Warning: Spoilers for Giant-Size X-Men #1 (2025)! The notorious Legion, the malevolent son of Professor X, returns to pose an unprecedented threat to the X-Men. This character, whose origins trace back over four decades, has undergone a significant transformation within X-Men mythology, now emerging as a more formidable force than ever. Given that Legion ranks among Marvel’s most potent Omega-level mutants, this escalation in power spells trouble for the X-Men.

The release of Giant-Size X-Men #1 introduces the fearsome Evil Legion, who now wields an enhanced version of Cyclops’ optic beams. Notably, the pivotal distinction between Legion and Evil Legion is that the latter transcends being merely Xavier’s offspring; he exists as an entirely separate entity. While David remains trapped in the White Hot Room, Evil Legion claims to embody “what’s left behind.”

By severing his ties to Xavier, Evil Legion has been stripped of the last vestiges of humanity that past narratives have exploited to defeat him, positioning this new version as seemingly unstoppable.

How Evil Legion Redefines X-Men Lore for Generations

“The Mutant That Walks Like a Man” by Jackson Lanzing, Collin Kelly, Adam Kubert, and Laura Martin in Giant-Size X-Men #1

In earlier X-Men narratives, David Haller is established as the progeny of Professor Charles “X” Xavier and Gabrielle Haller, a Holocaust survivor who served as the Israeli Ambassador to the United Kingdom. Initially, it was suggested that David’s conception was the result of an affair that Xavier was unaware of, and he only learned of David’s existence many years later. However, the storyline in Powers of X has strongly suggested that David’s birth might have been deliberately orchestrated by both Xavier and Moira MacTaggert, who were searching for a powerful mutant capable of altering reality for their mission.

Regardless of the circumstances surrounding his birth, the crucial element is that the X-Men comics have portrayed David as both a mutant powerhouse and a deeply troubled individual. He experiences severe symptoms of Dissociative Identity Disorder, with each of his alternate personalities possessing distinct mutant abilities. The collective name ‘Legion’ refers to this multitude of identities within David’s psyche. His more unstable personas have led him down a path of supervillainy, culminating in his own demise. In one of his final appearances, he was depicted enjoying an afterlife in the White Hot Room, where he assisted Nightcrawler from beyond the veil.

Evil Legion Harnesses the Powers of Iconic X-Men

Unleashing Cyclops’ Optic Beam Powers

In the current Marvel continuity, David Haller has evolved into the ultimate weapon for the X-Men, yet a newer version of Legion traversed through time and space in earlier timelines. The identity of Legion now embodies what remains of David following his demise. It remains to be seen how this new iteration of Legion came into existence or what his ultimate goals may be, but Evil Legion has already demonstrated that he far exceeds the previous incarnation with a perfected version of Cyclops’ optic vision.

While Cyclops possesses powerful beams of red energy emitted from his eyes, which he struggles to control even with protective visors, Evil Legion shows an extraordinary command over his Cyclops-like optic beams. Not only can he generate these beams at will, but he unleashes them like a catastrophic wave of energy, obliterating everything in his path.

The Hidden Depths of Evil Legion’s Power

Giant-Size X-Men #1 Reveals Only a Fraction of His Power, Including a Cataclysmic Snap

Evil Legion showcases his overwhelming might not only through powerful energy blasts aimed at the army before him, but when facing reinforcements, all he needs to do is snap his fingers to turn his foes into dust. This display of power surpasses even his earlier manifestations, as he effortlessly obliterates his adversaries and demonstrates capabilities well beyond what anyone could have imagined. Notably, the army he confronts is guarding the remnants of the former Krakoa island, and with a mere snap, Evil Legion demonstrates the ability to propel himself back through time.

The extent of Evil Legion’s power becomes evident as he confronts the X-Men and Kamala Khan. When Cyclops unleashes his optic blasts at Legion, he effortlessly deflects them back. In a further display of might, Evil Legion silences Banshee by enveloping his mouth with a web of spiders, while using telekinesis to suspend Ms. Marvel in midair without any physical contact. Although Legion claims he does not wish to kill the X-Men, he comes alarmingly close to doing so without exerting himself.

Evil Legion: The X-Men’s Unbounded Supervillain

No Restraints: Evil Legion is Unleashed

Historically, even as an Omega-level mutant, Legion faced various constraints, whether stemming from his own psyche, his fragmented mutant abilities dispersed across different identities, or the presence of David Haller himself. David, while not inherently malevolent, has often been manipulated into villainy by the Legion persona that utilizes him as a vessel. The extent to which David’s essence persists within Evil Legion remains ambiguous, but with the removal of any constraints, Evil Legion is now unshackled.

Devoid of any inclination to perform altruistic acts or any remnants of humanity that Xavier once appealed to, the X-Men’s latest supervillain possesses an intact mental state. While he remains unhinged, he is not so deranged that he cannot execute his plans or feel remorse for his actions. This represents Legion at his most malicious. The roster of X-Men villains includes some of the strongest antagonists in the Marvel Universe, yet many can be reasoned with or persuaded. Unfortunately, it appears that there is no room for negotiation with this version of Legion.

Ms. Marvel: The Potential Key to Defeating Evil Legion

X-Men’s New Hero Must Master Her Powers to Overcome Their Latest Foe

As of now, the X-Men’s best chance at overcoming Evil Legion lies in brute force. The challenge of defeating a power like his is daunting, yet Ms. Marvel appears to have the closest opportunity to make contact with Legion. Kamala Khan reveals an unexpected upgrade to her powers, enabling her to land a swift punch square on Legion’s jaw. This moment marks the first and only instance in the comic where any X-Men manage to physically confront Legion. Notably, his reaction indicates that the punch has indeed impacted him.

Unfortunately, Kamala is still struggling to fully grasp how to control and utilize her new abilities, which causes her to miss the chance for a significant follow-up. As the battle progresses, mastering her powers becomes crucial, as this could provide the X-Men with the edge needed to finally defeat Evil Legion. If she fails, the X-Men and the timeline he has invaded for malevolent purposes may succumb to his tyranny.

Giant-Size X-Men #1 is now available from Marvel.

[nospin]Here you can find the original article; the photos and images used in our article also come from this source. We are not their authors; they have been used solely for informational purposes with proper attribution to their original source.[/nospin]

Share on Facebook

Post on X

Follow us

Save