Like I mentioned before, X-Men Origins: Nightcrawler came out a bit ago, and...were all the Origins books completely gloom-and-doom versions of the character's origins? Not quite the comics version, not quite the movie version, neither fish nor fowl. It's not terrible, but this one kinda sucks the fun out of Nightcrawler's origin, on several levels.
Instead of having a relatively fun childhood in the circus, Kurt spends a good chunk of time as either a bored sideshow freak, or drugged by the circus owner between shows. His adopted family is given short shrift: previously in the comics, his mom and 'sister'/girlfriend were sorceresses, and his brother a monster-hunting psychopath. And the angry torch-waving mob chasing Kurt in Giant-Sized X-Men #1, is a mere four henchmen here. Wow, that's exciting...instead of throwing himself into an angry mob, Kurt beats up an old guy. A mean old guy who deserved a stout beating, but still.
This issue also reprints the Len Wein/Dave Cockrum Nightcrawler introduction from Giant-Sized X-Men #1, which still holds up pretty well, and is a good chunk more exciting than the whole of the retold version. This Origins is a nice effort, but I'll stick to the original, thanks.
"Nativity" Written by Adam Freeman and Marc Bernardin, pencils by Casey Nord and James Harren.
Tomorrow: something else!
Kurt already HAD a pretty good and interesting origin...why mess with it? One of the reasons that I have always liked Nightcrawler, is that despite his appearance, he's a fairly happy-go-lucky sort of fellow. The new origin is just more depressing.
ReplyDeleteYeah, what Sally said. It's an amusing touch, really. Kurt and Hank McCoy, who should be socail outcasts ect ect, are some of the few X-Men to actually, you know, stop moping and live life to the fullest.
ReplyDeleteWagner's a good character. Shame, this.
I agree with sally, it's true that the x-men need somewhat of a backround story with a touch of trouble... that is practecly IS what keeps them toghether like a big family protecting each other from everything, even the past and memories... but this comic kind of made it TOO much over the line,,, it really IS NOT bad, there are people who enjoy it. But as a BIG fan of Kurt it made me a bit uneasy about it because i LIKE and ENJOY kurt's beautifull personalitie. (exuse my inglish everyone)
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