Warning: contains spoilers for “Fetch,” appearing inMarvel Mutts#1!
I loveNightcrawler, but I have to admit: he is notMarvel’sbest teleporter. Nightcrawler is one of the most popular members of the X-Men, thanks to his happy-go-lucky personality and teleportation powers. He often gets credit as Marvel’s premiere teleporter. However, in the story “Fetch,” appearing inMarvel Mutts#1,Lockjaw, the enormous dog of the Inhumans, plays a cosmic game of fetch that shows off his awesome teleportation skills.
Marvel Muttsis a reprint of stories that appeared in Marvel’sFriday Funnies.
“Fetch” is one of the many delightful stories appearing inMarvel Mutts#1, which was written by Mackenzie Cadenhead and drawn by Takeshi Miyazawa. Mittens, a former shelter dog rescued by Ms. Marvel has befriended Marvel’s various super-powered pooches, including Lockjaw. The duo play a game of fetch that stretches across Earth, passing through Wakanda and the Baxter Building, among others.
The game then extends into the larger Marvel Universe, as Lockjaw uses his powers toteleport them to Asgardand finally into the presence of Galactus.
Nightcrawler’s Teleportation Power is Cool–But Lockjaw Has Him Beat
Nightcrawler Cannot Travel as Far as Lockjaw
Teleportation is an undeniably cool (and convenient) power, but only a few in the Marvel Universe can do it, including Nightcrawler and Lockjaw.Lockjaw, resembling a giant, slobbering bulldog, is the pet of the Inhumans Royal Family, and Marvel’s premiere teleporter–even over Nightcrawler. Both can cover great distances using their teleportation powers, but Nightcrawler’s can only take him so far. While the exact distance Nightcrawler can travel has fluctuated over time, he was generally limited to two miles at a time. Nightcrawler can teleport people with him, but it comes as a great strain for him.
Nightcrawler’s powers have otherlimitations too. His teleportation abilities give him “spatial awareness,” which prevents him from materializing inside solid objects. This added ability comes in handy, but diminishes over distance.This effectively limits where he can teleport, as he will only do so in areas that he can see, or areas that he has been to before.Nightcrawler teleports by entering another dimension, and when he enters and exits, it leaves a horrible, sulfur-like smell. On the positive side, Nightcrawler’s mutant powers also give him great agility, which he has parlayed into an interest in sword fighting.
Lockjaw Can Go Where Nightcrawler Cannot
A Game of Fetch With Lockjaw Can Stretch Across Dimensions
Lockjaw has none of these limitations, and can cover even greater distances.Introduced during Stan Lee and Jack Kirby’s epicFantastic Fourrun, Lockjaw can teleport anywhere on Earth. Lockjaw can also teleport between various planets and dimensions, all with minimal effort. Lockjaw’s powers do not drain him, and he can fight and use his abilities much longer than Nightcrawler. The only downside is that Lockjaw is big, and not as agile as Nightcrawler. However, Lockjaw is quite strong, thanks to his massive size, and even has precognitive powers.
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And most of Lockjaw’s awesome abilities are on display inMarvel Mutts#1. The friendly game of fetch between Mittens and Lockjaw took them across the breath of the Marvel Universe. For Mittens, who is new to the Marvel Universe, this was nothing short of a guided tour, with an amazing guide to it all. Lockjaw showed Mittensthe splendors of Wakanda, the paradise that was Krakoa, as well as the halls of Asgard. Lockjaw even took Mittens to the Marvel Bullpen. And while Lockjaw is super-powerful, he is not even a match for Galactus.
Between Them, Nightcrawler and Lockjaw Are Great Tour Guides
Yet at the End of the Day, Lockjaw Wins
While “Fetch’s” status in continuity may be up in the air, Lockjaw has still demonstrated these powers in other, canonical stories.
Lockjaw and Mitten’s game of fetch proves that the former is Marvel’s greatest teleporter.He warped himself and Mittens through the Marvel Universe, without once tiring out: such a feat would have drained Nightcrawler. While “Fetch’s” status in continuity may be up in the air, Lockjaw has still demonstrated these powers in other, canonical stories. A “teleport off” betweenNightcrawlerand Lockjaw would be a mind-bending odyssey through theMarvelUniverse, one from which Lockjaw would emerge victorious.
