Nightcrawler, The X-Men, and The Catholic Church | An X-Men Video Essay

Nightcrawler is one of the most iconic X-Men to ever appear, hailing from the very beginning of the New X-Men. But despite wowing audiences in both X-Men '97 and X2, as well as for years in the comics, some might forget that Nightcrawler exists as the soul of the X-Men.

How does Nightcrawler's Catholic belief impact the mutants? Does this conflict with the bigotries mutants face? And how does Nightcrawler's birth -- either from his two moms or a demon from Hell -- impact his Catholic beliefs?

Chapters:

0:00 My Favorite X-Men
2:04 We Don't See Enough Nightcrawler in X-Men Media
8:28 What Do The X-Men Lose Without Nightcrawler?
10:29 A Catholic Superhero
12:59 Nightcrawler in the Comics
18:06 Chuck Austen's Nightcrawler Doesn't Work
20:30 Religious Fanaticism
26:31 Nightcrawler in the MCU Moving Forward (Give Nightcrawler a Girlfriend)

[Mortalkombat]

People keep writing Kurt out of his Catholic origins which is kinda insane considering that’s what makes him so much more interesting

[apieceofbitsandpieces]

One thing I love about Kurt is his friendship with Kitty Pryde. On paper, The two are completely different in terms of personality with Kurt being more fun loving and easygoing compared to Kitty. Yet the two act as emotional outlets for each other and are willing to lend a shoulder to cry on for each other.

I think their friendship is perhaps one of the strongest Male-female friendships I’ve seen that doesn’t turn into a romantic relationship.

[Wolf-bzkq]

What I like about xmen is the diversity of thought
Kurt: catholic perspective
Kitty: youth perspective
Colossus: immigrant perspective
Wolverine: the rebel perspective
Beast: scientists perspective

[GrandArchPriestOfTheAlgorithm]

It's time that people finally realize how good Evolution actually was.

[EddyHeck]

Not gonna lie, Kurt being a Spider-Man... I absolutely love. When Pete checked in on him, I half expected him getting an honorary webshooter

[JustBenUnofficial]

I grew up with X-men Evolution and thus Kurt and Kitty are my favorite X-men.

[nkosig]

I prefer mutants who can't blend in because it feels like it takes more of a actual effort to relate to someone different

This feels like a main reason why synth android stories struggle often

[michaelguzman]

Sometimes when watching media I am ashamed to be catholic due to them often portraying it through obsessed fanatical villains. I am in no way saying that people like that don’t exist but it has almost become a cliche at this point. Seeing your video gave me a newfound love and respect for Nightcrawler, a character that I’ve never really been into, and now I want to read his stories to learn more about him. I think the way you described religion as a means more for self-reflection is the perfect way people should use it. Love the videos keep it up!

[pokemeg]

It's 100% not a reach at all to say people find Nightcrawler attractive as is. He has had legions of fangirls since day one and has been a formative fictional crush for a lot of people who grew up watching the movies. The amount of x readers and demand for Nightcrawler content? It is not crazy to think somebody would like him Nightcrawler IS hot and handsome. And he's kind, angsty and just such a good man. We adore him so much (I've written so much) he deserves a love interest!!!!

[FullMetal]

The most unrealistic part of She-Hulk was no one wanted to date her lol. Obviously someone would give Kurt a go. Also tieflings should have tails like nightcrawler.

[filiperodriguesaquin]

I might be a straight guy, but I think everyone can agree that my favourite mutant looks way hotter without the holographic disguise

[deathwish-fsib]

I think one of the great things about Kurt is that he's a character who has already gone through his arc, this makes him great at supporting others in their arcs but it does make it really hard to have a story centred around him without backtracking his development.

That being said, having a story of a younger Nightcrawler before all of his development would work really well as we see with Evolution.

[BloodyMary]

Nightcrawler had a relationship with the Scarlet Witch in Wolverine and the X-men. I actually really liked that storyline. I'm glad he is a priest in the new show. There are enough relationships on that shows.

[Bionickpunk]

X-Men Evolution is underrated compared to the 90s animated show, and we should honestly talk about it more.

[RobArtORenders]

Nightcrawler solo movie, Nightcrawler vs his father Azazel meets his brothers with similar powers. A Catholic allegory a then he verses his devil father it’ll be poetic. 10/10 would watch

[milkiassamuel]

Nightcrawler is also my favourite X-Men and such a pure soul and incredibly likeable character, especially since I loved him X-Men Evolution, the 90's show and in the recent X-Men 97 series. I really cant see how anyone could hate him or dislike the character. Nightcrawler truly embodies everything the X-Men are fighting for and is the heart and soul of the X-Men as despite looking like a demon from Hell and no one would blame him if he hated humanity, but no he doesn't hate the people who hated him, he is more enlightened and human than most human beings. He uses his faith and guidance with the X-Men to learn that hatred will never allow him to be happy and rather he uses his faith in Christianity as a earnest guiding light in helping the people who despised him, even though he doesn't have to. I also love how Nightcrawler's faith isnt toxic as Kurt knows that a true man of God would not persecute others that dont believe what he believes as that would make him as bad as the people that saw him as a monster and only shares his beliefs and values only when truly needed in order to help those who seek it and he doesn't forcibly try to push his religion onto others, he just lives his life helping others. I also ADORE his dynamic with other characters like his special friendship with Wolverine, his adorable friendship and bond with Kitty Pryde as a big brother to her, and especially his wholesome unconditional love for Rogue as his adopted sister.

What else can I say... I ADORE Nightcrawler😈✝️❤☺️

[Jeb_binch]

I’m not practicing anymore, but growing up in the church there were some streams of thought in the Church where Kurt would have felt very much at home. He’d definitely be either a Salesian or a Franciscan.

If they go back to having the Xavier school, I always thought it would make sense for him to be the humanities teacher. I feel like those kids’ educations are very STEM heavy lol.

[brendanrodriguez]

To clerify, it’s not a retcon mistique being his father was origionally the idea when it was introduced, but the author chris clairmont wasn’t allowed to do it since the heads of marvel comics at the time didn’t allow it.

[westongarner-qoez]

Nightcrawler: The original user of Three Sword Style!😁😎

[giyuutomioka]

Nightcrawler was actually my original favorite character. Of course, gambit is my favorite, but i really still love Nightcrawler.
Ill even list a few reasons why.

1. Hes so friendly and cheerful. I love how hes immediately energetic upon arrival in genosha when rogue and gambit arrive. Hes so lovable!

2. Hes blue and blue is a favorite color of mine. On top of that, i love his outfit. Its simple yet stylish. Id wear it.

3. His teleportation ability made me fascinated with him.

4. Despite myself being atheist, him being catholic, similar to daredevil who's also one of my favorites, Nightcrawler doesnt make religion an upfront part of his character. Its tiring when I see people devote their life to religion, i understand they probably either grew up that way or chose that life, but they dont seem like they can really relax without feeling like they broke a religion related rule or something. Nightcrawler however, its a small side thing for him. Sure hes still religious, but he doesnt make it a big deal which i honestly appreciate. It's the same case for daredevil, even though i stopped being religous, im still fascinated by catholicism since im a former Christian but i still love their character.
5. Nightcrawler is a charming character. I was introduced to him in X2 and his character in wolverine and the X-men made him so endearing! I mean, he carries himself with flair and charisma and hes also super loving and caring for others and want people treated fairly since his past in Germany, people rioted against him just for not looking human. I kinda resonate with him as i was always treated differently since i had learning troubles with ADHD and i was bullied a lot, but nightcrawler is so cool regardless.