Revealed: Previously Unseen X-Force Member

By August Tales

In the latest issue, X-Force, the notorious band of mutant superheroes, dart off to Cambodia. There, they face an insurmountable disaster. The team leader Forge affirmatively believes his squad is ready for the task ahead. Sage, however, is full of doubts. His concern centers on their most recent recruit, Surge, who joined the crew after the original lineup had been established.

Enter Surge

Surge, officially known as Noriko Ashida, first entered the Marvel Comics universe in 2004’s New Mutants #8. She fled home at the tender age of thirteen following the manifestation of her mutant powers. Her father’s disbelief in mutants only aggravated the situation. The rejection didn’t deter her though. She sought refuge at the Xavier Institute which initially brushed her off at the gates.

Noriko later found acceptance and began her journey as Surge. Following the tragic climax of the Krakoan Era, she returned to Japan. At home, she reconciled with her close relatives before running into Forge’s X-Force.

Unexpected Ally

The team was tackling the dreadful Taboo, an oozing, monstrous beast. At first, Noriko saw the X-Force’s arrival as an unwarranted intrusion. But, on realizing their mission, she quickly joined forces. Unlike the others, Noriko assimilated herself into the team without a formal induction, unlike Forge’s tailor-made, mutant squadron.

The X-Force’s Battlefield

Besides Forge, Sage, and Surge, the current lineup of X-Force includes Captain Britain a.k.a. Betsy Braddock, Askani alias Rachel Summers, and the mysterious Tank. He’s known for his infallible crimson armor. Armed with Forge’s innovative device, the Analog, the superheroes avert catastrophic incidents. They step in before it’s too late, forestalling potential crises.

Regrettably, the Analog offers vague details about threats. This deficiency has pitched the heroes of X-Force against Wakanda, igniting conflict.

X-Force #3 Release

Turn the pages of this gripping showdown on September 25, available from Marvel Comics.

The Legacy of X-Men

Debuting in 1963, Marvel’s X-Men weren’t just another band of superheroes. Initially hitting their peak as the ‘All New, All Different X-Men’ in 1975, these mutant outcasts have valiantly protected a world that both fears and hates them. The stalwarts of the X-Men constitute Professor X, Jean Grey, Cyclops, Wolverine, Beast, Rogue, and Storm. They might rank second in power to the Avengers, but they are undeniably amongst Marvel’s most loved and crucial franchises.