Character, one (some would say the only) reason for great narrative, is what keeps me coming back to superhero comics. And I've been thinking about characters and attachment to them in light of DC's relaunch plans.
I wanted to reflect on attachment to two different characters, one from Marvel Comics--Jean Grey of the X Men and another from DC-Wonder Woman. Grey is someone I've grown up with as I was introduced to her when I discovered the X Men in the late 1980s. Wonder Woman is someone I've grown attached to probably only in the last six or seven years. The biggest reason for that was the DC universe always struck me as impenetrable. This is why the relaunch has me excited.
First, to refresh your memory I'm going oversimplify a lot of things. If you want a crash course in the X Men I will point to the 2000 20th Centry Fox Film as a good primer. That film did a great job with the core concept, nailed the characters, and absolutely killed with the casting of Famke Jansen.
Jean Grey, of the comics anyway, has had a convoluted history that stretches the realm of credulity even in the excesses of comics. However, her character is quite strong and that's never really fluctuated. The reason multiple men have pursued her, I think, is a sort of nobility of spirit, I've felt. She's a telepath/telekinetic and with the relationships she's been in it's usually been the case that the men want to make themselves better in order to be worthy of her. The other thing I've admired about her is that in general she's always strived to do the right thing. She's the heart of her team.
I find it interesting that the last time I really followed the X Men comics was an acclaimed run by writer Grant Morrison which ultimately set the tone for where the X Men are right now. Jean died during this arc and, at least as of right now, she isn't coming back. Personally I think something has been lost since then. There's good stuff being produced these days but this isn't the X Men I remember. Thankfully we all have reprints.
I got into Wonder Woman because I wanted a window into DC comics that didn't seem overburnded by multiple titles or intercompany crossovers. I settled on Wonder Woman as I was curious as to why everyone seem to know about her but could only support one book in the marketplace. (As opposed to Batman who competes with Marvel Comics' Wolverine for overexposure). And I quickly grew to love the character. For, like Jean, Diana of Themescryia ultimately is all about heart.
Diana's origin is a mess. You want a short history, see this here. What's worked with this character is her ability to be both a warrior and a diplomat. A quote attributed to Gail Simone, one of many writers of Diana over the years went something like this. "You want to stop a meteor, call Superman. You want to solve a mystery, call Batman. You want to stop a war, you call Wonder Woman."
To wrap this up I want to issue a call for calm. I understand personal attachment to characters especially if you've more or less grown up reading their adventures. Where some overreact is how a character is perceived. Unfortunately unless you are the one crafting the adventure you just have to enjoy what is produced.
Diana has been around since the 1930's. Jean Grey has been around since the 1960's. Both are strong enough to weather whatever reinvention is needed.
Currently Diana is set to debut in a relaunched title of her own at the end of this month. She's also set to appear late in the JLA title that launched last week. This is a good time to get back in if you've lapsed or if you're new.
As I mentioned earlier, Jean died around 2002. She hasn't been seen in the current run of X Men titles except as flashback material and other odds and ends. The current editorial team sheparding the X Men universe doesn't seem to want her back. Marvel comics is very event driven these days and they are setting up the X Men to be more integrated into the greater Marvel Universe. There is a split coming that's dividing the X Men in their ideologies. Basically Wolverine and Cyclops have a difference of opinion on how the Mutant Race is going to interact with the world. Sides are going to be chosen.
I don't know all the details yet, but this "schism" has me interested in the X Men again. If what I've read is even partially true, I think I'm going to side with Cyclops.
Someone on a comicbook forum suggested that Jean could heal the "Schism." I don't think that's going to happen but the suggestion made me smile.
