Evolution Of Becoming Excelsior: Celebrating 60 years of Marvel's Magic
When you hear the names Professor X, Magneto, Wolverine or Scarlett Witch, what comes to mind? For many, it is movies, television, or cartoon characters. For others, a little piece of nostalgia is ignited. In September of 1963, Stan Lee, the writer, and Jack Kirby, the artist released two of the most successful intellectual properties in modern times, X-Men, and the Avengers. This month we celebrate 60 years of a set of collaborative collections, that would leave an indelible mark on future generations.
In 1963 America, young people were living in an extremely changing media landscape. Television sets went from showing censored programming to stories with violent images. It literally went from Howdy Doody to mob movies. In addition, technology was advancing. Things like push-button telephones, instant replay, and space travel were being introduced to the world. X-Men and the Avengers comic books addressed these occurrences in ways that allowed for some children to have a better understanding of the shifting world around and in them. Many readers of Marvel comics say that the stories provided a safe space for them.
Non-readers of the comics considered them immature literature. However, reflecting back on the subject matter of some of the earlier issues, they were preparing the youth for days of futures to come. The thin colorful books of art highlighted real-world situations through fictional means. Think about it, the original X-Men and Avengers were a group of young people with superpowers and no sense of safety. Their stories dealt with morality, war, civil rights, self-confidence, mental health, bullies, medical mutation, and distrust of authority. It also explored advanced pseudo-scientific subjects like telepathy and psychokinesis. Nowadays, it is hard to believe the readers of comics were marginalized as childish or nerds.
I know doctors, lawyers, producers, entertainers, teachers, police officers, firemen and a host other professionals that are all part of the nerd community. Frankly speaking, it has grown beyond a community, it is now a culture. A major contributor to that culture is Chris Claremont. His creative additions to the already genius of Stan and Jack, elevated and subsequently, introduced the world of X-Men to a new audience that almost never got a chance to see it.
From 1970 to 1974 X-Men were cancelled due to low sales. In 1975 they had a revival under Chris Claremont’s guidance, which eventually turned it into one of most successful intellectual properties of Marvel Comics. Chris’ contributions to the franchise is truly the reason why most people from my generation are even aware of the X-Men. His 16-year stint on Uncanny X-Men from 1975 to 1991 gives him the title of the longest writer of the franchise. He is credited with developing strong female characters as well as introducing complex literary themes into superhero narratives. If you agree that Rogue and Mystique are amazing, then you should thank Chris. I know my favorite nerd does.
By Stan, Jack, and Chris following their passions, they created characters that resonated with millions. It is without question that X-Men is a billion-dollar empire. From t-shirts to toys, ticket sales to tattoos, there are some hardcore collectors that will leave you in awe. I married one of them. Standing 6’7, weighing over 250 pounds, when you look at my husband, you don’t immediately think, that guy is obsessed with X-Men and the Avengers. However, I thank God for that obsession.
In May of 2018, my mother-in-law passed away. November of that same year, Stan Lee passed. Then Avengers Endgame came out and killed Iron Man. The next year, Chadwick Boseman (the Black Panther) died. Without him having to say anything, I saw my big, strong husband become a little boy lost.
To deal with his grief, during the pandemic, my husband used his down time to build, among other things, a mini in-wall Marvel Museum. To see it, you can go to my social media platforms @recentlyretro, and watch him build a wall to the memory of the lost. Knowing what it represents made me realize the outlets we turn to as kids don't go away, they just grow up. Just like in 1963, the X-Men are still helping a generation of people navigate through an expediently changing world. To those that are still here doing the best they can, to you I say, Excelsior.
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