The rollout of X-Men: From the Ashes series continues, and with it comes the release of Uncanny X-Men #1. Written by Gail Simone, with art by David Marquez and colours by Matthew Wilson, this issue sees the introduction of multiple teams.
First and foremost, the new lineup of the titular Uncanny X-Men, led by Rogue, makes its debut. However, Uncanny X-Men #1 also sees the first appearance of a new team – The Outliers!
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How do the Outliers factor in to Uncanny X-Men?
During the events of Uncanny X-Men #1 (2024), Rogue, Gambit and Wolverine encounter Sadurang – an enormous dragon that’s threatening the population of Teotihuacan.
These three X-Men take it upon themselves to remove him from play, and end up forcing him to relocate to the icy plains of Antarctica. Before departing however, Sadurang warns the X-Men of an impending ruin, courtesy of something called an “Endling”.
Later, the Uncanny X-Men, now joined by Nightcrawler, visit a dying mutant child in hospital. The young boy has a pyschic seizure upon touching Rogue, and he imparts that “one of them” is the Endling.
But who is “them”? Well, it appears that would be the Outliers – a group of four wayward mutants who appear at the tail end of the issue, fleeing from some malevolent force.
Who are the Outliers?
The Outliers is a team (though how formal that designation is remains to be seen) of four new, young mutants. Hunted by an as-yet-unknown force, these four mutants will see their full introduction in Uncanny X-Men #2 as Rogue decides to take them under her wing.
The mutants in question are as follows: Calico, Jitter, Ransom and Deathdream.
Calico
Secret Identity: Becca Constance Simon-Pinette
Mutant ability: Psychic connection with a superpowered horse, named Ember
A product of the American elite, Becca was raised to hate and fear the very type of person that she later discovered herself to be. Calico shares some class and social background with characters like Angel or Emma Frost, and will likely be unpicking the years of internalised anti-mutant rhetoric that she’s been raised on for some time.
Her powerset is unique, in that she is bonded to her steed, Ember. This psychically-empowered horse has access to a variety of super-charged forms, the first of which seems to be a kind of flame-pegasus mode.
Jitter
Secret Identity: Sofia Yong
Mutant ability: “Hyper-focus”
Hailing originally from Singapore, Sofia Yong has the mutant ability to exert “hyper-focus”. According to the digital trading card Marvel released, hyper-focus allows her to ‘do anything she sets her mind to – accessing talents and skills most people train their lives to develop’.
It’s unclear if this just means that she can push her body to the limits of physical ability, or if she can replicate other mutant powers, but either way it has a cost. Using her power for too long can lead to a ‘crash’, that she needs to monitor as she works.
Ransom
Secret Identity: Valentin Correa
Mutant ability: Black Hole Heart
Another international member of the cast, Valentin was born in Buenos Aires and is fiercely self-sufficient. He was kidnapped and later held for ransom (hence the name), but fought his way out and has been the arbiter of his own survival ever since.
Ransom’s mutant power is impressive too, and possibly one of the most powerful amongst the Outliers. He has a black hole where his heart should be – a quirk that could, in theory, make him impervious to most damage as he stops blades, bullets and blasts with the natural entropy of his heart. It also makes him potentially the most dangerous.
Deathdream
Secret Identity: Hotoru
Mutant ability: Death State / Ghost Summoning
Finally, there’s Hotoru. This member of the Outliers died in childbirth, but was later brought back to life via resusciation. This led to a unique gift – Hotoru is able to switch between states of life and death at will.
What that means in practical terms is that, when in a death state, he can summon a cadre of ghosts to do his bidding. This leads, as one might expect, to some issues relating to others on an emotional level.
Whether Deathstorm will be the harbinged “Endling”, or whether that is a herring just a little too red, is yet to be determined.
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