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Part of why X-Men comics changed their lettering in the 2000s was to make comics easier to access for people with dyslexia

A recent, niche X-Men thread from podcast legend Jay Edidin revealed the fascinating X-Books went from all-caps to mixed lettering circa 2003

X-Men comics have changed a lot over the past... OK look, there's literally no amount of time I can end that sentence with that makes it untrue. Marvel's Mightiest Mutants have been evolving just as quickly as their powers suggest ever since Stan & Jack put them on a comic book cover, and some of those evolutions have been a little bit more obvious than others. However, there's one subtle change that X-Books made in the 2000s that we recently learned the truth behind, and we thought it worth sharing with you.

The topic came up in a recent BluSky post from self-proclaimed "comics-industry semi-expat" Jay Edidin. Edidin, who previously produced legendary comics podcast Jay and Miles X-Plain the X-Men, posted the following question May 21: "A question for folks who worked on the X-line in the early '00s: Does anyone know the reason for the switch from all caps to mixed-case lettering on the non-Ultimate books?"

I guess when you were the co-host of the most popular X-Podcast in the universe for a time, you get answers to things like that. Because very shortly after the post went live, none other than Batman writer Matt Fraction (BluSky handle 'buttstuff werewolf') responded:

"[Former Marvel editor] Bill Jemas learned that mixed-case lettering is easier to read for kids with dyslexia and other related/similar reading issues," Fraction said, "And, as the line was meant to be vastly accessible for new readers, didn't want all-caps lettering to be a barrier to entry."

Now, Fraction was quick to admit that he "was not in the room when the call was made," but his claim was quickly backed up by someone who learned the same thing from former editor Jemas - comics journalist (and Popverse contributor) Zach Rabiroff.

"It was one of several reasons Jemas mentioned to me," Rabiroff said, "According to him, not the sole rationale, but part of it."

Very cool, folks. Now if only you'd help investigate the most pressing X-Change in the past 25 years in my opinion: why is Magneto so much hotter now?


 

Grant DeArmitt

Grant DeArmitt: Grant DeArmitt (he/him) likes horror, comics, and the unholy union of the two. In the past, and despite their better judgment, he has written for Nightmare on Film Street and Newsarama. He lives in Brooklyn with his partner, Kingsley, and corgi, Legs.

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