“Professor Xavier is a bastard!” We're revisiting the X-Men's most infamous explosion (and why we're still referring to it 41 years later)

The X-Men franchise has contributed some of the most enduring images in comic book history, such as the iconic cover or Kitty Pryde pointing to the reader and exclaiming, “Professor Xavier is a bastard!“Like all forms of storytelling, superhero stories in comic books are filled with recurring themes, ideas, motifs, and especially images that recur throughout history. Sometimes the repetition of these images serves a narrative purpose for a single story, and other times, it's an ongoing theme that spans multiple comics. is a reference.




Such an image comes X-Menspecifically Uncanny X-Men #168. The image of Kate (then Kitty) Pryde calling Charles Javier a bastard has become synonymous with both the characters and the X-Men brand. This is one of the most famous images to come from the X-Men comics. However, despite how often the image is circulated and referenced in other comics, many viewers do not know the actual context of the panel.

Kitty Pryde calls Professor Xavier a bastard

To understand why this panel made such a big impression on both fans and the creators who referenced it, readers must first understand exactly why Professor X is angry.



Why did Kitty call Professor Xi immoral?

Uncanny X-Men #167 Chris Claremont, Paul Smith, Bob Wiacek, ANDy Yanchus, Glynis Wein, Tom Orzechowski, Louise Jones and Danny Fingeroth

The issue noted the previous conclusion Brood Sagaone of the best X-Men story lines. During this arc, the X-Men are presumed dead after encountering an alien race called the Brood. Despite Charles Xavier's guilt, Moira MacTaggert again urges her lover to rebuild. A newer, younger team of recruits that Professor X would call the New Mutants. The latest issue features the X-Men, including Kitty Pryde, who is the main character of the film. X-stories back then – back to the X-Mansion.


With the event dust finally settled, it's time for Xavier to finally address the elephant in the room: what to do with the youngest member of the X-Men team. If the New Mutants squadron existed to house the teenage mutants from Xavier's Institute for Gifted Youth, then the true youth of the X-Men would belong on that team, at least by Xavier's logic.. Xavier very casually breaks the news to the team right after they get home, shocking everyone in the room, especially Kitty.

Apart from the latest news itself, his delivery of the bomb makes it easy to see why Kitty views Professor X as such a jerk.. It's hard to deny that Professor X has the worst possible timing. The X-Men were simply presumed dead and return to find themselves replaced by the New Mutants before being forced into a final standoff to put an end to the Brood's plans. Despite playing a major role in the X-Men's success, Kitty's reward is being demoted to the X-Men's junior division. wow Professor X is truly a madman.


How did Kitty find her way back to the X-Men?

Uncanny X-Men #168 Chris Claremont, Paul Smith, Bob Wiacek, Tom Orzechowski, Glynis Wein, Louise Jones and Jim Shooter

For those wondering how Kitty Pryde might solve her dilemma, look no further than the next issue, It appropriately opens with a full-page panel of Kitty shouting at the reader, “Professor Xavier is AWESOME!” By the way, this is also the name of this story. The image is literally stunning as Kitty's gesture of gesture takes the reader by surprise. There is a ferocity in his eyes that catches the reader's attention. It's no wonder the image connected so strongly with viewers years after the fact.


As far as the story goes, after complaining and complaining about Javier's decision to anyone who would listen for a while (ie his best friend Illyana Rasputin aka Magik and his ballet instructor Stevie Hunter) Kitty is ready to plan her return to the X-Men before his exit was formalized. First, he must try to remind Xavier of what made him such an asset to the X-Men in the first place. He then passionately talks to the leader of the X-Men, before helping him and coddling him with flattery. Unfortunately, they are of no use.

However, Kitty's luck takes a turn for the better when she realizes something is amiss at the X-Mansion. He telepathically alerts Javier to what may be nearby. At first it appears to be a false alarm as his pet dragon Lockheed is found at the supposed crime scene. However, it is quickly revealed that the X-Mansion has been infiltrated by the Sidrian Hunters, aliens who attempt to kill Cyclops' father and destroy the X-Mansion again. Uncanny X-Men #154.


Almost single-handedly (save for last-minute help from Colossus), Kitty is able to stop and destroy the alien species. He returns to Javier's office and is impressed by the latter's new mutant's work. It's the first time he's seen Kitty in action and he can't believe how mature he's proven to be on the battlefield despite his age.. In his opinion, this is enough to justify his membership in the X-Men, rejecting the decision to join him in the New Mutants.

Kitty's Declaration Has Been Imitated Many Times

Who Else Was Badass?


There are several examples of the famous “Professor Xavier is a bastard!” panel has been recreated with different symbols. Gwen Stacy once called Captain America a jerk, Hope Summers called her adopted grandfather Scott a jerk, Princess Powerful or Bruiser (or just Molly Hayes) called Wolverine a jerk, and the list goes on. Kitty even portrays the character herself in one episode Star Lord along with his partner at the time, Peter Quill. It also directly references the moment in Immortal X-Men #3 by Kieron Gillen and Lucas Werneck telling Charles: “Wow, Chuck. It's a bit realistic Professor-Xavier-laughs the energy you put out there.” Gotta wonder what it's all about”Professor Xavier is a bastard!“That makes it very ripe for relaxation.


If you had to guess, it's more than just a funny reference. about with the creators recognizing what worked in the original panel and deciding that recreating it was the best way to bring back the emotion and feeling that came from it. Going back to the previous description, Kitty's actions are literally astonishing, her facial expressions wild, all in the name of calling out someone she feels is unreasonable. There's no better way to recapture that same feeling than to recreate it.

All of these simulated panels feature voices there is exhibits poor behavior. For example, Captain America was definitely a jerk by telling Miles Morales that he couldn't be Spider-Man anymore. There's no better way to emphasize what a jerk Gwen is than to wag her finger at the audience (and Cap) in fiery rage. The X-Men franchise has contributed many things to comic book culture, but among its greater contributions is the universal sign of frustration with the nerds in the Marvel Universe.


X-Men

Created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, the X-Men franchise focuses on mutants with extraordinary abilities. Led by the powerful telepath Professor Charles Xavier, they fight discrimination and the evil mutants that threaten humanity. The series explores themes of diversity and acceptance through a mix of action, drama and complex characters spanning comic books, animated series and blockbuster movies.

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