Workshop: "Writing Jean Grey" by Likeadeuce

[jij]

We often discuss writing about characters someone else created in terms of "playing with other people's toys". In a serial medium like comic books, this concept can apply equally to writers of fanfic, or to the professional creators who take on a character that has existed, in some form, for decades. In either case, whenever a writer picks up

Comments

[second_batgirl]

This is a fabulous essay, and you do an amazing job with Jean's character.

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(Also, Jean/Hal totally OTP.)

[likeadeuce]

Thanks! The Hal reference was totally in there for you. I need to write that for dcmarvelthon.

[second_batgirl]

Yay! *fully supports this plan*

[twbasketcase]

Amazing. If there's any one character in the X-Verse that could afford having her background picked apart like this, it's Jean. And you did a fantastic job!

[likeadeuce]

Thank you! I knew there was a lot to her history, but there turned out to be even more than I realized. I'm glad it ended up being a good read for you.

[likeadeuce]

Yeah, I have numerous Morrison issues of my own, but it is interesting to see what he did -- or, at least, started to do -- with the character. I'm not sure I would have wanted him staying on the book for longer, b/c it was really going downhill from about the midpoint, but it would be interesting to see how some of the ideas would have played out if not for external factors. Actually, that's a pretty good theme for Jean's whole history. I'm glad my research was interesting to you!

[viciouswishes]

Dang. You picked one of the hardest characters to write about given her varied background. Hats off to you.

I wonder if they do bring her back, it will have something to do with the whole Xavier/last baby mutant/registration act end. It does have to end at some point...

[likeadeuce]

At this point, either they've already got something planned, or they just don't know what the hell to do with her -- it's hard to tell at this point. I do think the political side of the character that Morrison brought out would make a really interesting character to have around in light of the new order, but it's hard to say. I think the mutant decimation might be reversed before the registration act though.

[lilacsigil]

This is a wonderfully integrated history, especially the very confusing X-Factor era - I think this is the best that I've ever understood it! The caution about using flashbacks to remember only the "sweet and pretty" is well-earned, though I think a good number of post-Morrison canon flashbacks have mixed up the scary-powerful with the loving-beauty.

One thing that I loved about Morrison's run was, as you discuss here, Jean as the public face of the X-Men, deliberately using her "normal" looks and attractive power to manipulate the public and the media - all for good, of course. I don't think I've seen a lot of fic about that - Jean-fic of that era is mostly about the also very fascinating Scott-Emma-Jean triangle - so if you have any to point out, I would be very pleased!

[likeadeuce]

Thank you! I think you were one of the people who gave me the helpful rundown and the 'really, do whatever you want' advice when I first got started with Jean, so I really appreciate it.

And that's true about the scary-powerful aspect showing up in flashback --
though that's potentially another way of making it impersonal, of substituting abstract talk about her power for focus on the actual woman.

I think what really makes that flashback in Astonishing, what keeps it from being just sweet and pretty, is how specific it is -- Jean with her back turned putting on the gloves, the way she leans against him (it's also evidence of why John Cassaday, when he's on his game, is a million times better than anybody else, but I digress :)). I was thinking about the last Dr. Horrible post that you made, and how I almost feel like I know more about Jean from this flashback than about Penny in the whole film.

And no, I can't think of any fic like that you should WRIIIITE it. I can't fault the fact that Jean fic tends to be about her

[likeadeuce]

Okay, found it. This. Unfinished and largely shippy but has a chunk of politics in the middle :)