Warning: Spoilers for Exceptional X-Men #1!
The fan-favorite protagonist of the X-Men is back to using her original name. Kitty Pryde has had an incredible journey since first debuting in 1979s Invisible X-Men #129, with much of that journey reflected by her ever-evolving name. Not only in different codenames from Sprite to the latest Shadowcat, but her adulthood is represented by her going from Kitty to Kate Pryde.
However, in Exceptional X-Men #1 – Written by Eve L. Ewing, with art by Carmen Carnero – It’s revealed that Kate Pryde is ready to be Kitty again. In a moment where she saves a young mutant’s life, She hesitates to do so, but eventually tells the child to call her Kitty instead of Catherine.
Considering the context of the story and everything she experienced after Krakoa, this moment about her name is symbolic of something bigger for Kitty. Becoming Kitty again could allow her to recapture her child-like wonder that was long dormant and recapture her love of being an X-Men.
In a major shake-up, “Kitty” Pryde returns, as fan-favorite hero ditches “Kate”
Exceptional X-Men #1 – Written by Eve L. Ewing; Art by Carmen Carnero, Nolan Woodard, & Joe Sabino
With the character taking on a new role in the relaunch X-Men franchise, it is especially interesting that she has returned to her classic “Kitty” nickname; In a way, this is representative of the “From the Ashes” relaunch as a whole.
The name “Kate” for Kitty dates as far back as X-Men’s “Days of Future Past” storyline, where the dark, dystopian timeline revealed that the hero adopted the name Kate in adulthood. In the official Earth-616 canon, Kitty Pryde didn’t start going through the chain until the beginning of the Krakoa era, where she was pushed to the forefront of X-Men storylines as the leader of the Marauders. Becoming Kate, or alternatively, Captain Pryde, was meant to signify the newfound responsibilities the former Kitty took on as an adult.
Kitty Pryde was introduced in the X-Men a wide-eyed, ambitious and optimistic protagonist who is eager to challenge the world and challenge herself while combating its oppression. The crocodile version of the character was a radical departure from this; In her place is a Kate Pryde who becomes a deadly killer, sacrificing his morality in the name of survival – not unlike the Kate Pryde at the heart of the timeline of “Days of Future Past”. The trauma she suffered from this war-torn mindset convinced her to leave the X-Men for good once the Krakoa era ended.
However, this does not equate to her ceasing to be a predominant mutant hero in the Marvel Universe – or, as Exceptional X-Men shows, a mentor to the next generation of mutants. So, with the character taking on a new role in the relaunch X-Men franchise, Especially interesting is that she returned to her classic “Kitty” nickname; In a way, this is representative of the “From the Ashes” relaunch as a whole, with the franchise forming a new paradigm and also replacing familiar touchstones for the series.
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Exceptional X-Men #1 – Available now from Marvel Comics
While driving away, Kitty consoles young Trista Marshall about her powers, teaching her the value and pride that should come with being a mutant… When she drops the child off, she introduces herself as Kitty, hesitantly.
The lack of previously present optimism is omnipresent throughout Exceptional X-Men #1, Chronic Kitty Pryde’s transition as a normal member of society without adventuring. From the beginning, she is very wrapped up in her work and, in her words, “Kind of Drifting Along” As a bartender at Lulu’s Tavern. Gone is the sense of adventure that dominated her personality in her 80s and 90s adventures or a desire for something more. Instead, she just goes through the motions and prioritizes her work.
Even with the prospect of a first date, she cancels it to prioritize her work. Although, in fairness to Kitty, she got her days mixed up and thought their original concert date was on her day off. Instead, she shows up at the concert alone, but in the process finds a teenage mutant discovering her powers while being harassed by security guards. Another sign of Kitty not wanting to be involved in anything too exciting, her first instinct is to not get involved at all. That is, until a gun is pulled on the child.
This is when Kitty intervenes and saves the child, using her own powers to phase away from the scene. While driving away, Kitty consoles young Trista Marshall about her powers, Teach her the value and the pride that should come with being a mutant. Trista is visibly proud of her mutanthood and, in the young girl’s mind, finds a new friend in the process, even giving Pryde a gift later. Obviously, the idea moves Kate, who initially reveals her identity as Catherine Pryde, but when she drops the child off, she introduces herself as Kitty, hesitantly.
Why Kate hesitates to call herself Kitty, explained
Kitty’s hesitation to call herself Kitty again can be seen as her hesitation to try to recapture the same optimism of her youth, the same love for the X-Men, that she left not long ago.
Kitty’s hesitation is what is most noticeable about this interaction Exceptional X-Men #1. Since Trista already knew her real government name, Catherine Pryde, the older woman had no reason to hesitate to share her name, especially a nickname. Instead, the hesitation probably has more to do with what the “Kitty” nickname represents for the hero. “Kitty,” as a name, represents the sense of childhood wonder that she lost long ago, a childlike wonder that is not very different from what Trista displays in their interaction.
This kind of childlike wonder represents more than just the level of optimism that Kitty carried as a child, but the love of ​​the X-Men that she initially showed. Kitty’s hesitation to call herself Kitty again can be seen as her hesitation to try to recapture the same optimism of her youth, the same love for the X-Men, that she left not long ago. However, by recognizing that desire and leaning into it, This could be the first step Kitty takes in finding her way back into the X-Men.
What the return of “Kitty” Pryde means for the latest era of the X-franchise
It is important to note that Marvel is not suspending her progression, but rather using yet another name change for the character to signal that she has entered a new phase of her life.
Kitty Pryde is officially back, and the return of the nickname has significant implications not just for the characterBut the beginning of the “from ashes” era of the X-Men Franchise as a whole. Her Krakoan-era “Kate” persona was a conscious evolution of the character; Likewise, her renewed embrace of “Kitty” is an overtly creative decision intended to emphasize the way this new slate of X-Titles will routinely return to familiar fan-favorite elements that the franchise has moved on to over the past few years.
Kate Pryde’s Krakoan arc was one of the most impressive X-Men Character trajectories of the era, so it is important to note that Marvel is not suspending her progression, but rather using yet another name change for the character to signal that she has entered a new phase of her life. If nothing else, fans long accustomed to calling her Kitty will be pleased to see the most recognizable version of the character’s name return, along with a renewed sense of heroic optimism for the character, as exceptional X-Men Begins.