X-Men Officially Debuts New Hero REPENT

Marvel introduces a new X-Men hero with unique supernatural powers. Although both types of superheroes are equally powerful, what makes mutants stand apart from regular superhumans is their X-Gene, which grants them almost completely random abilities against their will. The fact that regular people can suddenly reveal they're godlike beings is precisely what causes human supremacists to develop a deep fear and hatred for innocent mutants. Some mutants suddenly realize they're super-strong or have a healing factor in their teenage years, while others realize they're walking nuclear bombs when it's already too late.

While mutations are inherently genetic, the powers they grant go far beyond organic and physiological enhancements. Psionic powers like telepathy are extremely common in mutantkind, and abilities like Legion's reality-warping, Magneto's control of electromagnetism, Iceman's thermodynamic manipulation, and Storm's weather manipulation have very vague scientific explanations. With enough combat experience and external enhancements, iconic X-Men like Wolverine, Rogue, and Jean Grey take their natural superpowers to the next level. For instance, Magik's teleportation discs are only the gateway to her primary, non-mutant mystical abilities, which originate from Limbo.

More recently, Remy LeBeau received his own external upgrade, courtesy of the dragon Sadurang and its Left Eye of Agamotto, which injected him with the spirit of the demonic entity Wyvern. To cure himself, Gambit will need the help of another mutant with mystical enhancements, Repent.

Repent Is The X-Men's Mutant Exorcist

Uncanny X-Men #34; Written By Gail Simone; Art By Luciano Vecchio & Matthew Wilson

Uncanny X-Men teased Father Gabriel as the main new character, and possibly the main antagonist, in the "Repent" arc. However, as Gambit's Wyvern form has evolved, Father Gabriel has become an ally Remy LeBeau can rely on. In Uncanny X-Men #34, Father Gabriel and Rogue help Gambit defeat demonic Sentinel apparitions that forebode his downfall, and Father Gabriel gives Remy the contact details of the one expert who could purge his newfound supernatural attributes: Repent, Marvel's only mutant exorcist, who makes his official debut in the process of purifying a mutant demon.

Marvel has never lacked characters who could be described as exorcists or supernatural specialists, although the role has usually been scattered across the wider Marvel Universe. Doctor Strange has dealt with an incredible number of extradimensional entities as part of his Sorcerer Supreme duties, though Brother Voodoo is even more specialized in cursed spirits and dark magic, as evidenced in Jericho Drumm's outsmarting of the Infernal Hulk. Magik has perhaps the most personal connection to demonic threats among the X-Men, having become ruler of Limbo. Now, Repent joins her as an expert in dark supernatural matters.

The X-Men Are Heading Toward The Darkest Point In Their History

Mutantkind May Experience Their Biggest Supernatural Arc So Far

Repent's debut in Uncanny X-Men #34 might be timed perfectly, since the X-Men are already moving toward a much darker supernatural phase on several fronts at once. As Repent becomes Gambit's last hope, the X-Men are teaming up with Blade and Wither to fight a threat as powerful as Shuvahrak and the Shadow King. Meanwhile, Magik and Juggernaut join forces with Madelyne Pryor in X-Orcists, where they'll create the most supernatural-oriented X-Men team to date. In the meantime, the Outliers continue their studies as direct successors to the X-Men, with heroes like Deathdream and Calico developing their mystical powers.

Marvel appears to be creating several different entry points into supernatural mutant stories at the same time. Gambit's possession gives the main X-Men an intimate horror story; Repent introduces a mutant whose apparent purpose is confronting demonic forces; X-Orcists makes occult combat the premise of an entire team; and recent horror-themed material involving Penumbra and Greymalkin Prison tease an increasingly escalating supernatural conflict. If these threads eventually converge, mutantkind could find itself facing a dark crisis on a scale rarely seen in X-Men history.

Which supernatural Marvel character is your favorite?

Uncanny X-Men #34 is now available from Marvel Comics