Though his code-name doesn't necessarily inspire the sort of awesome heroic qualities that most superheroes go for, Nightcrawler has long been one of the coolest, most interestingly conflicted, X-Men. (I mean, is he supposed to have giant earthworm powers? Is he the perfect mutant to take along on fishing trips?) Name issues aside, Kurt Wagner's true history has been portioned out to readers over time, with some facts only coming to light 20 years or more after Nightcrawler first joined the X-Men. Luckily, the good folks at Marvel have put all the bits and pieces together in X-Men Origins: Nightcrawler.
This completely self-contained one-shot issue tells the tale of young Kurt's abandonment by his true mother, the mutant shape-shifter and trouble-maker Mystique, and his adoption by the kind Margali Szardos. Unfortunately, adopting this blue, demonic-looking baby makes Margali an outcast. Even more unfortunately, she and Kurt (along with Margali's own children) are taken in by Herr Getmann, so Kurt can appear in his freak show and perform in his circus.
Getmann is a cruel man, who wields his power over Margali's family with threats and physical violence. Kurt is kept drugged and locked in a cage like an animal, not daring to even try to escape for fear of the consequences for his mother. When Kurt is finally given no choice but to flee, he finds sanctuary in the church and a father in the priest who takes him in. Of course, Kurt's life is never easy and it isn't long before the terrors of his past catch up with him...
If you are new to the world of the X-Men, this tale, by writers Adam Freeman and Marc Bernardin, sums up everything you might want to know about this dashing mutant hero. If you're an old hand and remember Kurt's first appearance in Giant-Size X-Men #1, this updated version of Kurt's origin adds some new wrinkles to the familiar tale. There is also a handy reprint of that first appearance included here for your perusal, so you're really getting two origins for the price of one!
So, bamf on over to Four Color Fantasies today and try X-Men Origins: Nightcrawler while it is our guaranteed Book of the Week. It is a great read with some nifty art, and you get a complete story with no crossovers or further reading required. Plus, if you're feeling adventurous, you can roll it up, stick it in your pocket, and take it fishing with you. It may not help, but you never know.
This completely self-contained one-shot issue tells the tale of young Kurt's abandonment by his true mother, the mutant shape-shifter and trouble-maker Mystique, and his adoption by the kind Margali Szardos. Unfortunately, adopting this blue, demonic-looking baby makes Margali an outcast. Even more unfortunately, she and Kurt (along with Margali's own children) are taken in by Herr Getmann, so Kurt can appear in his freak show and perform in his circus.
Getmann is a cruel man, who wields his power over Margali's family with threats and physical violence. Kurt is kept drugged and locked in a cage like an animal, not daring to even try to escape for fear of the consequences for his mother. When Kurt is finally given no choice but to flee, he finds sanctuary in the church and a father in the priest who takes him in. Of course, Kurt's life is never easy and it isn't long before the terrors of his past catch up with him...
If you are new to the world of the X-Men, this tale, by writers Adam Freeman and Marc Bernardin, sums up everything you might want to know about this dashing mutant hero. If you're an old hand and remember Kurt's first appearance in Giant-Size X-Men #1, this updated version of Kurt's origin adds some new wrinkles to the familiar tale. There is also a handy reprint of that first appearance included here for your perusal, so you're really getting two origins for the price of one!
So, bamf on over to Four Color Fantasies today and try X-Men Origins: Nightcrawler while it is our guaranteed Book of the Week. It is a great read with some nifty art, and you get a complete story with no crossovers or further reading required. Plus, if you're feeling adventurous, you can roll it up, stick it in your pocket, and take it fishing with you. It may not help, but you never know.
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