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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 get reintroduced to some old faces with new names and power sets! 

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! Check out who we’ve got in store for today:

#70. Ripcord (formerly Stacy X): After falling victim to M-Day, a powerless Miranda Leevald left the X-Men and once again took to the streets to work as a prostitute. The loss of her abilities severely affected her, and she eventually hooked up with the New Warriors, wanting to abandon her slutty ways and make a positive change in her life. She took on the name Ripcord but ended up losing her life during an accident with the vigilante crime fighting team.

Powers: As Ripcord, Miranda had special armor that contained super-strong metal tentacles, web shooters, and other gadgets. Before M-Day she had the ability of Pheromone Control which upon skin-to-skin contact allowed her to stimulate bodily functions in others. This included orgasms, vomiting, nausea, rectal ‘malfunctions’, etc. The power could also be used in a positive way for her teammates as she could speed up their healing process and give them enhanced stamina. Miranda also had scaly, snake-like skin that provided her some durability, but it went away along with her other powers on M-Day.

First Appearance: Uncanny X-Men #399, 2001.

#69. Blackwing (formerly Beak): Remember that ugly, awkward, and annoying mutant at the Xavier Institute named Beak? Well, this is that same guy only amped up with an advanced body suit now calling himself Blackwing. After losing his ‘powers’ on M-Day, Barnell Bohusk accepted an invitation to join the New Warriors. Once a member, he was the one responsible for convincing Sofia Mantega (a.k.a Wind Dancer) to join the group and is still lame as ever.

Powers: As Blackwing, Barnell wears an advanced body suit that gives him advanced protection, the ability to fly, super strength, and energy blasts. Before M-Day he had advanced sight, talons, and light, hollow bones which allowed him to fly short distances with great effort. He was also a doofus and is the least cool thing to come out of the Netherlands.

First Appearance:  New X-Men #117, 2001.

#68. Rictor: This one was tough because Rictor has remained a very interesting character despite his lack of powers, but because he’s currently just a man with a gun I couldn’t bump him up any higher than this spot. During Messiah Complex he went undercover to infiltrate the terrorist-mutant-hating-religious-fanatic group, the Purifiers, and in the current volume of  X-Factor he was serving as a personal body guard to the then pregnant Siryn. He’s now macking it with Shatterstar, and while he’s deadly with a firearm, anyone with offensive powers would be able to drop him without a problem. Sorry Rictor fans, your boy isn’t what he used to be.

Powers: Before M-Day Rictor possessed the ability of Seismic Energy Manipulation which allowed him to generate and release powerful waves of vibrations in any object he came into physical contact with. The vibrations started within his body and then emanated outwards, causing objects to shatter and crumble while creating earthquakes and shockwaves. He was also immune to the harmful effects his vibrations would create.

First Appearance: X-Factor #17, 1987.

#67. Anole: Like many members of the former New X-Men, Victor Borkowski was one pissed off mutant after the events of Messiah Complex. He was angry with the X-Men for giving he and his young mutant companions a ‘poor education’ by constantly putting them in danger that more often than not resulted in the death of a teammate. During Divided We Stand, Victor refused to return to the team, insisting that when Cyclops disbanded the X-Men, he had walked out on the younger generation of mutantkind. Eventually though, Dani Moonstar convinced him otherwise, informing Anole that the team had moved to San Francisco. She told him that in the Bay Area people are more accepting of mutants and tolerant about homosexuality- something that hasn’t been an easy subject for him to deal with amongst his fellow Young X-Men. Anole is a character who has the potential to evolve into a serious leader and formidable X-Man. For now though, he’s still just a kid and due to the lack of ‘oomfh’ with his powers (especially when compared to those of his teammates) he gets this spot in the rankings.

Powers: Victor has reptilian regenerative properties, enhanced agility, camouflage, a spiked carapace on his head, and armor-like scales. He can also climb walls and has a long sticky tongue (similar to Toad’s) that he uses in combat. As a side note, Victor digs frisbee and is a talented actor (like yours truly!).

First Appearance: New Mutants vol. 2 #2, 2003.

#66. Hepzibah: A former Starjammer who has only recently joined the X-Men, the cat-like Hepzibah hasn’t been seen recently in any X-titles, earning her this low spot in the rankings. After being teleported to Earth against her will by Lilandra, the Mephitisoid has become an asset to the team, helping repel the O*N*E’s renegade Sentinel attack on the mansion during Messiah Complex, and by participating in the ensuing battles fought during that event. While she’s still learning the English language and the way of life of an Earthling, Hepzibah has proven that she can be one savage cat when the switch flips. The feline-humanoid has sparked a romance with fellow X-Man Warpath, however since he has joined X-Force the two haven’t communicated much.

Powers: In addition to being trained in various forms of combat known throughout the Shi’Ar galaxy, Hepzibah has enhanced agility, speed, reflexes, coordination, alertness, balance, sense of smell, and night vision. She also has retractable claws and the ability to release mind/mood altering pheromones. She’s deadly with a pistol and is highly knowledgeable with ship weaponry.

First Appearance:  X-Men #107, 1977.

Check back in tomorrow for more mutant madness!

Andy Liegl
andy@comicattack.net