Recent discussions surrounding creator accountability have prompted a deeper look into the actions and works of prominent figures in various industries. In the realm of comic books, Warren Ellis, a writer with a significant career, has faced accusations that warrant examination, especially for long-time fans. As someone who has followed comics since the early 90s, and witnessed Ellis’s rise in the industry, understanding the specifics of these allegations and their potential reflection in his work becomes crucial. This leads us to Pete Wisdom, a character Ellis introduced during his run on Marvel Comics’ Excalibur, and how looking back, Wisdom’s creation takes on a new, unsettling dimension in light of these accusations.
Warren Ellis, known for his contributions to comics, faced allegations detailing a pattern of behavior involving aspiring female comic creators. Reports suggest that Ellis would offer mentorship to fans wanting to enter the comics industry. With women, these mentoring relationships allegedly shifted into inappropriate advances, culminating in situations where they felt pressured to engage in sexual activity due to Ellis’s industry influence. The fear was that refusal could lead to career sabotage before they even had a chance to begin. As more women came forward with similar experiences, a disturbing pattern emerged, highlighting a significant abuse of power.
This context casts a different light on Pete Wisdom, a character introduced by Ellis in Excalibur. For those unfamiliar, Excalibur was a spin-off of the X-Men franchise, focusing on a team operating out of Great Britain. While the X-Men are a cornerstone of Marvel, Excalibur often existed on the periphery, sometimes seen as less essential to the main narrative. Despite this, Excalibur garnered a dedicated fanbase, likely due to the presence of popular characters like Kitty Pryde and Nightcrawler, and its relative independence from the sprawling, often convoluted X-Men crossovers of the 80s and 90s. For readers who felt overwhelmed by the main X-Men titles, Excalibur offered a more contained and arguably less crucial corner of the mutant universe.
Kitty Pryde and Pete Wisdom in Excalibur, highlighting their controversial relationship.
When Warren Ellis took over writing Excalibur around 1995, he introduced Pete Wisdom, a British secret agent mutant who quickly became romantically involved with Kitty Pryde. This development sparked controversy among readers for several key reasons:
Firstly, Kitty Pryde’s age was a long-standing point of contention. Introduced in 1980 as “thirteen-and-a-half,” her youth was emphasized. Although comic book timelines are fluid, by the time of Excalibur, Kitty’s age was still ambiguous. Later writers attempted to age her up to 16 or 18, but her romantic relationship with the older Pete Wisdom felt like a continuity stretch, if not outright error, to some fans.
Secondly, a significant portion of the fanbase had long-standing investment in a romantic relationship between Kitty Pryde and Colossus. This pairing, while acknowledged as problematic by some due to power imbalances and other factors, was nonetheless a popular “ship.” Pete Wisdom’s sudden arrival and romance with Kitty was seen as yet another obstacle frustrating the Colossus/Kitty pairing, further alienating fans invested in that dynamic.
Thirdly, accusations of Pete Wisdom being a “Mary Sue” character arose. He appeared seemingly out of nowhere, effortlessly integrated into the team, and quickly won over Kitty Pryde, the book’s most popular female character. His persona as a cool, enigmatic secret agent added to this perception. The implication was that Pete Wisdom was a self-insert character created by Ellis to romance Kitty Pryde, essentially fulfilling a writer’s fantasy within the comic itself.
There were differing viewpoints on Kitty Pryde’s character trajectory at the time. One perspective, aligned with the character’s creator Chris Claremont’s vision, was that Kitty should remain perpetually young, a plucky, teenage prodigy, too young for serious romantic relationships. Ellis and his supporters seemed to argue against this restrictive view, suggesting that characters should be allowed to grow and evolve, even if it bent the often-inconsistent rules of “comic book time.” They championed the idea of Kitty maturing and exploring more adult relationships, regardless of established continuity.
However, for many, Pete Wisdom felt like a derivative and uninspired character. He seemed to capitalize on the popularity of “The X-Files” and the trope of the brooding government agent. Furthermore, a prevailing attitude in 90s comics fandom was the elevation of UK writers, often perceived as superior due to their penchant for sardonic dialogue and deconstruction of superhero tropes. Pete Wisdom embodied this trend, presented as a “realistic” mutant who eschewed superhero costumes for suits, cigarettes, and whiskey – a caricature of British cynicism. The addition of an eyepatch later in his publication history only solidified the perception of him as a collection of edgy clichés.
The point is, Pete Wisdom, as a concept, resonated with a 90s comics audience primed for something “darker” and “grittier.” In an era saturated with giant guns and 60s nostalgia, a sarcastic, British “Fox Mulder” type character felt, to some, like a breath of fresh air. The promise was that Pete Wisdom would propel Kitty Pryde into exciting new storylines.
However, Excalibur was canceled in 1998. Kitty Pryde was reintegrated into the main X-Men titles, and the Pete Wisdom relationship largely faded into the background. Whether their breakup was explicitly depicted is unclear, but subsequent appearances of Kitty Pryde rarely mentioned Pete Wisdom, suggesting a collective amnesia within Marvel Comics regarding this particular romantic pairing. It’s as if there was a desire to quietly erase the period where Kitty was aged up just enough to be romantically involved with a character many found questionable.
Looking back, it’s easy to assume the Pete/Kitty relationship was simply Ellis seeking a new direction for the characters, unburdened by continuity. But in light of the 2020 accusations, the dynamic takes on a disturbing new layer. It mirrors the patterns of behavior Ellis is accused of: an older, established figure taking a younger woman “under his wing,” introducing her to his world (whiskey, cigarettes, espionage), and the relationship blurring into something sexual. Ellis’s “apology” at the time stated a lack of awareness of the power imbalance in his interactions. His claim, “I have never considered myself famous or powerful,” rings hollow considering the fervent fan adoration he received. The anticipation surrounding his involvement in any project was palpable. The phrase “Good, they finally fixed it” often accompanied announcements of Ellis taking over a comic title, illustrating the level of trust and influence he wielded. Imagine the pressure felt by aspiring creators in his orbit, seeking mentorship from someone so highly regarded.
Perhaps the initial criticisms of Pete Wisdom as a wish-fulfillment character were more prescient than realized. Whether consciously or not, Pete Wisdom embodies a power fantasy: an older, influential man captivating a younger woman, guiding her, and ultimately, engaging in a sexual relationship.
This power dynamic, unfortunately, isn’t unique to fictional characters or comic creators. The desire for influence is a common human trait. The allure of being a writer, of shaping narratives and characters, carries an inherent sense of power. The idea of influencing iconic figures like Captain Picard or Superman, and the potential social recognition that comes with success in creative fields, is undeniably attractive.
However, the reality of breaking into comics, as with many creative industries, is far from meritocratic. It’s not a straightforward process of submitting scripts and climbing a ladder. Success often relies on networking, chance encounters, and, unfortunately, gatekeeping. One established comics writer aptly noted that breaking in requires a certain level of “creativity” itself, implying that those unable to navigate the opaque system might lack the ingenuity needed for the field.
This opacity and gatekeeping likely contributed to the situations faced by women who came into contact with Ellis. Aspiring creators, seeking guidance and opportunity, might have been drawn in by the promise of mentorship, only to find themselves in exploitative situations. The fear of jeopardizing their nascent careers by refusing unwanted advances is a stark illustration of the power imbalance at play.
This situation underscores a critical issue within the comics industry, and potentially other creative fields: the ease with which power can be abused when access and opportunity are controlled by a select few. If the industry operated with more transparency and merit-based systems, perhaps individuals like Warren Ellis wouldn’t wield such disproportionate influence over aspiring creators. The relative straightforwardness of entering fields like chemistry, based on qualifications and merit, stands in stark contrast. Perhaps a more equitable and transparent entry process could mitigate the kind of exploitation that has come to light in the comics world.
