It's Not Easy Being Green: Anole Appreciation

[RickyD410]

This is a thread to discuss and appreciate the teenage mutant learning to become an X-Man:

Anole!

Real Name: Victor Borkowski
Status: Active. Residing in San Francisco with the X-Men
Powers & Abilities: Anole has a reptilian physical mutation which gives him a green scaly body, no body hair, a spiked carapace, and a prehensile tongue. He has heightened agility and flexibility. He can climb walls, blend in to his surroundings, and can re-grow lost limbs. His new limbs have super strength.



Bio: Victor Borkowski is from Farebury, Illinois, where he had a very normal childhood. His small hometown accepted him in the community despite his status as a mutant, and his physical looks. However when anti-mutant hysteria began to spread, his family sent him to the Xavier Institute for his own safety.

At the Xavier Institute, Victor became fast friends with Julian Keller (Hellion), Santo Vaccaro (Rockslide), Cessily Kincaid (Mercury), and Josh Foley (Elixir). Despite Josh’s history with the Reavers, Victor did not abandon him like the others, and the two have always remained close friends. After first selecting Wolverine to be his advisor, Victor quickly realized that was very silly, and switched to Karma. Eventually, Victor was assigned to Northstar’s squad of students, Alpha Squadron. His proficiency for tactics and leadership earned him the role of Field Leader on his squad.

Unfortunately, Anole’s world was shaken up when his mentor, idol, and advisor was killed by Wolverine. This is when readers first began seeing hints that Anole was gay. Anole said that he needed Northstar in his life because there were certain things that only he (Northstar) understood about him (Anole). After losing Northstar to the Hand, Karma became the squad’s advisor.


Anole using his camouflage powers to hide

When the Scarlet Witch created the House of M world, Anole was seen training as a S.H.I.E.L.D. operative. When M-Day and Decimation hit, Anole was one of the lucky few who retained their powers. He joined the other squads in a brawl in the Danger Room, and everyone battled for a spot on the main team of new X-Men. Unfortunately he did not make the cut, but continued to train at the Institute with the other students.

When a brainwashed Northstar made his traumatic return to the X-Men, Anole was the only person who could speak with him. He managed to break through the Children of the Vault’s hypnosis, and brought Jean Paul back to reality. However this lucidity didn’t last long, and Northstar left Victor unconscious and confused.

When the New X-Men team decided to fly to Texas and rescue Forge from Nimrod, they asked Anole if he could run interference with O*N*E for them. Anole proved his knowledge of X-Lore by referencing many, many adventures that left the X-Men in ridiculous situations throughout their lives. He would later advise Elixir to telepathically “borrow” Beast’s medical knowledge, since he knew that was how all the X-Men learned various skills and languages. Anole is very well versed in the X-Men’s history.


Anole with Hellion

After various disasters at the school, Anole and a few other students gathered in the living room to tell stories. When Blindfold took her turn, Victor realized that she wasn’t just telling a story, but telling Illyana Rasputin’s story. He realized that the students were in danger just as Belasco blasted his way into Westchester, and sucked all the students into Hell (which was actually Limbo, but terrifying enough to be considered Hell).

Lost in Limbo with him were Rockslide, Loa, Wolfcub, Match, Pixie, Gentle and Blindfold. Things got worse, and the group of students were attacked by a horde of angry demons. After quickly realizing that Rockslide had absolutely no clue how to lead a group, and was only useful when punching things, Anole took charge. He formulated a plan to bunch up and protect Blindfold, who was their best hope of understanding the situation they were in. However disaster struck, and Anole’s arm was sliced off by a demon.

Fortunately, the Darkchylde appeared and saved the group. She explained where they were, and why they were there. Belasco sucked the school into Limbo, but she had made sure that this group was not imprisoned in Belasco’s fortress. She intended to use Pixie’s soul to create a Soulsword and fight Belasco. Well, the students did not like the sound of that, so they tried to fight off Magik, but she was too powerful. However during the ensuing battle, Anole discovered his ability to re-grow lost limbs. A new, bigger and stronger arm grew from his right shoulder. This arm looked very similar to his spiky carapace and has super strength.

After reasoning with Illyana, Anole planned the group’s attack on Belasco’s fortress. Following Anole’s lead, the group met up with the other captive students, and they all defeated Belasco and his demons, letting the Darkchylde rule Limbo. After returning to the school, Rockslide informed Anole (and Pixie) that due to their bravery and skills in the field, he recommended them to Cyclops, and they were officially added to the New X-Men field team.


Anole with his new arm

Did You Know: Anole was originally supposed to commit suicide in Issue #8 of New Mutants?! The story was scrapped just after the issue hit the printers because Joe Quesada wanted to be less controversial.

[RickyD410]

Anole – Part 2



In the days that followed, the students finally got some down time, and tried to discover who among them was the youngest mutant at the Institute (fearing that this mutant would be specifically targeted by anti-mutant bigots). Rockslide tried to convince Anole to let X-23 cut off his other arm, giving him two arms with super strength, but Anole opted not to. This led to them having a fight, during which Anole punched Rockslide out a window. Off panel during this fight, Anole came out to Rockslide, who claimed he didn’t know.

After reconciling, Anole assisted Beast in discovering how Rockslide’s new powers worked. He helped by taunting Santo into blowing himself up, and then Anole himself volunteered to blow up Santo.

Later that evening, the group had a campfire indoors (thanks Match!) and bonded over s’mores by sharing secrets among each other. Rockslide decided to go first, but he shared Anole’s secret: he told everyone that Anole was gay! Loa simply rolled her eyes and explained that everyone else already knew this. Nonetheless, Anole was visibly peeved that Rockslide had tried to reveal a deep secret of his.

During Messiah CompleX, the students found out that the Purifiers were involved with the mutant baby. Surge decided to lead an attack on them, and get revenge for their attack on the Institute. Anole said he was accompany them, but only to try and save the baby. He infiltrated the Purifiers’ base, and checked their computer systems to track their progress and discover if they had the baby. Fortunately they didn’t, and he helped protect his friends with Rictor until Pixie teleported everyone out of there.


Anole listening to Surge’s plan

Later, Predator X attacked the school. Anole and the rest of the team fought him off and protected the other students and the injured X-Men. Pixie teleported everyone (Predator X included!) to Muir Island, so the New X-Men joined the fight against the Marauders.

After the Institute closed down, Anole was sent back to Farebury, IL to live at home again. As before, his town welcomed him home with open arms. He attended public school for a short time, before he realized he had Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Anole had been traumatized by his time with the X-Men, and he was quite angry with them for simply discarding him. Northstar came to visit him, but Anole was even angry at his former mentor. He ran away from home that night, because he simply didn’t feel like he belonged at his own home anymore.

After running away, Dani Moonstar managed to contact him, and asked him to join the X-Men again in San Francisco. She told him about the Young X-Men team, and asked that he join the team. Anole accepted her offer, but mainly to make sure that the other team members stayed safe. While on the team he met Jonah Greymalkin. Using his powerful gaydar, Anole realized that Greymalkin was also gay. He helped the confused mutant fit in and feel comfortable. It is unknown whether they started a relationship or not, but they were spotted holding hands while spending an evening together on a hillside overlooking the city.


Anole is emo and stressed

While in San Francisco, Anole assisted the X-Men during the Skrull Invasion. He first helped the Three-In-One evacuate the San Francisco General Hospital, and later he used his acrobatic skills, wall clinging powers, and camouflage powers to spy on the Skrulls, and do reconnaissance for Cyclops.

Anole was present when Magik reappeared. Anole was very angry with her for all the problems she caused him and his friends, and he even tried to fight her to scare her away. Cannonball stopped him from making a poor decision, and he walked away with the other New X-Men. Afterwards, he was seen with a few other New X-Men helping a few New Mutants cultivate some fields for crops on Utopia. After another falling out, Magik teleported Anole to a desert in Limbo for 5 days as a punishment of sorts, for reasons only known to Magik. She brought him back though, and along with him came a newfound attitude about working on the team.

Most recently, Anole was seen in Pixie’s miniseries- Pixie Strikes Back. Anole was the first person to realize that Pixie, Mercury, Armor, and X-23 were missing from Utopia. He took Rockslide, and the two of them began investigating their disappearance. After teaming up with Emma Frost, Nightcrawler, and Psylocke, the team found Pixie and their friends and defeated the demons who had kidnapped them. What a team player!



Did You Know: Anole got his codename from a fan who suggested it to DeFilippis and Weir at their online forum at ComiXfan. The fan goes by the username Binaryan, and works at Uncannyxmen.net.

[RickyD410]

Now, I know he gets alota flak from everyone here, because in his recent appearances, ever since Divided We Stand, he has been kinda whiny and annoying. But he wasnt always that way! He once was grounded, fun-loving, and adorable to boot. I mean, look at this guy!


He plays sports with his tongue. How cool is that?!

And hes got such a cool visual look. He's green, with a SPIKEY head. He looks unique among the X-Men, where blue is pretty much everyone's favorite color (Beast, Archangel, Nightcrawler, Mystique, Iceman, etc.). Along with his look, his powers are alot of fun! His tongue, his agility, his wall-clinging, and his camoflage seriously do make him a force to be reckoned with! He's got enough skills to be super sneaky, and we've seen him in action doing it. But along with his recent limb-regrowth ability, he can now also be super STRONG too. So he's great for sneak attacks, and up front battles!


Take that!

Also, I know its kind of a silly reason to like a character, but I do find him more appealing to me as a reader because he's gay. I mean, I can identify with that aspect of him, and it helps to make him stand out a little bit more from his peers. I would love to see his relationship with Greymalkin exlpored a little bit more. I'd also like to see his relationship with Karma explored more as well. I mean, everyone immediately puts Anole in the mentor/mentee role with Northstar, because he was Victor's advisor, and they were close because Northstar was the first person Victor came out too. But alot of people forget that Shan was actually Victor's advisor too. In fact, when Julian (Victor's friend and resident cool kid at the school) picked Northstar to be his advisor, Victor picked Karma.


All around good guy!

He's respectful. He's studious. He's brave. He's a leader. And yes, he's a little damaged. But arent all the X-Men? At the end of the day, he cares about his friends. And he's friends with Loa! Isnt that AWESOME!?

For more information about Anole, check out:

ComicVine
UncannyXmen.net 1
UncannyXmen.net 2
Wikipedia
Marvel

Everyone, feel free to post scans of Anole, discuss his promising future as an X-Man, or ask questions about him. For more Anole fun, here are some Anole avatars!

[Washout]

I have an on-again, off-again relationship with Anole. I used to love him, I hated him post-Messiah Complex, but I loved him again when he yelled at the New Mutants. Now I tolerate him.

[Home made ectoplasm]

I was really hoping you were going to call this thread "Big Boy Pants - The Anole appreciation thread"

I can edit it if you want

[RickyD410]

I was really hoping you were going to call this thread "Big Boy Pants - The Anole appreciation thread"

I can edit it if you want

Haha. I thought you were going to save that one for the next time you change the New X-Men thread: Featuring Anole and his Boy Boy Pants!

[worstblogever]

The second most famous flaming lizard in pop culture.



I kid. Victor's neat.

Especially when he hates Santo.

[RickyD410]

The second most famous flaming lizard in pop culture.



I kid. Victor's neat.

Charmander was DEFINITELY Victor's first pick pokemon in Red/Blue.

[Washout]

Victor needs to say horrible things about the New Mutants behind their backs. He would be my favorite if he did that more often.

[antidote5]

Because I ahve nothing of value to add to the discussion, I give you this.

Anole is awesome. (So is Charmander)

[RickyD410]

Victor needs to say horrible things about the New Mutants behind their backs. He would be my favorite if he did that more often.

See, I want Cannonball and Anole to develope more of a "I dont really like you... but I respect you" attitude between the two of them. They've butted heads quite a few times recently (New Mutants, Second Coming Revelations) but they work together because they're both X-Men.

Because I ahve nothing of value to add to the discussion, I give you this.

Anole is awesome. (So is Charmander)

In this thread, that IS value.

[darknessatnoon]

There's already a thread about how Anole will develop. Please merge, moderator.

[Dudebro McTypo]

Charmander>Anole

nothing against Anole but Charmander was epic

[Cayman]

Skottie Young should be required to draw every Anole appearance.

[chickrockguitar]

Anole is great! One of my fave X-Characters.