X-Men was ahead of its time in the 60’s it was a comic about a diverse group of people that were marginalized based on something they couldn't help. They were hated because of the way they were born. The comic was successful in both holding a mirror to ongoing racial issues in the US, as well as showing a colorful diverse cast of characters working together despite their different countries of origin. In more recently years the X-Men have done similar good for the LGBT comunity, by intoducing things like gay marrage into the Marvel universe. Now that we have an eventual X-men movie on the horizon I’d like to ask the question of what other underrepresented groups should receive the X-Men treatment. As somebody who works in a treatment facility for children with mental health issues, I can’t help but wish the new movie had a thematic emphasis on mental health awareness.
Poor mental health affects millions every day, but you wouldn’t know it from watching tv. Persons with said disabilities are too often underrepresented. To make matters worse, when they are represented they are often misrepresented. Try to come up with one ‘good guy’ who is intellectually disabled (the moon man from The Stand?). Now think about all the bad guys: Hannibal Lecter, everybody in Arkham, most of the Spider-Man villains, Gollum, the list goes on for a lot longer than the other one can. Now you might be saying, “What about Batman or Iron Man? They clearly have some issues?” Unfortunately those issues aren’t often explored. I loved the idea of Iron Man having PTSD in IM3 or being an alcoholic in the comics. We need to see more of that. Characters with real world struggles are interesting, and coping with struggles leads to interesting stories.
X-Men is the perfect vehicle for introducing a hero with a mental disability. It’s about a group of people often misunderstood and feared by the general public, (sounds familiar?). Besides just think of all the kids who can finally see someone with similar life struggles kicking ass on the big screen!
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