Marvel’s X-Men franchise is long-running and crosses into so many different titles. It’s often difficult to know where to start if you know only the movies, but want to start reading some actual comics. There are many excellent titles to start with, but the stand-alone 1982 graphic novel "X-Men: God Loves, Man Kills" is the book I recommend for those who want the single best X-Men title that makes clear the thematic significance of the X-Men characters as outsiders persecuted for their differences.
Christopher Claremont’s story is not for those looking for light entertainment. He deals explicitly with the connection between religion and racism, as well as private shame and public persecution. In order to convey his themes, Claremont doesn’t shy away from one of the most disturbing facts of American history — that well-intentioned men and women owned African-Americans as slaves and killed those African-American men and women who they felt threatened them in some way. I am not simply bringing my own views to this story; I am simply saying that this book is a serious one, because in the first three pages of the comic we are forced to witness adult “Purifiers” murder and hang two young African-American “mutants.” For many, these three pages of the story will make them close the book. For those willing to follow Claremont’s story, a complex ethical narrative follows examining the twisted logic of racism and hate and murder.
The Purifiers are led by a popular Christian fundamentalist minister named William Stryker. When I first read this book, I expected that Stryker would just be a one-dimensional villain who ended up representing a simplistic reduction of Christian beliefs. As somebody brought up in a Christian church, I did not find this fear realized. Stryker is not used by Claremont to represent ALL Christians. I would not be recommending this book if that were the case. Rather, he represents anyone of any religion who justifies murder via his religious views. And for that reason, because of its broad real-world relevance, this book is still in print and praised by readers and critics to this day.
Despite Stryker's private nature, Claremont creates complexity within his character. Stryker is given a back-story that is rather interesting: there are two key facts of his past that are of importance. One of these secrets is something he feels great shame for. However, it is the other secret that will disturb the reader, since Stryker is not ashamed of it. What does and does not shame us about our past reveals much about our ethical views, according to Claremont, and Stryker’s secret past shows us his.
There are other aspects to this story that I like: One of Stryker’s Purifiers changes sides. Why does this change occur, and what will Stryker’s reaction be? Stryker uses the media to great effect, and he demolishes Professor Xavier, the X-Men’s father-figure and mentor, in a debate publicized on television. Claremont asks us to consider the role of media in public forums, and he implies that often the media is misused in disturbing ways by those with unethical agendas.
"X-Men: God Loves, Man Kills" is a serious work of literature that highlights what the X-Men fight for, and the struggles the team has to deal with. The current edition includes essays and interviews with the creators as well as some other bonus features. I truly enjoy Brent Eric Anderson’s artwork. This art will look dated to those new to comics; however, considering this book was published four years before Alan Moore’s "Watchmen," I think we can be impressed with Claremont’s daring take on the themes of the X-Men and his revisions which are suited for a more mature audience-- who wants to see such serious issues dealt with in a direct and complex manner. If you’ve ever wanted to read one X-Men title that focuses on the ethical significance of the characters, then "X-Men: God Loves, Man Kills" is the one to read.
