X-Soldiers
I had a peculiar thought. I can't really think of any X-Men who are ex-American (present-day) military. I can think of a few that served in foreign or alien military, and maybe Wolverine, who seems too much of a wildcard to really be counted anywhere, but aside from that, I'm drawing a blank.
It seems odd because there have to be SOME members of the military who discovered mutant abilities later in life or perhaps hid theirs for a long time.
Then again, I suppose it makes sense. It's hard to imagine a soldier who takes an oath to this country being comfortable as part of what amounts to a secret army. I'd imagine if an ex-military man/woman did suddenly discover powers, they'd be more inclined to join a governmentally sanctioned group like the Avengers or make their own little patriotic militia instead. Xavier's army on the other hand is scary and devoted, a hidden force of highly trained super-powered combatants who have been known to take on governmental facilities. I can see why someone would shy away from that.
I don't really have a point to this. It's just a thought that popped into my head. Though I think I would like to read a comic involving an ex-military mutant militia (alliteration unintended). With absolutely NO ties to Xavier or any of the existing X-teams. It seems like there would be an interesting dynamic there.
It seems odd because there have to be SOME members of the military who discovered mutant abilities later in life or perhaps hid theirs for a long time.
Then again, I suppose it makes sense. It's hard to imagine a soldier who takes an oath to this country being comfortable as part of what amounts to a secret army. I'd imagine if an ex-military man/woman did suddenly discover powers, they'd be more inclined to join a governmentally sanctioned group like the Avengers or make their own little patriotic militia instead. Xavier's army on the other hand is scary and devoted, a hidden force of highly trained super-powered combatants who have been known to take on governmental facilities. I can see why someone would shy away from that.
I don't really have a point to this. It's just a thought that popped into my head. Though I think I would like to read a comic involving an ex-military mutant militia (alliteration unintended). With absolutely NO ties to Xavier or any of the existing X-teams. It seems like there would be an interesting dynamic there.
8 Comments:
At July 07, 2008 2:44 AM, Jeff said…
I would say this: what about one who joins just for education, discovers the powers while in, but does not wish to use it in the military- due to fears of doing "dirty jobs"
At July 07, 2008 4:40 AM, Heath Edwards said…
don't most mutants come about their powers before they'd be of legal age to join the u.s army? once those powers kick in, i doubt they'd want to join. we've all seen 'a few good men'. mutants would be even bigger targets in the lower army ranks than normal people...
At July 07, 2008 8:11 AM, Rich said…
Interesting idea. I'm pretty sure that Stonewall, Crimson Commando and Super Sabre all served prior to joining Freedom Force and getting killed off but that's all I can think of right now.
At July 07, 2008 8:46 AM, jhota said…
the only two X-Men i can think of who have been in the service are Prof. X and Wolverine. and Logan was in the Canadian army, not US.
Prof. X. is a Korean War vet.
Wolverine joined the Canadian army twice (WWI and WWII), and was in a German POW camp.
but i think part of it comes with the age of the characters (outside continuity) - Stan & Jack created them during the war in Vietnam, and there would probably have been a negative reaction from the audience for the book if there had been military or ex-military characters.
At July 07, 2008 9:06 AM, SallyP said…
Well, there's Bishop, but he's from the future, and lately has been nuts, so I'm not sure that he counts.
At July 07, 2008 9:33 AM, Jack of All Arts, Master of None said…
There's Forge, although seeing as he served in Vietnam, who knows how much of that history is in current continuity.
At July 07, 2008 11:18 AM, LurkerWithout said…
Xavier and Juggernaut were both in Korea. Forge in 'Nam. Others (like Banshee and Wolverine) served with other countries. The U.S. military X-Team would have been either Freedom Force (and Crimson Commando is still alive, just all cyborged, as far as I can recall) or X-Factor for a time...
I think Nicieza did a mini-series where the Russians were basically drafting every super-human they had. "Soviet Super Soldiers" I think?
At July 07, 2008 7:07 PM, Erich said…
Rusty Collins was in the Navy when his mutant power first manifested back in X-Factor #1.
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