Betsy Braddock: Psylocke Appreciation 2018

[Havok83]

Not all were bad and they weren't worse than some of the ones that Sage had to wear when CC last wrote her...

I didnt say bad, I wrote boring.

[LoganAlpha30X33]

Well Havok boring isn't exactly a positive descriptor so boring mostly leans towards meaning bad in many respects...though I liked some of her looks from the 90's but not all, and I disagree Taz that she got no characterization in the 90's, I started with the whole Revanche vs Betsy saga so to me that was characterization, not what you wanted or liked but it did happen and pushed her to accepting fully her Asian body and moving on...at least for a time before it all got into retread territory later on...

[Shadowcat]

The 90's to me were the worst time to be a fan of hers. Her development as an actual character just stopped. I've mentioned before just giving up on her. Sure she got popular for the fightings games and crap, but that's not development. Most of those fighting games fans are the ones suprised she wasn't always Japanese. Because she got popular, but without the context. Just hot Asian dragonlady trope. Even in the early 00's she was little more than a powerset. Remender really brought out the story beats, and even in the Thong, became more of a character again.

Although I loved Slaymaster becoming her Nemesis, it was little more than torture porn of him running around alternate universes killing a bunch of different versions with no context or actual fight, than the "One that got away!"
They really didn't even develop THAT relationship as to the why he wishes to pursue HER, instead of say Sabertooth, he technically got away too.

But as much as I first despised it, Farouk is a Nemesis, and they have great tit for tat. He pushes her to become stronger, than AOA Jean simply saying ...

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I really disliked this era for Betsy. It was the height of Marvel’s fetishization of her in her Asian form. While I loved the storyline that introduced Revanche, killing off her white body was the biggest mistake for them. Her two rematches with Sabretooth did her no favors. They meet again, and she’s now a trained fighter, taking out Wolverine, among others, yet gets decimated by Sabretooth both times. Then they went with a stereotype when they added the shadow melting powers, that they fell flat when it came time to develop the changes in her. I will say that I enjoyed what Remender did with Betsy, despite my disliking what he did for Warren.

[Izanami]

This was the 80's, but with 50's influence. ROM is literally a Gem that no one remembers, but influenced the Marvel comics to this day.
Where'd you think those Space Knights came from lol.

I have read ROM, it's an underrated series and there was a short arc (2 or 3 issues) where he met Rogue. ROM was the beginning of Rogue's atonement and switch to the good side after absorbing Carol. Now I feel like re-reading G.I Joe due to similarities between them being toy comics that surprised readers with good storytelling. Marvel what happened to you?

[Izanami]

I really disliked this era for Betsy. It was the height of Marvel’s fetishization of her in her Asian form. While I loved the storyline that introduced Revanche, killing off her white body was the biggest mistake for them. Her two rematches with Sabretooth did her no favors. They meet again, and she’s now a trained fighter, taking out Wolverine, among others, yet gets decimated by Sabretooth both times. Then they went with a stereotype when they added the shadow melting powers, that they fell flat when it came time to develop the changes in her. I will say that I enjoyed what Remender did with Betsy, despite my disliking what he did for Warren.

Same. I love that Betsy got a lot of exposure in the 90's when it came to media but when it came to character development or new storylines, I felt like they never understood the character or just went with anything vaguely Asian. Was not a fan of her sexification in regards to being a conflict between Scott and Jean just to ramp up some lazy drama before they were married. It was completely unnecessary and it did not do well with Psylocke's character before the retcon reveal of Kwannon's existence. When I went back and read her previous apperances I was surprised and fascinated with her British self. She was far more interesting for me especially with her motivations and goals to be a better X-Men and person. I believe that helped a lot in showing her progression and growth as a character. Remender brought her back from all the repeated storylines and underwhelming moments she had. My only complain as of now on Angel for Remender is wishing Warren would of played a part in stopping his villanous alter ego. For once I wanted to see him win or sacrifice himself to stop him for good in similar fashion to how Jean stopped Dark Phoenix. Sadly, there is nothing to be done but move on.

[CGAR]

Im low key annoyed that Domino and Shatterstar have mini's or solo's but Psylocke does not. When it makes the most sense for her to have one at this time.

[Havok83]

Im low key annoyed that Domino and Shatterstar have mini's or solo's but Psylocke does not. When it makes the most sense for her to have one at this time.

Both exist bc of the Deadpool 2 movie. Here's to hoping that Betsy gets something in 2019

[Tazirai]

Im low key annoyed that Domino and Shatterstar have mini's or solo's but Psylocke does not. When it makes the most sense for her to have one at this time.

I keep telling people, her popularity is wonky. It's not as High as some fans give it. Sure she has the look and video game appeal, but I don't think she has the same OOMPH as say even Squirrel Girl.
Psylocke needs a niche to fit, and for her solo or mini to work, they gotta bypass strictly ninja girl trope.

She has the history to be more, and yes I know some of you may dislike the Otherworld stuff, but that Literally sets her apart. Let's look at what takes her beyond hot ninja chick.

*FUCKIN MERLYN, Her family has a DIRECT tie to Godsdamn King Arthur.
*She's 1/3 Fae, 1/3 mutant, 1/3 human
*She has the potential to become Sorceress Supreme (Dr. Strange has a direct connection to her and her family, Hell Dr. Stranges former lover trained her to use the PsychoBlast, and in Universe X she SUCCEEDS Dr. Fuckin Strange!
*She had Controllable Precognition (Which Claremont retconned to being uncontrolled)
*She had Psychic Spy potential (She could be the mutant James Damn Bond)
*She has the strongest enemies of her team.
*She went from being a flighty Damsel in Distress to reluctant heroine,morally grey badass, to Psychic Tactician, to team leader, to Silly action junkie, to being scared of death, to being stripped to her core, and manipulated by everyone, to rediscovering who she is a big damn hero.
*Did I mention FUCKIN MERLYN?
*Dimension Hopping Heroine.

I mean Psylocke can be so much more, I didn't even mention being a ninja, since it's her most "Iconic" Look, but is literally the smallest part of who she is.

[Psycwave]

Warren is going to hate Betsy forever after today’s Uncanny. She looked cute though.

[LoganAlpha30X33]

Nah, he will have totally forgotten about it a few issues from now or just as soon as a different writer writes him...

[Psy]

Warren is going to hate Betsy forever after today’s Uncanny. She looked cute though.

That was an intense and interesting moment. Looking forward to see what exactly she did, I mean we saw what she did but how did she actually do it? Also yeah, Warren looked pretty PO'd. Next issue can't come fast enough now that Psylocke is getting great moments.

[Drey]

I keep telling people, her popularity is wonky. It's not as High as some fans give it. Sure she has the look and video game appeal, but I don't think she has the same OOMPH as say even Squirrel Girl.
Psylocke needs a niche to fit, and for her solo or mini to work, they gotta bypass strictly ninja girl trope.

She has the history to be more, and yes I know some of you may dislike the Otherworld stuff, but that Literally sets her apart. Let's look at what takes her beyond hot ninja chick.

*FUCKIN MERLYN, Her family has a DIRECT tie to Godsdamn King Arthur.
*She's 1/3 Fae, 1/3 mutant, 1/3 human
*She has the potential to become Sorceress Supreme (Dr. Strange has a direct connection to her and her family, Hell Dr. Stranges former lover trained her to use the PsychoBlast, and in Universe X she SUCCEEDS Dr. Fuckin Strange!
*She had Controllable Precognition (Which Claremont retconned to being uncontrolled)
*She had Psychic Spy potential (She could be the mutant James Damn Bond)
*She has the strongest enemies of her team.
*She went from being a flighty Damsel in Distress to reluctant heroine,morally grey badass, to Psychic Tactician, to team leader, to Silly action junkie, to being scared of death, to being stripped to her core, and manipulated by everyone, to rediscovering who she is a big damn hero.
*Did I mention FUCKIN MERLYN?
*Dimension Hopping Heroine.

I mean Psylocke can be so much more, I didn't even mention being a ninja, since it's her most "Iconic" Look, but is literally the smallest part of who she is.

This is what got me even more interested in her after starting with the psychic, mystically enhanced ninja with shadow porting abilities. It was a fun journey buying all the back issues to see how her journey began with the X-men, then even further back when she was asking for Brian's help when Jamie crashed his car back in 1976. I agree with you that Psylocke has a lot of potential for stories and being Sorceress Supreme is definitely possible. Even Belasco once said he sensed power in her that would make her a better apprentice than Illyana! After everything she has gone through, Psylocke could activate her "divine spark" (as Merlyn once said) that probably means magick potential and through that regain use of the magick she had from the Crimson Dawn, in addition to her already considerable psychic abilities? I admit she'd be overpowered...but deliciously overpowered and she'd need a solo.

I've always thought that Betsy, Brian, and Jamie were long descended from Merlin? Is that where you're getting the fae reference from? Or is that just a stand-in for 'Otherworldlian'?

And it sounds like I need to read the latest issue ASAP!!

[Infernal-Ginger]

wow today's Uncanny had Betts some great moments20181212_084150.jpg

[Psycwave]

Nah, he will have totally forgotten about it a few issues from now or just as soon as a different writer writes him...

They're over, Logan! There's no coming back; join me in a dance.

That was an intense and interesting moment. Looking forward to see what exactly she did, I mean we saw what she did but how did she actually do it? Also yeah, Warren looked pretty PO'd. Next issue can't come fast enough now that Psylocke is getting great moments.

Yeah, I was expecting a bit more of a tussle between the two given the cover but it was still a nice moment. I wonder if it was something similar to when she was able to use her tk katana to stop the blockage Bishop and Kurt had to accessing their powers during CC's Savage Land arc? And she's powerful enough to free people from Nate's control? Love it.

[Luckystar.]

Warren's got what he deserved. Lol at him being all pissed. Yeah, she just disrupted Nate's control just like that. Good girl.