X-Men Introduces Its Most Vicious Rivalry Since Cyclops vs Wolverine
Warning! Spoilers for Inglorious X-Force!
The X-Men franchise might have found its next gen version of the classic Cyclops vs. Wolverine feud. The rivalry between Scott Summers and Logan has been a staple of X-lore for decades; the two have frequently been friends and close allies, but at other times, they've been positioned as fierce rivals, and even bitter enemies. Now, that same dynamic is being embodied by a different duo of mutant heroes.
There are shades of Cyclops and Wolverine in this new interpersonal conflict, for sure. One of the participants is, like Scott, an original member of the X-Men. And the other is one of Logan's kids. This makes it a generational conflict, as well as a referendum on who is the more hardcore character of the two.
On one side of the feud is Warren Worthington III, currently in his Archangel form. On the other, Wolverine's son Akihiro, who is currently operating as Hellverine, imbued with the powers of Ghost Rider in addition to those he inherited from his famous father.
If and when their dislike for each other will erupt into a full-on superhero brawl is something to speculate on. More crucially though, their increasingly intense beef could have long-term implications.
Hellverine Vs. Archangel Is The New X-Men Feud To Look Out For
Inglorious X-Force #7, Written By Tim Seeley; Art By Michael Sta. Maria
"You and I will never be 'good'," Archangel says to Hellverine in Inglorious X-Force #7. The two are teammates, but there has been evident tension between them from the jump. Which was recently exacerbated by the revelation of Akihiro's violent thoughts toward Warren, which the latter mutant coldly brings up in their staredown this issue.
First, the question that should be on readers' minds is whether Inglorious X-Force is building toward something. Is the series planting the seeds for a violent confrontation between Hellverine and Archangel?
That's to be determined. Inglorious is solicited through issue #9. The future beyond that is unclear. If the book's run is cut short, it might not get the chance to pay off the seeds of conflict planted between the two characters, which subtly escalate a step further in Inglorious X-Force #7. Yet the best superhero feuds, like Wolverine vs. Cyclops, are protracted, taking many years and many more issues to play out. Archangel vs. Hellverine has that kind of long-term potential.
Archangel Vs. Hellverine Could Be An X-Men Rivalry For The Ages
How would Archangel and Hellverine stack up against one another in open combat? It would be closer than one might think. Akihiro might be able to call on the powers of hell, leveling up his already prodigious strength, agility, and speed, in addition to his inherited claws and healing factor. But Archangel is no slouch either. His metallic wings can be weaponized to shred his opponent to pieces, and his power of flight would complicate matters for ground-based Hellverine.
It would be a brutal battle, if it ever came down to it, but it is important to remember that in the spirit of Wolverine vs. Cyclops, the drama of a hero rivalry isn't always about conflict, but also cooperation. The smart creative move would be to force Warren and Akihiro into a situation where they have to work together to survive. They might not like each other by the end of a story arc like that, but their rivalry would become even more complicated and exciting.
The Hellverine vs. Archangel feud that Inglorious X-Force has been stoking so far in its run has the potential to be one of those hero team conflicts that last a long time, often simmering in the background, occasionally boiling over with spectacular, intense results. Wolverine's son and Cyclops' OG teammate have the chance to be the next great X-Men rivalry, if Marvel's writers keep fanning the flames of their discontent with one another.
Inglorious X-Force #7 is available now from Marvel Comics.
Sound off, X-fans. Do you want to see Hellverine and Archangel throw down? Or can they learn to like one another?