Illyana "Magik" Rasputin Appreciation

[sunofdarkchild]

In the first appearance of Illyana ("Do you believe in Magik?" NM15) Sam mentions that Illyana's birthday was coming up as a means of including her in the party they are going to throw for Stevie Hunter. Gven that it was winter and there were no sign (that I saw, anyway) of holiday-esque decorations, anyone want to take a crack at an estimated birthday for her? I know the comics hate to hit dates like that, but what's the opinion of the room?

Actually, in that issue (which was not even her first appearance, even as a sorceress. She was introduced in Giant Sized X-Men 1 and became a teenager in Uncanny 16.) Illyana stated that it was her birthday that day, although Marvel could never get her age straight. Was she six or seven when she was kidnapped? And was she thirteen, fourteen, or fifteen when she escaped? Given the time that passed between this issue, the next few issues, and then Uncanny issue 188 where Illyana appeared, which were all in the winter, we can assume that New Mutants 14 took place early in the winter.

[MuhollandDriver]

I wouldn't mind her having an aversion to magic, personally. I mean, magic is what caused all of her problems to begin with. And I don't know how X-Infernus will be resolved but I think it wouldn't mind Illyana being hesitant to use her magical powers, if they are restored/stay intact.
Soulsword? Sure. Slice away.
Spells? I could go either way.
Teleportation via stepping discs? A MUST

Illyana must have her darkchild self....her soulsword...her magic..and her disks.

Illyana without these is like Wolverine without his admantium, claws, and healing.

Say no more.

[MartinRedmond]

All Illyana needs is her bossy attitude.

[NielsVanEekelen]

That, and some good mutant angst.

*sings* Mutant, mutant, angst, angst, mutant, mutant, angst, angst

[MartinRedmond]

Does anybody have a scan of Illyana getting her crew to jazz up the diner table? I forget what issue it's from. I think the new mutants keep delegating setting up the table to one another.

[jarrod]

Does anybody have a scan of Illyana getting her crew to jazz up the diner table? I forget what issue it's from. I think the new mutants keep delegating setting up the table to one another.

LOL! That was from Annual 2 or 3, but I can't remember which. Alan Davis drew it iirc.

[darkclaw]

Actually, in that issue (which was not even her first appearance, even as a sorceress. She was introduced in Giant Sized X-Men 1 and became a teenager in Uncanny 16.) Illyana stated that it was her birthday that day, although Marvel could never get her age straight. Was she six or seven when she was kidnapped? And was she thirteen, fourteen, or fifteen when she escaped? Given the time that passed between this issue, the next few issues, and then Uncanny issue 188 where Illyana appeared, which were all in the winter, we can assume that New Mutants 14 took place early in the winter.

I didn't mean to imply Illyana was never in comics before NM, I was trying to say that that was her first appearance in the NEW MUTANTS series.

[darkclaw]

LOL! That was from Annual 2 or 3, but I can't remember which. Alan Davis drew it iirc.

If memeory serves (don't quote me on this), I think this is the issue you are seeking

[MuhollandDriver]

Yes, Illyana has that dark demonic side...and it shouldn't go anywhere. However..she was also a fun, witty, charming, strong-willed gal with a touch of rebellion in her. Remember this.....writers!

[NielsVanEekelen]

I didn't mean to imply Illyana was never in comics before NM, I was trying to say that that was her first appearance in the NEW MUTANTS series.

Well, actually... she was in #1, in a scene in the UK with Moira.

[sunofdarkchild]

Sorry, didn't mean to sound harsh; just being a comic book nerd.

You're right about the annual that has Illyana's pet demons giving a makeover to the dining room table... good times.

[sunofdarkchild]

Yes, Illyana has that dark demonic side...and it shouldn't go anywhere. However..she was also a fun, witty, charming, strong-willed gal with a touch of rebellion in her. Remember this.....writers!

I'd be fine with her losing her demonic persona after X-Infernus; by now she deserves it. She should still be a very troubled and traumatized person, however, who still never had a childhood.

One of the things that irked me in the New Mutants series was how Illyana's personality changed from issue to issue. In # 14 she felt completely out of place, didn't know how to ask if she could play in the snow with the New Mutants, and envied how "they laugh so easily, while I've forgotten how to cry." This interpretation of Illyana was always my favourite, and it was kept up through the demon bear saga.

Then in # 21 Illyana is leading a slumber party, gossiping with strangers, and giving Rahne the makeover of a lifetime. What a flip-flop. And it always struck me as false that a girl who grew up in Limbo and endured all that happened in the Magik limited series would be like that. I wonder if that was all an act by Illyana to seem normal, but that seems just as unlikely as her becoming a paty-girl after escaping Limbo.

[sunofdarkchild]

Well, actually... she was in #1, in a scene in the UK with Moira.

And she was in issue 3, singing a memorial song for Cat on Kitty's birthday, the most touching scene in the first ten issues of the New Mutants (Apparently the alternate Storm taught her how to sing in Limbo? Well, I guess music [I]is[I] good for the soul.

[yanapryde]

I'd be fine with her losing her demonic persona after X-Infernus; by now she deserves it. She should still be a very troubled and traumatized person, however, who still never had a childhood.

One of the things that irked me in the New Mutants series was how Illyana's personality changed from issue to issue. In # 14 she felt completely out of place, didn't know how to ask if she could play in the snow with the New Mutants, and envied how "they laugh so easily, while I've forgotten how to cry." This interpretation of Illyana was always my favourite, and it was kept up through the demon bear saga.

Then in # 21 Illyana is leading a slumber party, gossiping with strangers, and giving Rahne the makeover of a lifetime. What a flip-flop. And it always struck me as false that a girl who grew up in Limbo and endured all that happened in the Magik limited series would be like that. I wonder if that was all an act by Illyana to seem normal, but that seems just as unlikely as her becoming a paty-girl after escaping Limbo.

I am right there with you man. For me, Illyana has always been a mutant first and a sorcerer second. I say this because she was going to develop mutant powers regardless, but she gained them sooner rather than later thanks to her time in Limbo. I've always clung to her because of her teleportation talent. I enjoy that aspect most, power wise.
And I also agree with you on her personality shift. I enjoy the sullen brooding Illyana and I often felt that they amped her energy levels to accomidate a certain demographic during the 80's of a mall-girl stereotype (increasing interest in clothes and boys) which could be argued typical of any teenage girl I suppose but we aren't talking about any typical teenage girl.

[sunofdarkchild]

I am right there with you man. For me, Illyana has always been a mutant first and a sorcerer second. I say this because she was going to develop mutant powers regardless, but she gained them sooner rather than later thanks to her time in Limbo. I've always clung to her because of her teleportation talent. I enjoy that aspect most, power wise.
And I also agree with you on her personality shift. I enjoy the sullen brooding Illyana and I often felt that they amped her energy levels to accomidate a certain demographic during the 80's of a mall-girl stereotype (increasing interest in clothes and boys) which could be argued typical of any teenage girl I suppose but we aren't talking about any typical teenage girl.

I see your point, but I always thought that her sorcery was at least equal to her mutant power, if not greater, in defining her. The sorcery was what ruined her life.

And whenever she was a "mall-girl" her personality was the same as Kitty Pryde's. I hate it when writers don't let characters develop as individauls. The mark of a good storyteller is having your characters "get away from you." They never let that happen with Illyana, or most characters for that matter.