Monday, July 25, 2011

Research Ideas: Comic related pt.2

So, here is another idea I've been trying to work out in my mind. I'm not sure if it should be classified as research  since it is more of a story proposal regarding the mutant side of the Marvel Universe.

The notion of this proposal is the theorizing of the origins of mutant kind. I derived the idea from the Truth: Red White and Black book that tells of the origins of Captain America which was discussed briefly in the last post. I thought it would be interesting if it were discovered that mutant kind was actually created by human hands. The explanation for this coming from the decades that humanity has lived with chemicals and pollutants that have come to be disastrous for the surrounding environment. I realize this takes the mutant timeline only as far back as maybe the industrial revolution, but there are already a million alternate universes in Marvel, one more wouldn't hurt. As I was saying, this explanation would also chronicle large scale global environmental disasters like Hiroshima, Chernobyl and conflicts using chemical warfare among others. Long standing nuclear experiments and the proximity within which groups have lived by factories would also be taken into account along with increased reliance on medications, food additives, pesticides, bug sprays and so on. Any and everything humanity has lived with for the sake of an 'improved' standard of life.

Wouldn't it be interesting to ponder the extent to which this reality affects humanity. What if it genetically altered humans to the extent that another 'race' of humans emerged. Sure it would be tough to make a leap as  drastic as having powers but in the realm of fiction, what isn't possible? Perhaps it could be seen as a far too late cautionary tale or one that further complicates what would then be an arbitrary rift between humans and mutants.

Research or just stories or both or neither? What do you think of such ideas?

I realize in both ideas that I am likely quite naive about what goes on in the Marvel Universe. Maybe someday when I actually have time and resources to, I can begin to get a better grasp on Marvel and the stories told. Until then, I'll be a naively idealistic fan who sees some of what Marvel has done as endeavors of social justice. If there are insights on any of these research ideas or perspectives please share them. I definitely have a lot to read and learn about the comics world and thus appreciate your thoughts.

Until next time...

1 comment:

  1. According to some research articles read, the whole idea was that mutants were created by human hands. You know, "children of the atom?" According to some in the field of popular culture and other interdisciplines, The Manhattan Project was said to be the source of the 1960s-era mutants. Of course, since I'm doing research that involves mutants within the Marvel universe, I thought I needed to find some articles and books that deal with the history of such. Theorizing and creating a story around the events/catastrophes you mentioned would be a nice upgrade. But just know there are articles out there that speak to race/gender/mutants and the politics that mutants seem to be aligned with... If you are planning on making race an issue, there are a few resources I have been able to dig up.

    Hope this finds you well.


    References:

    Scott, Anna B. (2006). Superpower vs Supernatural: Black Superheroes and the Quest for a Mutant Reality. Journal of Visual Culture, 5(3): 295-314

    Scott, Anna B. (2006). Superpower vs Supernatural: Black Superheroes and the Quest for a Mutant Reality. Journal of Visual Culture, 5(3): 295-314

    Trushell, John M. (2004). American Dreams of Mutants: The X-Men—“Pulp” Fiction, Science Fiction, and Superheroes. The Journal of Popular Culture, 38 (1): 149-168

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