X-Men Finally Find A Purpose For The Most Controversial Mutant

Spoilers for Way of X #4 ahead!

Xorn is one of the most controversial members of the X-Men ever, but on Krakoa, he has finally found a purpose. In the early 2000s, Xorn was the subject of a massive retcon, one so convoluted that Marvel has not known what to do with Xorn, or his brother, since. But in Way of X #4, on sale now in print and digital, the Xorn brothers are helping Legion with his quest to control his dark impulses.

Created by Grant Morrison and Frank Quietly for their epic New X-Men run, Xorn’s power was unique: he was born with a sun in his head; he also possessed many other fantastic powers as well, including healing. Xorn would eventually find himself at the X-Mansion and work as their healer. But in a legendary twist, it was revealed that Xorn was actually Magneto in disguise, who had been under the influence of a drug that amplified mutant powers. It was a controversial twist, as some fans liked Xorn and found him a peaceful counterpoint to some of his teammates. Not long after, in a retcon so convoluted Marvel themselves make fun of it, it was revealed there was a real Xorn, and he had a brother as well. This twist also proved controversial, and as a result, the Xorn brothers have been absent from the X-Men comics for quite some time, but now, in Way of X #4, they have returned—with a surprising purpose.

In the issue, written by Si Spurrier, with art by Bob Quinn, colors by Java Tartaglia, and letters by Clayton Cowles, Legion and Nightcrawler are trying to locate Onslaught, an evil psychic presence that has come to Krakoa. At one point, Legion has a heart to heart with his father, Professor X. Xavier notices the Xorn brothers flanking Legion and asks if they are teaching him calming techniques. They are not, and one of them reveals that they are there to vaporize Legion’s brain if he loses control, and the other reveals this was Legion’s request.

During Morrison and Quitely’s New X-Men, Xorn was a popular character. Amidst the fighting and chaos, Xorn was a pacifist, and when it was “revealed” he was Magneto in disguise, many felt betrayed. The retcon that gave any fans what they wanted – good guy Xorn – but also left a sour taste in other fans’ mouths. Marvel did not know what to do with the brothers, so they took them off the table. But now, on Krakoa, the Xorn brothers have found a purpose, albeit an extreme one. Legion knows he can lose control at any moment, so he needs trustworthy allies like the Xorn brothers.

There have been controversial additions to the X-Men over the years, but probably none more than Xorn; so much so that this once fan-favorite has been relegated to occasional cameos, but now that changes in Way of X #4.

About The Author

Shaun Corley
(1382 Articles Published)

Shaun Corley is a pop culture enthusiast living in the Pacific Northwest. After stints in both customer service and academia, he’s turned his attention to writing about comic books–his lifelong passion. He is a graduate of Radford University, with a degree in English. When not reading comics, he enjoys spending time with his fiance and their dog.

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