Warning: Spoilers for Uncanny X-Men #5X-Men introduced several new mutants to its roster in Marvel’s From the Ashes era, but one in particular stands out as a major powerhouse. Ransom, a member of the Outliers, just showed off his black hole superpowers in an unexpected way that would make anyone squirm. Thanks to his dark twist on a mutant healing factor, Ransom is already the X-Men’s coolest new hero.
In Mysterious X-Men #5 by Gail Simone, David Marquez, Matt Wilson and Clayton Cowles, the X-Men stand against the undead forces of their most frightening threat, the Witch. As the team’s veteran heroes lead the charge, the Outliers prepare for their first battle as members of the X-Men. Ransom approaches and, surprisingly, instructs his opponents to kill him. When they obey, hitting him on the chest, he says: “That’s exactly the spot.”
Instead of dying after being stabbed, Ransom charges energy into his fist and fights back with surprising strength. This sequence showcases his unique mutation, proving he possesses the darkest healing factor in X-Men lore.
The X-Men’s latest recruit unleashes his full power in the darkest way possible
Ransom’s subversive healing factor is one of Marvel’s scariest
The average mutant wouldn’t survive being stabbed directly in the heart, and Ransom’s specific mutation explains how he’s able to accomplish such a feat. In Mysterious X-Men #3, he reveals that he was born without a heart. Instead of a heart, Ransom has a black hole in his chest.. Now, he has shown that he can channel the power of this black hole into his fist, getting hit where his heart should be, as his chest is the source of his mutation. Essentially, Ransom needs to die to gain power, making his healing factor one of Marvel’s most disturbing.
Normally, a healing factor can cure the user of a standard injury, but death cannot always be cured, even by a superpower. For example, Deadpool’s healing factor can’t save him in Dead Pool #6 by Cody Ziglar and Rogê Antônio when he is mortally wounded by a blade that inflicts damage at a molecular level. Without an intact physical form, his healing factor has no effect, resulting in his death. Ransom, in turn, appears to be immune to dying if hit in the chest. He therefore has a fundamental tactical advantage in not needing to defend a part of his body that most see as a vulnerability.
Ransom’s immunity to death makes him the X-Men’s most promising new hero
Outliers have already made an impression in Marvel history
Ransom, along with his fellow Outliers in the X-Men, is making his mark on the Marvel Universe with his intriguing inversion of a mutant ability. Your black hole superpowers have infinite possibilities beyond its ability to save you from deathwith the true extent of them yet to be seen. The other Outliers also show promise, like Jitter and her vast repertoire of powers, and it won’t be long before they can face off against their mutant mentors. If Ransom’s first demonstration of his dark powers is this impressive, he’s sure to be one of the X-Menthe strongest fighters in no time.
Mysterious X-Men #5 is now available from Marvel Comics.