Character discussion: Ax

[buffyangellvr23]

I think Ax is my second fave, after Tobias. I love the total difference in human form vs his natural body. He's total warrior in his normal form, but so very funny as a human. He's also interesting because he presents a view of humanity from the outside, a non-human creature observing humans and giving some observations in some books. I really like

Comments

[lisacharly]

ILU AX. Ax might be my second favorite. Or maybe it's Rachel. Or maybe it's Cassie. Or maybe it's Tobias. IDK. They're all awesome.

I know some people may tire of the "do I ally with the Andalites or humans" storyline he has, but I think for the most part his books all approach that from a different angle besides #8 and #52, which are both focused on the idea of resisting authority figures. #18 is more about acknowledging the faults in our cultural systems, #28 is about accepting the other culture flaws and all, #38 is about...Andalite hormones?, #46 is about proactivity. I haven't reread #38 in ages because I never liked it all that much, but I recall it having a very different vibe than the other time he's hanging with the Andalites in #18 (which is an awesome book).

I think Ax and Jake are the two characters where we see the biggest change from their early series selves and their late series selves. Ax at the beginning of the series is essentially a child who has never questioned authority figures, a complete product of his culture and his brother's fame. By the end, he is an adult who has no only questioned his authority figures but created a piecemeal value system tailored to his situation out of both Andalite and human morality, and who, while still deeply respecting his brother and looking up to him, has come to stop constantly striving to be him. Ax has become secure in himself as an individual.

I love that, despite being a comic relief figure in most other narrator's books, his books tend to have a lot of really well-executed pathos. #8, #18 and #52 all have some great angst as well as quite a few moments of "LAWL ALIENS" humor. I really wish we'd gotten to see more of his relationship with Tobias, and later with Marco, but I'm probably biased because they're my Axis of Awesome.

[blue_rampion]

It is a valid point - personally, I think that inner conflict between human and Andalite is something Ax would carry around with him for the rest of his life. He might lean more towards one or the other at times, but there's always that conflict.

And yes, I love that whole dichotomy between PURE CRACK and some major serious moments. (But then, I always have had a liking for characters with a mix of ridiculousness and seriousness XD)

Also yes, more Axis of Awesome

[natural_blue_26]

Seconding need for more Axis of Awesome- I like Ax best in this threesome ;) ;)

[lisacharly]

They just play off each other beautifully. Tobias' sarcastic snark, Marco's pop culture-ish genre-savvy babbling and Ax's really really dry humor and confusion over humans make for a terrific set of characters for humor, and then when it's them doing more serious stuff they really balance each other out well (see #30).