Blog

Hey there Comic Attackers! If you’re like me you can never get enough of the 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 the Top 10 countdown continues with a good guy turned bad and a pop culture favorite!

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! Today we cover the first two mutants in the Top 10 and they’re both current members of X-Factor!

#8. Bishop: Except for maybe Cable, I can’t think of any other X-character since Messiah Complex who has taken more of a beating or dished out as much pain and death as Lucas Bishop. The guy has gone off the deep end, attempting to finish what he originally came to do in the 616 Universe: assassinate the biggest threat to mutant kind in order to prevent the enslavement of homo superior. Only now instead of hunting Gambit, he’s hunting a little girl who goes by the name of Hope and who, according to him, will be the downfall of an entire species. Since Messiah Complex ended, Bishop has been hunting Hope (who is under the protection of Cable) by jumping through the time stream, repeatedly heading to numerous points in the future to lay waste to the landscape and all that lived there via atomic weaponry. His reason for this mass destruction was to limit the life-supporting locations Cable could arrive at in the future, thus forcing him to eventually end up at one specific point where Bishop would be waiting. His plan worked, and with Stryfe as a most unusual ally, Bishop made his move to capture Cable and Hope in Messiah War, but failed at his mission when, unexpectedly, X-Force and Apocalypse showed up to spoil his plans. After taking a beating and coming so close to killing Hope, Bishop teleported from the battle zone in order to regroup and re-think his attack on Hope for another day. He ended up leading a cult group of religious followers, eagerly awaiting the arrival of Cable and his bounty. Of course they showed up, and due to Cable’s guile and a fleet of hungry Brood, the slippery duo got away (again) and Bishop’s hunt continues…

Powers: Originally from Earth 1191, Bishop’s primary mutant ability is energy absorption, meaning that when he takes a hit, he re-channels that energy and expels it back out with concussive force. This re-channeled energy can damage beings who are usually immune to their own powers, and he can store it so that it’s on hand to enhance his healing rate and grant him super strength. However, Bishop can be overloaded if he tries to absorb too much at any given time. Essentially, Bishop is immune to most forms of energy based attacks and he is learning to adapt his power to work with inertial energy so that when he is punched or slammed into something, he can also re-channel that energy to his advantage. Bishop had his right arm ripped off by the mutant devouring monster, Predator X during Messiah Complex. Afterwards, he broke into Forge’s laboratory and stole a cybernetic arm, attaching it to his body, replacing the severed limb. This arm is nuclear powered and is always battle ready, and to date we have seen that it has a time traveling device and electric tentacles. Lucas is also a highly trained fighter, a deadly marksman, and has an internal compass so he always knows where he is at all times.

First Appearance: Uncanny X-Men #282, 1991.

#7. Wolverine: Wolverine is spotlighted in a bunch of stuff right now in the Marvel Universe; he’s leading X-Force, hunting Romulus (the guy who has apparently been controlling him his entire life), is a member of the New Avengers, and can be found spending time with the Astonishing and Uncanny X-Men. How he does all of this at one time is beyond me, but despite statements that he’s getting old from his leader Cyclops (Astonishing X-Men), his clone X-23 (X-Force), and his son Daken (Dark Wolverine), without a doubt Wolvie is one tough bad ass. I’m sure lots of people will be up in arms that he isn’t ranked higher, but to be blunt, all of the mutants that follow him on our list could take him. Just wait and see.

Powers: Let the laundry list begin: Wolverine has a regenerative healing factor which allows him to replace lost tissue, muscle, and limbs within a matter of minutes. This power also works in healing psychological wounds from violent acts, often resulting in amnesia. Logan’s healing factor also grants him superhuman stamina, a slow aging process (he’s well over 100 years old), and considerable immunity to elemental extremes. He’s immune to diseases and toxins (hence the reason why he can drink so much beer), and has incredibly acute senses allowing him to track virtually anyone (or anything) with just one whiff of their scent. He can see at great distances with clarity, has night vision, and can lift up to around 2 tons. Wolvie can run up to 30 mph and has enhanced agility and reflexes. His trademark is probably the three bone claws located underneath the skin and muscle of both forearms. These claws are laced with adamantium (as is his skeleton) making them (and his body) virtually indestructible. The claws can hack through anything, and whenever he pops them they cut open the skin in his hands which is quickly healed via his healing factor. Considering multiple telepaths have tried to access his mind and failed, it’s obvious that he is very resistant to telepathic attacks. Wolverine is also a master tactician, highly trained in hand-to-hand combat and a variety of weapons, a covert ops expert, a skilled mechanic, and one helluva ladies man. Like he says, “I’m the best at what I do.” No argument here Logan. No argument here.

First Appearance: Incredible Hulk #180, 1974.

SNIKT!

Check out previous installments of the X-Men Power Rankings!

Andy Liegl
andy@comicattack.net