Indian Comics Irregular #51

GIANT-SIZE X-MEN #1 (1975) was a breakthrough in modern comics. It
was the first mainstream title to depict a group of international
heroes: Canadian, Irish, German, African, Russian, Japanese, and
Native American. Fans rightly consider it a milestone.

Yet as innovative as this comic was, it was more conventional than
most people realize. In fact, it was rife with the stereotypes it
sought to fight. As usual, the Indian character proves the point.

When John "Thunderbird" Proudstar first appears, he thinks, "The
Apache were meant to be hunters, WARRIORS--not sad-eyed simpering
SQUAWS." When he downs a buffalo, he adds, "There is still a MAN
among the Apache." The implication is that other Indians--the
unlucky ones born without superpowers--are losers. That isn't how
most Native people think of themselves.

Later comes this choice exchange:

Thunderbird: "Hey, One-Eye--there's something followin' us!"
Cyclops: "I see it, Geronimo! It's..."
Thunderbird: "Well, I'll be jiggered, One-Eye--the Jap!"

Even 25 years ago, this kind of talk wasn't socially acceptable.
It's racist stereotyping from the World War II era. Thunderbird also
refers to Storm and Colossus as "the chick" and "the Russkie."

Moreover, Thunderbird constantly argues and complains. He's a
malcontent who doesn't appreciate what he has, which is a mainstream
view of Indians. He also uses coarser language than the
others--"ain't," "freakin'," "ya" instead of "you"--suggesting his
lack of erudition.

As a multicultural model, the all-new, all-different X-Men is
deficient. Every member of the final lineup--Professor X, Cyclops,
Phoenix, Wolverine, Banshee, Storm, Nightcrawler, and Colossus--hails
from a European-based tradition. Even Storm is an American who was
orphaned in Africa.

The two characters who weren't European-based didn't make the cut.
The Japanese Sunfire left the team, and Thunderbird committed
suicide. Which is another stereotype: the Indian so full of
self-loathing he drives himself to destruction.

For more on Thunderbird and the X-Men, go to
http://www.bluecorncomics.com/tbird.htm.

Speaking Out

If Indians don't call each other "Geronimo" and the rest of us "white
eyes," how DO they speak these days? I've posted some of the most
common Native slang terms at
http://www.bluecorncomics.com/naslang.htm.

Speaking of speaking, Billy and Drew are sounding off once again. To
see the 2001 edition of our political cartoons, head to
http://www.bluecorncomics.com/toons01.htm.

Multicultural Boost

A few years ago, the X-Men added several members: a black South
African who spoke a hip sort of Afrikaans, a Puerto Rican doctor who
didn't want to be a superhero, a Kentucky hick in awe of his
teammates, and an underground mutant who threatened to kill
everyone. Just as you'd expect, these characters gave the comics a
much-needed jolt of energy. Too bad the writers softened or
dispatched them all.

A Bounty of Advice

I'm happy to say another worthy Native, André Cramblit (Karuk),
has joined our Board of Advisors. André is president of the
California Indian Education Association and operations director of
the Northern California Indian Development Council
(http://www.ncidc.org). As we complete another PEACE PARTY script,
we look forward to his counsel.

Rob Schmidt
Blue Corn Comics