Nightcrawler: Marvel’s Biggest Flopped Star!

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For several decades, the X-Men have shone brightly in exceptional comics, with characters drawn from the finest of the Marvel Universe. The X-Men are a rare breed among characters; while they weren’t as popular in the mid 70s and early 80s as they would become later, fans still devoured Uncanny X-Men insatiably. This series skillfully crafted characters that retained long-term appeal, many of whom have since moved on to greater success. They’ve grown to be Marvel’s most cherished characters, guiding readers through decades of adventures. However, not every one of them has enjoyed the same level of recognition as Wolverine, Storm, or even Rogue. There is indeed a beloved X-Man who possesses immense potential within the Marvel Universe but fails to receive the attention they deserve – Nightcrawler.

Over the past couple of years, Nightcrawler has had quite a significant role. He appeared in numerous highly-acclaimed Krakoa era one-shots, team books, and even his own series. Moreover, he received a fresh origin story that is logical, and became a member of the Quiet Council, playing a crucial part in the emerging mutant nation. Unfortunately, the “From the Ashes” storyline has been underwhelming for Nightcrawler fans as the character seems to have regressed to his original state. Nightcrawler deserves more recognition, and Marvel could effortlessly elevate him into a prominent figure with minimal adjustments.

Nightcrawler Has All the Tools to be a Superstar

Nightcrawler stands out as one of the most intriguing characters within the X-Men universe. His unique appearance, reminiscent of a demon, contrasts with his heroic spirit. He is a character defined by opposites, as people in Germany perceived him as a monster from Hell, while he was deeply religious and a devoted Catholic. Nightcrawler‘s difference sets him apart from other mutants right from the start, serving as a reminder that judging others based on appearances is unwise. Reading about Nightcrawler is always an engaging experience due to his dynamic nature. Fans were quickly drawn to this distinctive mutant character.

From the get-go, Nightcrawler stood out among the X-Men with a unique charm, but he was often seen as the younger sibling of the team. While Wolverine rose to become the most renowned X-Man, Storm and Colossus are deeply entrenched in the X-Men lore, each carrying significant storylines that define the essence of the team. In contrast, Nightcrawler‘s appearances are limited mostly to his affiliation with Excalibur. Despite not basking in the limelight alongside other All-New, All-Different X-Men, Nightcrawler harbored the same potential as his peers. This is a point often missed by those who haven’t delved into Chris Claremont’s Uncanny, as he crafted each character with such depth, complexity, and history that any one of them could have achieved Wolverine-level stardom. Nightcrawler, since his inception, had the capacity to become an A-list hero immediately. Revisit his ’80s miniseries, and you’ll witness a testament to his potential for an engaging solo series.

The primary issue with Nightcrawler lies in his character development within the X-Men universe. Rather than being a key figurehead, as one might expect given his longstanding association with the team, Marvel has relegated him to the B-list. It’s plausible that Nightcrawler could have been the leader of the X-Men by now, considering many characters he interacted with extensively have held such positions. Instead, Nightcrawler often serves as a supporting character to others, and this role has persisted over time.

While Nightcrawler has taken charge of teams on occasion, he’s never been the main decision-maker. This longstanding sidekick status has become so ingrained in fans’ minds that even when Nightcrawler performs significant acts, such as saving the world in “A.X.E. Judgment Day,” they may not fully appreciate it. For instance, his crucial role in setting up the final battle against the Progenitor was relegated to a secondary comic series, “Immortal X-Men,” leaving many unaware of his contributions. Marvel had the opportunity to elevate Nightcrawler as their next major character, but instead, he remains confined within the Krakoan community.

In the story “From the Ashes”, Nightcrawler finds himself in a more dire situation than before. Although he’s part of the team in Uncanny X-Men, his role remains limited to being the humorous, caring younger sibling. Previously, he played a similar supporting role in the series Wolverine, essentially acting as Wolverine’s mother figure. It seems Marvel isn’t giving Nightcrawler the opportunity to grow beyond these roles, but with some minor adjustments, they could unlock his true potential.

Just Push Nightcrawler, Already

A good way to approach this could be:

The initial move is to feature Nightcrawler prominently in a successful series, such as Uncanny X-Men or Wolverine, given their strong sales performance. From there, it’s crucial to delve deeper into his character. Nightcrawler is not just the devout Catholic who appears demonic and seeks to aid others; he’s a complex figure with hidden depths. A potential approach could be to have him guide the new X-kids through a challenging ordeal that highlights his combat skills, strategic thinking, and leadership qualities.

However, the most crucial aspect is to provide him with an adversary. Each of the major X-Men has their own arch-nemesis – Wolverine battles Sabretooth, Cyclops faces Mister Sinister, Jean Grey grapples with the Phoenix Force, Storm contends with Shadow King, Loki, or Doctor Doom, and Rogue tangles with Mystique, among others. Nightcrawler needs a formidable foe as well. By following these three steps, we can elevate Nightcrawler‘s presence within the X-Men universe.

Essentially, all Marvel needs to do is place Nightcrawler prominently in a well-known location, highlight his remarkable abilities, provide him with an adversary, and he could become one of the greatest characters. However, Nightcrawler is often used for Claremont imitations, but there’s so much more depth to him. If Marvel invests effort into developing him further, they have a potential top-tier character at their disposal.

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2025-04-13 20:10