Kurt Wagner is one of the most interesting and conflicted of the X-Men. Despite his demonic appearance, the Mutant called Nightcrawler is a devout Catholic and one-time aspiring priest. He is also one of the most outgoing and hopeful of heroes, even with a dark past and absent parents. However, Uncanny X-Men #3 reveals that Kurt enjoys a previously unmentioned yet unsurprising pastime: furry cons.
Written by Gail Simone, with art by David Marquez, Uncanny X-Men #3 finds the team training their new teenage recruits. Without their usual Danger Room facilities, this training consists of Nightcrawler playing keep-away with the newbies. Given his teleportation powers, this is a task the acrobatic hero manages with ease.
Growing frustrated, new X-Men recruit Ransom tries to tackle Nightcrawler and calls him a furry. Kurt easily sidesteps Ransom’s attack and laughs off the attempted insult. Indeed, Kurt notes he likes the furry community, adding, “Their parties are magnificent!”
Why Nightcrawler being a furry makes sense
The furry fandom is a subculture that is interested in fiction based around anthropomorphic animal characters or people with animal traits. Examples of this include Disney’s Robin Hood adaptation and the ThunderCats. With blue fur and a prehensile tail, Nightcrawler might be viewed as a furry character. Indeed, his nickname among his fellow X-Men is “the fuzzy elf.”
Given that, it is believable that Nightcrawler, who cannot pass as human without a disguise, might find acceptance among the furry community. Kurt might also feel a kinship with them, given they, like Mutants, are often unfairly demonized. Most depictions of furry fandom in popular culture focus on those who dress up in costume for sexual roleplaying. These individuals are in the minority, however, and one 2011 survey confirmed most members of the furry fandom do not associate it with their love lives. However it came to happen, the idea of Nightcrawler as a furry is a logical one.
Uncanny X-Men #3 is now available at comic shops everywhere.
