Claremont did that a lot, though: putting characters in uncomfortable situations to make readers think about their own beliefs…
However, I don't think Hickman will do that: he doesn't seem to be very interested by people in inner turmoil and moral dilemmas…
He seems to be more in clever plots and grand schemes…
“Strength is the lot of but a few privileged men; but austere perseverance, harsh and continuous, may be employed by the smallest of us and rarely fails of its purpose, for its silent power grows irresistibly greater with time.” Goethe
That is Hickman's main problem: he's so clever and intellectually based that the warmer parts sometimes get lost(A hugging that Summoner kid was suprisingly tender, though, and NM's Sunspot is a charm beast). Claremont was really great at the soap opera part, so much so that it didn't really matter that his plots were just thin redressings of whatever was on tv or at the movies in those days(the Brood/Aliens, Shi'ar/Star Wars/Star Trek, Hellfire Club/The Avengers tv show, etc). Claremont did have nice little social commentaries, and enough vocabulary and geography/historical/literary references that kept it smart enough. Hickman's balance is a little more distorted so far it would seem in favor of the 'plots and schemes', but he does have a dash of heart, at least.
Let the flames destroy all but that which is pure and true!
But again, that is just Hickman's style. It's what he does, gor better and for worse.
We've seen writers try and play it like Claremont and it's just too hard. The guy was a genius at making those soap opera elements work. And also adding all those fetishes...
As for the killing of babies, it's not like they would show some awful and graphic scene. And I don't think Hickman would likely do it. But if being a mutant is so important, what do you do with children who aren't? People keep bringing up Shogo, but there's a strong case being made that Shogo will be written out of the books soon enough. And why is that? Just because kids are annoying to write? Or because the writers need humans off the island?
Are you kidding me? Your leap is to Krakoa murdering babies, that idea is messed up.
1. You assume without evidence that there will be enough normal human offspring of mutant parents for the insult to become prevalent.
2. You assume without evidence that human births will be enough of a problem that Krakoa needs a solution
3. You assume without evidence that (and the first thing you leap to is) that they are going to start murdering babies so that it can be genetically altered and given an X-Gene.
4. You acknowledge that it would not happen but...
5. You somehow think this is a valid concern.
"Danielle... I intend to do something rash and violent." - Betsy Braddock
Krakoa, Arakko, and Otherworld forever!
I suppose you don't find Magneto pompous saying that…
I think Hickman is a bit confusing regarding Magneto: either he's the Daddy mutant champion that wants to protect all the little mutants or he's the mutant supermacist that regards humans as lowlifes.
It doesn't seem very consistent to me.
“Strength is the lot of but a few privileged men; but austere perseverance, harsh and continuous, may be employed by the smallest of us and rarely fails of its purpose, for its silent power grows irresistibly greater with time.” Goethe
Huh, to me Magneto has been one of the most consistently written characters since HOX. You can tell Hickman likes writing in his voice
He's leaning heavily into the O Great Saviour of Mutants angle because its what he's always believed in and, on a slightly more egotistical level, what he's always wanted. He's wanted mutant children to thrive, feel safe and protected. He's wanted mutants to "unshackle" themselves, if you will, from their human counterparts. He's been vilified for decades because of these views, and now its all coming true and he's milking every second of vindication - pure "human" nature
so I guess what I'm trying to say is that he's both mutant champion and, to a degree, supremacist. (He is making nice with the silly humans after all, isn't he?) I wouldn't say this is inconsistent characterization, rather just more layered
tldr: