Nightcrawleris one of theX-Men’s most beloved heroes, but Kurt Wagner may be old news as a brandnewNightcrawler enters franchise lore. While this new Nightcrawler isn’t a mutant, theyarea beacon of hope for mutantkind’s future.
InUncanny X-Men #18, written by Gail Simone and drawn by Luciano Vecchio, Nightcrawler visits the home of human ally Makenzie DeNeer and her children, and the young son of Makenzie reveals he named his hamster after the fuzzy blue hero.
Though a small and innocent gesture,this new Nightcrawler symbolizes the next generation of humanity accepting mutantkindand seeing the X-Men as true heroes.
Kurt’s demonic appearance has often made him the scapegoat of mutant hate. It’s therefore particularly meaningful to see him celebrated.
Marvel’s New Nightcrawler Is a Tribute to the Original, Showing Attitudes ARE Changing
Uncanny X-Men; Written by Gail Simone; Drawn By Luciano Vecchio; Colored By Rachelle Rosenberg; Lettered By Clayton Cowles
While the hamster is just a regular house pet and holds none of Nightcrawler’s powers,the reason the hamster is named after Nightcrawler is thatKurt saved the young boy’s sister from getting hit by a truck inUncanny X-Men #6. This simple act of selflessness was the catalyst for significant steps towards mutant acceptance in Louisiana. Theentire reason the X-Men got togetherin the first place was so their heroism could change hearts and minds.
Despite not being an unusual heroic act, Nightcrawler saving Makenzie’s family had such an impact on her thatshe convinced the town to create a holiday celebrating the mutant heroes, and her children now admire Nightcrawler. The X-Men fight massive battles, but small moments, such as Nightcrawler influencing young children, can also spark massive change.
The long-standing division between mutants and humans has been explored in depth in the Marvel mythos, but Nightcrawler the hamster’s existence takes an important step in showing change and acceptance in the next generation. While mutantkind have encountered many setbacks, the people actually living alongside the Uncanny X-Men are celebrating them as the heroes they are.
Marvel’s New Nightcrawler Is Creating a Bridge Between Mutants and Humans in the Sweetest Way Possible
Nightcrawler Is Surprisingly the X-Men’s Best Chance at Finding Equality
Nightcrawler may not bethe most powerful X-Men, but he possesses incredible qualities, such as overwhelming compassion and kindness, that make him the perfect mutant to act as the bridge between humans and mutants. Nightcrawler is one of the X-Men’s most moral characters, always thinking deeply about the philosophy of their actions. Despite this,Kurt’s demonic appearance has often made him the scapegoat of mutant hate, most iconically in the seminal ‘God Loves, Man Kills’ arc. It’s therefore particularly meaningful to see him celebrated.
Nightcrawler’s kindness and self-sacrifice are so impressive, even Captain America has celebrated his heroism, and the humans around him can’t help but notice that a hero is in their midst. With all the hate the X-Men have suffered over the years, and the dire circumstances they found themselves in following the 2019-2024 Krakoan Era, seeing the mutant heroes celebrated is a reminder that there’s reason to hope for a better tomorrow.
Nightcrawler the hamster illustrates the sweet way a child expresses their admiration, but on a deeper level,it can be seen as the next generation accepting heroes and mutants like Nightcrawler. Nightcrawler, the hamster, is not a superhero, but he still represents hope for theX-Men’s mission.
