The X-Men’s [SPOILER] Could Break The Planet In A Second

Warning: this article contains spoilers for X-Factor #7

Usually when the topic of speedsters comes up, the focus shifts to the other side of the comic book isle. DC Comics and its Speed Force empowered Flash dynasty has long hogged the spotlight of fan speculation and legendary matchups. As a result, Marvel Comics’ own speedy heroes and villains are ignored or entirely forgotten. When was the last time Quicksilver had to prove his worth in an epic race around the globe or to the edge of the universe? The speeds of Marvel heroes are measured in relation to the speed of sound, whereas their DC counterparts routinely hit multitudes of the speed of light and completely do away with the laws of physics. 

That regard for the physical laws of the universe may very well be what’s put the brakes on Marvel heroes running away—pun intended—with the first place prize. Those who have demonstrated god-like tiers of speed, such as the mysterious being only known as the Runner, are virtually gods themselves. Which makes the latest reveal all the more surprising. Turns out, a secret mega-speedster has been hiding among the X-Men all along, and his name is Northstar.

According to this month’s X-Factor #7, written by Leah Williams and illustrated by David Baldeón, there is no debate as to who the fastest mutant alive is, and it isn’t the boastful son of Magneto, Quicksilver. No, the crown—allegedly—goes to the latest leader of X-Factor, Northstar. Once a member of Alpha Flight, the French-Canadian mutant and his twin sister Aurora relocated to Krakoa, along with most of the world’s mutants. Not only gifted with superhuman speed, Jean-Paul Beaubier also possesses photokinetic abilities and the power of flight. An impressive range for someone capable of propelling his body at 189,299 miles per second. For reference, the speed of light in a vacuum is 186,282 miles per second. In comparison, the mutant Thomas Shepherd, aka Speed, has a top velocity of 761 miles per hour, or roughly the speed of sound. 

Not that it even matters, since the degree of speed Northstar is capable of reaching would have disastrous consequences were he to ever really attempt such a feat. In his own words, not only would Northstar crush his organs and pulverize his bones in the process, but he could “garrote the world in half with one lap,” if he wished. In that perspective, Northstar is a bomb ready to go off if the circumstances presented themselves where he no longer had the will to live, or, worse yet, were he to be mind-controlled by an extraterrestrial intelligence bent on annihilating the planet Earth. Perhaps Krakoan telepaths should consider implementing more robust psychic safeguards over mutants like Beaubier. 

It’s natural to be a bit skeptical of these claims. How could he really know his top speed so exactly if attaining it would mean his death and the end of the world? That aside, it’s an impressive claim for an otherwise low-profile hero. What’s more, it’s a sobering thought to consider that more mutants like Northstar are calmly walking around with the power to end worlds at their fingertips. What other surprises might the X-Men have in store for readers in the future?