Kitty Pryde has cemented her status as a beloved hero within the X-Men universe for decades. Over the years, her character has undergone significant development, both in her superhero role and as an individual. Recently, Marvel writer Eve L. Ewing officially confirmed Kitty Pryde’s LGBTQ+ identity, a long-anticipated declaration that highlights the character’s evolution and relatability.
The X-Men franchise has long served as a reflection of various social issues, making Kitty Pryde—a notable mutant prodigy—a poignant representation of real-world LGBTQ+ experiences. In an insightful discussion as part of AIPT’s X-Men Monday series, Ewing elaborated on Kitty’s journey towards understanding her queer identity as depicted in Exceptional X-Men #2, featuring artwork by Carmen Carnero.
In this latest narrative, Kitty is portrayed in Chicago, striving to reclaim a semblance of normalcy following the heartbreaking dissolution of the mutant nation of Krakoa. As part of her growth, Kitty embarks on a date with a woman named Nina, providing fans with the long-awaited affirmation of Kitty’s bisexuality.
Marvel Writer Eva L. Ewing Finally Confirms Kitty Pryde’s LGBTQ+ Identity
Kitty Pryde’s character has always hinted at her queer identity throughout her appearances in X-Men comics. However, this recent issue marks one of the initial instances where this aspect of her character is publicly acknowledged by Marvel. As she steps away from being a member of the X-Men and the burdens of heroism, Kitty embraces other facets of her identity.
During her interview with AIPT, one fan expressed their enthusiasm for Kitty’s relationship with Nina, asking when Kitty truly recognized her queerness. Ewing responded thoughtfully:
They’re so cute, aren’t they?! I also love Carmen’s character design for Nina. She’s adorable. I think Kitty probably always knew, but compulsory heterosexuality and the lack of some of that language being available — queerness in particular as kind of an expansive way to encapsulate how she’s felt toward a lot of the female relationships we’ve seen her have over the course of her life — would have held her back a bit. Also, she had a very weird adolescence! I’d like to think that Bobby’s journey gave her a new lens on things, and since she’s starting a new life right now anyway, why not go all in on trying things out with a great new person? As we know, cute, healthy couples in comics always last forever and nothing bad ever happens to them, so I’m sure things will work out just fine!
While Kitty’s queer identity has been subtly alluded to in the past, these themes have rarely been explored in depth. Ewing notes that Kitty is entering a transformative chapter in her life, allowing her the freedom to build new relationships and delve into an integral part of her identity that she has long been aware of. Furthermore, Kitty’s return to her role as a teacher, guiding young mutants in understanding their powers, mirrors her journey toward personal acceptance and growth.
Kitty Pryde’s New Era: Embracing Her Identity & Living Genuinely Amid Uncertainty
A New Stage in Kitty Pryde’s Life
During the transformative Krakoa Era, Kitty Pryde experienced significant character evolution, but the recent “Fall of X” arc has prompted her and the X-Men to rebuild their narratives. Eve L. Ewing is taking this opportunity to showcase Kitty distancing herself from a chaotic past, while simultaneously fostering connections with her identity that extends beyond her superhero status or her prior role as the Red Queen.
With this bold move from Marvel, Kitty Pryde is now openly recognized as part of the LGBTQ+ community, signaling a promising new beginning for the X-Men franchise.
For more information, refer to the insightful piece by AIPT, X-Men Monday.
Exceptional X-Men #2 is currently available from Marvel Comics.
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