Comic Book of the Week for 11/20/13

Happy Monday everyone! Hope everyone is getting ready for some days off, with time to rest and time with loved ones. This week's Comic Book of the Week is Uncanny X-Men #14!

If you couldn't tell these are all one mutant.

Has everyone noticed I have been on an X-men spree these last few CBotWs? That must mean a few things that I meant to show intentionally (not really lol):

1. There are ALOT of X-Men books. That's the way the Marvel and DC roll. Look at how many Avengers, Spider Man, Batman, and Justice League comics there are.
2. There is a lot of exciting things happening in the X-Men universe right now, not to mention, quality comic books with good writing and great art.
3. I am partial to the X-Men. Which is probably the biggest and most honest reason I have for 3 different X-Men comics making it on my Comic Book of the Week. But I guess I've always thought of myself as an X-Man myself. A mutant, just with no powers…so I guess I'm just more weird than anything LOL. 

Anyways Uncanny X-Men follows the Cyclops led division of the X-Men after the events of Schism and A vs. X. Because Cyclops is a fugitive for his crimes against humanity committed with the phoenix force and his crime against mutants for killing Charles Xavier, the story pertaining to his team of new mutants, also led by Magneto and Emma Frost, has largely involved them trying to stay under the radar while "rescuing" new mutants, and starting a new school. But the constant action hasn't given the comic a chance to flesh out any of the new mutants. That changes with Uncanny X-Men #14

This issue features one Benjamin Deeds, who has the mutant ability of transformation. Benjamin in the beginning of the issue is having a hard time being motivated during physical training because he thinks his mutant ability isn't really useful tactically for the X-Men. His confidence is further diminished by Professor Cyclops who means well but teaches via tough love. But that's when Professor Frost comes in. I really liked Emma Frost this issue because her image isn't really the tenderhearted type either, but in this issue she really shines as a great mentor to a student who felt marginalized ironically among mutants. It was great to see their chemistry as teacher and student, as Emma challenges Benjamin and he starts to learn more about his powers and how to control them. And because it's Cyclops's renegade X-Men team, they stir up a little bit of trouble which is fun too.

But this issue made me realize that there are students of all shapes and sizes who need their corresponding mentor. Young people in this day and age are born into a culture where you can see instant brilliance with Youtube. But as a result of this, they lack serious confidence. Mentors are important because they've experienced what young people have gone through and can relate to them while providing challenges for growth in the right ways.

Have you ever thought of being a mentor to someone? Perhaps you never thought of yourself as a mentor, or maybe you've thought mentorship is for leaders, but you don't need to lead to mentor. As Emma was to Benjamin what Cyclops could not be, you can be to a young person what perhaps another cannot be. It just means you find a young person who matches you and meet them where they are. In the New Testament, Jesus served as a mentor to his disciples and met them where they were. Though he is the son of God, he considered them friends. In John 15:13 Jesus says:

"Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends."

This is a true hallmark of mentorship: a friendship where you can give your life to someone in need. Is there a younger person in your life that you can see yourself in? Is there a young padawan learner primed and ready for your Jedi training? Give it some thought and let's pour into our younglings! And pick up Uncanny X-Men #14!

Blessings~!
The Nerd (of Nazareth)