Excalibur #2
“A Warwolf Possessed”
Writer: Chris Claremont
Penciler: Alan Davis
Inker: Paul Neary
Colourist: Glynis Oliver
Letterer: Tom Orzechowski
Editor: Terry Kavanagh
Publication date: November 1988
In this episode, Anna, Mav, and Andrew discuss Excalibur #2, “A Warwolf Possessed.” Topics include how comics communicate agency within sexualization, the politics of retributive justice within fantasy spaces, the joys of long-form serialized storytelling, the depth of Rachel and Kitty’s time and space-defying bond, and Kurt Wagner’s Very Extra fashion sense.
This episode has an enhanced video version! Watch here:
On iconic intros:
Will we explain Colin McKay’s significance…? Nope! Not until the series does so, 40 issues later 🙂
On exploitation vs agency:
“Kitty’s arc is about not feeling comfortable in her own skin, and being incorporeal. So she engineers a violent rebirth. That doesn’t excuse the sexualization; but it does make it complicated.” -Andrew
On stellar character work:
“Everyone else runs away from the Phoenix fire, but Kurt runs into it, willing to sacrifice himself for the sake of a friend’s soul. That moment perfectly encapsulates his character.” -Anna
On Kitty and Rachel’s deepening bond:
“I really liked the idea of Rachel holding Kitty together, and how it deepens the bond between them, fortifying their symbolic link.” -Andrew
On the power of teamwork:
“We get a transfer of the team dynamic from X-Men, where they can win if they work together. But they can’t work together. Until they can.” -Andrew
On Meggan’s evolving agency:
“It would have been easy to do the stereotypical thing, and have Brian freak out when Meggan transforms. But he doesn’t. He just watches, and is cool with it.” -Anna
More deep bonds between characters:
“It’s because Kitty’s asked to devour Kurt that she works against the warwolf’s influence. And it’s Kurt who puts the jacket over her shoulders at the end.” -Anna
Kurt’s very extra fashion sense...
A picture says a thousand words!
And not discussed in the episode but should have been: perhaps the greatest superhero pinup of all time. Just an intangible girl, wiring up circuits with her pet dragon <3
Want More?
You can find Anna on Twitter (@peppard_anna) and on her podcast with Andrew and Michael Hancock, Three Panel Contrast (@3PanelContrast).
You can find Andrew on Twitter (@ClaremontRun).
You can find Mav on Twitter (@chrismaverick) and on his podcast, VoxPopcast (@VoxPopcast).
Enjoy!
-GGW Team