The 5 Mutants Everyone Is Talking About After 'House of X' and 'Powers of X'

WARNING! THIS ARTICLE CONTAINS SPOILERS FOR HOUSE OF X and Powers of x, SO READ ON AT YOUR OWN RISK, TRUE BELIEVERS!

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Goldballs. Proteus. Elixir. Tempus. Hope.

These five mutants are capable of performing incredible feats on their own, but in Jonathan Hickman and Pepe Larraz’s HOUSE OF X #5, they combined their gifts to achieve something truly miraculous... This unforgettable issue revealed that the X-Men have discovered the means to overcome death itself and these select mutants—dubbed “The Five”—each have an important role to play in the resurrection process... Now, a new day for Marvel's mighty mutants begins with the arrival of the Dawn of X and X-MEN #1!

Let’s celebrate by turning the spotlight on these now legendary mutants and highlighting some of their most memorable moments!

Goldballs, aka Fabio Medina

First Appearance: UNCANNY X-MEN (2013) #1

POINK!

That’s the sound heard when Fabio Medina uses his unusual mutant power of projecting gold balls (recently revealed to be eggs) from his body. And maybe the sound of the key to the future of mutantkind...

After debuting in Brian Michael Bendis’ hit UNCANNY X-MEN run as a reluctant recruit of Cyclops’ mutant revolution, Goldballs quickly became a fan-favorite. Battles with sentinels, run ins with the Avengers, and a trip to the demonic dimension of Limbo caused this easygoing young mutant to eventually leave the X-Men and return home to San Diego. Sadly, Fabio learned the hard way that resuming his old life would be impossible, and when he was taken into custody by S.H.I.E.L.D., it was Cyclops and the X-Men who came to his rescue. Goldballs then rejoined the X-Men, fully committing his good-natured and affable personality to the group's cause.

Proteus, aka Kevin MacTaggert

First appearance: UNCANNY X-MEN (1963) #125

Even Moira MacTaggert’s many lives couldn’t prepare her for having a son like Kevin MacTaggert. When he developed unmatched reality warping abilities outside his control, Moira had no choice but to seclude Kevin on Muir Isle and, when all her attempts to help her unstable son failed, she created a special cell to contain him. Moira kept Kevin in confinement for years, referring to him only as “Mutant X”—but when his cell was damaged during a battle between the X-Men and Magneto, he escaped and took the name “Proteus” after the shape-changing god of Greek myth.

Proteus proved to be an almost unstoppable force as he made his way to Edinburgh in search of his father, leaving a trail of bodies in his wake and twisting the very fabric of reality when the X-Men tried to intervene. In this heartbreaking story by comic legends Chris Claremont and John Byrne, Moira and the X-Men were forced to put Proteus down by exploiting his only two weaknesses: a severe aversion to metal and (due to the vast energies of his omega-level powers) his constant need of a new host body. The latter is something for which Professor X has now supposedly found a solution…

Elixir, aka Joshua Foley

First Appearance: NEW MUTANTS (2003) #5

Joshua Foley is no stranger to healing mutants. Like so many prominent X-Men students, Elixir was created by Nunzio DeFilippis and Christina’s Weir in their seminal runs on NEW MUTANTS and NEW X-MEN: ACADEMY X. Since then, the X-Men have relied on his curative abilities time and time again. It wasn’t until the tragic death of his girlfriend, Wallflower, that Josh learned his powers could be used for more than healing; in a rage, Elixir killed the man responsible, William Stryker, with a “death touch.” This action temporarily turned Elixir’s golden skin to jet black and, moving forward, he vowed to learn the full potential of his mutant gifts.

With stints ranging from Wolverine’s hit-squad, X-Force, to more recently, Emma Frost’s Hellfire Club, Elixir has gotten plenty of experience exploring his immense talents and, given the dangerous lifestyle of the X-Men, will no doubt continue to do so.

Tempus, aka Eva Bell

First Appearance: ALL-NEW X-MEN (2012) #1

Another Brian Michael Bendis creation, Australian-born Eva Bell idolized Captain America growing up and said that if she ever obtained super powers, she would become his Australian equivalent. As fate would have it, Eva was a mutant with the ability to slow down time, but instead of following in the footsteps of Captain America, she was roped into Cyclops’ mutant revolution.

Taking the name Tempus, Eva found herself on the opposite side of her childhood hero and began to question Cyclops’ ability to lead in the wake of his killing of Professor Xavier. When Matthew Malloy, a dangerously powerful mutant, surfaced and Cyclops’ attempt to recruit him caused disaster, Eva knew it was time to intervene. With her powers having evolved to the point where she could time travel, Eva visited the past and teamed up with Professor X to wipe Matthew Malloy from existence. Upon returning to the present, Eva informed Cyclops of her actions and warned him that if he continued to act so recklessly, she would do the same to him...

Hope, aka Hope Summers

First Appearance: X-MEN (2004) #205

When it comes to saving mutantkind, Hope Summers was born for the job.

The first mutant birth after the Scarlet Witch decimated the mutant race in HOUSE OF M, Hope was sent to the future and raised by mutantkind’s toughest soldier, Cable. She eventually returned to the present as a battle-worn mutant teenager with the ability to mimic other mutant’s powers. Hope was determined to live up to her title as the “mutant messiah” and immediately formed a team to help newly emerging mutants. When the Phoenix Force came to Earth seeking Hope as its host, the X-Men and the Avengers argued over the best course of action, sparking a war with tragic results...

In the end, Hope fulfilled her destiny by bonding with the Phoenix Force and reversing the Scarlet Witch’s spell. Hope’s mission was complete but she continued to fight for mutantkind on teams like X-Force and the Mutant Liberation Front. Now on Krakoa, Hope gets to play the role of savior yet again by ensuring mutants no longer have to fear death.

Jonathan Hickman’s bold reshaping of the X-Men universe continues at your local comic shop today with X-MEN #1!