Remembering Len Wein, Creator of Modern-Era X-Men - Comic Tropes (Episode 70)

www.patreon.com/ComicTropes
Len Wein passed away this past week. This video takes a look at his writing style through the lens of Giant Size X-Men #1 from 1975, looking at his tropes and history and accomplishments.

[@sketchstevens5859]

As a die-hard Cyclops fanboy, that Miller Lite burn was the best I've heard in a long time.

[@ComicTropes]

I also like Cyclops. I hated that AvX had Cyclops kill Professor X. He's a hero.

[@sketchstevens5859]

skunkape I completely agree. Professor X was a father figure to Scott and the event is almost his own One More Day. I am also excited to see your thoughts on Invincible after the final issue.

[@treyurbach2550]

@@ComicTropes they just put Cyclops in the new Uncanny X-Men book. I love Cyclops in this book and would like to hear your thoughts on the book and Cyclops in general, because he is one of the best and most underappreciated superheroes of all time.

[@kirkjones7135]

That was solid 😂

[@Dunebat]

"Middle of America"?!? Cyclops' family is Alaskan!

[@omarsoliman6430]

for comic fans in early 80s, Len WAS comic fandom! Marv Wolfman and Len showed up at every convention/gathering we had. You gave Marv some distance. But Len was very welcoming and interactive with fans. He would do drawings of Hulk for you. Len helped me with my Antman costume to win the costume contest. And he talked about his friends stapling him into his tattered black bolt costume way back in his day. We LOVED Len on panels and in person. He was instantly your friend who understood your fan love of comics and wanted to interact with you. That was a very rare thing for someone we all thought was so famous in the industry. He was every fans true friend.

[@edouardbail9741]

canadian whisky + vodka= fastball special.

[@jonathanwarrdddedcxddeecec4787]

He’s talking marvel so it’s a speedball special

[@scriptmonkeys71]

He’s talking Wolverine and Colossus. So, it’s a Fastball Special. If he was drinking to Ditko or heroin and cocaine it would be a Speedball

[@diaz5292]

Brilliant!!👍

[@GooTheGuru]

It does...

[@MrIrdatlan]

Pineappl + pizza = yum!

[@devinbauer3414]

Didnt know that about Jackman giving him credit brought a tear to my eye..thx

[@thetreblerebel]

I believe Jackman truly appreciated the chance to play the legendary character. He owned it, all further actors playing our canuck pal will be judged on his protrayal of Woverine after him.

[@cordellsenior9935]

He was an industry giant. I appreciate your recognition of his enormous contributions to both Marvel and DC.

[@SoftwareAgentsTV]

I love Giant Size X-Men!! Was sad and shocked to hear about his death.

[@jemhoare2105]

Yes, after the giant-sized x-man died they could only find regular sized ones to replace him. Also RIP Len Wein, the biggest X-man of all.

[@michaelgriffith7033]

Len Wein was a major part of my childhood comic reading. His Marvel work alone defined much of what I thought a comic book story ought to be. I enjoyed his JLA and other DC work, as well. I truly appreciate this episode.

[@scifislack]

Len Wein's run on Spider-Man is probably my favourite run on ASM. His writing is great, honestly a really important person in comics. Up there with the best.

[@jamesoblivion]

I grew up with the reprint of this story in Classic X-Men #1. I love how you can go back to these classic stories, especially a team-assembling story like this that resembles the first X-Men film, and Professor X actually looks like he's drawn to resemble Patrick Stewart.

[@jayglickman8963]

I just found your videos and wanted to say I hugely respect your approach: intelligent, creative, respectful, and wonderfully insightful. The idea of the "trope" so nicely engages the tendency of comics to become a junk art, by virtue of the fact that the characters go on and on and on, and, that there are limited stories to tell. It's one of my sadnesses that I look back at my youth - often spent reading comics (I'm 55 and was briefly a comic book dealer at age 19) and find so few issues worth reading. But the way you tribute the creators (instead of specific issues/stories) avoids that problem gently, and brilliantly.

[@billphilips8522]

i have to agree.

[@ouzarua]

Well said and I absolutely agree with you. It’s really difficult to find something good to read right now, maybe they should just recreate old stories with new artwork? 🤔 Anna x

[@garyhoutz1540]

Much of Wolverine's development comes from John Byrne. They planned to kill him off before Byrne started. He co-plotted and came up with many major concepts in the book.

[@ricklegendary2990]

it was either him or Thunderbird, but I do credit Dave Cocrum for making the claws part of him, making him older as well, after his pitch to make him a mutated wolverine, John was drawing a younger version I believe

[@BrunoB78]

wow man you really have a gem of a channel, even your old videos are interesting and, in a way, timeless. thanks for your work!

[@trealsteve]

It was hilarious watching him get more and more drunk. His eyes from scene to the next became heavier. 🤣

[@LavenderJack540]

I stumbled over your channel perhaps three months ago. It isn't often, thought of a pleasurable stumble. Dude, keep doing what you're doing. As so many others here have said, you are AWESOME. Lavender Jack...Swooping On Down.

[@ComicTropes]

Thank you. Kind words like that help make the work feel worthwhile.

[@Rometiklan]

Comics have lost a few legends in recent times. Thanks for paying tribute to their work and reminding me why I loved comics in the 80's. Keep up the great work, Chris.

[@tamartin64]

Just for future reference: Tusker is a beer brewed in Kenya. So next time you do any tropes with Storm, you'll be ready.

[@696190]

@Radspakr not Egyptian?

[@manubiondo5713]

@@696190 she has been in Egypt for a long time but if I'm not wrong she isn't african

[@CarlSlime]

@@manubiondo5713 She's from Kenyan, her parents and her are descended from African princesses or priestesses and was born to a Kenyan tribe

[@examiningkubrickphilosofia1530]

That's actually a myth Storm is NOT from Africa. She was born in the US. Modern versions distort where she originated canonically.

[@yeho8]

Absolutely love Tusker, and I'll also highlight Konyagi as a bit of a harder drink frkm the region

[@Gumba213]

Love the voice acting, similar to what goes on in my head when I'm reading these books. Love the channel, keep up the good work!!!

[@Jealod24]

Yea, having a dumb, stereotypical accent for the Canadian is great… oh wait, it’s stupid. That’s like a person from Europe only using a deep south stereotypical accent every time they read as an American. And you can tell it’s not meant as a compliment because otherwise he’d give the same accent to Logan… you know, because he’s Canadian too.

[@go-away-5555]

@@Jealod24 bah humbug

[@chadsknnr]

"It's almost 100 proof-- not that strong." AA would like to know your location . . . .

[@treyurbach2550]

Len Wein did technically create these characters, but Chris Claremont is the reason we still know them.

[@fbauzo024fb]

I couldnt tell you which Claremont book ive read.

[@treyurbach2550]

Federico Bauzo Dark Phoenix Saga? Days of Future Past? God Loves, Man Kills? There are 16 years worth of stories to choose from.

[@fbauzo024fb]

@@treyurbach2550 i started with age if apocalypse. I read those after or watched the TAS sum up or movie.

[@treyurbach2550]

Federico Bauzo www.amazon.com/X-Men-Epic-Collection-Genesis-1963-2011-ebook/dp/B01MYAJJ1F/ref=reads_cwrtbar_3/143-1183637-7289607?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B01MYAJJ1F&pd_rd_r=b5ac1d85-2bb4-44be-95fc-ded4352a0cb1&pd_rd_w=zLxcm&pd_rd_wg=D3c46&pf_rd_p=f7e50e46-03c7-4eda-9ad4-faa4a79972b4&pf_rd_r=4BFT7Y738XQYVS9EZQ7C&psc=1&refRID=4BFT7Y738XQYVS9EZQ7C Where greatnesses begins

[@fbauzo024fb]

@@treyurbach2550 still say giant size xmen is more impactful.

[@bae_ofpigz]

I dugg this one more than most. The sentimentality really hits.

[@robertt9342]

I kinda like the use of the narrator. It kind of creates an interesting guide to the story and makes it feel bigger and helps setup the atmosphere. It just shouldn't be overused.

[@mnemosynegates625]

You deserve way more subs/ views. One thing I would point out is the audio de syncs around the 19 min area

[@davegibson4157]

This is truly one on the most amazing KZbin channels there is nothing else like it. So much detail and research into these artists bravo sir! A+

[@ericadler9680]

Kurt Wagner is from Munich, which has been my hometown since 2001, so I feel a special connection to that guy. Thanks for another great vid, they are always very fun to watch.

[@mysteryneophyte]

Man, This episode was so awesome, as many of your episodes are really great and fun to watch. Thanks

[@pulsarstargrave256]

One related side note: I think it was Chris Claremont who pointed out that in the late 60s there wasn't any concrete way to determine how well the Roy Thomas\Neal Adams issues were doing relative to what had been previously published so that may be why they switched over to reprints. Possibly to hold onto trademarks. BTW in 1974, Steve Englehart used The X-Men (and Banshee) in CAPTAIN AMERICA for his "Secret Empire" storyline. Whether Len had anything to do with that, I don't know, but readers expressed an interest in the characters, so that may not have been lost on a smart guy like Len! Couple of other points: A. Len did indeed choose the four books you mentioned, but X-Men wasn't yet a monthly title but was released as a Bi Monthly, in a "wait and see" approach. The book didn't go monthly until around #112 B. As far as story arcs go, Kirby had done them for years at DC as well as David Vern Reed on Batman before Len followed him. Thanks for the Len Wein Tribute, he was one of my all time favorites.

[@pulsarstargrave256]

Booze from around the world? Not candy or pastry...? Lush.

[@ComicTropes]

Yes, I'm a real monster.

[@downtownearth828]

Len Wein, Marv Wolfman, JLI, Cloak & Dagger (Bill Mantlo), Jack Kirby - My Favorite Episodes (I enjoy all of them, though...), THANK YOU

[@veryexciting]

I’m so happy I found your channel.

[@msunardi]

I just started watching your channel, and this episode is one of your best in my opinion. Thank you for the heartfelt tribute to Len Wein.

[@timothyeshelman1227]

Great content, really love all your work so far

[@axeltrujillo5693]

This is one of the best episodes on this channel, your passion and professionalism, as well as your humor is what keeps me coming back! I love this channel!

[@DESPOPART]

I have been getting mad props for sharing your videos on my FB page. Your videos are fun educational and non-bias which I just love. Keep up the good work.

[@somehairyguy420]

Hi. Just wanted to say ive been enjoying your work. Glad I found it. I listen to it while I draw comics. Good well thought out content.

[@DomCim]

Thanks for this tribute to Len Wein. It does him great justice.

[@themangochannel]

Thanks for this. My first time watching one of your videos. Enjoyed the commentary

[@supermanblowsupcongress7630]

Excellent well thought out video

[@ComicTropes]

Well thank you.

[@jasonnorton2821]

Fantastic tribute to a stellar creator. Your channel is superb. The content is well-researched and your presentation and insight are solid gold. So glad I found you! Best wishes!

[@AndresFigari]

I think this is my favorite episode I seen so far of your vlog...

[@davismma125]

Recently found your channel and been binge watching. Please keep up this work it’s unique compared to other comic channels and your insight and charisma is amazing.

[@whitedevil9259]

Great and fun video! Slowly becoming one of my favorite channels

[@vincentfranklin17]

RIP, Len...

[@carriehallahan5568]

I love how your eyes are like, half open by the end of this.

[@PaulSch0]

This is a wonderful and informative video. Thank you!

[@cookieDaXapper]

Nice video, a decent send off for an awesome creator! Thank you, PEACE.

[@antthenotsogreat6245]

I found out he graduated from my high school in Long Island, today and then 10 minutes later I find out he died almost a year and a half ago. I wish I could have met him just to talk about our hometown. Gone still too young

[@DualLinguaFranca]

True. This is a very special channel. Thank you.

[@DementedDistraction]

Honestly, I'm right there with you with regard to Watchmen's ending - it always felt like it came so far out of left field that it just shattered the fluidity of the storytelling and only served as a big distraction for me. To that end, I prefer the movie's ending to the comic book's, and that's something that usually results in my head being bitten off by fanboys.

[@camerongoddard1638]

DementedDistraction it was foreshadowed before, and there was a purpose for it.

[@DementedDistraction]

@@camerongoddard1638 Oh, I know. But the foreshadowing was so clumsily written and hamfistedly applied it only served to detract from the overall story. It's just a case of trying to be too clever and being unable to see the whole picture for the sake of a lackluster detail.

[@camerongoddard1638]

DementedDistraction I heavily disagree. It was foreshadowed by the comic within the comic, in that story the protagonist mimics the arc of Ozymandias and the comic was created by the guy who designed the monster for Ozymandias. Just because it’s shocking doesn’t mean it interrupts the flow of the storytelling. In the comic there is very little on page violence except for key moments, like the comedian shooting the pregnant woman, and sexually assaulting silk spectre. The splash pages of violence at the end shows the totality of Ozymandias’ sacrifice to save the world. It was Ozymandias’ plan from the beginning. In the movie everyone dies in a flash of light. and why would the Russians end the Cold War? Dr. Manhattan was the American lackey. It doesn’t make sense without the giant psychic squid monster.

[@julianminer7273]

@@camerongoddard1638 And the alien was so that the whole world would unite against a common enemy, if it's a bomb, they'd just fight more

[@NDHFilms]

Glad I'm not the only one who thinks so.

[@desmobaker4047]

I know I'm late here, but I love how in this episode you did a play by play of the whole comic, would love to see more comic tropes like this! You make me feel so much passion for comics

[@HyperspacePictures]

Len Wein was one of the greats that hit his stride in the 1970s. I stopped reading comics after Watchmen because I had thought the art in comics at the time was failing but always had time to read Len's work. After reading his comics I went on to read the classics in literature and especially science fiction like Clarke, Bradbury, Asimov and Herbert. All due to the talents of WEIN and his contemporaries like Englehart, Conway, Thomas and others of the late 70 s. Thank you for yet another fine and somewhat funny review.

[@geekaydee6303]

the best thing is your voices. thanks. love your channel.

[@mau_victorino]

"Aaaaaaaaaaaaand drunk" Love it! lol

[@BobGeis]

Great video, like so many the X-Men played a big my growing up. Thanks for putting this together.

[@mikedlc9766]

I love how you are telling great comic stories and getting sauced up

[@willisworn]

I can't believe I'm just discovering this channel. You're the best comic page on youtube

[@bencox5994]

Really awesome video dude

[@duaneshort1]

Hey man, just found your series. Love the deep analysis. The only thing that makes me mad is that I didn't do it first. Never stop!

[@Susie_Floozie]

Thanks for the insightful breakdown of the elements that made Len Wein's work so special. Len himself was special--he was one of the nicest people I knew in comics. I felt that he never got the regard he deserved for his work, perhaps because he never banged his own drum. His goal was the perfection of the overall project, not polishing his résumé. The comics world is less without him.

[@Quiro26]

Great Video! Len Wein is truly one of comics greatest creators and contributors. Well this may be my last comment here. Getting ready for Hurricane Maria here in Puerto Rico. Wish me luck.

[@ComicTropes]

Stay safe. I hope the water and power stay on this time.

[@JAbramowski88]

You rock dude!! I Love your content!!!

[@user-df9fd3jh1c]

That's great video)) Thanks!

[@arturodejesuscruzcasab9502]

Okay, I´m subbed. Binged watched some of your videos, you're awesome, dude.

[@frasert8779]

Man this was so good! I watched the whole thing but when I heard your shot plan j fast forwarded to the end to see you with like 12 post it’s and much more glassy eyed 😂😂😂

[@rickytoddbotelho9555]

I read X-men since I was a kid. That started before giant size. After picking up as much of the silver age stuff as I could I bought giant size off the rack at 7-11. That book was viewed as something of witchcraft by the McCarthy era leftovers who hadn't gone on to join the hydra gestapo. A comic like that was such a break through that many people I think died trying to either fight for such concepts or trying to stop it. It fired up those who saw it's four color cover glaring at them from a comic book store window or a 7-11 slurpee cup. I laughed. I thought giant size reminded me of a super hero star trek episode and it made me want to try and convince anybody I met that a comic like it was out for the world to remember. May you have a wonderful eternity Len. Love you forever. Another thing I loved about the book was that characters could get greased. I.E. Warpath. That was a pinnacle in my understanding of this fucked up world. Oh yeah there was my other obsession. Johnny Byrne. The first artist that I wrote to as a fan boy. And he sent me his sketch book I still have to this day.

[@jalderink]

Wow, that is cool! You are so lucky! I am a massive, Byrne victim, and I love every bit of his work that I've read. You have excellent taste, Sir!

[@visionaerie]

Yeh giant sized xmen #1.....len wein.Dave cockrum. Much love &respect.

[@steakcrust558]

dude your channel is THE best!

[@ComicTropes]

the_smershed hatter187 If it is, part of what makes it good is a smart, engaged, creative, kind and funny audience. I’m fortunate.

[@steakcrust558]

well it is smart and engaging, and you seem to have a nice fanbase

[@JeffJedi]

Great tribute!

[@johnbowen7314]

Really enjoying your videos. :)

[@rosachil6009]

Excellent episode,thanks again for the heads up on Len Wein,yes after watching this we are indepted to the great man,i had the pleasure of meeting Chris Claremontat a London Comi-Con and he was an absolute gent,keep up the stellar work...! Peace. Wayne. K2KRadio London

[@ArticulatedDoom]

28:58 "I've always liked Cyke-a-lops!" Lmao. Going on a Comic Tropes binge. Hope you are all staying safe and healthy during all this craziness

[@Udgrasil13]

I read a lot of comics and never heard of Len Wein. Thank you for introducing me to his name. What an amazing and progressive writer.

[@CrashLanden]

12:33 "Of course, Chris Claremont deserves a lot of credit for building Wolverine into..." John Byrne deserves a lot of credit for Wolverine.... Claremont wanted to write him out of the book. Byrne (who was Canadian at the time) wouldn't let him, because he was the only Canadian on the team .

[@hobboskins8591]

Did Byrne change his nationality after then?

[@ThePandaSupreme]

Just from the start of the story you can tell it’s a great piece of work

[@Lars1284]

Love the way you do their voices XD

[@jmxmf]

Thankyou for your videos. From Nigeria 🇳🇬

[@everettst.claire870]

I had no idea how important Len Wein was to the big 2. Creating some great and important characters. I love learning about the history of comics.

[@peace8381]

Wolverine is one of the big ones. Who is the other?

[@everettst.claire870]

@@peace8381 I mean big 2 by DC and Marvel

[@axeltrujillo5693]

Growing up Xmen was my favorite book.

[@daviderwin4705]

Nice wake. We need more like Len Wein in comics and related properties. I hadn't even heard he was gone until I came across this video.

[@guyvasquez8118]

This almost became an episode of Drunk History! Love your show!

[@MrMifune666]

Chris, a VERY belated response to this excellent reflection on Len Wein's impact. I first encountered his work in the Batman and Superman books which came to Australia in B&W copies. I always considered Len to be comic's version of Gene Roddenberry. The inclusion of character diversity, the introduction of a ton of writing talent, the fact that as an editor (or producer in Roddenberry's case) he was able to instil in those around him the enthusiasm to produce better cultural artefacts than he may well have been able to on his own. As you mention, his dialogue is seen as a little clunky nowadays, but it was a characteristic of a lot of the Bronze Age writers and yet his influence flowed forward to the Copper and Modern ages. His generosity and respect towards those creators who came after him is only to be admired. Cheers, Andrew! P.S. As you were playing the Len Wein Drinking Game I was worried you weren't going to make it through the video. :)

[@lkzj4745]

Bottoms up bub!!

[@dylpurcell1]

Great job!!!!!

[@dfailsthemost]

I love this issue so much when I was a kid and I hadn't read it in years when a couple years back I found that someone had put it online as an audio play and it was a free podcast download it was amazing

[@edcalibur5386]

I know I found this video four years late but I really like the voice over work in this video. especially nightcrawler!

[@tesscantarticulate]

5 years later, just wanted to add that krakoa being a mutant eventually stuck

[@aoprngvua2]

New drinking game, take a shot every time he says "Lucius Fox" 🥃

[@andresperedo1275]

one of the few comic collections I do won. Amazing.

[@leaffinite3828]

I like narration boxes even sometimes when they are redundant. They serve to slow you down and keep you on a page, and being a bit redundant can set that moment in your memory

[@CinemaSeven]

About the ending of Watchmen, it was telegraphed. It was in the other pages and extra material in between issues.

[@cuffzter]

Love that you do a very subtle german accent when reading Kurts lines.

[@NDHFilms]

Couldn't help but hear the theme from the X-Men cartoon while I was watching this.

[@miked2445]

Entertaining and informative. Thank you sir. Youre doing Dogs work.

[@DevaNeeramanii]

I love Liquorice also. And I LOVELOVELOVE your character voices. :)

[@Bazzo_]

This is the best KZbin video that I have ever seen! Very good! I have just bought a CGC 7.0 copy of Giant Size X-men and I love to see this in a video!! Thx Very much!

[@edwinbaezjr.945]

I remember buying Comic books at my local 7-11 late 70's early 80's

[@youtubeistryingtocensorme]

This guy created some of my favorite characters

[@Thor13332]

I recently bought the first paperback Spiderman novel from 1978. It was written by Len Wein.

[@SIKE01]

oh wow, I wasn't aware that LEN WEIN passed away. rest in peace...and thanks for the recommendation KZbin.

[@Luchablay]

I really love that original Hulk 181 mask.

[@WildBluntHickok]

You're right about what my definitive run is. When I was a teen they put out Uncanny X-Men 176-227 and Classic X-Men reprints of Giant Sized 1 thru Uncanny 137.

[@thetreblerebel]

ICONIC Xmen art, I loved Nightcrawler

[@bsaintnyc]

to grow your channel do these things: interview people in the comics industry , do collaboration videos with other big comic channels like comicstorian and comics explained