In a brief self-insert scene from UXM Annual #12, Claremont uses the 4th-wall-breaking character Mojo to shine the satirical lens onto Claremont himself and onto his own creative team for a bizarre bit of autocriticism. #xmen 1/9
The narrative problem presented is that the X-Men have recently died in “Fall of the Mutants” and thus the demand for X-Men stories on Mojoworld has no supply. Mojo goes off on his team of sycophants, but this time, among them, is the X-team of creators themselves. 2/9
In a single panel, we see Bob Harras, Glynnis Oliver, Ann Nocenti, Art Adams, a blustering Chris Claremont and Tom Orzechowski. Notably absent is inker Bob Wiacek, though perhaps this is reflective of the fact that Wiacek was not the main x-inker at the time. 3/9
They really only appear on a single page, and most get just a single line of dialogue. Even so, the results are charmingly satiric of behind-the-scenes dynamics and relationships. 4/9
Harras is portrayed as a smooth-talker, immediately declaring that “Well, I’ve given this a lot of thought…” even though Mojo has just posed the problem to the team. Oliver acquiesces, while Art Adams becomes anxious about whether or not he can draw. 5/9
Tom Orzechowski simply requests “How about less words?” an incisive comment from the letterer who is burdened with Claremont’s enormous reams of dialogue. Nocenti is simply dismissive, “Blah blah blah,” though we might argue it’s unclear whether that’s to Mojo or Claremont. 6/9
Claremont is portrayed in a state of righteous fury. “It’s all your fault! I warned you - I said, go for quality, not quantity – but nnnnooo, you just had to keep exploit-ingck!” at which point Mojo turns his head into that of a baby. 7/9
The level of self-awareness and self-mockery is clear. Claremont knows that he’s wordy (poor Tom), and that he’s at odds with an editorial direction that is seeking to expand the franchise beyond what Claremont sees as its natural capacity. 8/9
That Mojo makes him a baby, of course, suggests C’s awareness that he’s perceived as a whiner for the artistic stance he articulates. Given what we know about how his run ended, however, this silly bit of satire is actually quite pointed. 9/9
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