Warning: Contains spoilers forX-Men #3!!
Magikis undoubtedly one of theX-Men’smost dangerous and multi-faceted members. Between the teleportation abilities granted by her X-Gene and the powers she gained from her complicated time in Limbo, she’s already a force to be reckoned with. Now she’s proving that she can outpace even the most talented telepaths by tracking down enemies clever enough to hide their minds but not their souls.
InX-Men#3 by Jed MacKay, Ryan Stegman, Marte Gracia and Clayton Cowles, the team is dealing with a break-in at their new Alaskan base. They find Beast unconscious, but no sign of the intruders. Psylocke and Kid Omega, some of the strongest mutant telepaths alive, are unable to get a sense of their minds, though they know their unwelcome visitors must still be present.
It’s the perfect opportunity for Illyana Rasputin to reach into her hellish bag of tricks for something new: soul tracking.She’s ableto direct Juggernautand the others right to their targets, proving that no one alive can truly hide from Magik.
X-Men#3 by Jed MacKay, Ryan Stegman, Marte Gracia, and Clayton Cowles
Illyana Rasputinhas led a complicated life, to put it mildly. Though she was born a mutant, and the X-Gene eventually allowed her to teleport using her iconic teleportation discs, she spent her “formative years with demons” as she was forced to grow up in Limbo. Magik acquired several other powers as a result, including her Soulsword anddark sorcery, andthe ability to see living souls falls in line with what she would have learned in her time there. It seems to take no great effort from her, either, making it an invaluable tracking tactic when others fail.
Telepathy is an incredibly valuable skill, and there are seemingly few limitations when someone is able to delve into the mind of another living being, but it’s also a well-known phenomenon. Multiple individuals and groups have developed ways to block their minds from detection and interference, just as they’ve learned to hide and camouflage their bodies.Magik unveiling the ability to track souls is unexpected and hyper-effective as a result.Few people would think to mask that fundamental, untouchable part of themselves, let alone be capable of doing it, rendering anyone with a soul (human, mutant, or otherwise) vulnerable to Illyana.
No Human or Mutant Can Hide from Magik
Illyana’s Soul Tracking is More Reliable Than Telepathy
With Krakoa gone and mutants fending for themselves, the X-Men are facing unknown enemies and odds with fewer resources. They need whatever boost they can get, and Magik’s soul-finding certainly qualifies. It makes it impossible to hide through any conventional means, and anyone unable to tap into sorcery or some kind of demon-bound deal doesn’t stand a chance of remaining undetected around her. What the telepaths can’t do, Illyana can, and this new power makes her the prime sighthound for her team.Magik’sability to see souls protects theX-Menfrom unseen enemies and makes her more dangerous than ever.
X-Men
The X-Men franchise, created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, centers on mutants with extraordinary abilities. Led by the powerful telepath Professor Charles Xavier, they battle discrimination and villainous mutants threatening humanity. The series explores themes of diversity and acceptance through a blend of action, drama, and complex characters, spanning comics, animated series, and blockbuster films.
