Warning: Spoilers ahead for X-Men #15!Marvel just unveiled a twist to theX-Men’slatest foe, one that is reminiscent of the villainous origins of Charles Xavier’s “sister,” Cassandra Nova; however, this new villain tips the scales from creepy to a full-on horror show, and I’m scared for what’s to come. The X-Men have many enemies, but Cassandra Nova is one of the most deadly. Now, mutant kind might be facinganother “E is for Extinction."
InX-Men#15, written by Jed MacKay, with art by Ryan Stegman and C.F. Villa, the Alaska X-Men rescue a young girl named Piper, who had been showing signs of being a mutant, but when they test her, she is completely human. However, it is revealed Piper had a twin she absorbed in the womb who was a mutant, andthis whole time, the twin has been conscious, trapped within the body of her sister and growing resentful.
The twin frees herself and creates a staggeringly massive and horrifying body with its rows of teeth and grotesque tentacles.
Marvel Introduces A New Take Cassandra Nova’s Origin, With An Emphasis On Mutant Body Horror
X-Men#15; Written By Jed MacKay; Illustrations By Ryan Sregman And C.F. Villa; Ink By Ryan Stegman; JP Mayer, Livesay, And C.F. Villa; Color By Erick Arciniega; Lettering By Clayton Cowles
The reveal of a mutant twin who freed herself from her sibling’s body to create her own and wreak havoc against the X-Men already sets off warning sirens in my mind for what’s to come, as it echoes Cassandra Nova’s own sinister origins.This twist to the mystery behind Piper is incredibly intriguing, and also incredibly scary, especially when taking into account what atrocities Cassandra Nova has committed. This also comes at a time when the X-Men have uncovered that Cassandra Nova is making a comeback withthe mutant supremacist group 3K.
Cassandra Nova is responsible for some of the most devastating plots within X-Men lore. Most notably, Cassandra Nova was the driving force behindthe events of “E is for Extinction,”which resulted in the death of nearly sixteen million mutants on Genosha. The similarities between Cassandra and this new mutant, on top of the return of Cassandra Nova, have me wondering if it’s a coincidence or if these villains’ paths will intertwine in facing off against the X-Men. I fear these two forces popping up could be Marvel hinting at the next catastrophic mutant event.
I Don’t Think It Is A Coincidence Marvel Introduced Cassandra Nova’s “Successor” Right After Her Return
The Connection Seems Obvious
Though the two entities share a similar origin,Cassandra isn’t actually Charles Xavier’s sisterand instead a parasitic entity known as a Mummudrai who copied his DNA while in utero to manifest her own body. I think the key differences between Cassandra and Piper’s sister are what make this new mutant so interesting, and why this mutant might just be Cassandra Nova’s perfect protégé. Instead of being an evil parasitic twin that acts as an opposing force, like Cassandra is to Charles, Piper’s sister is an actual mutant who was absorbed by her human sister.
This mysterious mutant attempting to break free of her cage, which is her own sister’s body, adds a layer of body horror as well as contextualizes her deep-rooted resentment for her own sibling, and possibly humanity as a whole.Cassandra Nova’s goal of mutant supremacy aligning with this new mutant’s goal of wanting to be feared could set these two villains up for a deadly alliance, affecting all mutants, humans, and the X-Men on a devastating level. Between this mysterious mutant’s monstrous transformation and Cassandra Nova’s omega-level, I don’t doubt that the X-Men are in for yet another tough fight.
Marvel’s New Mutant Is Cassandra Nova Reinvented, Hinting At Another Devastating Crisis
The Alaskan X-Men Are In Trouble
Cassandra Nova’s existence acts as a contrast to Charles Xavier, as Mummudrai represents the darker opposing forces within oneself. Cassandra is the physical embodiment of the internal evil that Charles Xavier had to face. On the other hand,I believe that Piper and her mutant sister represent the tumultuous co-existence between mutants and humans, embodying that suffocating dynamic. When Cyclops’ X-Men chose Alaska as their base,X-Men#6 shows Piper’s mother was among the people of the town protesting against the heroes, meaning the mutant stuck within Piper already knows about humans’ negative sentiments towards mutants through her own mother.
I know the X-Men will have to face Cassandra Nova again, along with this new threat, but, I’m nervous that Alaska and its human inhabitants might just become the next Genosha.
With Cassandra Nova and 3K now artificially creating mutants and Piper’s sister declaring she wants everyone to fear her, I think the notion of Cassandra taking this new mutant under her wing or using her as a weapon is entirely possible. It’s also plausible that, instead of mutants, humans will become Cassandra Nova’s primary target as they stand in the way of mutant supremacy. I know theX-Menwill have to face Cassandra Nova again, along with this new threat, but, I’m nervous that Alaska and its human inhabitants might just become the next Genosha.
