- [Host] In the X-Men movies, the costumes
for the most part have been pretty boring.
- You actually go outside in these things?
- Well, what would you prefer?
Yellow spandex?
- Not exactly spandex, but at least some kind
of colorful expression that we've seen in the comics
for decades.
There's no denying that X-Men First Class was
at least close with the colors and the design,
but they got the motivation wrong.
They had to wear the costumes because
of practical purposes.
Because they needed to withstand G-forces,
or whatever.
But in the comic books, the X-Men costumes are more
than just combat gear.
Their costumes are a symbol that unites a group
of outcasts and misfits under one shared goal.
But, it also has a hidden down side
that could potentially contradict Professor Xavier's vision.
Now, depending on whether the Marvel timeline
continuity has shifted, Professor X was,
at one point at least, a soldier in the Korean War.
And as a soldier, he would've learned the importance
of a uniform.
It can create a sense of community and camaraderie,
and in the X-Men's case, it was for a group
of teenagers who just needed a place to belong.
Their costumes symbolized membership
and acceptance into a group united
with a strong and clear vision.
And while the X-Men were founded
by Professor X, he seems to be one
of the only members who doesn't wear a costume.
It's, no doubt, to express seniority,
as if he's risen through the ranks and earned
the privilege to not have to wear a uniform,
the same way that members of the team have
to earn the privilege to wear one.
And I think that's a huge part of the X-Men's costume.
It's earned.
If not through trials in the Danger Room,
then trials in real life of just being
a mutant in a society that hates them.
As we talked about before in a video
about the Justice League that hardly anybody watched,
but that's fine, link in the description,
Dr. Wind Goodfriend writes in The Psychology
of Superheroes quote, "The harder it is
"to join a group, the more the members
"of the group will value it and show loyalty."
End quote.
And yes, mutants are born mutants.
They don't exactly have to try to be mutants.
It's just who they are.
But the public in the Marvel universe doesn't
exactly make it easy for mutants to exist openly.
Take famous stories like Days Of Future Past,
or God Loves, Man Kills.
Those are, of course, extreme examples,
but really, you could find any X-Men comic
and there'll be an example in there.
A mutant wearing the X-Men costume signifies
that they are not alone and shows strength
in numbers and a united front.
- Mutant and proud.
- And this is where the X-Men need to be
a little careful, because yes, a consistent costume can
show unity, but it also runs the risk
of stripping away individual identity.
Look back at the original X-Men comics.
The costumes of each member were nearly identical,
but if the X-Men stand for being proud
of who you are in expressing your individuality,
then boy, we gotta get some diversity up in here.
And thankfully, later costumes did show this,
especially when the international team
of X-Men came on board.
We see a wide range of costumes and colors
and designs that shows them, yes, all together,
but not all the same.
The uniform needs to be a compromise between conformity
and uniqueness.
And sometimes, the only uniting feature is
that X-Men X insignia.
Even if a mutant otherwise look human,
the X informs those around him which group
they associate with.
But if Professor X's vision is to create
a society where humans and mutants can co-exist
in harmony, then does labeling the X-Men
with a unique mark do more harm than good
by further creating a divide between the two species?
Many people smarter than I am have drawn similarities
between the X-Men's X and the Star Of David
that was forced on Jews during the Holocaust.
And this World War II narrative is nothing new
to the X-Men universe, as Magneto himself is
a Holocaust survivor.
But the huge difference here is that the X-Men choose,
purposefully choose to wear that X, taking control
of the narrative and labeling themselves
before anyone else can label them.
And proudly wearing that X show that yes,
they're a minority group, but they're not trying
to hide.
They want you to see them.
In fact, just like in the Superman video
that we talked about last week, they are demanding
the public's attention, saying, "Look,
"I know that you have your own feelings
"towards the mutants, but please, just look at us.
"Look at what we're doing.
"See that we're not monsters.
"We are mutants, and we are proud."
What do you guys think?
What other elements of the X-Men costumes make
them either good or bad?
Do you disagree with anything I've said today?
Let me know in the comments down below.
If you're new here, make sure to hit
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because we have one last video coming up this year
that's all about exploring the costumes in Watchmen.
Yes, a Watchmen video.
I guarantee you, we're all gonna be a little bit
sadder at the end of it.
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If you wanna watch more videos about superhero
costumes, we've got a whole playlist that you can watch
right here that starts with this one
about how Superman's costume is absolutely brilliant.
That came out last week.
Plenty of time to still go watch it.
My name is Scott reminding you to read between the panels
and grow smarter through comics.
See ya.