By [ad_1]
Warren Worthington III has had a rather turbulent history, ever since his transformation into Apocalypse’s Horseman of Death. For a long period after his initial transformation, Archangel retained his blue skin and metallic wings. However, even after Warren got his original feathered wings back, his story as Archangel was far from over.
In 1987’s X-Factor #14, by Louise Simonson and Walter Simonson, Angel’s original wings were amputated in a plot by the nefarious Cameron Hodge. After being abducted by Apocalypse, Warren officially became Death, and later Archangel, in the classic X-Factor #23, by the Simonsons. Even after he was freed from Apocalypse’s mental machinations, Warren maintained his appearance as Archangel.
It wasn’t until 1996’s Uncanny X-Men #338, by Scott Lobdell, Joe Madureira and Salvador Larroca, that Warren lost his metallic wings. In this issue, it appeared that Angel’s original wings had grown back, causing his metallic ones to molt.
Over time, it seemed as if Angel was losing more of Apocalypse’s alterations, even regaining his original skin tone in 2002’s Uncanny X-Men #412, by Chuck Austen and Ron Garney. Yet this still was not the end of Warren’s journey as Archangel. In 2008’s X-Force #4, by Craig Kyle, Christopher Yost and Clayton Crain, a mind-controlled Wolfsbane ripped Warren’s wings off and nearly killed him.
Elixir arrived in time to heal Angel, but he also discovered something shocking about Warren’s wings. Apparently, the cells of Warren’s wings weren’t organic at all, meaning that Warren’s techno-organic wings had merely taken feathered form, with Apocalypse’s programming lying dormant the whole time.
As Warren regrew his metallic wings, his skin also reverted to blue as he regained his Archangel form. However, Warren was now able to switch back and forth between Angel and Archangel, alternating between his feather and metallic wings. Over time, however, the darkness of Warren’s Archangel persona began to take over his core personality.
By 2011’s Uncanny X-Force #10, by Rick Remender, Billy Tan and Rich Elson, it became clear that Archangel was fully in control. Apocalypse’s Ascension Protocol activated the Death Seed in Archangel, turning Warren into the heir of Apocalypse. This transformation kept Warren in his Archangel form, until 2011’s Uncanny X-Force #18, by Remender, Jerome Opena and Esad Ribic, in which Psylocke stabbed Warren with the Life Seed, killing the Archangel persona and erasing Warren’s memories and personality.
In this new form, Warren retained his original skin tone, albeit with techno-organic wings. Angel remained this way until 2016’s Uncanny X-Men #1, by Cullen Bunn and Greg Land. At this point, it appeared that Archangel had returned, once more with blue skin and metallic wings. However, in 2016’s Uncanny X-Men #6, by Bunn and Ken Lashley, it was revealed that this Archangel was one of many clones.
The real Warren had joined Clan Akkaba, who removed his wings and used them to create their own army of Archangels. Eventually, Warren decided to merge with all of these clones for the greater good, becoming Archangel once again, complete with metal wings. This time, however, the change has largely been for the better.
In 2018’s Astonishing X-Men #7, by Charles Soule and Phil Noto, Professor X helped Warren gain greater control of his Archangel form. Now, in the current Krakoan era, Warren is able to freely switch between the Angel and Archangel personas.
Whenever he needs to go on the offensive, Warren can change into his Archangel form, using his metal wings while generally remaining in control. Most other times, Warren maintains his appearance as Angel, with his classic feather wings. Although his wings do come from Apocalypse, Warren Worthington III seems to have finally found a balance to his two sides.
About The Author
[ad_2]
