It’s easy to look at writer Chris Claremont’s current work and dismiss him as a has-been.   The truth is that is current work is abominable and the further he pushes the envelope of his creative shelf life, the further he dilutes his legacy.

But there was a Chris Claremont before New Exiles.  There was even a Chris Claremont before Jim Lee became the Jimi Hendrix of comics.  The writer isn’t a legend for any of those things.

Christopher Claremont is the man who made the X-men household names.   He took Wolverine from the bowels of obscurity and crafted a uniquely loved character of equal parts Clint Eastwood gunslinger, Ronin ninja and psychotic serial killer into one of the five most beloved comic characters of all time.  Many of the concepts and scenarios he created are still recycled today, not only in comics, but other areas as well.   Every time the show Heroes jumps forward in time to find a dystopian future that they have to change, they’re referencing Days of Future Past by C.C. and John Byrne.

Of course these are things every long-term comics fan knows.  But without delving into that history, we often forget how good the ‘good old days’ really were.

*To read the rest, check out my article at Rebelcomix.com

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