It's Not Easy Being Blue: Nightcrawler Appreciation

[david r]

Kurt has proven he can take charge. More than once. I wish Marvel would give him more to do, as he can stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Xavier, Scott and Ororo now. He's earned the right.

[creaky]

Does anyone have scans of the Divided we stand story between Kurt and Scalphunter??

Here.

He'd put up a good face, but I think he'd be really hurt. Not because of the decision itself necessarily, but rather from being kept in the dark and not even having his feelings on the matter heard. Kurt and Raven's feelings are complicated, and I don't think he really sees her as his mother... but she is *something* to him.

I think it must feel pretty important to him to know where/who he came from and now, as far as he would know upon being told, the hope of ever getting to know her is gone. He's not naive, but it must still sting.

What I'd like to see is Kurt reacting aggressively and possibly even leaving the X-Men over it (maybe to hook up with his stepsister and mentor in Legacy?). Or maybe turning and becoming Scott's biggest critic within the X-Men (since Ororo's been apparently neutered)... whatever the case, he should take those responsible to task imo. It might be childish, but I'd like to see Kurt hurt someone else emotionally for a change.

I'd love to see him leave the X-men, except that it would likely just put him in limbo. But I want some drama, at least, especially between him and Logan. They've always been so stable, let's rock that relationship a bit.

[jarrod]

Ugh, god no. That was a terrible story. Writing and Art.

I dunno, I liked it. Kurt came off a little cruel I think, but I like to think Fraction was going more for a manipulation angle rather than a straight read on the character. It honestly doesn't work otherwise imo.

I think it must feel pretty important to him to know where/who he came from and now, as far as he would know upon being told, the hope of ever getting to know her is gone. He's not naive, but it must still sting.

Agreed, which is why I think the secrecy might hurt more than the ultimate decision. Scott and (especially) Logan would've known this would be an important event for Kurt. In a way, it's a betrayal on both levels, concerning Kurt's feelings *and* their confidence in him.

I'd love to see him leave the X-men, except that it would likely just put him in limbo. But I want some drama, at least, especially between him and Logan. They've always been so stable, let's rock that relationship a bit.

Well, I'd still want things to follow Kurt's story of course... just shuffle him to another book (Legacy?) or follow his subplot in Uncanny. Might even be better if down the line he meets up with a not-so-dead Mystique during his sabbatical, could be real interesting stuff.

I think Logan understands the gravity of it all, but I bet he still expects forgiveness from Kurt's end ultimately. I'd like Kurt to shock him.

[david r]

Somewhere, Kurt is known as Diablo:

[creaky]

God, I'm a lazy fan.

Somewhere, Kurt is known as Diablo:

I like that name. I might even like it better than "Nightcrawler". Maybe because it lacks the self-deprecating connotations and feels more...direct.

I found this analysis of the second genesis X-men, in a writer's workshop on LJ. I thought it had some nice descriptions and points:

NIGHTCRAWLER

If Storm is superego, and Wolverine id, Kurt Wagner is ego. (Creaky's note: for explanation of these terms, go here.) He is fun-loving, jovial, romantic, serious, reliable, and feeling. The world affects Kurt deeply, from the mob out for his blood in the very first issue to his faith in the face of the Brood. His contradiction is that no matter what horrors the world throws at him, he remains ever a steady, sure personality. I’m not saying he doesn’t lose his temper, he does, but overall he’s a very stable person. He is not one of the alphas on this team, but he is an individual power who tends to, and excels at, improvising within the plan.

Kurt does not go through the kind of convoluted and involved character evolution that Logan and Ororo do. He grows more than he changes. Early on, he had an image-inducer that he wore in public, generally in the image of his swash-buckling hero, Errol Flynn. It’s not too terribly long before he decides that showing a false face to the world isn’t worth it. In spite of, or more likely, because of, his looks, Kurt knows throughout the series exactly who and what he is, and demands to be treated as such. He has his moments of doubt, and his occasional sadness over another mutant, or fellow X-Man, frightened by his appearance, but his determination to be judged as a person is a defining characteristic. It also makes him very accepting, and one who judges people based on their actions, as he would like to be judged.

He can be a tangle to write, if only because he feels everything so much. Emotional responses, with reasoning behind them, are probably your best bet. Kurt talks a lot, banter as well as philosophizing. If any of the X-Men of this period were to philosophize, it’s most likely him. His ability to do so without judgment is very important. That makes the fact that his most important relationship is with Logan more understandable.

Dialogue and body language are the keys to Kurt Wagner. His body language has a much wider range than most characters’, because his body is different, and that should never be forgotten. Not just because he looks different, that’s almost irrelevant, but because he’s simply built different. He has a prehensile tail that can give away his moods, he’s an acrobat with mutant flexibility, he can stick to walls and blend into shadows, and he can grip with his two-toed feet. He hunches, he uses all four limbs when he runs, he perches on all and every available surface, and he is as likely to teleport in upside-down as rightside-up. His entire demeanor should reflect whatever he is feeling at the moment. Even if he is trying to hide it, he’ll most likely do so by perching on something and curling in on himself, which is its own signal.

Also:

FRIENDSHIPS

(...)My second pair is Kurt and Logan. It’s a little amazing how quickly these two bond, especially given how different they are on the surface. Only a few issues into the series, Wolverine viciously attacks a demon that slaps Kurt around, declaring their friendship aloud. They make good straight men for each other’s humor, and enjoy the fighting--though in very different ways. Their acceptance of each other’s inner and outer natures plays a part in their relationship, and while that acceptance never falters, is never even questioned, they never cease to challenge each other. When Logan becomes too violent, too impulsive, or too rough, Kurt is there, gently questioning, both trying to understand and making Logan justify himself. When Kurt is depressed about his appearance, optimistic or religious, Logan questions and prods, pulling him out of his own head. Yet there is never any judgment passed on the other--each accepts who the other is. Kurt won’t kill, and doesn’t like that Logan does, and yet he is the one who must explain to Kitty, and back Logan, when Logan killed Mariko’s father. Logan doesn’t understand Kurt’s faith, or his hesitancy toward excessive violence, and yet never pushes Kurt to change. They back each other in every way, and are most likely to be found in each other’s presence unless on the battlefield.

[Bingo!]

Somewhere, Kurt is known as Diablo:

Is Kurt having a pirate party with Raza from the Starjammers?

[The Sword Is Drawn]

Everybody loves a Pirate Party, Jim laaaaaad!

[creaky]

Because it is that time of the month, have some violence:

[jarrod]

I never read Cockrum's Nightcrawler mini, but someone told me Lockheed features in it?! Is this true???

[Imraith Nimphais]

I really like artist Cary Nord...and I really like his depiction of Kurt (thus far) in SI:X-Men

[creaky]

I never read Cockrum's Nightcrawler mini, but someone told me Lockheed features in it?! Is this true???

Uh-huh: Here's the summary.

[creaky]

I really like artist Cary Nord...and I really like his depiction of Kurt (thus far) in SI:X-Men

I dunno. Too cute and cuddly for my taste. It seems like he stared too long at Bianchi's version, which is very similar.

[jarrod]

Uh-huh: Here's the summary.

OMG, must buy!

Was it collected or reissued recently?

[creaky]

OMG, must buy!

Was it collected or reissued recently?

Not that I know of.

[creaky]

I just realized that Kurt killed in Secret Invasion: X-men #1. Indirectly, but still. And it's not the first time, either.