After 61 years, the X-Men have finally revealed the true meaning of a founding member’s codename. The X-Men is a sprawling franchise with many characters, many of them taking their cues from the original founding members. Earth’s mutants are heading into the from the ashes era, But now come to life new secrets, including the truth of a founding member’s name, as revealed in X-Force #1.
X-Force #1 was written by Geoffrey Thorne and drawn by Marcus To. In the issue’s opening sequence, Forge watches a clip of Hank McCoy, AKA the Beast, years before he mutated into his blue, furry form. Adding a group of scientists, McCoy stressed the need for science to better understand mutations. While McCoy’s tone is ambiguous, there is a hint he wants to be healed as well. McCoy ends his talk by saying that science is about “taming the beast.”
Forge noticed the irony in this: in trying to run from his mutation, the beast actually got a huge upgrade.
The Beast is one of the most fascinating members of the X-Men
The contradictory nature of the animal has made him a favorite of favorites
The Haya is a study in contradictions as well as a character who defies expectations. The mutation of the beast is purely physical. Initially depicted as a hulking man-breast, the beast quickly evolved into the eloquent brains of the X-Men. The animal’s natural intelligence and kind nature are at odds with its appearance. In 1972 Amazing Adventures #11, The Beast, trying to rid himself of his mutation, only changed further. At first, the animal had gray fur, but over time it became the trademark blue. The beast was now even more monstrous.
Then something amazing happened: the beast seemed to have found itself. The X-Men were on hiatus at the time of his mutation, and he would drift between the Avengers and the Defenders, before reuniting with the other founders to become X-Factor. By trying to escape from his true nature, the beast (seemingly) pays the price. Hank has realized that being a mutant is not a bad thing, and he will come to find joy in it. The Beast, regardless of team, has always been a great morale officer, full of hard-earned empathy and compassion.
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The Beast arc in the Marvel Universe was epic
The Beast’s codename reflects his heroic journey
The holographic clip Forge watches in X-Force #1 is a reminder of how far the beast has come in the last six decades. The Hank McCoy fans see in this issue is at the beginning of his career, and wants nothing more than to be “normal.” Today’s beast wouldn’t talk like that, and, as seen on Krakoa, would go to great lengths to protect mutantkind. This change in the first member of the X-Men Was a deep and made for a satisfying character arc, and the beginning of his codename shows that.
X-Force #1 is on sale now from Marvel Comics!