It’s April Fools Day! As you know, April Fools Day is the traditional start of a three-day period wherein any weird story you seen someone link on Facebook is probably a lie. I’m going to be celebrating by feeling vaguely tense all day, and boiling with hatred for anyone who “pranks” me! Fun!
Now to business.
When Tony invited me to write for the blog I had questions. A lot of questions, actually. I like parameters, I like structure. There was one issue in particular that I had to clear up in advance – the Jubilation Lee issue.
See, if you let me talk about comics for any period of time, I’ll eventually get to Jubilee. But Tony had initially pitched the column to me as more focused on what’s new this week, so I wanted to be sure that digressions about underused (to my mind) X-Women were fair game. Apparently they were.
I was going to wait, though. I really was. Secret Wars looms large in the future, and I figured we’d see where my girl lands after that. Then this happened.
Y’all. Y’ALL. Jubilee is in X-Men: Apocalypse. And I’m VERY excited about this. Which is VERY dumb of me. Why? Because I know the truth: I love a second-stringer.
Here’s what it’s like loving a low-level character: Jubilee is in all of the first three X-Men movies. Did you know that? Because I didn’t. I REALLY CARE and I didn’t even know. I remember her in X-Men (yellow jacket, pink sunglasses, leaving a classroom sometime early on), and in X2 (field trip scene), but not in Last Stand. I’ll take it on face value that she is because 1) who isn’t? and 2) I’m not re-watching just to find out. It’s not remotely that deep. So we’re taking it as read that she’s in three X-Men movies. But in those appearances I don’t recall her talking, or even being addressed by name. It’s Jubilee because she’s in a yellow jacket and because that’s the name on the call sheet.
I’m sure having a character like Batman as your favorite has it’s own hardships. When movie time rolls around, there’s the question of if it’ll be “your” Batman. Maybe you’re die hard for the current Snyder run, or maybe you think it’s all about Frank Miller. There is the chance that what you see on the screen will not be the Bat you’re looking for, but he’ll be there. He’ll be Bruce Wayne (if you’re looking for a Jean-Paul Valley movie, you’re probably out of luck). Alfred might pop in. There will likely be a cowl. Regardless, people will call him Batman and he will save people from stuff.
By contrast, my entire list of hopes for Jubilee in X-Men: Apocalypse is as follows:
Our dearest Jubilation
1) is referred to by name;
2) has three lines of dialogue;
3) doesn’t die.
Some manner of yellow outerwear is preferred but not required. Will settle for a goldenrod blazer. That’s it. That’s my whole list. My hopes for Secret Wars are basically the same – though if she could come out of it alive, and repowered (but not age-regressed) there would be back flips.
Like, spiritual ones. Not literal ones. I can’t even do a cartwheel – are you trying to kill me?
Books I’m Picking Up This Week:
Convergence #0
Gotham Academy Endgame #1
Lady Killer #4
It’s a small week for me, but I’ve got something extra to suggest!
I don’t need it, but you do:
Lumberjanes Vol. 1
The first Lumberjanes trade is FINALLY here! If you haven’t been reading this book, you neeeeeeed this. It’s cute, and funny, and it packs some effective emotional beats. Plus, these girls are majorly adventurous and brave.
And now you must go on your own adventure! The path to your LCS could be rife with… shaving cream toilet seats? I don’t know. My prank knowledge is largely from episodes of Full House. The point is, RISKS.
Editor’s Note: As I was helping Bri edit this post, I noticed a giant picture of Jubilee on my Twitter feed. Looking close, it was ANOTHER article written by Bri for the Panels website, titled “Anxiety, X-Men, and Me: An Ode to Jubilee” which is another awesome read. Take a look over there, as well! – Tony
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