For me, one of the most surprising returns X-Men Lore is one of the most hated characters in recent memory. This is a character I never thought Marvel would bring back, but I'm glad they did, as her powers make her the perfect answer to almost any situation. While some fans may not be happy about it, it looks like Lifeguard is returning front and center to the X-Men side of the Marvel Universe.
Marvel recently announced that Lifeguard will make a big return and lead its own storyline in X-Men: From the Infinity Comics to the Ashes #19 by Alex Paknadel and Diógenes Neves. This story will follow why his powers began to spiral out of control and cause harm to everyone around him. It will be an important story that will really explore the depths of his powers and exactly how they work.
One of the things I find most interesting about Lifeguard's return to the X-Men is the fact that his power is purely defensive. Her powers are intended to give her the skills needed to save lives. So for their powers to start going crazy and harming those around them implies that there is a deeper level to their powers that we don't understand is causing them to act like this. This could change everything we know about her mutation.
Lifeguard's mutation gives her everything she needs to save lives
X-Men: From the Infinity Comics to the Ashes #19 by Alex Paknadel, Diógenes Neves, Arthur Hesli and Clayton Cowles.
When Lifeguard was introduced to the comics, she wasn't very well received. She has appeared in countless different stories and is surprisingly connected to most of the Marvel Universe considering her real Shi'ar origins. She has been present in countless different stories, first appearing in X-Treme X-Men #6 by Chris Claremont and Salvador Larroca. She and her brother were the secret children of a crime lord who tried to keep them separate from his life. Unfortunately, this did not work out, as after their father's death they were attacked.
The lifeguard will always gain his powers when he is in danger and will gain the exact powers he needs to get out of that danger.
This was when Heather's mutant powers first manifested. Her mutation allows her to gain all the power necessary to save lives. The most interesting part about this, for me personally, is the fact that it works if the life it needs to save it's hers. This means that his powers don't only manifest in the presence of innocent people who are in danger. The lifeguard will always gain his powers when he is in danger and will gain the exact powers he needs to get out of that danger. This makes the Lifeguard a surprisingly powerful mutant.
The power of the lifeguard has infinite potential
There appears to be no limit to what the Lifeguard's powers can actually do. The only thing readers know is that when she is in danger, she will manifest all the power necessary to get out of that situation. This has made her a pretty hated character because of how powerful she is, but this new story might just tackle that criticism head on. With the idea that the Lifeguard's powers begin to harm those around him, there may be a real negative aspect to them, controlled by his emotional state. After the events of the Krakoa era, Lifeguard had to reintegrate with humanity, and I think her complicated feelings may be the answer to why her powers got out of control.
When Lifeguard was on Krakoa, she was essentially in a mutant paradise. She loved being there and having to interact with humanity again is probably extremely stressful for her. Her powers were supposed to manifest to keep her alive no matter what. Being surrounded by humans again is undeniably increasing her stress levels, so her powers could be kicking in and making everyone around her sick. I think this would make more sense, since her powers are capable of being activated in her own self-defense, she may be subconsciously trying to push humanity away.
Lifeguard's Biggest Criticism May Finally Be Solved
Many fans disliked Lifeguard because of her incredible powers, and over time, she fell out of favor. But it looks like she's finally coming back, and I really think this story might change some minds and resolve the complaints that have been made against her. Having incredible powers doesn't make a character inherently bad or incapable of having good stories. Just look at DC's Superman. But your powers have very potential. The ability to instantly react to any danger is a great power, and it looks like Marvel is digging deeper and exploring the extent to which this incredible X-Men's the power really goes.
X-Men: From the Infinity Comics to the Ashes #19 is now available from Marvel Comics!