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Hey there Comic Attackers! If you’re like me you can never get enough X-Men. Yet, there are so many mutants out there that they’ve become incredibly hard to keep track of, let alone stay up to date on what their current power levels are. That’s why I have taken up the task to power rank all of the active X-Men post Messiah Complex from the very least to the top beast! There are 75 mutants in all to rank and today we take a look at four tough X-dudes!

So what are power rankings? Mostly used to rank sports teams on how well they are playing now, my power rankings are a list of X-Men based on what their power set is in current continuity (or most recent appearance). Other factors that determined a character’s ranking are: what their power potential is, what they’ve already proven they can do (so long as it is still relevant in current continuity), and their over all level of badassness. If you disagree with me that’s totally cool- please feel free to call me out and explain what your reasoning is. I don’t expect everyone to agree with me, and while I believe this list to be very solid in it’s numbering, I’m interested to hear what you have to say! So… who wants to get some Ink?

#41. Ink/Leon Nunez: Unless you’re like me and were one of the few people who rode out the short lived Young X-Men series from beginning to end, you probably have no idea who the hell Ink is. He began his X-career working as an undercover agent for the mutant hating cyborg, Donald Pierce. For Pierce, Ink betrayed his new mutant teammates. However, after Wolf Cub was killed as a result of his betrayal, Ink realized that he didn’t want to continue going down an evil path, so he reformed his ways. His first step towards doing this was when he utilized his Phoenix Force tattoo to revive a recently deceased Dust. Since the tat could only approximate the powers of the Phoenix, not actually grant him the true energies associated with the Phoenix Force, the strain of bringing Dust back to life put Ink into a comatose state where he currently remains.

Powers: This is where Ink’s character gets a little tricky… he isn’t actually a mutant, but a human with tattoo’s that grant him super powers. These tats were given to him by the mutant Leon Nunez whose ability is to grant others super powers by tattooing iconic symbols on their skin. Meaning if he drew flames, the tattooed person could shoot fire, etc, etc. However, with each tattoo he creates a little bit of Leon’s will is sapped, and the recent Phoenix tat he gave to Ink also resulted in his being placed into a coma. The power limit of both Eric Gitter (Ink) and Leon has yet to be revealed, but the fact that one could create something that mimics the Phoenix Force and the other currently wields that power is the reason why this pair rank in at number 39 on our list. In addition to the Phoenix power, Ink has the following tattoos: a biohazard symbol which causes his victims to become extremely ill, a super strength tattoo that resembles Colossus’ steel skin, two lightning bolt tats give him Telepathy, Wings on his back grant flight, an explosive symbol allows him to blow things up and punch through solid matter, and the Caduceus Symbol gives him the ability to heal others (Ink is the one pictured above).

First Appearance: Young X-Men #1, 2008.

#40. Strong Guy: Currently a key player in X-Force, Guido Carosella is the enforcer of the team. He’s big, strong, and always ready with a silly quip or sarcastic remark. At one time, the big lug was as an actor and even a stand up comedian. To be honest, aside from punching a few people here and there Guido hasn’t really done much in terms of fighting lately, but because of his power potential he ranks in at number 40 on our list. It’s ironic because his mutant power also prevents him from ranking any higher on the list…

Powers: While Strong Guy may possess super human strength, stamina, and durability, he has a serious side effect to his power with the potential to kill him. Guido has a weak heart and as he absorbs kinetic energy to enhance his physical strength, he can only take so much or he will have a heart attack. For instance, during World War Hulk he faced off against the green menace but had to back down- not due to pain, but because his heart couldn’t keep up with the energy increase from the blows Hulk was landing. Strong Guy needs to emit the absorbed energy within 90 seconds or else it may permanently distort his body. He is in constant pain from the distortion process, and most of the energy is stored in his upper body, making his appearance top heavy and somewhat comical.

First Appearance: New Mutants (vol. 1) #29, 1985.

#39. Sunspot: After Messiah Complex Roberto da Costa left his position of Lord Imperial of the Hellfire Club to help train the Young X-Men. When that team disbanded, Sunspot rejoined his old pals in the series New Mutants, which is now into it’s second story arc, the Necrosha event. Roberto’s lack of really doing anything significant in New Mutants (all he’s done is beat up a bunch of humans with Cannonball- big whoop) and the fact that Wolf Cub kicked his ass (making him bleed) in Young X-Men, forced my hand in placing him in the middle of the pack.

Powers: As his name suggests, Sunspot has the ability of Solar Radiation Absorption which allows him to absorb solar energy and convert it into strength, giving him the power to lift up to 50 tons. He can channel this energy in different ways, such as flight via generating thermal updrafts at speeds up to 150 mph, emitting intense waves of light, and releasing damaging heat waves through thermokinesis. As his main offensive attack, Roberto projects dark plasma energy blasts with powerful concussive force. When he was younger he had to be in direct sunlight for his powers to work effectively, however nowadays he can use his powers when the moon is present- considering moon beams are alternate forms of sunlight. When his powers are in use, Roberto loses the ambient light in his skin, so he converts to darkness.

First Appearance: Marvel Graphic Novel #4, 1982.

#38. Gambit: In the events leading up to Messiah Complex Gambit had turned into a total dick, betraying the X-Men to fight alongside Mr. Sinister’s Marauders. Post MC he had a change of heart upon learning that some goons from the Assassins Guild of New Orleans were commissioned to hunt down and kill Charles Xavier. Gambit goes looking for Charlie, but comes across the supposed killers first and takes them out. He then meets up with Xavier and the two decided to look for a missing Rogue. Their search leads them to Australia where they find themselves amidst an environment composed entirely of Rogue’s memories. She was in intense pain which was difficult for Gambit to handle because his love for her. Chuck and Remy quickly learn that Danger, the physical manifestation of the Danger Room, is responsible for the holographic memories, and Professor X saves the day (covered in Rogue’s bio of our rankings) taming Danger while helping Rogue to learn how to finally control her absorption power. In order to test this, she kisses Gambit- and nothing happens! We are led to believe that Gambit will soon rejoin the X-Men, and has probably already given it to Rogue multiple times by now. He was last seen in the X-Men Legacy Annual where he destroyed Norman Osborn’s Omega Machine (which nullified a mutants powers).

Powers: Remy LeBeau has the ability of Molecular Acceleration which enables him to take the potential energy stored in an object and convert it to kinetic energy. Basically when he ‘charges’ an object, he turns it into an explosive. Gambit prefers to charge smaller items because they are easier to throw and larger objects take longer to charge. In order to charge something he has to make skin contact, and he has yet to learn how to use his power on living tissue. The kinetic energy he absorbs also provides him with a form of Static Interference that prevents his mind from intrusion and detection from most telepaths. Gambit can also charm people by charging the kinetic energy within a person’s brain, having them believe whatever he says. Remy also has enhanced agility, is a superb street fighter, and often uses a bo staff for a weapon. Ranking Gambit this low will probably piss some people off, but despite his popularity, those who are ranked in front of him could drop LeBeau if they had to.

First Appearance: Uncanny X-Men #266, 1990.

The countdown continues soon here at ComicAttack.net!

Andy Liegl
andy@comicattack.net