I love X-Men: First Class.

Love.

Much as I enjoy fat layers of continuity and ongoing soapy entanglements and making fun of whoever happens to be the Designated Douchebag in Marvel’s crossover of the moment (oh hey, Norman Osborn), I often yearn for a book that’s, you know…fun. And with its clever cross-section of classic and modern sensibilities, this is one that you can actually recommend to newbies. And Jean Grey is still alive (gloriously so!).

(And! And! No FROSTLOPS.)

In short, it reminds me of why I started loving comics in the first place.

But ANYWAY, this isn’t just a post about how fucking awesome I think X-Men: First Class is. (And Jeff Parker and Roger Cruz! Also with the awesome!) It’s about a certain key line within the book that’s become something of a catchphrase amongst me and my friends.

See that panel above? So there’s this story wherein Jean starts noticing that things are a little…off. Professor X can walk. Scott has eyes. Everyone’s best friends with The Blob (or “the Blizzob,” as Warren calls him. Warren = massive dork, no matter what timeline we’re in). She goes to test her powers out and Scott is all, “eh, what are you doing?” And she’s like, “just testing my powers”…and then he says it.

“Are you not feeling very ‘Marvel Girl’ today?”

Why…is this so funny?!

Probably because Scott is such a tight-ass, and it sounds like he’s talking in code.

Does he mean..

“Are you not feeling like yourself today? Do you need a hug?”

“Are you not feeling superpowery today? Do you need a new costume? Something with a face-bra, perhaps?”

“Are you not in…the mood? Do you know what I mean by that? I mean…do you have one of those ‘headaches’? I mean…do you NOT WANT TO HAVE SEX RIGHT NOW IT’S OKAY IF YOU DON’T WHATEVER WE’LL GO RUN SOME MORE DRILLS IN THE DANGER ROOM.”

It could be any of those.

Therefore, when I’m not feeling good — in any respect — I have taken to saying that I’m “not feeling very Marvel Girl.” It’s brief and appropriate and conveys this in an extremely perfect and precise way. I think we should all start saying this. Spread the catchphrase love…maybe Joe Quesada will take note and actually resurrect Jean in proper continuity.

A (Marvel) girl can dream, right?