The X-Perts: Psylocke

[Karma]

The X-Perts: Psylocke
Kieron Gillen, Rick Remender, Nick Lowe and Jody LeHeup assess the character and history of Betsy Braddock
Posted Aug 15, 2011 3:53 pm
Updated Aug 22, 2011 3:54 pm


By Ben Morse

X-MEN: SCHISM has kicked off a startling metamorphosis in the mutant corner of the Marvel Universe that will split the Children of the Atom and lead to Regenesis in the fall along with two new ongoing series, each featuring its own distinctive team: UNCANNY X-MEN and WOLVERINE & THE X-MEN.


With change in the air, here on Marvel.com we’ll be regularly gathering the creators and editors responsible for guiding the X-Men’s destiny to dissect each of their charges to examine what makes them tick and perhaps lend some insight into where they will find themselves once the Schism ends and the Regenesis gets underway.

This week, we look at Psylocke, a woman with a complex past and variety of relationships as well as membership in both the X-Men and secret X-Force team. Where’s her head at and where does her loyalty lie?

 

[Karma]

they're wrong about a couple things dealing w/ Psylocke.

Psylocke posessed the capacity & willingness to KILL back when she first joined the X-men. Witness her to suggestion to Storm that the best way to deal w/ Havok &/or protect him was to "KILL HIM!" , also when she had a rematch w/ Sabretooth during the Inferno & she KILLED him w/ a vicious telepathic attack. Rogue & Wolverine confirmed his death but of course that was retconned later on when he resurfaced sometime later.

Psylocke was also @ one point one of Storm's advisors/ deputy leaders, alongside Wolverine during Claremont's reign over the X-men. When Storm seemingly died following the battle w/ Nanny & Orphanmaker & Wolverine was missing in action & all that were let were Dazzler, Havok, Colossus & Psylocke, Psylocke effectively took over leadership.

Havok @ one point even said "you talk like YOU'RE boss now" & Psylocke replied, "Find me someone better & I shall step aside."

Psylocke has prooven to be a trusted advisor, counselor & leader. But these days ppl prefer to writer her as psychic/ninja muscle rather than the intelligent person she was once presented as. I also dont agree w/ them saying she "can be developed to be as powerful as Emma..." Psylocke has prooven MANY a time to be a top tier telepath & was regarded as such by Storm, Wolverine, The Hand, Mandarin, Mr. Sinister & even Cyclops. She was considered to be more ruthless than Xavier w/ her powers & many ppl, including her friends were scared of her. Writers dumbed her down to make Jean look stronger b/c for the longest time it was obvious that Jean was NO MATCH for Psylocke.

 

[Rampage]

For a while there, Psylocke was the one you did not want to see. She is now one of many female MU characters that were depowered and screwed over.

Essentially if she has a vagina, she has been depowered with few exceptions (She-Hulk for one).

 

[Karma]

basically ever since Claremont let go of the Uncanny X-men in 1990-91 is when Psylocke's decline occurred. He tried to keep her top tier when she turned into Lady Mandarin, but Jim Lee & co, totally undid all of that & from there it was down hill for her as Jean was made to look like a bad ass (that she never was) etc.

Psylocke DID come off strong & powerfull during X-Necrosha and 2nd Coming, written by Chris Yost. He seems to have a knack for giving the characters (especially the women) the glory & power of their past while keeping them front & center for the current generation & he's gotten some GREAT reviews for his treatment of Psylocke, Magik & Dazzler among others.

On Uncanny X-force, Psylocke is awesome however- she doesnt have the INTELLECT & elegance that she was once known for. She comes off like a powerfull grunt & that's not cool to me.