I don’t want to criticize Ellen Page’s performance as Kitty Pryde in the X-Men III flick, but she really didn’t do the character any justice. We should probably blame Ratner for his horrendous “direction,” but in any case the live-action film really didn’t give audiences a good enough look into the story of Kitty Pryde. I guess that’s we have the interweb right? So without further ado, here are some interesting facts about Kitty Pryde that you should know:
Kitty Pryde’s first appearance was in Uncanny X-Men in 1980 and was created by John Byrne.
Her mutant power enables her to “phase” through solid objects without any harm. She also has the ability to take objects with her as long as she is in direct physical contact.
Kitty Pryde is often referred to as Shadowcat, but she did not adopt this name until later.
She was recruited by both the X-Men and Professor X as well as the Hellfire Club and Emma Frost.
Eventually Kitty sided with the X-Men, but Emma Frost and the Hellfire Club remained close.
Kitty had a few solo story lines where she would team up with various other Marvel characters like Spiderman.
Kitty’s first X-Men title was Sprite, but she dropped that as she grew older. She also used used the name Ariel at one point.
After the X-Men completed a mission in outer space, a dragon named Lockhead followed them home. Kitty befriended Lockhead and the two share a mental bond.
At an early age she developed a school-girl crush on Colossus and the two began dating. (This didn’t sit well with Marvel execs because at the time Kitty was 14 and Colossus was 19)
After the Murlock Massacre and the Excalibur story lines Colossus is presumed dead and Kitty leaves the official X-Men for short while.
When she returns, Emma Frost has taken over the mansion but it is revealed that Colossus is still alive.
Kitty and Colossus begin dating again and writer Joss Whedon enables Kitty and Colossus to finally consummate their relationship.
In the Breakworld story line the Earth is threatened by a gigantic bullet that would destroy the entire planet. In an effort to save everyone, Kitty phases the bullet through the Earth but becomes trapped within it.
It is currently unknown if Kitty Pryde is still alive.
John Byrne named Kitty Pryde after a real person he knew in art school. Since the popularity of the character, the real Kitty Pryde has changed her name to simply KD Pryde.
With Marvel’s tendancy to spin mulitple dimensions it can become confusing as to whether or not an issue is of the correct universe. Kitty Pryde’s story is similar as there have been numerous interpretations of her story. The bottom line is Kitty “Shadowcat” Pryde was one of Marvel’s staple characters through the mid to late 90’s and to currently have her hurling through space is actually pretty cool. Who knows? She could be back.
