Warning! Spoilers for X-Men #5 ahead!
Sixty years after his debut, Cyclops remains the centerpiece of theX-Menfranchise in many ways, and he just officially declared that Magik has earned the right to be called a pillar of the team as well. While this might be surprising to someX-fans, devoted readers know thatMagik is a major Marvel powerhouse, and a character on the verge of finally breaking out and becoming a star.
Magik#5, written by Ashley Allen, with art by Germán Peralta, features a conversation between Ilyana Rasputin and Scott Summers toward the end of the issue, after a climactic battle in Limbo, Marvel’s dark realm, which Magik is all-too-familiar with.
“I truly can’t imagine a team without you,” Scott tells her, emphasizing the tight bond the two characters share, which might have flown under the radar for more casualX-Menfans, while also reiterating Magik’s central role in the franchise moving forward.
Cyclops Says He “Can’t Imagine” The X-Men Without Magik, As Marvel Continues To Elevate The Hero
Magik#5 Written By Ashley Allen; Art By Germán Peralta; Color By Arthur Hesli; Lettering By Ariana Maher
Magik has been a Marvel hero for over forty years, yet while her early tenure in the 1980s set the foundation for her fan-favorite status today, she was sidelined for a too-long interval ofX-Menhistory, and in a way, is only now just fully recovering, as Marvel finally embraces her full potential. For many years, Magik was relegated tobeing known as Colossus’s sister, who ranked among the most impactful victims of themutant-targeting Legacy Virus. This is why it is noteworthy thatMagik#5 has Scott Summers affirm her vital role in the franchise, from an in-universe perspective.
For…newer fans who might have just jumped on board with thisMagiksolo series, this is an important point to reiterate, making it clear that Magik is deeply enmeshed in the life of arguably theX-franchise’s most pivotal character.
“You’ve always had my back,” Cyclops tells Magik in the issue, “pushed me to be a better leader and grow into the person I am today.” For Marvel readers, especially newer fans who might have just jumped on board with thisMagiksolo series, this is an important point to reiterate, making it clear that Magik is deeply enmeshed in the life of arguably theX-franchise’s most pivotal character. It is an effective character moment for the hero, while also serving as the exact pep talk she needed after a harrowing battle earlier in the issue.
Marvel Has Made A Concentrated Effort To Push Magik To The Top Of The X-Men’s Power Rankings
Where Fans Agree She Deserves To Be
Magik was killed off by Marvel in 1993, and it wasn’t until 2007 that the character returned to life in Marvel canon. Though the character has appeared fairly frequently over the past eighteen years, popping up and playing a key role in a number ofX-Mentitles, it is fair to say that her best era is possibly just beginning. The currentMagikseries is her first solo ongoing book, while her inclusion as a playablecharacter in the hit gameMarvel Rivalshas exposed her to an entirely new audience.
Moreover, with her current comic appearances, Marvel has made a concentrated effort to portray Magik as one ofX-Men’smost powerful heroes, and one of the team’s most badass fighters. In other words,the publisher has recognized that Magik is a character worth investing in, and pushing to the forefront of the franchise.So far, this has been successful, building on fans' existing appreciation for the character by delivering some of her most exciting moments yet. Assuming Marvel commits to letting theMagikseries flourish long-term, this process of making her essential toX-Menis likely to continue in earnest.
Cyclops' Vote Of Confidence For Magik Is An Extension of Marvel’s Faith In The Character
Magik Is Finally Becoming The Hero She Was Meant To Be
One of the highlights of the current era ofX-Mencomics is that Magik has finally taken on the role of a core player in the franchise’s mythos, something she always had the potential for, but was set back from becoming for years.Magik#5 effectively makes it clear that despiteher turbulent publication backstory,inX-Menlore, Magik is a key member of the team, oneCyclopsconsiders invaluable, meaning fans should expect more of her upward trajectory inX-Menfranchise prominence.
