In X-Men Comics, Charles Xavier's Lighthearted Pick-Up Line Takes a Horrifically Dark Turn
In the prequel X-men movie, James McAvoy played the iconic character Charles Xavier, who was known for using his understanding of mutant development to seduce women in a neighborhood pub. One sentence made reference to the "groovy" aspect of Heterochromia, a mutation in which a person has one eye that is different in color from the other, which affects women. In the X-Men comics, however, this seemingly innocuous comment turns into a terrifying reality.
According to the X-men comics, heterochromia is viewed by Sentinels, the robots that seek down Mutants, as an indication of mutation and a good excuse to murder someone. This sinister turn of events casts doubt on Xavier's carefree attitude and highlights the risks associated with the Sentinels' sensitive sensors, which are used for purposes other than simply detecting mutants.
Sensitive Sensors on the Sentinels Also Pay Off with a Big Mutant Reveal
In a little community, Wolverine and Jubilee discover a dormant Sentinel in Wolverine #50. The robot is feared by the villagers because they think it poses a threat to everyone, including those who are not mutants. According to Wolverine, even people who appear to be normal are in danger because of the Sentinels' "wide-net" sensors, which are able to identify even the tiniest deviations from traditional human characteristics, such as Heterochromia.
Given that David Bowie suffers from anisocoria, a condition in which one pupil is larger than the other, this revelation presents a terrifying potential. Though in the Hellfire Gala Doctor Doom had wondered if Bowie was a Mutant, this comic implies that the Sentinels might think so as well, which could result in his capture or perhaps death.
Days of Future Past-style Armageddon Scenarios are explained by the Sentinel's "Wide-Net" measurements.
Stories such as Days of Future Past often depict apocalyptic circumstances, in large part because of the Sentinels' "wide-net" sensors. These sensors are so strong that they can identify even minute amounts of the x gene and read the DNA of any human, leading to widespread prejudice and persecution. Not only are Mutants in danger, but the Sentinels view all humans, no matter how slight, as adversaries.
This method of identifying mutants creates a terrifying world in which anyone could become a victim of circumstance. Not just those who have publicly declared as mutants, but everyone in the Marvel Universe is now in danger from the Sentinels. The attack on the heterochromia person in "Mutants on the Edge of Town" completely captures the horrifying truth of the Sentinels' ruthless pursuit of human protection.
The Horrible Truth About Mutant Discrimination and Sentinels
The comic books X-Men powerfully depict the terrible effects of prejudice against mutants as well as the ongoing threat posed by the Sentinels. These robots effectively transform people into "mutant hunters" by hunting not only mutants but also humans who show even the slightest deviation from the norm.
The terrible irony is that although the Sentinels are supposed to defend humanity, they actually pose a threat to everyone, mutant or not. Readers are left wondering what safety and protection really mean when confronted with the horrifying realities of prejudice and fear that exists outside the borders of the comic book page in the X-Men universe.
