Warning: Contains SPOILERS for X-Factor #2!TheX-Menand all mutantkind are in an age of extreme change in the current state of the Marvel Universe, so extreme, in fact, thatPolarishas just replaced her father,Magneto, inX-Menlore. That means Lorna is drawing a line in the sand between humans and mutants, justifying her position by saying “mutants need heroes”. However, despite her justifications, Polaris just sounds like her father during his Brotherhood of Mutants days - especially when considering a recent rising conflict that’s hitting close to home.
In a preview forX-Factor#2 by Mark Russell and Bob Quinn, Polaris and Havok are rolling out of bed, as Alex Summers has an early meeting with a U.S. general to discuss an upcoming X-Factor mission.The X-Factor is a team of mutants that work directly for the U.S. government, and their missions are all sanctioned by the military, even if those missions pit the X-Factor against other mutants. In other words, X-Factor works for humans as a superhero team for humanity, not mutantkind.
Inversely, Polaris is getting increasingly active in mutant-only support groups, ones where mutants gather together to mourn the loss of Krakoa and share their horror stories of rejoining human society. Lorna invites Alex to a meeting she’s going to that night as he’s walking out the door, and while he accepts, she knows that there will come a time when he’ll have to choose between her and his X-Factor. Which, to Polaris, translates to mutants or humans - ally or enemy.
Polaris is Slowly Becoming a Mutant Revolutionary Disguised as a ‘Hero’
Magneto Famously Fought for Mutant Supremacy in His Early Days as an X-Men Villain
At the moment, Polaris is simply trying to be there for her fellow mutants during this extraordinarily difficult time. The mutants did just lose their island paradise/safe haven, after all, and have been thrust back into a world that hates them now more than ever before. Polaris wants to be a hero for these mutants by listening to their stories and helping them however she can. However, as is already becoming clear in just this preview, Polaris won’t be this pacifistic forever.
Polaris recognizes that humans will never fully accept mutants in their society, especially after mutants tried and failed to separate themselves entirely. She is preparing for the inevitable rift between humans and mutants, and she will fight to save her people, becoming the “hero” mutants need. While it may just be the early stages of her journey,Polaris is starting to sound a lot like her father, Magneto- and she’s already found her ‘X-Men’.
X-Factor is to Polaris What the X-Men was to Magneto (When He was a Villain)
Polaris is already becoming disgusted with Havok’s decision to join a government-backed mutant team, especially since the human leaders of X-Factor use them to fight other mutants. Havok wants to bridge the gap between humans and mutants now that they’re forced to live together again, and he’s going about it by proving that mutants can be useful to humans. In essence, Havok is doing what Charles Xavier used to do with his X-Men. And now, it seems Polaris is following in her father’s villainous footsteps by plainly seeing humans and any mutant that stands with them as the enemy.
X-Men’s New Era is the Perfect Moment to Turn Magneto’s Kids Into an Official Team
Magneto’s family is immensely powerful, and his children have overcome their struggles enough to show the world what they’re capable of together.
Of course, the reasonMagneto was a villain in the early days ofX-Mencanonwas that he was fighting for mutant supremacy, not equality. If Polaris can toe the line between advocate and extremist, then she can still fight for the safety of her people without crossing over into villain territory. But, when atrocities are being committed against mutants, it’s difficult to keep one’s composure, especially when other mutants (like Havok and the X-Factor) are serving their human oppressors. In other words, it seems likeMagneto’s daughter,Polaris, just replaced him inX-Menlore.
X-Factor #2by Marvel Comics is available August 18, 2025.
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.
