Yesterday, fans were taken aback when the news broke that Marvel was moving away from the butterfly power signature for Betsy, which has been a staple in her powerset for years. The butterfly, of course, debuted in Uncanny X-Men #213, designed by Alan Davis. By 1990, it had faded into obscurity for roughly 20 years, when Matt Fraction brought it back in Dark Reign: The List - X-Men #1 in 2009, drawn by none other than Alan Davis, and has been used regularly ever since.
According to Betsy herself, the butterfly wasn't just a manifestation of her telepathy, it was an expression of the subtlety and fine control she possessed as a telepath. In Breaking Into Comics The Marvel Way #2, the butterfly and the sword are established as one and the same thing seen from different angles: Betsy herself.
The backlash was immediate and fans were justifiably upset because the butterfly had become a symbol to represent Betsy. Here's what the creative team behind Excalibur had to say:
Marcus To: We're actually moving away from that look. She's going through a period of transition in her life. We'll be seeing her find herself and discovering what it means to be Betsy in her own way. Her powers will represent that. This will be what the book is about, Betsy figuring herself out. She will have the powers you remember, but she will have to find out who she is now. A story of self discovery. Something we can all relate to. Tini is writing a great story and Betsy's struggle with her new life. Her powers will reflect that. It'll be a thread in the series as she comes to grips with who she is without Kwannon. And thank you, I understand your frustrations.[1][2][3][4]
Tini Howard: I'll ease your mind and tell you I have no idea where anyone got the idea [that Betsy is losing her telepathy] from, but in general I can't do this kind of thing, I hope you guys realize. Asking me to confirm/deny stuff from upcoming books puts a lot of pressure on me to do things I'm not allowed to do. Jonathan once said something really important about not getting between people and the work. That's a big part of why I'm quiet - you all deserve that chance for intimacy with the work, and I'm thrilled you'll be coming along and grateful for all the excitement from you![1][2]
Jordan D. White: She’s growing and changing. If only there was a metaphor I could use for someone going through that sort of transformation but nothing is occurring to me.[1]
What do you think? Keep the discussion civil!
“For so long, my life has been out of control. Chaos and serendipity, wrapped in insanity. I have suffered, I have lost. Not just my life, but my very soul, my self. But no more. Now I know who I am.” – Elizabeth ‘Betsy’ Braddock, daughter of Otherworld, mutant, telepath, telekinetic, defender of the realm and, above all, X-Man.
43 comments:
In marvel they´re changing the names...
https://marvel.fandom.com/wiki/Talk:Psylocke
How long till Kwannon and Warren are a couple? Lmao I wouldn't even be surprised at this point
I think it's all about money. They want to keep the japanese version of Psylocke around, since she is popular, so they didn't give Kwannon a new codename and her own power set. Instead of giving a proper identity to Kwannon, they gave her everything that makes Psylocke herself (the butterfly and de psy-knife signatures). For Marvel's puposes, she needs to be exactly like Betsy used to be, so they can still be using the character in games and movies. And now, looks like Kwannon is our new Betsy and the real Betsy is something else we don't know yet :(
@Unknown,
I feel the exact same way. It seems for most comic fans they know Psylocke as the Asian assassin. From cartoons, toys & games that's her branding. That way 5-10 years from now when the movies are rebooted under the MCU banner they've got the option to more than likely visually use the Kwannon version of Psylocke.
If they really wanted to, they could've renamed the character or just used the Revanche code name again. Restablish her powers as maybe empathy, telepathy or empathy/tk. The X-books haven't really had any empaths outside of Empath or general villains. Having one be a hero would've been interesting.
I have a feeling though it'll be harder to reestablish Betsy as Captain Britain than Kwannon has Psylocke.
I actually have no problem with the behind the scenes marketing rationale of having Kwannon be a 'recognisable' Psylocke for people outside of comics. But as you all know, I've always loved Kwannon.
I'm even all for Betsy moving into a new phase of her life, and claiming a new title if that's what she wants.
AND I love the idea of getting Kwannon as an fully actualised character in the books.
But I don't see how you can discard something that is, and has been, an iconic part Betsy since she was introduced to the wider audience in X-Men. And more importantly, I don't see why you would want to.
And from an internal story logic point of view it simply doesn't make any sense. The butterfly is a biological expression of Betsy's telepathic energy/abilities.
I don't see how they can say this is just changing or vanishing.
I know we don't all agree on a lot of things, but seems like the feedback on this one is universal:
No-one wants to see Betsy presented without the butterfly effect - whatever her codename or role is.
Honestly, I don’t really care that much about something as cosmetic as the butterfly effect BUT I think it’s kind of microcosm of everything Marvel’s done wrong with Psylocke since (and including) her recent racelifting.
I'm 1,000,000% motivated to boycott Kwannon and Fallen Angels. Especially now that I know Bryan Edward Hill is bent on replacing Betsy on the X-Men titles with the ninja tramp by stealing from Betsy all the aspects and powers that define her existence and copy paste them on the semi-naked assassin. He is a selfish pandering jerk of a writer and only caters to Marvel's toy lines, other merchandise and video game PR.
How much time does Bryan Edward Hill need to steal Warren away from Betsy and hook him up with the Psylocke clone?
Exactly. The butterfly is Betsy's one constant. I don't even get why Kwannon would even be manifesting it. Although I don't get why she even has telepathy since that isn't her power and she returned it back to Betsy.
Jaime I agree I seriously wouldn't doubt if they hooked Kwannon up with Warren next.
The butterfly is Betsy's own personal motif and always has been and the fact that the creators are being so apathetic about the removal really is upsetting fans of Betsy. I honestly dont think Betsy will yet the butterfly back all the creators that have commented so far on it have been steadfast in defending the decision. I'm guessing it comes from higher up like Cebulski the infamous ninja fan
Well Kwannon is manifesting it because, biologically, she has the powers Betsy had in that body (which was genetically manipulated to have the same mutant genes as Betsy's British body).
So I totally understand why they would BOTH be manifesting it. It's a biological expression of power.
What makes absolutely no sense is that Betsy would suddenly STOP manifesting it.
Like I said, if a writer suddenly said 'Nightcrawler is orange now', or 'Colossus turns to clay instead of steel now' people would be up in arms.
But somehow Psylocke fans are irrational because of a fundamental change to her powers, iconography and identity, that seems like it's going to happen without any explanation?
Sigh-locke.
I will say though, I tweeted the following:
"This decision seems to have been quickly and universally rejected by Betsy fans.
Any chance it will be changed?
People are really trying to be onboard and excited about Betsy as Captain Britain, but this is really starting off on the wrong foot."
And Marcus To liked it...
Imagine if someone said to you a year ago that Betsy would have a different codename, a costume and color scheme shes never worn (yes she was CB for like 1 issue 30yrs ago not official ongoing costumes) and that she wouldn't have the butterfly motif anymore.
What would you think?
I love the change!
I mean, to me this is the natural culmination of everything Betsy has learned over the years. This is her claiming her sense of self.
Previously, you guys were dismissive of Kwannon fans on the basis that it was all about looks.
So how come you guys are concentrating only on her new costume and the butterfly effect, when it sounds like she is getting a significant amount of character development centred on her sense of identity? You haven't even read the story and given it a chance.
Also, you are trying to promote Betsy at the expense of Kwannon rather than with respect to Kwannon as a separate character. I think it can be way more respectful, my two cents.
I am really excited for this change for BOTH characters. Otherworld has not been explored and it sounds like Psylocke is going to be a gatekeeper of sorts, just like she was the gatekeeper (of sorts) of Siege Perilous.
There is something very interesting going on here, and I think the change they are making is both exciting and wise, and more importantly, the correct way to pay respect to BOTH characters.
Betsy and Kwannon both are more than just the sum of their costume colors and butterfly effect.
BRAVO, MARVEL.
If you've seen me post, you would know I am 100% on board with Kwannon. I love her. She's been my favourite character for 30 years, and for almost 28 of them she was dead!
I'm excited for the changes and opportunities for both women.
BUT, let me ask you this.
They take Batman's cowl away. Now he's just a guy in a black cape. Would you be happy about that?
I'd argue Batman's cowl is so iconic he can't go without it. It's not really Batman without the cowl.
Betsy's butterfly effect is like that. Except moreso, because it's not just a costume, it's biologically part of her.
Yes, appearances are not the only things that matter.
But this is still comics, a visual medium.
The iconography of characters, especially very recognisable 'keys' to a character - like the butterfly effect for Betsy - ARE very important.
Change the costume. Change the name. Change her role in the world. OK.
But some things have to remain constant, or she really might as well be a different character.
Also, since I'm on my sopabox...
All this talk of Betsy finding her place in the world, going through a transformation, finding her place in the world etc etc...
Yeah, we just did that. "Mystery In Madripoor" covered it off nicely, and Betsy emerged from that stronger, more confident, and finally sure of herself and her place in the world.
And that's coming from the character herself.
I'm all for her taking on the mantle of Captain Britain, I'm all for her getting a new role, responsibilities, whatever...
But don't try to pretend that this is needed or necessary.
Betsy was finally, after 30 years, in a really amazing place ready to spring off into new stories.
But instead of using that springboard, they're... ignoring it, regressing her, and trying to make a new springboard?
I'm trying, I really am, but every new tweet or piece of information makes me feel like the people in charge just don't get it.
Betsy isn't floundering after her rebirth. She's thriving.
I want to read about THAT Captain Britain.
She's hasn't reached the level of iconic as Batman.
She only found her identity when she was in Kwannon's body. It's time to find her identity in her own skin. Literally.
Also anyone think Betsy chooses the sword and not the amulet? Is that still a thing? lol
The solicitation specifically mentions a new 'wielder of the amulet' or something. So I'd say she chooses the amulet.
I mean, she already has a sword.
Yall are bent out of shape over nothing. She literally said shell still have the same powers....
You're right the amulet is mentioned in the solicit.
I like the Betsy changes, although she could have changed her codename years ago so that is interesting she wants to do it now. What I dislike is this actually seems like Kwannon is not getting her own individuality but trying to be the carbon copy of Betsy when she was the "asian" Psylocke. I'm not focused on cosmetics but some of those visuals Express Betsy as an individual regardless of body. My impression is that Betsy chose the form of butterfly to Express her telepathy, not that it was biological. If that is accurate then not sure why Kwannon wants to copy that, then she takes Betsy's codename, her old costume, and hair color. Just doesn't Express her individuality to me. Cosmetics are indeed not everything but they do represent personal taste. In the past it made sense because those two were intertwined and Betsy was influenced by Kwannons sensual side (hence the bathing suit costume lol) and Kwannon thought she was Betsy (hence the hair color and probably being fully clothed lol). However when Kwannon returned Betsy's telepathy, she also removed whatever influences she had on her personality and I assume the reverse for herself. So now it seems very odd that she is taking on to be so much at least visually what Betsy was. I'll reserve judgement, but I am wary of the Kwannon changes so far. Hopefully they explain this logically.
To be frank, the expression of Betsy's powers while inhabiting Kwannon's body are the result of 30 years of artistic decision-making on the part of comic book creators, all of which were inspired by--and designed to fit--Kwannon's body not Betsy's, so there is no carbon copying going on. In any case, the two are now going to be very different from each other and Betsy will develop a look that is completely her own. If what you care most about is how Betsy looks, then maybe you should be questioning what aspects of her character you're truly invested in.
So why stop there? Let's lose all her powers and just make her a powerless human and let's lose the lavendar hair while we're at it right?
Amen randybear! I don't have to be an empath to know how you feel. The feeling of betrayal and disappointment over Marvel's decision, to strip Betsy off her identity in order to please the hype people who don't care about canon or buy the books, is mutually outrageous.
The telepathic butterfly imprint of Psylocke Betsy was her conscious choice to manifest her astral self like Jean chooses to loosely resemble a flaming bird when she uses her telekinetic aura and Professor Xavier becomes a Roman gladiator when he battles Shadow King on the astral plane (past issues of the Uncanny X-Men).
The butterfly effect doesn't cancel Betsy's knighthood it's the other way around. It states that a woman can be a valiant knight if she pours her mind and soul to that cause without losing her femininity in the process. It's sexist and misogynistic to throw away all that defined Betsy as a gentle woman to make way for a brute Captain Britain.
Kwannon can have the crimson dawn mark as a personal signature and regain the shadow teleportation powers to be at long last unique and not a Psylocke clone. Along with a new code name or her old Revanche.
What me surprise me is the amount of snowflakes claiming that's nothing wrong about this mess and that's Betsy is on a Wright track
Exactly.
But the butterfly signature was hers before the body swap.
Exactly. I think we're being deliberately trolled here.
Writer for fallen Angel's was tweeting at a fan regarding Kwannon something about how hes always admired Kwannon for being willing to sacrifice her life for the greater good.
She never did that. She only had Matsuo kill her so she wouldn't die from the legacy virus. It sounds like they're trying to make Betsy's history in the Asian body was always Kwannon wtfff
Basically they are s***ing in our hands and telling us its gold.
You nailed this one @Jaime
snowflakes? really? (rolls eyes) so people are snowflakes cause they think differently than you?
Elizabeth is safe and sound in the ranks of the X-Men. Beggars and thieves like coochie-cutter ninjas aren't a threat. FYI by giving the traits and symbols of Betsy to others shows how much influential our butterfly girl is.
Also, FYI, the butterfly effect did not 'fade into obscurity' for 20 years.
The only time it was absent was when Betsy didn't have telepathy, or was dead.
It did appear in the 90s but very seldom when compared to the last 10yrs
She knew who she was before Kwannon. If Psylocke had been drawn without Jim Lee, and under Mysterio during Acts of Vengeance, there'd be no Kwannon. She just wanted to be a better fighter, not a new woman. With that said, she did find a confidence for getting in close, and often gettin her ass handed to her, under that guise.
Then better writers made her smarter.
It does feel like this is Marvel protecting its brands, because lets face it, each character now represents millions in licensing, movie etc. So to lose the Asian persona by changing the name could be loss in revenue for all the games and other things that the Ninja version is being used in. So by doing this they kind of have their cake and eat it too.
So they create a kind of new Betsy which adds to their line up while retaining the Ninja version, and if their gamble pays off, they get a whole new character to market. The problem is that often times these new directions dont work, and if the writing does is bad, I think Betsy Braddock will drift off for a while until someone else takes interest while Psylocke is assured to stick around. I think losing the name and Butterfly effect makes her lose her identity, although they can easily bring back butterfly if this captain B run tanks.
I really liked where she was going when she left the Asian body, it felt like she learned how to be free of any kind of armor. Originally Betsy was vulnerable physically speaking, then they gave her that armor, then the new body was kind of armor as well and finally she was free of it and fierce on her own, and now the Captain Britain armor, it feels like going backwards in her story. I hope this doesn't end with slaymaster taking her eyes out again and regulating Betsy to baby sitter.
What bugs me is how the writer for fallen Angel's almost seems like Betsy is some white devil who stole Kwannons body. When the whole debacle was forced on Betsy and she experienced some much pain loss suffering while in Kwannons body it wasnt a cake walk for Betsy.
Betsy did nothing but fight to protect her fellow mutants as Kwannon and was willing to sacrifice herself in a numerous ocassions.
Kwannon was a fucking killer for mafia purposes. Cry me a fucking river
She has used it consistently until she lost her telepathy, which was only for a few years. Sounds like someone didn't do their homework, again.
I'm excited for everything about this new phase. Except for this. The butterfly is a defining part of her canon. It's the outward expression of her telepathic power. Ugh.
I protested all of this since Jim Zub assassinated Psylocke in that irrelevant Wolverine side issue, I knew we were heading for disappointment like this and have been voicing my displeasure ever since.
I don’t listen to these circle-jerk comic book employees, I trust in the classic Psylocke I see as presented in marvel Ultimate Alliance 3
Butterfly effect, psychic knife, martial arts check
And I’m happy
The most iconic powers will always be there, printed alternate storylines/ what-if’s are never canon
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