X-Men: 50 Years and Counting
Comic books. Remember those? You know, those colorful illustrated booklets with thin pages that you read faster than your school assignments when kids still played outside. It’s hard to believe, but one of the most successful entities turns 50 this year: X-Men.
Even if you aren’t a fan, chances are pretty slim that you’ve never heard of ‘the strangest super-heroes of all’! The adolescent teens introduced in the sixties spawned a fountain of possibilities. With varying strengths, weaknesses, and perspectives, these superheroes presented a very powerful way to mirror humanity without directly pointing fingers. Social commentary (on racism, politics etc.) quickly made its way into the struggles and victories of the X-Men and remains a mainstay.
The greats Stan Lee and Jack Kirby teamed up in 1961 to bring Marvel’s X-Men to life. The early heroes were different to what most of society is familiar with today; initially fan favorites like Wolverine, Gambit and Rogue weren’t part of the original team. Also, Lee’s X-Men were teenagers and the series struggled to find it’s element and focus (just like teens). Marvel temporarily suspended the battles of Marvel Girl (Jean Grey), Cyclops, Angel, Beast, Iceman, Professor X, Magneto and the Sentinels. When the series returned in the seventies mutants from all parts of the world were introduced. International heroes such as Storm, Wolverine, Nightcrawler and Banshee appeared and offered more complex plots. Furthermore, the X-Men were now adults and faced universally relatable issues, all the while attempting to balance their mutant powers and human nature. The next few decades welcomed new mutant allies and foes and spawned X-books, crossovers and merchandise. By the nineties and new millenium, X-Men became so in demand several comic ‘spin-offs’ were created, an animated television series was conceived and movie franchises like X-Men and Wolverine became blockbusters, paving the way for other Marvel films. Maybe you’re all about Wolverine, or maybe you connected with Gambit as a kid and threw cards at your sister like she was Magneto or a Sentinel; regardless, X-Men’s place in pop culture and your memory is permanent. Thanks for the memories (and scars) Marvel; here’s to fifty more.
In May of 1984 Indy returned to the big screen to dazzle viewers with his retro MacGyver-like qualities and sarcastic quips. He teams up with ‘Short Round’ on a quest for a sacred sto ne. Technically a prequel, Indy finds himself rescuing the girl, some children and tackling the Temple of Doom. All in a day’s work, right? Yet another summer gem by Spielberg and another movie that inspired a brilliant amusement park ride! This installment of the franchise had its fair share of detractors when released. Many felt the film was a little too dark, scary and violent
for the younger viewers who had fallen in love with the previously released Indy Jones adventure. Director Steven Spielberg has stated numerous times that he feels Doom is the weakest Indiana film and that it was too disturbing for its fan base. Regardless of the controversial tone and subject matter, Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom is a true spectacle in regards to its action and effects. It helped to further the Dr. Jones legacy and was a major moneymaker when it was released nearly 30 years ago.
No. 023 THE STNDRD LIFESTYLE - THE ARTIST ISSUE
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