-like aliens that slowly transform the X-Men into them; drama is created. X-Men escape but still are transforming, so Storm befriends a space whale and then becomes one to cure everyone; buh?!?!

Like I feel like some of these stories increase the insanity progressively but they go a little step too far. Sometimes it’s just out of nowhere like when demons kidnap the X-Men even though they were never hinted before to care about them, and somehow age up Magik to an adult. Or just Storm becomes a vampire suddenly even though last issue there was nothing even slightly referencing vampires.

It’s kind of a curse because X-Men is constantly trying to get bigger and bigger under Claremont but sometimes you’d prefer it just to take it slow and get back to the more straight forward connections to fighting oppression and discrimination.

Ironically it causes me to appreciate the more mundane moments that aren’t trying to be huge plot twists one on top of each other. Stuff like Kitty Pryde and Storm hanging out, going to Japan and getting to know Wolverine better, Nightcrawler trying to socialize more, and just Beast’s witty banter.

But even that can be a little fumbled at times because well,

Chris Claremont is a straight white guy.

And there’s nothing wrong with that at all. But you can tell he has hang-ups trying to write about race or women because he doesn’t really have those experiences. Therefore, sometimes when he tries to write soliloquies and romances (which is pretty common), sometimes it can fall flat because of his perspective.

There is a lot of romance and relationship drama in X-Men, which is understandable and needed for the narrative. But so much becomes either bland, unintentionally problematic, or just too brief to make any true impact.

I’d say the biggest exception is Jean/Cyclops because they’ve been established for years and it’s very clear they care about each other. However, Jean dies in Dark Phoenix (at least that was the intent of the time) so a lot of the time the series bounces between other couples.

He later meets and then marries Madelyne Pryor, who is noted to look nearly identical to Jean. However that just makes things awkward as Madelyne often plays the role of “Not-Jean.” It at least has an interesting through line of him working through his grief, but little time is actually given for Madelyne’s own agency to break out of “Not-Jean,” which makes it really awkward when it’s revealed she’s a clone of Jean and Jean was alive all this time. So … what was the point?

Charles Xavier has so many love interests but often times he comes off as a jerk. Moira MacTaggart, Liliandra … even at one point Jean herself but everyone buries this for good reason. He comes off as very manipulative both to his partner and the X-Men. Charles is very unsympathetic to Moira’s predicament in raising Proteus. Liliandra he’s willing to bend over backwards for even if it means that he’s breaking his own morals in the process. And we don’t talk about Jean. However this would mostly be used by other authors to analyze how good of a leader Charles is, and more of his flaws. Meanwhile, Chris Claremont normalizes his behavior and rarely calls him out on it.

Colossus and Kitty Pryde.

What can I say about them? Colossus is an adult, Kitty Pryde is still a kid. It’s gross, but Chris wants you to really know they love each other more than a brother-and-sister relationship would. And they even point out it’s creepy, yet they still do it anyways.

Wolverine is entirely a whole other can of worms that I could write about separately.

Ironically some of the relationships that aren’t confirmed because of the times but are implied like Mystique and Destiny or Storm and Stevie are actually a lot better and written with much more nuance. However again nothing is confirmed and could be left to interpretation such as with Storm and Stevie. After all they do try to pair up these characters in straight couples … problematically but still.

Ultimately I feel like Claremont does have a lot of good ideas but the execution of them is where the ball is dropped. I would never call his run bad but I’ve never really felt compelled to return to it. I can’t deny the impact it’s made by any measure. However, returning to the originals just makes you wonder, how did some of this lead to Claremont’s X-Men being held up as an absolute gold standard comic?

I don’t know this was a long rant and I dunno if I’ll do it again. If you liked this let me know

[honey-minded-hivemind]

I had, a crazy fun idea: Let's combine X-Men Evolution, but add some dashes of X-Men The Animated Series, and make it some combined X-Men world/show/anime called X-Men: The Animated Evolution. Ye or no? Let me explain:

It would have the dynamics and ages of Evolution. The X-Men adults consist of Professor Xavier, Storm, Wolverine, Beast, and Morph, their teen wards/kids are Scott, Jean, Evan, Kitty, Kurt, Rogue, but I add Gambit to it, as well as Jubilee, but as teens, and with their Animated Series look. You have the Brotherhood and Acolytes, the adults being Magneto and Mystique (and Sabretooth a bit later down the line), their teens are Pietro, Wanda, Todd, Lance, Fred, with Pyro and Colossus too, but usually in the Acolyte group.

The plot is a bit of a mix between Evolution and The Animated Series, with everyone trying human school for a bit, trying to fit in or stand out, causing teenage mayhem and having teen problems, the occasional adult having a past come back to haunt them and teens ready to hug them, some Sentinels made that then get destroyed (for good this time), Apocalyose makes some of them Horsemen, and Sinister is a side villain defeated during like, season two, about midway through it. Then everyone ends up exposed, and now they're all having to try and atick it through- and then that gets too dangerous, so now they're all copped up in the Institute, because hey, time for their pseudo- parents to teach them!

Weapon X is a thing, Hydra wasn't involved, it's just Weapon X being f*cking jerks again, and there is a whole side story/adventure where some of the teens help bring them down, with Logan and Sabretooth possibly caught or on a separate mission to stop Weapon X, and oh, yeah, Laura helps, because she deserves to kick the scientists in the shin, with her claws.

Reader is the new kid, a few of the teens like them, and Reader is trying to wrap their head around the whole "Oh, my classmates are mutants, I like them, I want a normal life, and they won't leave me alone" as well as the "Oh sh*t they're following me, wait how did they know where I live wait is everyone in on it?!". Yep. Reader ain't escaping this.

So. Yeah. Just an idea.

[septimaseverinawannawrite]

Autumn Equinox

Fandom: Tom Hiddleston's Loki

Type: One Shot

Pairing: Asgard!Loki x F!Reader

Summaries: Blissful Autumnal Equinox with your most beloved, Loki.

Content : Establishing Relationship.

Warning: Consuming of Alcohol. Smut Language (from second half part). My English (is my second language).

Rate: T to M

Words: 1,337 (Finally, I can go back on writing more than 1,000 words!)

A/N: Actually, my hiatus is about sorting which fandom I truly love. Tom Hiddleston's Loki has always been. Also, I've met the amazing @lokisgoodgirl. She writes super grande and magnifique Loki's contents, her mini-series made me in tears. No kidding. Annnnnnnndddd, happy Autumnal Equinox! 😊🍂🍁

🌹Click to My AO3

When you have passed through the frame of the high carved golden door of the banquet hall, when the first music note hits your ears, and the completely decorated colossus hall presents ahead. All the honourable guests – not only from Asgard; the allied Realms, too.

Few attendants, carrying trays with glasses of refreshment and sliced-fruits, walk toward you, offering you these appetizers before the feast begins. You pick a glass of deep red liquid and a bowl of sliced berries as a matter of courtesy. With polite deportment, as it is official; you are the second Prince of Asgard, prince Loki’s lover right now.  

Speaking of your graceful grandeur and lover, you expect him to stand beside Queen Frigga, otherwise hanging out with Thor and friends, or mingling with the guests. Since, he has always been a remarkable entertainer, in almost every feast and banquet.

You look around this great hall with keen sight, yet he appears not, even his very own shadow under golden and silver glittering.

You make your way across the hall, searching throughout the crowd thoroughly. Loki still does not stand in presence anywhere or hides amongst them, though.

Sighing despondently, you stroll near the terrace and hope he might appear later due to the present; King Odin and Prince Thor are nowhere to be seen like Loki.

The large terrace outside, the guests did not loiter and linger on that much. You see only a group of young women gathering together to comfort a woman, who was crying and babbling about how her intended had remorselessly refused to dance with her; four, perhaps five courtiers arguing over advanced scientific theory; and a tall figure leaning over a big column at the dim far side.

You smile. Even in such hazy light, no, much darker place one can barely see, you do always remember your only beloved.

Loki is standing alone. He leans on the column with a book in his hand, that pair of symmetry brows knit together, jawline gritted tightly and did not stand the full length of all his elegance and finery; he was still beautiful. Or more, as small brightness, from a few torches, has glowing on his tall figure and ravenous black sleek locks and hair.

Tonight, he dresses in shining ceremonial attire; armour, breastplate, black and green appearance – adoring with golden rims and lines – with an emerald cape that flies behind along the gentle breeze. A glass of high spirit golden liquor sat on the nearest small table.

If you must verbally describe his appearance right now, you could never complete that task and lose yourself all over him, as always, every single time – no matter who has asked.

While you approach closer to him, a tiny soft smile tugged on his lips, before averting his gaze from that book.

“I know what you're thinking.” His smile gets wider, “Come here, my moon.”

He places a book on the table, extends his arm and hand to catch your free hand. Yours and those slender fingers intertwine together, when another pulling you close to him.

“Don’t you have to entertain the guests, both from Asgard and other realms? Leaving your mother alone with her lady-in-waiting, without King Odin and Thor to nowhere avail on significant festivity, likewise?”

“My mother is more than capable to entertain and get this banquet going on, don’t worry and don’t mind them.”

“But if I do mind…?”

You lift an eyebrow, place a glass and a bowl on the same table, as the corner of your mouth is raising. He chuckles delightedly.

“Eager to acknowledge everything and anything as usual…such a perfect queen for me.”

“Oh, you’re praising me.”

You pretend to be surprised, sliding an index finger onto Loki’s chin; up to his jaw, to his cheekbone.

“You haven’t told me yet.” Now your finger is on his pointy nose. “Concerning All-Father Odin and Prince Thor.”

Loki removes your finger down to his chest instead, holds your hand while kissing your temple.

“Also, I’m suddenly and immediately desire to acknowledge the matter you’ve just read.”

“Then you shall.”

His magic brings you both out of the terrace, disappearing from the feast. Currently, you both are standing on the balcony of his bedchamber.

A deep emerald velvet chaise, along with silk blanket, and big pillows are placed together on a golden trimming carpet – facing the vision below and ahead. Besides, is a carved marble and unknown material table; a jar of fine liquor and two delicate – but gorgeous glasses, more luxurious fruits and desserts than everything at the feast – on the very exquisite silver tray, and other pretty ornaments.

Loki pulls you to sit next to him, skilful fingers undid your elegant hairdo and remove a satin shawl out, before holding you closer. You also notice his cape and ceremonial armour pieces have vanished, leaving only black leather attire on, but now your attention is the view before your eyes.

The scenery from this specific point is remarkable and splendid, much more than the usual state you have seen about a hundred times: ten thousand lights illuminate the city below on Equinox’s night and the Bifrost, as glowing and sparkling as numerous stars and the crescent moon above the dark purple sky.

“So, what preoccupies your father and brother?”

You lean your head on Loki’s shoulder, his large – yet soft – hand circling and rubbing your exposed skin, tenderly and fondly. You close your eyes and let a quiet moan slip out of your mouth, feel the blissfulness and enjoyment gradually creeping inside.

“Thor’s Midgardian lover. Seems like she is unnecessary to All-Father’s will and the feast.” He ceases manoeuvring your bare shoulder, sliding down to snake his arm around your waist.

“Why is your father even bothered and upset? She’s a scientist, despite her knowledge compared to ours, she surely wants to see the equinox from Asgard when the great opportunity is right before her.”

“Indeed, she is.” He starts pressing his nose on your hair. “Now you have your answer, haven’t you?”

Loki’s huskily whispers into your ear, his other hand tilting your head away from the view in front of you both to face him.

“Summer is totally gone, but how can you smell like peony?”

You purr and sigh with contentment, for Loki's nose and lips press at the crook of your neck. Goosebumps arise and send chills down to your spine. And, too, sense his personal scent into your nostrils; rose mixing with balsam poplar – his favourite oils when bathing.

These pleasant fragrances remind you of previous intimate and sensual countless times with Loki, especially while you are positioned under his body. All the memories are clearly and vividly playing in your mind. Curiosity of what he read before has been ignored totally, absolutely, and completely.

Nevertheless, albeit you know he needs to get you lying down – as well as you – still, you desire to indulge yourself with a breathtaking night in his embrace, and your dress on a little longer… Before he throws it away later.

Thus, you signal by grabbing his wrist, to halt him from kissing down and downward; telling him with your smooth voice. Loki irritably huffs in his throat.

“If you hold me any longer, before the moon crosses its current cusp, note this…” He bites your earlobe, as light as a feather. You try to suppress your moan, unfortunately, it fails. “You aren’t going to be allowed to leave my chamber until the day after tomorrow…”

Loki presses your back against an upholstery. Your moan changes into a high-pitched squeak, as he crashes his lips on yours, altogether, unlacing the knots behind your dress in slow rhythm. 

Your breath is hitching – you can barely catch it, wherein Loki twirls his lower lip from yours; dragging down along your chin, base of your neck, your collarbone, and above your breast, respectively. As you feel his clothed length upon your thigh and his invisible smirk over the valley of your cleavage. 

“Too late, my dearest.”

[ohfugecannada]

Groot’s many backstories

So earlier I saw this post by @alastorgould where he over some of the many versions of Rocket’s backstories, eventually writing his own take on it that combined elements of all of them. It’s a pretty good summary of Rocket’s past and it’s many incarnations in the comics, cartoons and MCU etc and I highly recommend you check it out along with his rocket and halfworld related art/fics.

Anyway, It inspired to make my own post going over some of the backstories/incarnations of my personal favourite gotg character: Groot. Because A) as mentioned, he’s my fave, and imo one of the more underrated Guardians members out of the core 5, and B) Groot actually has quite a few takes on his backstory already through not only multiple retcons in the 616 comics continuity but also through several multi-media adaptations of the Guardians of the Galaxy franchise. And I thought it would be fun to share some of them with you all.

Obviously, this isn’t gonna cover every single piece of media Groot has been in/has had his backstory mentioned etc. But I did my research and tried my best to cover a good chunk of the most notable continuities and adaptations.

Also, I haven’t read the entirety of every comic Groot is in ever (I.E. the latest gotg Grootfall/Grootrise story arc) so forgive me if I get a few details wrong. If there are any die hard gotg/Groot comic readers out there, feel free to politely and respectfully correct me on a few things.

The Comics

In the main marvel 616 comics there have been at least 3 different versions of Groot’s backstory and origins. 4 if you count his very first incarnation…

Tales to astonish #13 (+ other King Groot appearances)

King Groot is the giant tree like ruler of Planet-X, and an alien invader who lands on earth to kidnap the humans from a small town in order to take them back to his home planet and experiment on them. Conventional weapons used by the towns military don’t work as this groot is immune to fire and explosives. But thanks to the quick thinking of protagonist human scientist Leslie Evens, king groot is taken down by genetically bred super termites. He seemingly dies in this story but later makes appearances in comics like the Howling Commandos, aiding the team. Most commonly being seen as an inhabitant of Monster Isle. There was a time where it was thought the groot on the guardians of the galaxy was the same groot as king groot (mainly the annihilation: conquest series), but this was later retconned as a different Groot impersonating King Groot. Which brings us to…

Guardians of the Galaxy #14 (2013)/Annihilators #1 and 2 (2012)

Groot was a flora colossus sapling who along with his fellow saplings (also all called groot) were looked after by a group of elder flora colossus called the Arbor Masters. This groot was different from the others as he often brefirended the maintenance mammals; small intelligent mammal like beings who most other flora colossus looked down on as inferior. One day, another group of flora colossai were bulling a squirrel-like maintenance mammal and groot steps in to defend it. After one of the more violent flora colossus nearly kills the mammal, groot snaps and tears the other colossus apart. Presumably killing him. This catches the attention of the Arbor masters, who then have groot banished from the planet via a space ship.

This groot would later go on to impersonate king Groot and join the team that would become the Guardians of the galaxy, in Annihilation Conquest: Starlord #1, where he’d first meet his teammate and future bff Rocket Raccoon. The way he was written in annihilation conquest made it seem like he was the same character as King Groot, but this was later retconned in Annihilators #1 and 2 as well as Guardians of the Galaxy #14.

Groot vol.1 (2015)

My personal favourite comic origin for groot. (Also literally the best version of Groot in any media ever dont @ me)

Groot is born on Planet X, where the flora colossus are towering giants who regularly kidnap beings from other planets to preform experiments on them. Groot is disturbed and appalled by the actions of his people but feels powerless to do anything… until one night where he discovers a little human girl, Hannah, being held prisoner in one of the holding pods and decides to help her escape.

After teleporting Hannah away back to Earth, Groot remains behind and destroys the teleportation pad, presumably cutting the flora colossus off from earth, and he is banished by his elders. Groot then wanders the universe for a while, taking in all its wonders and sights, before being thrown in a kree prison where he meets Rocket for the first time. Rocket can’t understand Groot at first, but over the course of months sharing a cell with him, does. After this the two form a fast friendship and break out of prison, becoming bounty hunters/criminals and eventually joining the Guardians.

Groot vol.2 (2023)

One of the most recent and drastically different origins presented in the comics so far.

In this miniseries, Planet-X is a lush forest covered planet and the flora colossus, unlike the other comic origins, are a benevolent and peaceful race of sentient plants ruled over by a giant matriarch tree called Granopy. She looks after and tells stories to a child groot and his two friends Tweeg and Gleef.

One day their forest gets burnt by a gang of mercenaries known as The Spoilers, led by an evil Flora colossus named Agz, and the three get kidnapped. But are freed by a young Mar-vel. Together the four of them, along with an Alpha Centurion hunter called Yondar, fight against the Spoilers and save Planet X. As of writing this, the Grootfall/grootrise arc, which references this miniseries, has only just wrapped up. So It’s not clear if this story is supposed to be a prequel to the 2015 Groot origin or if it’s a full on retcon of it. (Im gonna assume the latter, given how different Flora Colossai are in this compared to the previous origins. Unless Flora Collossus society/planet X as a whole really went down hill after Groot grew up, somehow going from the peaceful forest utopia we see in vol. 2 to the desolate wasteland ruled by an evil king groot in tales to astonish/groot number 6 but I digress) so it’s up in the air for now if/how they connect to each-other…

Origins in other media

As a Marvel multi-media franchise, the Guardians of the Galaxy, and by extension Groot, have had a number of different adaptations and interpretations across various non-comic book mediums including movies, games, tv shows etc. so let’s take a look at four of the most famous ones.

MCU

Weirdly enough, despite this version of Groot (and his son Groot ii aka baby groot) being the most widely known by general audiences thanks to the popularity of the MCU, MCU Groot is the most mysterious when it comes to his origin story. We never get any implications or mentions of it in the entire gotg franchise (outside of a mention of Planet X in the nova police lineup scene in vol.1). The closest we get is an idea James Gunn had planned for a short film about how Groot and Rocket met and a few very brief mentions about it in interviews. In the tweet about the short film idea, James explains Groot was caged up at an intergalactic zoo housing exotic alien creatures and was treated like an animal. Until a worker at the zoo, a robot/cyborg named Tibus Lark, became attached to Groot and helped him escape, becoming his closest friend. Until they found themselves in a hole/prison where Lark and groot would meet Rocket. Being mortally injured, Tibus would explain his and Groot’s story to Rocket before entrusting Groot with Rocket and dying. Rocket would then use the robotic parts of Lark’s body to build his big gun seen in the first gotg and break out of the pit with Groot. Beginning their criminal partnership and (dysfunctional) friendship.

Gotg Disney XD cartoon season 1

In the Disney XD cartoon, Groot grew up on an idyllic and serene Planet X ruled by his father(?), both coming from a long line of flora colossus spanning billions of years who, along with all life on Planet X, all grew from an object known as the world pod. A source of power that exists within groot. Shortly after a day of battle training with his father, the Kree and their leader Ronan invade the planet to mine it of its resources. Dispute the protest of its natives, the planet is burnt to ashes, leaving groot the lone survivor. He’s then taken by the kree and experimented on, along with other kidnapped Earth animals. This is where he meets a newly anthro-ified Rocket, and the two break out together and eventually join the guardians.

Gotg Telltale Game

Like the MCU version, we unfortunately don’t get a look into his backstory, but what we do know from the alternate story path where Rocket stays with Quill and Groot goes with Mantis when the team break up is he is the last of his kind and empathises with mantis greatly because of it.

Gotg Eidos Game

Through conversations with Groot (with Rocket, and later in the game Mantis, translating for Quill), and a few parts of rocket’s conversations, we learn that Groot’s father was the king of Taluhnia (the original native name of Planet X) as well as the other branch worlds. Groot himself wanted to be a forest caretaker so he could care for the plants of Taluhina. In contrast, his father and the arbor masters were corrupt and favoured the needs of the few over the many, and enslaved the sapient animals on Taluhnia. With some saplings even hurting these mammals for fun. Groot however, preferred thier company over the others of his kind due to how nice and smart they were, comparing them to rocket in his convo with Quill and Mantis.

Unfortunately, however, they along with the rest of Taluhnia, would perish after the Chitari would test an experimental doomsday device on the planet. After the planets destruction, the other branch worlds would mobilise an attack, but they were no match for the Chitari and were destroyed as well. Fortunately, groot was able to regrow himself into a smaller sapling form. Making him, as far as he knows, the only survivor. In his smaller form, he would eventually be sold to the collector, but would later be stolen by rocket who raided the whole place while drunk. It’s kind of a mix of the maintenance mammal stuff from the gotg issue 14 story and the general flora Collossus are corrupt stuff from that and groot issue 6, with the alien race wipe out the flora colossus part from the cartoon (though swapping out the Kree for the Chitari this time).

…And that’s it for the most famous Groot origins! Again, this doesn’t include every incarnation of Groot ever, but I think I covered my bases with the most notable continuities. Maybe I’ll have a go at writing my own take on the origin at some point, but for now, I just hope you all enjoyed learning about Groot’s different pasts as much as I did researching them…

Also let me know if there are other, more obscure versions of Groot and his backstory I missed here. I’m always down to learning more Groot lore.

[fanaticsnail]

hi i’ve been binge reading your works lately and i love them!! i notice that you accept almost every request thrown at you; how do you do that?? it’s so rare that i see authors accepting requests now, and yet you have no hesitance doing them, even if you’ve never written that character before!! and how dy balance all these requests with other wips?

sorry if this is so random, but that level of dedication and writing is one i hope to reach soon!!

Hi Anon! Thank you for your ask, it's so kind! 🖤 I'm so happy you're enjoying my fics!

There's a few reasons I enjoy accepting nearly all requests in this fandom:

I love writing. I didn't know I would enjoy writing so much until I started fic writing around this time last year.

I love reading, and there are a few niches that I began writing for before I started with one piece in August. (I started writing in May of last year with an X-Men fic for Colossus, and then I wrote a series for the Underworld character Marcus Corvinus).

I enjoy making content for things that haven't been done, and that I would personally enjoy reading. One of the fics that I've done that's had the most engagement is a fairytale au that my irl sister requested me to write (Sapsorrow: Mihawk x Reader). I hadn't seen anything like this done, and I thought: "hey, I'd read the absolute heck outta that!"

Everyone deserves to have something nice to read. I take on requests for a multitude of characters because I feel like you deserve to read silly little stories for your favourites.

My personal WIPs and my WIPs from requests are generally mood based. I'll generally start writing something and catch feelings pretty quickly for something else mid-writing, start up another writing, finish that writing, and then go back to my prior WIP.

You all have amazing ideas. There's a few sitting in my ask box that I genuinely squeal over. It's like going to a library and reading synopsis' for a while heap of stories and really wanting to know how it turns out.

I love you guys. I started writing because it was fun, and the community here has been so welcoming and compassionate. Makes me want to keep going, improving and growing to get more confident in more creative aspects.

Not random at all! I love talking about it, and thank you for asking 🖤. What are you writing, Anon 👀👀👀? Whatever it is, I hope you stick to it! It's so much fun to do, and there's so much joy in this fandom. Love you 🖤

[marveldcnerdys]

Unveiling the X-Men: The Evolution of Marvel’s Legendary Mutants

For decades, the X-Men have stood as one of Marvel’s most iconic and influential superhero teams. With their dynamic characters, complex narratives, and underlying themes of acceptance and diversity, the X-Men have transcended comic book pages to become cultural phenomena. In this deep dive, we explore their journey from their creation to their impact on popular culture and what makes them timeless.

The Birth of the X-Men

The X-Men were conceived by the legendary Stan Lee and artist Jack Kirby in 1963. Emerging during the Silver Age of comic books, their debut in The X-Men #1 introduced readers to a team of superheroes born with extraordinary abilities due to genetic mutation. Unlike other Marvel heroes, who often gained powers through accidents or experiments, the X-Men’s abilities came naturally. This revolutionary concept made them unique and allowed the series to explore the nuances of prejudice and discrimination.

Professor Charles Xavier, also known as Professor X, founded the X-Men with a vision to protect both humans and mutants while striving for peaceful coexistence. This mission became a cornerstone of the series. The original lineup included Cyclops (Scott Summers), Marvel Girl (Jean Grey), Beast (Hank McCoy), Angel (Warren Worthington III), and Iceman (Bobby Drake). Together, they tackled threats from Magneto, the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants, and other adversaries, while navigating the challenges of a world that feared and hated them.

Themes of Acceptance and Diversity

The X-Men’s narrative is rooted in themes of social justice, making them a metaphor for marginalized groups. Created during the height of the Civil Rights Movement, the series drew parallels between mutants and real-world struggles for equality. Professor X’s philosophy of peaceful coexistence mirrored Martin Luther King Jr., while Magneto’s more aggressive stance reflected Malcolm X. These opposing ideologies enriched the storytelling, presenting moral complexities that resonated with readers.

Over time, the X-Men expanded their roster to include diverse characters from different backgrounds, further emphasizing their inclusive message. Characters like Storm (Ororo Munroe), a Kenyan weather manipulator, and Nightcrawler (Kurt Wagner), a German teleporter with a demonic appearance, exemplified the series’ commitment to representation.

The Claremont Era: A Golden Age for the X-Men

In 1975, the X-Men underwent a significant transformation under writer Chris Claremont. His tenure, lasting nearly 16 years, is often regarded as the golden age of the series. Claremont introduced complex character arcs, intricate plots, and a more mature tone that appealed to older audiences.

The 1975 Giant-Size X-Men #1 revived the team with new members, including Wolverine, Storm, Colossus, and Nightcrawler. This international lineup brought fresh dynamics and set the stage for classic storylines such as The Dark Phoenix Saga and Days of Future Past. These stories explored themes of power, sacrifice, and the consequences of human prejudice, solidifying the X-Men’s place in comic book history.

Adapting to Other Media

The X-Men’s popularity skyrocketed with adaptations into television and film. The 1992 animated series X-Men: The Animated Series became a cultural touchstone, introducing the team to a new generation. Its faithful adaptation of the comics and memorable theme song made it a beloved classic.

In 2000, the X-Men made their cinematic debut with Bryan Singer’s X-Men, which helped usher in the modern era of superhero films. Starring Hugh Jackman as Wolverine, Patrick Stewart as Professor X, and Ian McKellen as Magneto, the film balanced action with poignant themes of discrimination and identity. Its success spawned a franchise that explored the complexities of mutantkind across multiple timelines.

The Evolution of the X-Men

As Marvel comics evolved, so did the X-Men. Writers like Grant Morrison, Joss Whedon, and Jonathan Hickman redefined the team, introducing bold narratives and reimagining the mutant metaphor. Morrison’s New X-Men delved into the sociopolitical aspects of being a mutant, while Whedon’s Astonishing X-Men emphasized character-driven storytelling.

In 2019, Hickman’s House of X and Powers of X revitalized the franchise, presenting mutants as a unified nation on the living island of Krakoa. This era redefined the X-Men’s purpose, exploring themes of autonomy and self-determination while reshaping their relationship with humanity.

Iconic Characters and Their Legacy

The X-Men boast a rich tapestry of characters, each contributing to their legacy. Wolverine, with his adamantium claws and unyielding spirit, became a breakout star, earning his own solo series and films. Jean Grey’s transformation into the Dark Phoenix remains one of the most compelling arcs in comic history. Storm’s leadership and regal demeanor made her a trailblazer for women and people of color in comics.

Villains like Magneto, Mystique, and the Sentinels have also left an indelible mark, embodying the challenges mutants face from external and internal threats. Magneto’s complex motives and tragic backstory elevate him beyond a typical antagonist, making him one of Marvel’s most compelling characters.

Cultural Impact and Legacy

The X-Men’s influence extends beyond comics. They have inspired discussions on social issues, encouraged diversity in storytelling, and provided a platform for underrepresented voices. Their stories resonate with anyone who has felt like an outsider, offering hope and empowerment.

As the X-Men prepare to join the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), their legacy continues to evolve. Fans eagerly anticipate how Marvel Studios will interpret these beloved characters and integrate them into the broader MCU. With their rich history and timeless themes, the X-Men are poised to captivate new audiences while honoring their roots.

Conclusion

The X-Men are more than just superheroes; they are a symbol of resilience, acceptance, and the fight for justice. From their inception in 1963 to their modern reimaginings, they have consistently challenged societal norms and inspired generations. Whether through comics, television, or film, the X-Men’s legacy endures, proving that their message of hope and unity is as relevant today as it was over half a century ago.

[schismusic]

In the shadow of the horns: meditations on Team ICO's works – 1. Shadow of the Colossus

[DISCLAIMER: Since I cannot assume you people are all in the know and have played the game like five times, have gotten every extra item and found every last secret location, got all the achievements on the PS3 and PS4 versions of the game, have taken all seventy-nine steps to enlightenment, and are so obsessed with intersecting points that your bedroom wall looks like a re-enactment of the Pepe Silvia conspiracy theory, I have to tell you that the following article includes HEAVY, HEAVY, OH-SO-HEAVY SPOILERS for Shadow of the Colossus. Reader discretion is warned.]

[DISCLAIMER 2: you can absolutely bask safely in the knowledge that I have not done any of the things listed in the first disclaimer. I mean, I have played the game more than once, the first time on PS4 and the second on PS2. Whatever.]

It has at this point been a good five years or so since I'd last played the Team ICO games, so as I went to dust off my ol' trusty PlayStation 2 Slim I got reminded of how the world is a fucked up place and decay exists as an extant form in life, by way of the PS2 no longer reading discs. I mean, nothing I can't fix with a 1mm x 1mm square of duct tape or some isopropyl alcohol in the best case scenario, but I wonder: for fuck's sake, did it have to be now? At any rate, I decided to bite the bullet and finally download PCSX2 so I can play the games (and I promise, the BIOS and game ISOs are all mine, so no piracy involved this time). Playing these particular games on a PC feels especially weird to me, in that I can see the blocky ass graphics meant to be seen and blend in on a CRT in all of their squared glory, but not even that is immersion-breaking or ruins the aesthetics – which is a testament to the strength of the team's art direction and design philosophy. This is especially true considering I'd only played the PS4 Shadow of the Colossus before.

Since I can already hear the raging crowd under my window, let me clarify before I get drawn and quartered by an angry mob of PS2 purists.

I did, of course, get my first exposure to Shadow of the Colossus when it was but a humble PlayStation 2 technical marvel (and, later, a PS3 remaster of that same PS2 technical marvel). It was, in all likelihood, through an unofficial PlayStation magazine that was published here in Italy – even though the original format was technically bought from a Spanish publisher – by the name of PlayGeneration. I was always one console generation behind the rest of the world around me, so the magazine allowed me to stay in touch with new technological developments and new titles coming out. I ended up remembering the original critical reaction to, I don't know, your Deus Ex: Human Revolution or your Dead Space or even your Yakuza 4 (which was actually my first exposure to the series, about fifteen years before I actually got to play it myself) better than the actual games themselves, in a lot of scenarios. But what this magazine had, especially, was a whole two-page spread in every issue where they re-reviewed a number of PS2 games, usually showcasing relatively hidden gems – one that stuck with me particularly was their review of Xenosaga Episode I: Der Wille zur Macht, a game that I went on to never play due to my absolute ineptitude at JRPGs. Every issue also included an archive of their older reviews, which for the longest time would reserve a cute little half-page to PlayStation 2 games, with the editors' definitive scores and one-sentence opinions on them. Among these was Shadow of the Colossus, 92 out of 100. I was fascinated by how, well, plain and effective the title was – a non-descript sequence of words that tells you nothing and, as I would later learn, still tells you everything you need to know about the game.

Symbolism of light and shadow, stories that seem to be coming out of children's books (it's always fascinating and, admittedly, quite funny to recall that the original Japanese title of the game is ワンダと巨像, "Wanda to Kyozou" i.e. "Wander and the Colossus"), a unique capability of striking the player in the teeth with a sense of anemoia welling up from somewhere deep within. A friend of mine who's currently playing ICO for the first time mentioned a great emotional response on his part upon revisiting the prison area of the castle – considering exclusively gameplay time, this is a place you're only shown once, about five hours before you come back to it. To better define this feeling for the purposes of this piece, I decided to replicate the closest thing I could achieve: nostalgia. Specifically, I pulled up some old articles I wrote for a gaming blog I helped run between the years of 2020 and 2022, re-read my old impressions of these games, then realized the more I read those (quite pitiful) articles, the more I was thinking "fuck, why don't I just play these again?", which of course led me to what I was saying at the beginning of this article. Running in circles already, aren't I?

One thing I will say: I still believe some of the points I made in those articles to be valid. Specifically, I like the idea of focusing on what the gameplay means. Story and lore analysis of these games is inherently encouraged by the games themselves and their presentation, and therefore way overdone, but I will recommend Leadhead's recent analysis of ICO as a metaphor for escaping an abusive household and Folding Ideas's classic on Shadow of the Colossus as "a game about letting go", as well as admit a certain fondness for the theory of the shared narrative universe as espoused and exposesd by Max Derrat. None of these things will necessarily be central to my own piece, but it's cool to have them, y'know? My main point will have to do with what the games themselves present as their case study. This means analysing and pointing out game mechanics, in and of themselves, as carriers of meaning and implications. As a consequence, for my own ease, I will borrow quite heavily from the old articles (the originals are in Italian, you can find them compiled here, and they are better read in order of release). Lastly, I had originally meant to make this only one article, but it seems to me like there's already enough material for me to stop yapping about methodology and start getting my hands dirty.

God's a short guy, you know, he started in the mail room and, y'know, worked his way up, invested well.

(Tom Waits, in this commercial for Franks Wild Years, directed by Chris Blum)

You're a short guy, as well: too short for your horse, anyway. You carry a special sword – which you stole – and a bow. There's a dead body bundled up in a big ass heavy blanket and you've got that with you, too. It takes a really long time and some seriously deranged route choices to get there, but what do you know – you're good enough to reach the Forbidden Lands, a land that is, well, forbidden, so you probably shouldn't be there. There's a creature, unseen, shouting orders at you out of a window that physically makes no sense architecturally, in two different voices. You have to destroy the statues on this temple's wall, but you can't do that directly, so you have to repeatedly stab gigantic, half-rock-half-flesh creatures that can and will swat you off their back like a mosquito. Only then you'll be able to bring this girl back to life – despite her cursed fate, and the fact that you're in a place called the fucking FORBIDDEN LANDS, and the fact that it hurts more and more to breathe with every colossus you beat.

Every core mechanic in this game is a display of strength: to hold on, to stab, to eat. As Mono – that is, according to the manual in the PS2 version of the game, the name of the girl whose corpse you brought here – cannot, in all likelihood, want anything anymore, it's safe to assume that all of the actions you, the player, undertake in the game are to be understood as the explicit will of Wander, the protagonist. This is a relevant distinction to make. Wander is not you, you are not Wander: why else would he refuse to jump off cliffs, or hesitate when you push him off of ledges? I've always liked thinking about Team ICO's work as a sort of hyper-stylized version of what games like Another World or the original Prince of Persia for the Apple II (even though Fumito Ueda probably played the Amiga port of the game, all things considered). Seeing it this way, the more evident influence these titles have had on Team ICO's game mechanics lends itself quite well to what I'm trying to say. The Prince and Lester Knight Chaykin are both painstakingly animated, frame by frame, in order to achieve a lifelike quality, but where both Jordan Mechner and Éric Chahi attempted a crude imitation of rotoscoping by frame-advancing VHS recordings of themselves or other models and model figures, Ueda and his team usually turn to hand-animation of their characters (or, in particularly bonkers cases like The Last Guardian, write up an algorithm to calculate feather motion in real time and burn a hole through your PS4). This seems to me like Ueda & Co. might be more interested in lifelike behaviour, as opposed to lifelike movement, and as such may be trying to conjure up a more psychologically driven type of narrative experience. And like all the best character pieces, there's usually very little people to deal with.

Let's look at it, and to do so we have to delve into spoiler territory, so reader's discretion is advised.

Agro, the only conventional living being other than Wander throughout a good 99% of actual game time, is a literal horse. As such, she does right by you, by virtue of you being, for whatever reasons you can think of, crucially important to her. Seriously, somebody else has already pointed it out: why is Agro so much bigger than Wander? Is it perhaps because they just happened to grow together and ended up adapting to one another, in ways more organic than getting a horse assigned to you by height? Judging by literally every single minute of game time, the two of them seem almost telepathically locked into each other's thoughts, and Agro goes so far as to allow herself to get killed (functionally speaking, at least: there's a reason they shot broken-legged horses in Western movies, and that reason is it hurts like a bitch and the horse simply never fully recovers for that, at least not with veterinary techniques from the eighteen-hundreds) in order for Wander to fuck off and turn into Dormin. Speaking of which, Dormin are the only other character who speak to Wander for a good 99% of cutscene time, and their only motivation seems to be coming back to this godforsaken earth to wreak havoc on those who sealed them – Emon and his guards, who also seem to be mostly interested in fucking you up specifically so that Mono does not get resurrected. Then again, who the hell asked Mono what she wants? I'm not exactly in the habit of directly asking questions to the dead.

…okay, I was lying, considering what my last two long-form posts were about. But I guess what I'm saying is: Wander is literally the only person who intentionally refuses to be open about his motives. Sure, he wants to resurrect Mono. But why? Had they ever met before she had to die? Did she openly express to him how she did not want to die? I hate myself for even considering this question, but what if her fate actually is cursed? How did Emon kill her, anyway – actually, did Emon kill her himself? What did Wander even do to steal the sword, since – considering Emon and his men literally rode all the way to a place they themselves have religious prescriptions not to defile – it must have been heavily guarded or kept in a secure area? A good number of the colossi are not aggressive unless provoked, too, so this means Wander intentionally goes out of his way to fuck with extra-planar powers beyond human comprehension. Ultimately: what if, beyond all the ad-catchphrase rhetoric of "how far will you go for love", this guy was just being a self-centered prick?

It's as good a guess as any, really – here's a piece analysing Shadow of the Colossus as a trans allegory, for instance. But since it's as good, it's worth entertaining it. I also don't plan to present it as an inherent stroke of genius: not per se, at least. What I like about considering this game a metaphor about pulling your head out of your own ass is that – in a spectacular demonstration of understanding what the fuck you're talking about, the likes of which are unprecedented (and nigh-unsurpassed, apparently) in the gaming world – the game never hits you with the "YOU SHOULD STOP PLAYING TO WIN" argument. This is Wander's doing, not yours, which is why the guy goes to the Forbidden Lands in the intro cutscene, before you have any agency at all. Now this guy's stuck in this (stunning-looking) pimple in the middle of the planet's buttocks, where a dark supernatural force's physical manifestation has been torn asunder into sixteen rock-and-flesh mechas and it's his ass on the line to give the dark supernatural entity whatever the fuck they want, otherwise the lady won't be reborn and wouldn't that be awful?, but that also means that you are, essentially, just invited to sit in, scream at the screen for a good ten hours or so at this motherfucking idiot climbing moving mountains, and partake in Fumito Ueda and his gang's own study on negative interaction in videogaming.

Negative as opposed to positive, of course – that would be The Last Guardian, which we will be talking about when I can be arsed to open up my PS4, drive the literal soot sprite motherships living amidst its circuitry out of the case, and then play the console-disintegrating performance-tanking game again. I swear I actually like that game, for fuck's sake…

Like I said, the game has mostly actions aimed at offense (admittedly you can, thank fuck, pet Agro both while standing next to her, and when you're on her back and she's standing still, which I think is actually a key mechanic to explain what The Last Guardian would later try to do), and it says a lot about Wander as a character. There is no contextual command near Mono, there is no interaction with any of the other animals in the Forbidden Lands (I think I saw a tortoise in the PS2 version a while back – did I dream it up?) that isn't hurting them or killing them or maiming them for your own personal gain or just as an accident on your journey to the next checkmark on the list or, potentially, just for shits and giggles. Essentially this guy barges in and destroys everything in his wake – including, whether he wants it or not, his sole companion. The immense irony of this is that Agro, essentially, sacrifices herself for some element of affection towards Wander: no special destiny, no sudden understanding of Wander's motives. Literally just the fact that this guy is her favourite human. But the game itself has to be taken to its gory, bloody end, through trials and tribulations, for it to reveal its actual statement on the matter.

Dormin is banished again in violence, the bridge pylons collapse by magic in on themselves as Emon and the guards make a hasty retreat out into civilised land. Wander is now a bawling, screaming horned baby – the first of his kind, some would argue: like a mark of Cain of sorts. But sure enough, the reborn Mono has no problem picking him up and, if we are to give credit to the special illustration in the Japanese PS3 re-release of the game, helping him grow into a healthy, beloved horned kid. And Agro, despite her broken leg, still finds her way back to the shrine of the cult, and climbs to the secret garden on top of the building, finding a fawn. An animal that means rebirth.

[geekcavepodcast]

“Fall of X” Era Ushers in New Comic Book Series and Ties into Several Titles

In July 2023 the X-Men will hold the Hellfire Gala, which will kick off a new era that will become known as the “Fall of X,” where everything that mutantkind has accomplished on Krakoa threatens to be destroyed. The Fall of X saga will tie into several titles and create a few new ones.

X-Men will continue with the 25th issue from writer Gerry Duggan and artist Stefano Caselli. As with other Hellfire Galas, the team will get shaken up. Kate Pryde, aka Kitty, Sprite, Ariel, Red Queen, and Captain Kate, will join the team under the name ShadowKat.

X-Men #25, featuring a main cover by Joshua Cassara and a design variant cover by Peach Momoko, goes on sale on August 2, 2023.

Iceman gets his own solo series as Earth’s protector from writer Steve Orlando and artist Vincenzo Carratù. Bobby Drake will get a new base of operations, new uses for his abilities, new enemies, and a new purpose, “but a dark side effect of his new mission could cause it all to shatter… After the events of this year’s can’t-miss Hellfire Gala, Bobby Drake, AKA Iceman, sets his sights on heroic deeds like never before. But as a new situation develops that links Iceman to his Antarctic ice palace, he’ll have to be slicker than ever to accomplish his mission before Orchis knows what hit them!” (Marvel Comics)

Astonishing Iceman #1, featuring a cover by Jesús Saiz, goes on sale on August 2, 2023.

Wolverine and Ghost Rider are on a collision course in the four-part epic from writer Benjamin Percy and artist Geoff Shaw’s Ghost Rider / Wolverine: Weapons of Vengeance. “A demonic serial killer is murdering innocent mutants. But what is it about this deadly new villain that forces our two heroes to team up? And what buried secret does he share with Wolverine and Ghost Rider’s never-before-seen very first meeting in the past?” (Marvel Comics)

Ghost Rider / Wolverine: Weapons of Vengeance Alpha #1, featuring a cover by Ryan Stegman, goes on sale on August 9, 2023. The story continues in the pages of Ghost Rider #17, Wolverine #36, and Ghost Rider / Wolverine: Weapons of Vengeance Omega.

Uncanny Avengers, from writer Gerry Duggan and artist Javier Garrón, will see the return of the Avengers’ Unity Squad. The new team will include Captain America, Rogue, Deadpool, Quicksilver, Psylocke, and Penance. The team will be tasked with solving the mystery of the murderous Captain Krakoa and stopping his army of killers from starting a new world war.

Uncanny Avengers #1, featuring a cover by Javier Garrón, goes on sale on August 16, 2023.

Writer Steve Foxe and artist Jonas Scharf’s new Dark X-Men series will band together a new twisted team under Madelyne Pryor consisting of Pryor, Havok, Archangel, Gambit, Zazael, Zero, Albert, and Emplate. “This deadly group will band together to fill the void left by the X-Men, and are seemingly the perfect team to combat the harsh conditions of FALL OF X. Their hearts are in the right place but under the unpredictable leadership of the Goblin Queen and operating out of New York’s new Limbo Embassy, will this team’s dark ways turn the tide for mutantkind or make things far worse?” (Marvel Comics)

Dark X-Men #1, featuring a cover by Stephen Segovia, goes on sale on August 16, 2023.

X-Force continues from writer Benjamin Percy and penciler Robert Gill. The team will have a new leader - Colossus - who will lead them to a place that Marvel Comics assures us readers will never expect.

X-Force #43, featuring a cover by Daniel Acuña, goes on sale on August 23, 2023.

The Invincible Iron Man, from writer Gerry Duggan and artist Juan Frigeri, will see Tony Stark playing a key role in the Fall of X. With Feilong in control of Stark Unlimited and using it to build Stark Sentinels, Tony proposes an alliance with Emma Frost. 

The Invincible Iron Man #9, featuring a cover by Kael Ngu, goes on sale on August 23, 2023.

The Fall of X will also send ripples through the Ten Realms. Realm of X, from writer Torunn Grønbekk and artist Diógenes Neves will find a group of mutants stranded in Vanaheim. “And what's even more confusing, the locals seem to believe that they hold the key to fulfilling a prophecy that can either raise the realm to riches—or cause it to fall to ruin. With Magik's powers malfunctioning and a mysterious figure amassing power on the outskirts of the realm, these X-Men are going to going to have to band together if they want to stay alive long enough to find their way home!” (Marvel Comics) If Magik, Dani Moonstar, Marrow, Dust, Curse, and Typhoid Mary can overcome their differences they may just rise as the legendary heroes of the Tem Realms. Or their presences could just escalate the conflict and warps all of mutantkind’s destiny forever. No pressure.

Realm of X #1, featuring a cover by Stephanie Hans, goes on sale on August 23, 2023.

(Images via Marvel Comics - “Fall of X” Promotional Image by Bryan Hitch and colorists Alex Sinclair, X-Men #25 Cover by Joshua Cassara, Astonishing Iceman #1 Cover by Jesús Saiz, Wolverine #36 Cover by Ryan Stegman, Uncanny Avengers #1 Cover by Javier Garrón, Dark X-Men #1 Cover by Stephen Segovia, X-Force #43 Cover by Daniel Acuña, The Invincible Iron Man #9 Cover by Kael Ngu, and Realm of X #1 Cover by Stephanie Hans)

[comicbookhyperfixationtime]

Uncanny X-Men #194- Juggernaut's Back in Town

Last Issue Recap: The team fought Thunderbird's identical brother and his Hellion friends in a US base, tanked whatever remained of their superhero credibility and then proceeded to just let Thunderbird and the Hellions waltz on back to Emma Frost without any repercussions.

This cover is pretty cool, I wouldn’t say the composition is fantastic but it makes it pretty clear what this issue is going to be about (a big ol’ heavy hitter slap fight) and Rogue with Nightcrawler and Colossus’ powers is intriguing.

The issue doesn't start with a fight though, it starts with Juggernaut having a friendly conversation with the most oblivious cop in New York

Yessir, I'm sure the giant hunk of muscle wider than he is tall couldn't possibly have anything to do with the recently escaped super criminal. 10/10 polic-ing.

Juggernaut watches some news crew give exposition for new readers on him (there's plenty of convoluted backstory but all you really need to know is he's the Juggernaut, bitch) and his recent appearances in other comics (shameless plugins). They also remind us how the X-men and Spiderman (who was Juggernaut's latest foe) are Feared and Hated By the World They Have Sworn to Protect. The popularity of a Marvel character in-universe is indirectly proportional to their popularity IRL, thus why Wonderman is highly successful film star.

Cut to the X-men in the Currently-Not-Destroyed Xavier's School upstate waking up and not giving a singular fuck about one of their super criminals on the loose.

He stayed up all night watching old swashbuckler films ahhhh he's such a dork I love him! (Thirsty Sidenote: this is I think the first time Kurt has been drawn without a shirt and gloves on. In earlier issues he seemed to basically live 24/7 in his costume. Yes I noticed. Don't judge me.)

Nobody cares, that is, except for Colossus (aka Piotr Rasputin), who went from one of my favorite characters to least favorite characters when he started dating an underage Kitty Pryde until Marvel Editor in Chief Jim Shooter told them to stop (possibly the only good decisions Jim Shooter ever made). They wasted so much good himbo potential with this boy. Anyway, he's very excited for a rematch with Juggey after demolishing a few blocks with him in a post-breakup funk several issues ago. So excited he quite literally busts out of his clothes.

See, its dumbass himbo behavior like this I'd enjoy a lot more if I couldn't get the bad taste of him and Kitty out of my mouth. Screw you Claremont for ever thinking that was ok.

Wolverine comes in from his daily barefoot snow jog in purple pajamas to tell Nightcrawler to get the team ready to track down Juggernaut because blah blah its their jobs booo you spoilsport. Honestly I would have loved an issue where the X-men just stayed at home and did nothing. I find the cool-down moments in long running comic series are usually my favorite parts. Its nice to see how these characters interact with each other and live their lives when they aren't constantly in mortal peril. But the cover promised a big knockdown dragemout and so, the plot must keep plotting. (Side note: how did Wolvie even find out about the Juggernaut? Everyone else was listening to the radio but he was running outdoors. His plot sense was tingling I guess).

Since Cyclops is a married man, Storm has lost her powers and Professor X is off in Scotland doing New Mutants stuff, Kurt now has the sole leadership responsibility of the team. I've really enjoyed Kurt's run as team leader so far. He's doing his best but he's not cut out for leadership and its clear he hates every minute of it. He's an extroverted sweetheart who would rather support his friends. Its nice to see Nightcrawler get more stuff to do after barely being present for the past for story arcs. His self doubt is also a fantastic change of pace from the previous leadership dynamics, which were the team leader going "Wah wah wah I'm the leader and you have to do what I say I'm going to be a controlling little bitch," and the second in command/former leader muttering under their breath "I would be such a better leader I deserve this title more leader doesn't know what they're doing wah wah wah." It was basically a three way dick measuring contest between Cyclops, Storm and Professor X and I hated every egotistical minute of it.

Speaking of Storm, we cut to her in her home in Kenya showing some colonial douchecanoes who's boss. Storm was recently depowered by an antimutant weapon created by Forge (long story) and so has quit the team and is returning home to find inner peace or something. Being 80s Marvel Kenya is of course portrayed in a nuanced and intelligent manner- just kidding its a thatched roof bush station in the savannah and I'm pretty sure they only chose Mount Kilimanjaro because it was the only place in Africa they could name.

Also this specific Racist White Dude is using a South African slur (kaffir) in Kenya. I'd like to say the writers meant him to be a South African on vacation in Kenya but to be honest I don't think they were thinking that hard about it. If I'm wrong though and this isn't just an example of lazy writing, lmk.)

The women running bush station who Storm saves turns out to be a member of the tribe that worshipped her as a Goddess in her first appearance (because, again, Marvel is well known for their fantastic African representation /s) and falls at her feet. The implications of this are that the regional drought mentioned in previous panels is the result of Ororo joining the X-men and no longer acting as weather Goddess, which raises a whole bunch of questions about the morality of her decision to leave in the first place, as well as broader questions about the ecology of the Marvel Universe as a whole that literally superpowers were needed to keep the climate in the region stable in the first place (climate change must be hitting them hard and fast, forget the Setinels, this is the bad future y'all should be going back to stop!). Anyway, I'm sure at least some of these will be answered the next time we see her.

Back to the main storyline, Kitty and Rachel are spying on Juggernaut, who is in a bank in civies, seemingly doing ordinary, none-crime stuff.

Look at his giant butt in that tiny chair how could anybody be fooled by this?!

The stakeout is going pretty quietly until Nimrod shows up to finally do something. The panels showing him locking in on the X-men's location is pretty neat, but its giving me Deja Vu. I wonder if its because the panel is so famous I've seen it before, or if they copied some iconic imagery from something else (it is giving me Escape From New York vibes)

Rachel and Kitty evacuate the civies and regroup with the rest of the X-men as Nimrod focuses his attention on Juggernaut. He punches Juggernaut into a conveniently empty construction lot where they can beat the stuffing out of each other without the writers having to worry about civilians. Do you think construction lots cause superhero fights, or do superhero fights cause construction lots? Its a chicken-egg sort of thing I feel. The X-men show up to stick their noses in like a bunch of idiots and this is where I have to make my opinions on Nimrod known.

Nimrod is a mutant hunting cop-robot that had been introduced previously, having been pulled into the current timestream from the Days of Future Past timeline when Dr Strange reversed time to stop the spell of an evil wizard from turning Manhatten into a Hyborian Era fantasy kingdom. I personally think exchanging Fantasy AU Avengers for pink murderbot is a pretty lame deal, but what do I know. Anyway, he's spent all his time since his initial appearance living in some poor guy's basement, eating his snacks, taking up space and barely masquerading as human, much like me.

So. I'ma be honest. I don't like Nimrod. I think he looks like a stupid pink trapezoid. Also, his name is dumb. Yeah, yeah, Nimrod was a famous biblical hunter, I know, but like. This was the 80s. Bugs Bunny had been a thing for decades, "Nimrod" was already well established as an insult and honestly giving the guy that goofy-ass triangle head and Looney Toons-esque invulnerability is not helping the associations. Like, what the hell were the DoFP folks thinking?! But then again this is same Evil Future Government that decided Rachel's mutant hunter outfit should be a literal goddamn gimpsuit so I think its been well established that their real crime aren't against humanity but fashion.

He's also extremely OP in the worst way. I can't even keep track of how many powers this guy has. And you'd think that might make the fight's interesting, right, like you'll you never know what's going to happen next? No actually it makes everyfight extremely boring because I know exactly what's going to happen next, the X-men are going to attack with something and Nimrod is going to go "Nu-uh, you can't hit me I have my everything shield!" and take them out of the fight with some new weapon he pulled out of his ass. And that's exactly what happens this time. Nightcrawler and Colossus teleport into the fight? Nimrod's tracking systems immediately detect them and he blasts them unconscious. Wolverine does a fastball special?But oh no, a force field! Kitty phases through him? Not only does she not disrupt his systems, she gets knocked back by energy field!

The demonstration of Nimrod's bullshit powers is great here, but I actually wanted to post this because of Rachel's fit. Its so 80s but I kind of adore it. This nonsense continues even after Rogue absorbs Kitty, Nightcrawler and Colossus's powers in a Hail Mary. Don't get me wrong, Rogue kicks ass and its hella entertaining but Nimrod once again is on his bullshit. She punches him into a million tiny pieces and he just reforms himself! Then he teleports out of there because I guess even he knew this fight had dragged on long enough. Which is another thing I hate about Nimrod; they can never actually kill the bastard. He'll just teleport away and come back next time with even more bullshit. It'd be so cathartic if Rogue had finally just smacked him down for good but I have a feeling we'll be seeing a lot more of him in the future. The X-men let the Juggernaut go, despite him being a literal criminal, because they've been doing that a lot recently. Unfortunately for them, this time surprise news crews have been behind the fourth wall the whole time like its an episode of Impractical Jokers and now the whole world knows they didn't even try to do their job. And don't give me any "oh they were weak they knew they couldn't taken him" Juggernaut had his psionic bucket hat off and Rachel Summers was right there she could have taken him down with a single thought.

We end the comic with an ominous discussion about the X-men by two members of the Russian Security council.

You can tell its Moscow because of the picture perfect view of St Basil's which magically appears in the window. Also, how the heck am I supposed to take Eyepatch Ivanovich here seriously when he's wearing little red booty shorts?! Anyway, this certainly was an issue of X-men. It started off really fun, then it got kind of generic. Certainly not the worst or most infuriating by any means. Looking forward to next issue!

Edit: I took the comic at face value and wrote that Mount Kilimanjaro was in Kenya. Mount Kilimanjaro is actually in Tanzania, near the Kenyan border, so unless the borders have shifted since 1985, Claremont is an idiot and so am I.

[newx-menfan]

May solicits!

I’m already reading “Bishop: War College” for the full five issues and X-23 for the full five as well…so I didn’t bother to post it…

——————————————————————-

STORM

STORM FACES THE BLOWBACK OF HER POWERS!

ORORO MUNROE, A.K.A. STORM, has been a thief, a goddess and a leader of the X-MEN – and she’s just getting started!  With her mutant ability to control the weather bolstered by her top-notch fighting skills, she’s a formidable opponent like no other (as CALLISTO of the MORLOCKS can attest)! But when an elemental power emerges near the XAVIER MANSION, it’ll take Storm to the limit of her powers and beyond!

Get ready for an electrifying all-new series showcasing Storm’s days of rocking her mohawk and leading the X-Men, as she faces an ALL-NEW VILLAIN that will threaten to tear her apart from her team…and what she thought she knew about herself!

Writer: Ann Nocenti

Artist: Sid Kotian

Cover Artist: Alan Davis

X-FORCE

The new team of COLOSSUS, WOLVERINE, DEADPOOL, OMEGA RED, SAGE and DOMINO must contend with BEAST’S plans…and the future! A blast from their past will have readers talking, and sets the stage for the next era of X-FORCE!

VARIANT COVER BY EDGE

Artist: Robert Gill

Cover Artist: Joshua Cassara

Variant Covers

————————————————————-

The rest seemed pretty…MEH.

I can’t remember if Ann ever wrote Storm, so I am SUPER excited about that! I have been a DIE HARD Nocenti fan after her LONGSHOT series and Storm during her Mohawk/ “Life Death”/de-powered phase is my all time favorite Storm! (“Life Death” and “A Love Story” are hands down my favorite Claremont story!!)

I am really curious if Percy is staying on “X-Force”, since he’s doing a Wolverine book during that time and the writer isn’t listed…I hope not, since his run has been phenomenally boring and terrible 😬

If it is him writing it…I might skip it, Laura or not!

[emma-frxst]

Smooth Criminal (15)

Pairing: colossus x reader

Summary- You’ve been hit by, you’ve been struck by, a smooth criminal.

Piotr falls in love with you, an art historian. He doesn’t know that you have a secret double life as an ex-spy turned art thief selling your stolen art to Sebastian Shaw. What happens when your two worlds collide?

Warnings: Trigger warning! Violence, fighting, blood, knives, pain, near death experience, Sad piotr, sad reader, Sad everyone. Next few chapters angsty as hell.

A/N: its smooth criminal sunday!!!! I know this fic has taken a long ass time to get finished, but I appreciate you all following me along this journey. Few more chapters to go. Sorry not sorry for making this angsty as fuck

Series masterlist

Previously on Smooth Criminal:

You turned to lock the door. While doing so you heard heavy footsteps from someone walking up behind you, a cool shiver made its way down your spine.

“Did you miss me?”

You’d know that voice anywhere. That voice has been causing you months of anxiety, nightmares, and paranoia.

Sabertooth.

You turned to face him and as you did, Victor wasted no time pouncing on you. His and your weight sent the two of you crashing through the glass front door of the bookshop. He pinned you to the ground, glass from the door digging in to your back.

He wrapped his meaty hands around your neck, choking you. Enough to weaken you, but not to kill you. Asphyxiation wasn’t his style.

The dagger. You needed it, now.

It was in your bag.

Shit.

You reached out beside you, feeling around for a decently sized piece of glass. Finding one, you didn’t hesitate and stabbed him in the neck with it.

It was enough of distraction for you to push him off you.

You frantically grabbed your bag, dumping out its contents in search of the dagger.

There it was.

Victor stood facing you, pulling the glass shard out of his neck nonchalantly; like it was a mere thorn in his side.

This was it..The fight for your life

For Piotr.

With your heart pounding in your ears, you stood before Victor, dagger in hand, blood soaking the back of your shirt from the small shards of glass piercing your skin.

The wound in Victor’s neck healed right before your eyes.

He laughed as your hands trembled.

This enraged you. Now you were ready to fucking fight.

You ran at him, but he deflected you, using your momentum against you, he grabbed your dagger-clad hand and shoved you against the wall. Causing the dagger to drop the the floor.

You rebounded with a swift kick to the groin. As he was doubled over on pain, you took the opportunity to retireve your weapon, turning over a heavy bookshelf on top of Victor in the process.

You ran upstairs as fast as your legs could carry you.

Slamming the door shut behind you, you searched the room for weapons. You had gotten rid of most of them, to avoid Colossus getting suspicious.

You were cursing yourself for that now. Looked like it was just you, your wits, and one small dagger.

Victor taunted you as he made his way up the steep stairs.

He kicked the door open ready, eager even, to fight. Cocky bastard.

You punched, hit, kicked, and even bit all you could. You grew weary as you continued to defend yourself, But you were no match for a mutant with a healing factor.

There was only one way to end this. You had a plan, albeit not a very good one, but a plan nonetheless. You had to time this just right. Victor wouldn’t let you get close to him with the dagger. He’d just deflect the weapon then gut you like a fish. You had to let him get close to you, so you could use the blade.

You fought back enough to have a few seconds to make your way down the stairs. You felt like your feet weren’t moving fast enough, so you jumped over the last half of stairs, pain shooting through you upon landing.

You stood at the bottom of the stairs while Victor moseyed out from the loft to stand at the top of the staircase.

He laughed.

“You can’t beat me (y/n).”

“Try me, bitch.” You spat, hand on the dagger that hid in your waistband.

It was almost as if the next seconds happened in slow motion.

Victor launched himself from the top of the stairs, claws out and teeth bared; like a sabtertooth tiger attacking it’s prey. You were counting on that.

You didn’t move as all 275 pounds of him landed on top of you, his claws sinking into your chest. But you were sneaky, at the last second before he was on you, you pulled the dagger from your waistband. With all your strength, you drove it straight into the center of his chest as your bodies collided.

With all his weight and momentum, Victor knocked you flat on your back. The impact abruptly knocked the air out of you. The weight of his gross, sweaty, and now bloody body crushing you.

He rolled off of you, jerking the dagger out of his chest.

He panicked when his healing factor didn’t kick in.

“What did you do to me, bitch?!” He exclaimed, trying to get up off the floor but he was too weak.

“Carbonadium..Bitch.” You huffed through labored breaths, the taste of blood invading your mouth. “It s-stops your h-healing.”

Victor looked at you, eyes wide, jaw slacked. He couldn’t believe it. You had outdone him.

You watched Victor become weary as the carbonadium travelled through his bloodstream, deactivating his healing. After a minute, his breathing slowed to a stop.

It was over. Done. You had done it, the cost was hefty, but you had done it.

You laid there on the floor, searing, burning pain shooting through you every time you tired to take a ragged breath. Victors claws did a real number on your chest, you ran your hand over the puncture holes, there were 10, one for each of victor’s disgusting, dirty claws. All the blood made your skin slick, your hand was covered in blood from only a few seconds of contact.

Your limbs were tingly, like the static of an old tv.

Blood soaked your clothes and pooled all around you, still your only thought was of Piotr.

Oh god, Piotr. He would be here any minute now to pick you up for dinner.

He was going to find your body. You hated that he was going to have to see this.

But this was the only way. Like you said, your plan was a crappy plan, but it worked. Sabertooth was no longer an issue.

But selfishly, you wanted the last thing you saw to be Piotr, to see his blue eyes one more time, his smile that always gave you butterflies, you wanted to commit those to memory and hopefully that memory would follow you to the afterlife. You hoped Piotr would realize that you truly did love him, you were sad and angry that you’d never get the change to explain.

You chose to reminisce on memories as the sand in your life’s hourglass ran out.

You could feel your heart beat slowing down, God, you were so tired now. That endless sleep seemed to be calling your name.

Finally, you couldn’t stay conscious any longer, the blood loss was too much. Your vision blurred and your vision began to fade to black.

.

Piotr POV

Piotr was on his way to pick up (y/n) for dinner, he had been working a lot so we was excited to spend time time with her. It was a nice evening so maybe he could convince her to go for a walk in the park.

He pulled up to the bookstore and instead of (y/n) patiently waiting for him outside, the glass door was completely shattered and he couldn’t see her. Piotr’s thoughts went 0 to 100. Piotr was a worrier, yes, he’d admit that. He cared for (y/n) more than anything and didn’t want anything to happen to her.

Heart pounding in his ears, he threw the car in park and ran as fast as he could inside. He went into defense mode just incase something was wrong. Although (y/n) would fuss at him for being in metal mode and ripping his clothes.

“(Y/n)?!” He called out, his voice panicked. He was hoping some kids had just thrown rocks through the window or something. He stepped through the door, broken glass crunching under his heavy footsteps.

He flipped on the light revealing the bookstore to be a complete wreck. Broken glass and books scattered everywhere, spare papers scattered by the wind blowing through the door.

“(Y/n)!” He called. (Y/n)!? Each call of your name more desperate than the last.

He rounded the check out counter, coming upon a sight made his blood run cold and the air leave his lungs. Nothing..nothing could’ve prepared him for what he saw.

There was so much blood.

“О Боже, (Y/n)!” {oh god, y/n!}

Piotr exclaimed rushing to her side.

“о нет, нет нет нет. дерьмо. боже мой.”

{oh no, no no no. shit. oh my God.}

Piotr shed his shirt and pressed it into her chest to try and slow the bleeding, with his other hand he checked her pulse. It was there.

Barely.

He reached for his phone to call paramedics.

“Come on darling, hang in there. Please stay with me! Please. I need you.” His desperate cries rung out through out the otherwise silent night.

Piotr had to shift out of defense mode to fit in the ambulance.

He looked at his hands, the sight of (y/n’s) blood on them made him sick to his stomach. Feelings of hopelessness sunk deep into his bones, and unbeknownst to him, would make their home there for a long time to come.

Piotr watched the EMTs try their hardest to save (y/n’s) life while he sat there feeling completely useless.

Maybe if he has been just a little bit earlier picking her up, maybe if he hadn’t got stuck in traffic…maybe..just maybe he wouldn’t be sitting in the back of an ambulance watching the one he loved fight for her life.

-

Tags: (tag list of open, send me an ask if you want to be tagged, removed or only tagged for certain characters.) @chromecutie @xenomorphique @evelyn120700 @nightriver99 @iamwarrenspeace @this-that-and-every-thing-else @hsk-puma @bungeewabbit @pianomad @lesbianstarkx @hazilyimagine-blog  @super-darkcloudstudet @thehuntress26 @siren-lamented-vampire @mooleche @rovvboat @leo-writer @dandyqueen @nitemaremotionless @thewintersoldierswife @master-sass-blast

[narrativestringtheory]

On Comics: Growing Old with the X-Men

by Noah Berlatsky

[ed. note: a prior iteration of this article appeared as “Growing Old With the X-Men” on Patreon in 2022]

A friend lent me The Uncanny X-Men #160 (Marvel, August 1982) when I was at summer camp in the early 1980s. I wouldn’t say it’s exactly haunted me ever since. But it disturbed me at the time, and it stuck with me as a confusingly nightmarish story—a gratuitous exercise in disempowerment and decay.

Reading it again some forty years later through the power of digitization, I’m more aware of its weaknesses. Writer Chris Claremont’s endless exposition eats up text bubble after text bubble. Penciller Brent Anderson struggles with pacing the convoluted script—moments of grotesque horror (like Kitty Pride’s skeleton literally being removed from her body) are weirdly shrunken into a series of smaller panels so you can barely see them. I’d thought some of my fuzzy memories of the comic were a result of time and distance. But it turns out that a lot of scenes just aren’t drawn in a way designed to stick in memory. 

At the same time, it’s, clearer to me now why I found the comic so unsettling then, and why, as an adult, it still retains some power. Claremont, in his clumsy, gauche way wrote a comic about the clumsy, gauche process of getting old. The innocuously named “Chutes and Ladders” turns out to be a story about decay, death, and failure. When I read it as a twelve-year-old, I was looking through a dimensional portal to the more jaded, (somewhat) hideously transformed me reading it now.

The plot starts out on the X-Men’s new island base. Storm, Nightcrawler, Wolverine, Kitty, and Colossus are participating in one of those Danger Room training battles with which Claremont was endlessly fascinated. Illyana, Colossus’ six-year-old sister is fascinated too; she’s watching eagerly, which positions her as a stand in for the audience. At the same time, she herself is being watched through a kind of interdimensional television by a mysterious figure with ominously long fingernails. 

That obscured figure is a Satanic stand-in named Belasco, and his realm is Limbo.  He’s a devilish demiurge for Claremont himself, setting the story in motion and summoning the reader deeper. He reaches into Illyana’s mind, whispering, “Tell no one, Illyana. Just follow my voice…to paradise.” The creepy child abduction connotations foreshadow the story’s obsessions with corruption, as Ilyana wanders off (clutching a Fozzie Bear doll). Kitty—the youngest member of the X-Men—notices Illyana’s gone and heads after her.

Illyana seems to vanish, and then Kitty is also zapped away. This sequence is presented as unpleasant in a way that is far out of proportion to what we see or what actually seems to be happening. Kitty is frozen in a circle of light and completely panics: “What’s happening?! I feel—No! Oh no!” She doesn’t sound like a superhero, but like a child facing her worst fear. 

The older heroes figure out the kids are gone eventually; they follow and inevitably vanish. They all find themselves, or lose themselves, in an ill-defined gothic cavern-like realm—again, called Limbo, though it looks more like Hell.

The real horror here isn’t the décor, nor even the monstrous Sy’m, who talks incongruously like a 1920s gangland thug. (“So tell me boss—who do you want killed?”) The real horror is age.

The X-Men aren’t just visiting a different realm, but their future selves. Thanks to time displacement and cosmic comic book woo, our heroes learn that they were already in Belasco’s realm years or decades past, when they had been easily and gruesomely defeated. Wolverine’s adamantium skeleton lies in Belasco’s throne-room. Colossus apparently lived for some time, but he too was eventually killed; his aged corpse hangs on a wall. Or at least, Claremont says Colossus was an old man when he died. Anderson’s art doesn’t really show it, which is no doubt in part simply technical insufficiency, but which also suggests that age can’t be imagined; it’s a horror beyond visualization, even when it’s hanging there in front of you. 

Worst of all is Nightcrawler. Our gallant, high-spirited Kurt didn’t die. He was instead turned into a corrupted parody of himself, a lecherous giggling monster matching his demonic appearance. When Kitty meets old, gross Kurt he gropes her, in an extremely unpleasant sequence. (Anderson’s pencils again don’t let you see clearly what’s going on, though this time it’s obviously intentional; Kurt’s hands when he gropes Kitty are off panel.) The sexual implications echo Belasco’s quasi-seduction of Ilyana at the comic’s opening; growing up here is shadowed with violence. 

Elder Ororo’s fate is less grim than death or corruption. But time has still taken her on. After watching her friends die horribly, she reached some sort of détente with Belasco.  As she aged, she lost her elemental powers, but studied sorcery instead. She uses her latter-day magic and her knowledge of the workings of the teleport circles to help the younger X-Men avoid the mistakes of the dead by urging them to run away.

They do so, but Belasco manages to grab Illyana’s hand. Kitty loses her grip on the girl for a second, but then gets hold of her again and pulls her back to our world—only to discover that in that blink of an eye when their hands were separated, Ilyana aged seven years, and is now thirteen. 

That lost moment, in which a whole life happens between panels, is the part of the comic I remembered best. I’d sometimes over the years wonder what happened to Illyana, that same impenetrable gap fixed there as I got older, doing whatever I was doing. Time passed for me around that panel as it passed for Illyana inside it. You’re always getting older in that white gutter between then (further and further ago) and an ever more decrepit now.

The jump disturbed Colossus too. “How can I face our parents?” he wonders, and in a further internal monologue he muses on his sister’s tragic fate. “Childhood should be the happiest of times—and in a stroke, Illyana has lost that forever. Worse she has now spent half her life in Limbo […] should I welcome her, comfort her, love her…or fear her?” Belasco, though, gets the last word, cackling about Illyana’s glorious destiny while clutching her Fozzie Bear doll, a symbol of youthful innocence lost. 

Contra Colossus, childhood isn’t always a happy time, as “Chutes and Ladders” is aware. Kitty’s outsized fear upon being transported into limbo, coupled with Nightcrawler’s advances, suggest that the comic is in part about sexual abuse. Belasco is grooming Illyana for his own purposes (further explicated in a Magik mini-series, which I still haven’t read). He’s an evil father, with elder Ororo, who dabbles in dark magic, as a compromised, also-abused mother figure. Colossus is grappling with the fact that aging can be imposed by adults in ugly ways; the comic is in part about how children like Kitty may be forced to contemplate their own skulls before they should have to.

The comic isn’t just about children though, which is part of what made it memorable for me when I was a child. To some degree, Claremont was writing for twelve-year-olds. But he was writing for those twelve-year-olds about what it’s like to grow up. Part of the superhero empowerment fantasy is that the characters never grow old; Colossus is still in his prime now, in 2023, just as he was in 1982. But also somehow in 1982, in that one comic, he was vaguely old, in a way difficult to visualize, and defeated and dead.

Belasco is evil, but he’s also age personified, and evil and age, intertwined, beat the X-Men, not once, but twice. They grow weak, they die. They are frozen and terrified. They betray themselves in grotesque ways and in smaller ones. They harm their friends (Sy’m uses Wolverines severed claw to pierce Colossus’ armor.) They fail to protect their loved ones. They run away. But wherever they run, time comes after them.

I vaguely understood when I was a kid that—through Anderson’s vague outlines and Claremont’s endless text—the comic was speaking to me about my own future. It was teleporting me forward in time to an older, tireder, heavier, more defeated me. And here I am, looking back. I could tell my 12-year-old self to run, I suppose, but it wouldn’t do much good. Back there, somewhere, I put the comic down and went off to swim more efficaciously than I can now. When, like Kitty recapturing Illyana’s hand, I picked the book up again, I liked it less, and, alas, understood it better.