Claremontian Conversations in Uncanny X-Men #381

Somewhat hidden in the midst of Revolution is an incredibly rare piece of superhero writing that merits some attention: a 12-page scene of dialogue between, essentially, two X-Men with an intersecting past and a complex relationship that has gone largely unexplored. #XMen 1/14

Famously Wally Wood’s “22 Panels that Always Work!!” is subtitled “or some interesting ways to get some variety into those boring panels when some dumb writer has a bunch of lame characters sitting around and talking for page after page!” 2/14

The immediate point here is that characters talking at length is considered a creative dead-end in comics, something to be avoided for fear of alienating the reader. While Claremont’s career has often been a counter-argument to this perspective, 12 pages is pushing things. 3/14

The scene in question opens UXM 381, Claremont’s first return to that title since his departure a decade prior. A mostly off-panel Gambit sets the stage before immediately handing the story off to Jean & Cable, collectively dealing w/ the aftermath of “The Twelve” storyline. 4/14

Framed as a philosophical inquiry, the exchange features Cable coming to terms with the destruction of both Apocalypse and Cyclops – arguably the two most defining influences on his life – while Jean seeks to offer him perspective and counsel. 5/14

Jean’s role here is very maternal – teaching her surrogate son (kinda) how to let down his guard and “learn a bit more of what you were fighting for.” There’s some ambiguity to what’s driving this role, however, as she’s manifesting Phoenix powers and symbols at the time. 6/14

Thus Jean is once again, on a smaller scale, occupying the position Claremont constructed for her in the centre of the M’Kraan crystal: a human being channeling the power of a goddess in celebration of the greatest and noblest aspects of humanity. 7/14

Furthermore, the character is demonstrating what poetry scholar Roy Harvey Pearce identifies as the “Adamic perspective,” in which the poet (or philosopher) speaks from a position of presumed worldly knowledge. The mystery is, of course, whether that’s Jean’s or Phoenix’s. 8/14

“We can transcend who we are and strive for something better. I can take my psychic powers as Phoenix and use them to augment your own and thereby neutralize the techno-organic substance of your bionic arm and restore it to flesh.” 9/14

Cable shows cynicism in his reply: “The Transformation won’t last,” but Jean responds hopefully: “Does it mean we give up? The only absolute should be our willingness to try.” Her confidence and vision here contrast perfectly with Cable’s callous uncertainty. 10/14

From here, Claremont cultivates the connection between ideology and character experience, showing a deft consideration of how backstory inflects character voice. Cable asks Jean, “after all that’s happened, all you’ve endured, you can say that?” 11/14

“After all I’ve seen and done – kiddo – how can I say anything else?” And here, of course, the use of the term “kiddo” reflects Jean reaching out to Cable, accepting him, once again, as a surrogate child despite the many layers of surrealism informing their relationship. 12/14

The scene continues with reflection on the nature of being a mutant and on the measured confidence that comes with being X-Men, even as danger draws near. Beast arrives to demonstrate Jean’s suggestion of living in the moment and soon the action scene starts. 13/14

This scene might not work for everyone (especially fans of Cable, whose voice is different in C’s hands), but it showcases Claremont’s ambition, once again, as a writer whose primary interest lies in character and relationships between people rather than superheroics. 14/14