TheX-Menfranchise has contributed some of the longest-lasting images in comic book history,like iconic coversor Kitty Pryde pointing at the reader and yelling, “Professor Xavier is a JERK!” Like with all forms of storytelling, superhero stories in comic books are filled with recurring themes, ideas, motifs, and especially images that repeat across history. Sometimes, the repetition of these images serves a narrative purpose to one story, while other times, it’s an ongoing reference that spans multiple comics.
One such image comes fromX-Men, specifically fromUncanny X-Men#168.The image of Kate (then-Kitty) Pryde calling Charles Xavier a jerk has become synonymous with both characters and the X-Men brand itself.It’s one of the most famous images to come from the X-Men comics. Yet, many audiences don’t know the actual context of the panel, despite how often the image gets circulated and, in other comics, gets referenced.
To understand why this one panel left such a big impression on both fans and creators who reference it, readers must first understand exactly why Professor X is a jerk.
Why Did Kitty Call Professor X a Jerk?
Uncanny X-Men#167 by Chris Claremont, Paul Smith, Bob Wiacek, ANdy Yanchus, Glynis Wein, Tom Orzechowski, Louise Jones, and Danny Fingeroth
The issue prior marked the conclusion of theBrood Saga,one of the bestX-Menstorylines. During this arc, the X-Men are presumed dead after an encounter with an alien race called the Brood. Despite Charles Xavier’s guilt, Moira MacTaggert urges her on-again-off-again lover to rebuild witha newer, younger team of recruits, which Professor X would call the New Mutants. It’s in the last issue that the X-Men - including Kitty Pryde, who serves as the primary protagonist inX-stories at the time - return to the X-Mansion.
Once the dust of the event finally settles, it’s time for Xavier to finally address the elephant in the room: what to do with the junior member of the X-Men team.If the New Mutants squadron exists to house the teenage mutants of the Xavier Institute for Gifted Youngsters, then the actual youngster of the X-Men would belong on that team, by Xavier’s logic at least. Xavier relays this news ever so nonchalantly to the team moments after they arrive home, shocking everyone in the room, especially Kitty.
Beyond the breaking news itself,the way he delivers the bombshell makes it easy to understand why Kitty viewed Professor X as such a jerk. It’s hard to deny that Professor X has the worst possible timing. The X-Men were just presumed dead, and return to find themselves seemingly replaced by the New Mutants before being forced into one final confrontation to end the Brood’s schemes. And despite playing a big part in the X-Men’s success, Kitty’s reward is to be told she’s being demoted to the junior division of the X-Men. Wow. Professor X really is a jerk.
How Did Kitty Find Her Way Back to the X-Men?
Uncanny X-Men#168 by Chris Claremont, Paul Smith, Bob Wiacek, Tom Orzechowski, Glynis Wein, Louise Jones, and Jim Shooter
For those wondering how Kitty Pryde is able to resolve her dilemma, look no further than the very next issue,which aptly opens with the full-page panel of Kitty pointing at the reader, screaming,“Professor Xavier is a JERK!“Appropriately enough, this is also the name of this story. The image is literally striking, as in Kitty’s pointing motion is striking at the reader. There’s a ferocity drawn in her eyes that demands the reader’s attention. It’s no wonder the image has connected with audiences so strongly years after the fact.
In regard to the story, after spending some time pouting and complaining about Xavier’s decision to anyone willing to listen (namely,her best friend Illyana Rasputin aka Magik, and her ballet instructor Stevie Hunter),Kitty is ready to start plotting out her return to the X-Menbefore her exit has even been made official. First, she must attempt to remind Xavier what made her such an asset to the X-Men in the first place. Then, she passionately rants to the X-Men leader, before that devolves into helping and coddling him with flattery. Alas, it is all to no avail.
However, Kitty’s luck takes a turn for the better when she realizes something is amiss at the X-Mansion. She telepathically warns Xavier about what could be near. At first, it seems to be a false alarm, as her pet dragon, Lockheed, is found at the scene of the supposed crime. However, it quickly becomes evident that the X-Mansion has been infiltrated by Sidrian Hunters, the aliens who tried to kill Cyclops' father and wrecked the X-Mansion back inUncanny X-Men#154.
Practically by herself (save for a last-minute assist from Colossus), Kitty is able to ward off and destroy the alien species. She returns to Xavier’s office with the latter utterly impressed with the would-be New Mutant’s work.This is the first time that he has seen Kitty in action, and he can not believe just how mature she proves to be on the battlefield, despite her age. In his eyes, that is enough to justify her membership on the X-Men, reneging on his decision to make her join the New Mutants.
Kitty’s Declaration Has Been Mimicked Quite a Few Times
Who Else Was a Jerk?
There are several examples out there of times that the famous “Professor Xavier is a jerk!” panel was recreated with different characters. Gwen Stacy once called Captain America a jerk, Hope Summers called her adopted grandfather Scott a jerk, Princess Powerful or Bruiser (or just Molly Hayes) called Wolverine a jerk, and the list goes on and on. Kitty even recreates the image herself in an issue ofStar-Lordalongside her then-partner, Peter Quill. She also directly references the moment in Immortal X-Men #3 by Kieron Gillen and Lucas Werneck, telling Charles, “Wow, Chuck. That’s some realProfessor-Xavier-is-a-jerkenergy you’re throwing out there.” One has to wonder what it is about “Professor Xavier is a jerk!” that makes it so ripe for recreation.
If one had to guess, it’s more than just making a funny reference. It’s aboutcreators recognizing what worked about the original panel and deciding that recreating it is the best way to recapture that emotion and feeling that came from it. Going back to describing the image earlier, Kitty’s motions are literally striking while her facial expressions are ferocious, all in the name of calling out someone whmo she feels is being unreasonable. There is no better way to recapture that same feeling than to recreate it.
In all of these mimicked panels, the characters getting called outareexhibiting jerky behavior. For example, Captain America was certainly being a jerk by telling Miles Morales that he can’t be Spider-Man anymore. And there’s no better way to emphasize just how much of a jerk Cap is being than by having Gwen wave a striking finger at the audience (and Cap) in a blazing fury. TheX-Menfranchise has delivered many things to comics culture, but among the bigger contributions is the universal sign of frustration towards jerks in the Marvel Universe.
X-Men
The X-Men franchise, created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, centers on mutants with extraordinary abilities. Led by the powerful telepath Professor Charles Xavier, they battle discrimination and villainous mutants threatening humanity. The series explores themes of diversity and acceptance through a blend of action, drama, and complex characters, spanning comics, animated series, and blockbuster films.
