We've used the word a couple of times so far without really explaining it (sorry about that), but X-Men: Misfits is the perfect example of and opportunity to explain what "bishoujo" is. Bishoujo literally means "beautiful young girl", and can be used to describe everything from a type of character design to that aforementioned gross sub-genre of comics, cartoons and video games. Thankfully Japan goes in for equal opportunities objectification since they also have "bishonen", or "beautiful young boys". Comics aimed at girls starring incredibly pretty, stylish, frequently topless and fit men. Oh yes. That is what Marvel decided the X-Men needed more of. As if there isn't enough sexual tension and related mishaps in the original X-books, Marvel decided to shojo-ify (that means girlify) the series in the form of Misfits, a manga-style book that was produced by American hands. Telling the story of Kitty Pryde and her time at Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters, Misfits indulged in all the cliches and genre tropes of bishonen and shojo comics, as she swoons over all the conflicted dudes with their rippling six packs on show, makes friends with over girls in fabulous dresses, and gets hit on by a particularly dapper (and much younger) Magneto. Oh and there's a bit where they eat dinner and Angel's keeping Sabertooth on a bondage-style collar and leash, so there's that. Maybe not so much ruining as changing beyond recognition and upsetting fanboys, which is always funny. Not enough for Marvel not to cancel it after the first volume, mind.
Tom Baker is the Comics Editor at WhatCulture! He's heard all the Doctor Who jokes, but not many about Randall and Hopkirk. He also blogs at http://communibearsilostate.wordpress.com/
