Marvel’s X-Men have long served as a powerful metaphor for marginalized people. They are mutants, excluded from society—it is an allegory for people of all ages, obvious enough for children to understand. Well, this discussion began with a recent trailer for Beau DeMayo’s highly anticipated animated series, X-Men ‘97, which will premiere on Disney+ next month.
The new series’ 1997 setting picks up where X-Men: The Animated Series (1992–1997) left off. In the trailer, we see cult favorites like Wolverine, Storm, and Cyclops kicking ‘90s butt and sporting stunning ‘90s outfits.
This time around, the shape-shifting hero Morph will be portrayed as nonbinary, according to an interesting update. This bold move, however, has stirred up controversy and exposed a segment of fans who seem to have misunderstood the very essence of mutants.
Marvel’s Mutants Is Completely Missed in the X-Men ‘Woke’ Controversy?
Since the first trailer (February 15, 2024) for X-Men ‘97 was released, Marvel has been the target of scrutiny; nonetheless, these criticisms are unjustified. As per the initial trailer, the much-awaited show by Beau DeMayo will pick up where the events of the X-Men: The Animated Series finale left off, with Professor X departing Earth and the X-Men team. Though X-Men ‘97 has thrilled nostalgic fans, it has already caused an uproar, as some have blasted Marvel Studios and the series for being too ‘woke’.
‘Woke’ criticisms have surfaced since it was revealed that Morph, a team member and a close friend of Wolverine from the original series, is non-binary. After Morph’s gender identity was revealed, this phrase was directed at Marvel Studios, with some vociferous fans criticizing Marvel for this alteration.
Social media users have been discussing Morph’s new gender identity since X-Men ’97 showrunner DeMayo revealed it. Some have criticized the move, arguing that Marvel Studios is caving in to ‘wokeness’. However, they are actually missing the main essence of mutants.
Morph’s mutation allows them to shape-shift, completely changing their physical appearance into any form, supporting the idea that they are non-binary. Although this is a relatively small change to the character overall, some people have taken a strange offense at X-Men for making Morph non-binary.
Even though Morph’s identity will not change, his coming out as non-binary in X-Men ‘97 will provide viewers with an important representation of diversity.
X-Men: The Symbols For Inclusion And Diversity
Sadly, a vocal minority of fans responded with overt bigotry to everything from the addition of a non-binary character to the updated designs of characters. Rather than recognizing the complexity and inclusivity that the X-Men represent, they have opted to ignore the central theme of the mutant story.
The account that announced Morph’s updated character, X-Men Updates, responded to the criticism by posting a follow-up post.
The X-Men have and will always be symbols for inclusion and diversity. If you’re a bigot and have a problem with that, you’re not an X-Men fan and you don’t understand the slightest thing about them.
— X-Men Updates (@XMenUpdate) February 15, 2024
Check out a few tweets by fans:
Just watch the original. This will be a current day dumpster fire. Morph is non binary. Rogue has no ass. I give it 3 episodes until a major character is gay.
— Joshua Glaze (@joshua_glaze2) February 15, 2024
“Who is non-binary”
Marvel still not learning, huh?
— ComixZone (@ComedyZ0ne) February 15, 2024
Non whattery? Get that in the bin
— ironmetalman (@aldometalman) February 15, 2024
Here we go with the wokeness
— Nehemiah hall (@Namanaspeaks) February 15, 2024
The trailer look great, but then you see this. I just don't trust that there won't be more woke stuff thrown in, I guess we'll see https://t.co/FqezV31yh8 pic.twitter.com/zk5E7zekov
— Melonie Mac ✝️🎮🖤 (@MelonieMac) February 15, 2024
Marvel’s decision to make Morph non-binary is a significant step toward greater inclusivity and acceptance in the comic book community. However, it has also revealed a disheartening truth: some X-Men fans who claim to love the franchise have completely missed the point of the story.
The first season of Beau DeMay’s animated Disney+ series will have ten episodes. While a second season of the show is currently in development, no further information regarding its potential release date has been released.
X-Men ‘97 will premiere on Disney+ on March 20.
