Warning! Spoilers ahead for Uncanny X-Men #10!Nightcrawler is one of theX-Menfranchise’s fan-favorite heroes, with his striking demonic appearance and the iconic “BAMF!” sound effect accompanying his teleportation,but Marvel just reminded fans of the absolute worst part of Nightcrawler’s incredible ability: its foul smell.The X-Men have a seemingly endless array of teleporting mutants, but the unique properties of Kurt Wagner’s powers, by far, make himone of Marvel’s most unusual superheroes.
InUncanny X-Men#10 – written by Gail Simone, with art by Andrei Bressan – Rogue’s Louisiana X-Men are stationed at a family’s home where Nightcrawler has been assisting with housework andrethinking his career as an X-Men. The family’s young daughter Chelsea admits she doesn’t like when Nightcrawler teleports because of how badly it smells, and while true, Nightcrawler notes it’s something he can’t control.
Long-time X-Men fans will recall that when Nightcrawler uses his teleporting powers, he leaves behind a blue puff of smoke that smells of burning sulfur and brimstone. In other words, he smells like a fart.
Nightcrawler’s Powers Literally Stink – But That’s What Makes Him So Unique
Uncanny X-Men #10 – Written By Gail Simone; Art By Andrei Bressan; Color By Matthew Wilson; Lettering By Clayton Cowles
When Nightcrawler uses his powers,he opens a portal that briefly takes him through the Brimstone dimension and then to his desired location.This is also the reason behind his famously smelly sulfuric odor. Nightcrawler’s unusual powers were initially thought to be due to his demonic heritage brought on by his father, the mutant demon Azazel. However, it was later retconned and revealed inX-Men Blue: Origins#1 that Nightcrawler’s mother Mystique used Azazel’s genetic coding to impregnate her wife Destiny; a polarizing change but one that wasoriginally intended for Nightcrawler’s origin.
Nightcrawler’s “BAMF” and indigo smoke are instantly recognizable traits of Marvel Comics and have been a defining feature of the X-Men for decades.
Nightcrawler’s abilities come with an undeniable stench, but it is also unmistakably one of his most iconic features that set him and, by proxy, the X-Men apart from the sea of superpowered heroes. Nightcrawler’s “BAMF” and indigo smoke are instantly recognizable traits of Marvel Comics and have beena defining feature of the X-Menfor decades. The smell of Nightcrawler’s powers also plays into the in-universe themes of the mutant struggle, because ultimately, his pungent smell and appearance are aspects he cannot control but are used to mistreat mutants like him.
Despite Nightcrawler’s Powers, X-Men Comics Have Consistently Shown He Is More Than His Smell
Despite His Demonic Look, Kurt Wagner Is The X-Men’s Most Compassionate Hero
One commendable part of Nightcrawler’s mutant qualities is how he has learned to live admirably despite them, and his character qualities don’t begin and end with his rotten egg smell. Nightcrawler is noted to be one of the most empathetic of the X-Men and was a prominent leaderduring the Krakoa Eraas a member of the Quiet Council. In spite of his odor, Nightcrawler is fairly popular and has hadseveral love interests, including Silver Sable. As Nightcrawler’s story treks on throughout his comic appearances, his smell has become less of a defining feature for the beloved mutant.
Marvel May Cast Doubt on Nightcrawler, But X-Men ‘97 Already Proved the Publisher Wrong
Nightcrawler ranks among the X-Men’s best sword fighters, as highlighted by X-Men ‘97, which makes it strange the comics are downplaying his skills.
Nightcrawler was introduced as an outcast to society and his smell played a part in why humans ostracized him, heralding him a demon, but even with his aroma remaining a prominent part of his powers, Nightcrawler has shown he is more than his smell. Chelsea pointing out Nightcrawler’s scent is not out of prejudice but is a moment that highlights that she’s a childand, in truth, she is shown to admire the hero.Nightcrawler’s burning brimstone smell may be the most unappealing part of his powers, but it is also an attribute that is so uniquely intertwined withX-Menlore.
