Summary
Warning: Spoilers for X-Men #2!The X-Drive has officially been introduced intoX-Menlore, giving their beloved X-Jet a massive revamp. One of the most underrated aspects toX-Menstories istheir technology and gadgets. As awe-inspiring as so many of the mutants' abilities can be on the page, it’s easy to overlook their technology as a result,even the most twisted. The X-Jet is perhaps their most iconic example of technology.
The X-Jet gets something of an upgrade inX-Men#2 by Jed MacKay, Ryan Stegman, JP Mayer, Marte Gracia, Fer Sifuentes-Sujo, and VC’s Clayton Cowles. The issue sees the X-Men make their way to San Francisco to investigate an X-Gene activation flare (as well as an alien invasion) in the area. When Cyclops asks for their status on the way to San Fran,Magik confirms that she was able to interface with the X-Drive, allowing their jet to teleport forward by three thousand miles.
Getting their jet to teleport is the best tech upgrade the X-Men have had in years.
Cyclops' Powers Turn the X-Men’s Jet into One of Marvel’s Most Powerful Weapons
The X-Men’s jet is designed to use Cyclops' powers as its weapon system, amplifying his optic blasts as an incredibly effective weapon.
X-Men Introduces the X-Drive to the X-Jet
Magik Uses Her Powers to Teleport Their Jet
The Blackbird (or, better known by its more simplified name, the X-Jet) has been the X-Men’s primary source of transportation ever since first debuting in 1975’sX-Men#94 by Chris Claremont and Dave Cockrum. In the current ongoing series, it appears that the X-Men are calling their aircraft the Marauder now. Regardless of its numerous names and redesigns over the years, the X-Jet is frequently depicted as being the X-Men’s main source of transportation going into any and every mission.
Meanwhile, Illyana Rasputin (aka Magik) first debuted inGiant-Size X-Men#1 by Len Wein and Dave Cockrum, also released in 1975. The Russian sister of fellow mutant Colossus has powers that concern teleportation. By syncing with the X-Drive of the X-Jet,Magik is able to apply her mutant powers to the Jet, allowing the Marauder and everyone in it to get to their destination all the faster.X-Men#2 is the first time that this concept has been introduced, but one has to wonder if it will be utilized even further in the future.
Could This Be Used in a Big Way in the Future?
Could Be Incredibly Useful in the Future
What’s most interesting about this new element being established is that, theoretically, there’s no reason for it to be introduced into this story. The comic opens with the X-Men on their X-Jet, and the way time skips work in storytelling, the comic could have just leaped straight into the action without the throwaway line. However, the inclusion implies thatif not now, this new X-Drive is going to be very useful in the future. When theX-Menare in a dire situation in a future issue, expect the X-Drive to come in handy when they need it most.
X-Men#2is on sale now from Marvel Comics.
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.
