Everyone knows the phrase “It’s better to serve in Heaven than rule in Hell.” I’m changing that, and adding something as well. “Would you rather rule in Hell, serve in Heaven, or be free on Earth?”
Of these options, for my Polaris fandom, I would rather be free.
For the past little while, I’ve said things about Lorna’s exclusion from House of X and Powers of X. How indicative it is of bias against her at Marvel. How other characters in the exact same situation as her would get oodles of use and support, but she doesn’t get that because of bias. How integral various things she’s been through would make her for this event if bias didn’t factor in.
All of that is still technically true. But there’s a new layer. That’s changed my thoughts entirely.
Something happened lately, tied to the fandom. I saw the darkness fed by House of X and Powers of X. I also see those tied to HoX and PoX saying nothing counter to that darkness. Not using their power to bring about better behavior. They aren’t encouraging bad behavior, but they’re not trying to minimize it either. They’re just letting it go.
Remember Secret Empire? Remember how it twisted Captain America into a Nazi? Then when there was a massive uproar about how obviously wrong that was, Marvel spun a tale of that being a fake Captain America all along… but they never really tried to set things right? Never said they did anything wrong. Just kept at it to completion, then went silent hoping time would lead to everyone forgetting and giving Marvel a pass for it.
HoX and PoX in itself is obviously nowhere near as bad as that. But the things I’ve seen in the fandom, and inaction on the X-Men office’s part concerning it, lead me to the same general feeling.
They’re not wielding their power responsibly. Because wielding power responsibly isn’t only turning a blind eye. It’s also stepping in when something’s wrong. Otherwise the famous Spider-Man catchphrase of “With great power comes great responsibility” would lead to him sitting at home watching TV all day.
I’ve said elsewhere many times before that when (not if; when) Polaris gets what’s due for her, it’s gonna be done clean. My focus in saying that has been on not seeing other characters mistreated for her benefit. Other characters should not be put through what she was.
But it applies beyond that too. Previously, I stopped watching Gifted after Dreamer’s death because of how poorly they handled character death, despite my loving the show’s season 1 depiction of Lorna. Some things transcend seeing her in a prominent place.
Which brings me back to House of X and Powers of X. Until a few days ago, I felt Polaris needed to be in it. Then I saw what I saw. Now? I think it’s better for her if she’s nowhere near it. Just as I wouldn’t have wanted her anywhere near Secret Empire.
Polaris will get her turn. With an event that’s good. That brings out the best in fandom, not the worst. That doesn’t lead to people getting so absorbed in hype that they lose sight of the shore.
While I’m waiting for that day to come, I’ll continue to support and promote Lorna where it counts most. Help the character reach people that need her. Do what Marvel won’t. I’m taking the third route of freedom here. And I’m looking forward to where it’s going.
salarta 