X-Men's Angel Unleashes New Design And Superpower

Marvel finally gives a major X-Men character a striking new form, complete with a new costume and one of the most broken superpowers a mutant can have. The debut of the original five X-Men in 1963 marked the birth of a revolutionary metaphor for civil rights. Under the tutelage of Charles Xavier, these five mutant students established the foundational dynamics of the X-Men and grew into legendary X-Men heroes with long journeys of their own.

Over the decades, the original X-Men's evolution has been nothing short of radical. The O5 have matured from students into the founders of X-Factor, served as the veteran backbone of the Blue and Gold era in the 1990s, and even faced their younger selves in a time-displaced paradox. Each member has undergone a profound metamorphosis, with Jean Grey becoming the Phoenix, Beast shifting through multiple forms, Iceman unlocking his Omega-level power, and Cyclops evolving from a dutiful field leader into the militant architect of mutant revolution.

But as is usual with teams and friend groups, there's always one member who departs to build his own journey and gets forgotten by his colleagues.

Angel Can Now Sense Death And Heal Near-Fatal Wounds

Inglorious X-Force #4; Written by Tim Seeley; Art by Philip Tan & Romulo Fajardo Jr.

Cable's mission to prevent future US mutant president Kamala Khan from being assassinated is getting increasingly complicated, as more and more characters do things they don't quite remember or understand. Tabitha Smith a.k.a. Boom Boom has exploded and "un-exploded," and the only person who should know exactly what happened is Warren Worthington III a.k.a. Angel, who allegedly healed her to perfection when she was on the verge of death. Angel, briefly sporting golden wings, appears to have developed the ability to heal and regenerate other people.

Inglorious X-Force #4 reveals that part of the reason why Boom Boom doesn't die is that Domino's luck-based powers intervened. Still, as Angel fights multiple villains alongside Cable's new X-Force team, Warren seems to sense death and transform from the traditional Angel-of-Death Archangel into a red-and-blue version of Archangel, with golden wings just like the ones he remembers sporting while healing Tabitha. The culprit behind Angel's new form appears before him: Mister Sinister.

Angel Is The Founding X-Man Who Deserves A Major Upgrade The Most

Healing Is One Of The Best Abilities A Mutant Could Develop

While his original teammates have ascended to massive levels of popularity and influence, Angel has frequently struggled to maintain momentum despite being one of Professor X's original five X-Men. Warren is stuck in a repetitive cycle of alternating between his heavenly feathered form and his grim, metallic Archangel persona. Outside Age of Apocalypse, Angel has often been relegated to the background of major events, if he even appears.

The recent developments in Inglorious X-Force #4 might finally provide the catalyst for this overdue evolution. While Angel has possessed healing blood in the past, its application was often inconsistent and limited. A primary, controlled, permanent healing ability within his lethal Archangel state could make him indispensable. Turning the team’s assassin into their most vital life-support system could finally propel Angel to the level of prominence held by Jean Grey or Beast.

From a tactical perspective, the ability to heal others is arguably one of the most useful abilities possible. Although flashy offensive mutant powers like optic blasts or telekinesis draw the most attention, a dedicated healer ensures that the team’s heavy hitters stay in the fight regardless of life-threatening injuries. A full-fledged healer Archangel would allow any mutant team to push past their physical breaking points.

How do you think Angel's story will continue in Inglorious X-Force?

Inglorious X-Force #4 is now available from Marvel Comics.