"Young readers of Marvel's Comics, many of whom doubtless shared his 'nerdy' status, could empathise with Peter as a character, and so be inspired by his devotion to a superhero's career."

"The persecution of the mutants was a fitting allegory for the Holocaust, the civil rights movement of the 1960s, and all forms of racism and homophobia."

"(Professor Xavier and Magneto) are the equivalent of Dr Martin Luther King Jr and Malcolm, one preaching understanding, the other ready to attain their goal 'by any means necessary'."