Henchman-4-Hire

I’ve been in a sour comic-reading mood for a couple weeks now because I’m pretty sure the Mimic is going to die. He’s one of my all-time favorite comic book characters and I don’t want him to die. The very minor hope that maybe, when he’s alive, he’ll show up in the background somewhere and have a nice scene or two is a strong hope.

Right now, he’s showing up in Extermination, which continues to tease his potentially imminent demise.

Likewise, my all-time favorite comic book character — Multiple Man — is in some weird revival limbo, and might end up being some kind of villain in the new Uncanny X-Men? That is also up in the air, enhancing my sour feelings.

I’m sure we’ve all been there, that we all have a favorite obscure X-character or two. Characters like Wolverine, Storm and Nightcrawler are great, but we all love us a Mimic or Multiple Man or two.

Fortunately, another comic this week had a short story that let me know that some of my other favorite obscure X-Men are alive and well, and if they’re not well, at least they’re getting solid character treatment.

That issue is Domino Annual #1, written by Gail Simone and a bunch of others in an anthology of short stories. One of the stories, written by Leah Williams, with art by Michael Shelfer, features Nightcrawler and Domino starting up a support group for odd-looking mutants. That is a wonderful idea, and I hope Gail Simone keeps the idea going in the regular series.

Among the dozen or so obscure X-characters featured in the support group, we find out that Maggott is not only alive again, but he’s been turned into a hipster.

I love Maggott! He’s great! Maggott is a perfect example that your mutant isn’t always going to be something as wonderful as a healing factor or all-powerful telepathy. Sometimes your digestive system is turned into a pair of slugs that can eat anything, then transfer the power to you.

It’s good to know Maggott is currently alive in continuity.

We also get a great scene featuring Stacy X, another favorite of mine. She still doesn’t have her powers following M-Day (even though most mutants have gotten their powers back), and that is really torturing Stacy.

It sucks that she’s feeling suicidal, but that is still some great character growth. And Gail Simone, if you want me to start really loving your Domino comic, which I already kind of enjoy? Feature more Stacy X struggling with depression, caused by the loss of her powers! And maybe give her her powers back? Beak is featured in this issue too, and he lost his powers the same way as Stacy X, but he has them back.

Basically, what I’m saying is: bring back Stacy X!

And don’t kill the Mimic!

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