Warning: Spoilers for Uncanny X-Men #14!The rewriting of a hero’s powers may have given theX-Mentheir latest Omega-level mutant. Omega-level refers to a mutant reaching the highest and most-powerful evolution possible for their powers. The number ofOmega-level mutants inX-Menloreis relatively small, but all are immense powerhouses. The number could grow at any moment as Marvel continues to evolve mutants and their abilities.
Uncanny X-Men#14 positions Calico as theX-Menfranchise’s next Omega. Calico is one of a group ofteen mutants nicknamed The Outliersbeing mentored by the Uncanny X-Men. When summoned to a graveyard by the mysterious Lady Henrietta, they must admit their darkest secrets to Man-Thing before being allowed entry. It is then that Calico is forced to make a shocking confession.
Ember isn’t actually Calico’s horse, but an extension of her own mutant power, which can apparently take any form she imagines. The declaration hints at a greater power that Calico has yet to tap into.
Calico Could Possibly Be X-Men’s Next Omega-Level Mutant
Uncanny X-Men #14 by Gail Simone, David Marquez, Matthew Wilson, and VC’s Clayton Cowles
Calico’s first on-panel appearance comes inUncanny X-Men#1 with the rest of the Outliers. Debuting alongside her is the horse who readers would come to know as Ember. The series would come to show howCalico’s powers are driven by a psychic connection to her trusty steed. In the second issue, she’s able to construct armor, swords, and wings for both herself and Ember, turning the horse into the Pegasus Knight. This is just one of many forms that Calico is able to transform Ember into, highlightingan incredibly unique powerfor the X-Men’s new prospect.
There’s an implication that Calico herself created Ember with her powers, but because she has yet to master those powers, she doesn’t fully understand how she could create a new Ember from the flames of her horse.
However,Uncanny X-Men#14 completely rewrites how readers have come to comprehend Calico’s powers. The power isn’t simply psychic ability or her connection to the horse, but the horse itself is an extension of Calico’s powers. By Calico’s recollection, the real Ember died long ago in a fire, and she’s not totally sure how this new manifestation came to be. There’s an implication that Calico herself created Ember with her powers, but because she has yet to master those powers, she doesn’t fully understand how she could create a new Ember from the flames of her horse.
Could Calico Be a Reality Manipulator?
There’s More to this X-Men Student Than Meets the Eye
Neither theX-Mencomic book issue nor The Outliers themselves have time to ruminate on this twist before they have to progress past Man-Thing and meet withthe Magneto-esque Lady Henrietta. The series moving forward is expected to expound on this revelation, as well as analyze what this means for Calico. For now, readers can speculate thatCalico could be a reality manipulatorif she’s able to conjure another Ember. Reality manipulators have been shown to be the most powerful mutants in theX-Menfranchise, suggesting Calico’s future potential to grow into being an Omega-level mutant.
