The X-Men and stereotypes of dominant and subordinate groups /by Grant George Bedrosian.

This study examined the use of stereotypes in the graphic novel X-Men: Messiah Complex. Taking both quantitative and qualitative approaches to analyzing content, the author found that the X-Men characters that appeared most frequently and most often in positions of leadership were White heterosexual males. Female and racial minority X-Men characters appeared least frequently and most often as followers. Sexual minorities did not appear at all. These patterns of representation are reflective of patterns found in other media, which tend to focus on and emphasize the positive qualities of members of dominant groups while ignoring or negatively portraying members of subordinate ones. This research discovered that racial and religious themes often strengthened or provided a backdrop for these stereotypes