"Class is in Session: Lessons in Comics
A Sermon Posing as an Opinionated Essay"
by Hades

Comics have long been looked down upon by an ignorant public. Claims that they support violence and teach that fighting is the best way to solve one's problems fly out by the truckload. But these claims, like their proclaimers, are sadly mistaken. Comics include violence, granted. But, like bigotry and intolerance, they do not hold violence in a positive light. Only when we, the readers, become too detached from our own reality do we read too much into the comics we are supposed to read for pleasure. A recent drama has unfolded among my peers. A drama that might become unnecessary if we had learned what comics are truly trying to teach us.

Comics teach us tolerance. The villain is nearly always a misunderstood person pushed too far by an over-reactive, though well-intentioned, protagonist, whoever they may be. Perhaps Magneto would not be so adamant about "protecting" mutants from humanity if humanity had taken the time to understand the mutant race. Even the nefarious Dr. Doom, perhaps the most evil human on the planet, could possibly have been avoided had he and Reed Richards had a heart-to-heart. But, as anyone who knows their Marvel history can tell you, that didn't happen. Victor Von Doom had an accident. An accident that he quickly blamed on Reed Richards and the two have been fighting ever since.

Comics teach us teamwork. The team, whichever team they are, has never functioned as well apart as they have together. Be they Avengers, Horsemen, Reavers, or X-Men, no team is as effective while feuding as they are while working in tandem. As Storm has repeatedly illuminated for Professor Xavier, when one person allows his goals to supersede the good of the team as a whole, the team falls apart, and chaos reigns.

Comics teach us friendship. There is no thing on this earth as valuable as friendship. Comics teach us the true value of friendship, not only through displaying the increased effectiveness of pairs and groups, but also by showing the typical sadness of the lone wolf. Very few could claim to have as much mental anguish as the Punisher. The DC Universe might be a very boring place if Batman had never met Robin. And it's certain that no one would find quite the same ring to "Dagger" nor would they appreciate the air of mystery surrounding "Cloak" without their opposite, their partner, their friend.

Comics teach us forgiveness. Verily, without forgiveness, friendship is naught but a hollow shell. Friendship is not immune to argument. Everyone has arguments. The true friends are the ones who can find the courage and the compassion to make up afterward. If not for forgiveness, there would not be a person alive, nor a comic book printed. The Avengers would ne'er again assemble, The Fantastic Four would be four nameless individuals, silently floating through their largely meaningless lives, and there would be no X-Men.

I don't know about you, but I don't want to live in a world without X-Men, even if they are only a noble idea.

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