Warren Worthington III

Warren Worthington III
Art from Marvels by Alex Ross
Publication information
Publisher	Marvel Comics
First appearance	The X-Men #1 (September 1963)
Created by	Stan Lee (writer) Jack Kirby (artist)
In-story information
Alter ego	Warren Kenneth Worthington III
Species	Human Mutant
Team affiliations	X-Men X-Force X-Club[1] Mutantes Sans Frontières X-Factor Renegades Champions of Los Angeles Defenders/Secret Defenders Hellfire Club Horsemen of Apocalypse X-Terminators Worthington Industries Cheyarafim Jean Grey School Students[2]
Notable aliases	Angel, Avenging Angel, Archangel, Dark Angel, Death, Master of the Seven Seeds[3]
Abilities	As Angel: Flight via feathered wings and hollow bones Aerial adaptation As Archangel: Flight via metal wings Razor sharp feather projection Superhuman durability Aerial adaptation

Warren Kenneth Worthington III, originally known as Angel and later as Archangel, is a fictional superhero appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics and is a founding member of the X-Men. Created by writer Stan Lee and artist Jack Kirby, the character first appeared in The X-Men #1 (September 1963).

Angel is a member of a subspecies of humans known as mutants, who are born with superhuman abilities. He originally possesses a pair of large feathered wings extending from his back, enabling him to fly. He is the heir to a multibillion-dollar corporation called Worthington Industries. This privileged background results in Warren being stereotyped as a self-absorbed playboy during his early years with the X-Men. This personality was ultimately replaced with a more introspective and brooding personality in the late 1980s, when the character was revamped into the darker "Archangel" persona.

One of the original X-Men, Archangel has had a frequent presence in X-Men-related comic books throughout the years. He appeared occasionally in X-Men animated series and video games. Ben Foster played the role of Angel in the 2006 film X-Men: The Last Stand and Ben Hardy portrays him in the 2016 film X-Men: Apocalypse.

Publication history

The character was created by writer Stan Lee and artist/co-creator Jack Kirby and first appeared in X-Men #1 (September 1963) as Angel.^[4] He appeared as a regular character in that title until it was cancelled with issue #66. The title was revived shortly after, reprinting earlier issues from issue #67 to #93. In 1970 and 1971, a three-part Angel solo feature was published as a back-up strip in Ka-Zar #2 and #3 and Marvel Tales #30.

Angel appeared in the X-Men revamp by Len Wein and Dave Cockrum in 1975 with the introduction of the "All-New, All-Different X-Men" (Giant-Size X-Men #1, May 1975), but left the X-Men title with issue #94. Angel and fellow X-Men Iceman were transitioned into a new series called The Champions, which ran from 1975–1978. The series was written by writer Tony Isabella, and was largely conceived as a showcase for both former X-Men characters.^[5]

Angel returned to the X-Men briefly in Uncanny X-Men #134, officially returning to the roster in issue #138 before once again leaving in issue #148. Afterwards, the character, along with fellow founding X-Men Beast and Iceman, joined the roster of the Defenders, as part of a short-lived "revamp" of the title, in which the series was renamed The New Defenders. Angel would stay with the title, as the group's leader, for the book's last three years of publication (1983–1986). The series was canceled in 1986 to free up Angel and his fellow X-Men to star in X-Factor, which debuted in February. Angel remained in the book until issue #70, which was the last issue before the book was revamped with an all-new roster. During X-Factor #16–24, the character is presumed dead after losing his wings and apparently killing himself in a plane crash. Angel was dramatically revamped as a character, given a new costume, blue skin, and metallic wings which could fire blades. He first appeared as Archangel in X-Factor #24 (January 1988). According to X-Factor writer Louise Simonson and penciler Walt Simonson, the Archangel revamp was motivated in part by their feeling that Angel was a Mary Sue (being wealthy, handsome, and adored by women), and in part by the fact that, due to the inflation of superhero abilities, Angel was underpowered compared to other characters in the Marvel Universe.^[6]

Angel was added to the cast of the Uncanny X-Men title and appeared in that series and its companion series X-Men (vol. 2) for most of the 1990s. In 1996, Marvel also published a one-shot story simply called Archangel, which was written by Peter Milligan. He also appeared alongside Psylocke in a limited series called Psylocke & Archangel: Crimson Dawn (August 1997 – November 1997, 4 issues). From 1999 to 2001, Angel also featured in the series X-Men: The Hidden Years, which was set in the original X-Men's early days.

Under Joe Casey (2001–2002) and Chuck Austen (2002–2004), Angel became leader of the X-Men team that appeared in the pages of Uncanny X-Men. After Chris Claremont replaced Austen on that title, the character went away for several months before reappearing in the pages of another Claremont-written series, Excalibur (vol. 3, 2004). He continued to guest-star in the Incredible Hulk title during the events of World War Hulk (2007) and then returned to the Uncanny X-Men through issue #538 (2011) while also appearing in X-Force (vol. 3) (2008), where the character has regained his metallic wings and again assumed the codename Archangel, and subsequently in Uncanny X-Force (2010), in which his mind and personality were wiped.

After his personality was stripped, he appeared only as a background character, one of the students at the Jean Grey School in Wolverine and the X-Men (2011–13) until he graduated, but now spends most time off-panel at Worthington Industries. A time-displaced version of Angel's younger self currently stars in All-New X-Men (2013–present).

Fictional character biography

Angel

Warren Worthington was born in Centerport, New York, to Kathryn Worthington and Warren Worthington Jr. He attends Phillips Exeter Academy in his adolescence when white feathered wings begin to grow from his shoulder blades. At first, Warren feels he is a freak, but he soon learns that he can use his wings to fly and to help people. When there is a fire in his dormitory, he borrows some props from the school's drama department, dresses up as a heavenly angel, and rescues his friends. He soon learns that he is in fact a mutant. He dons a mask and costume, calls himself the Avenging Angel, and becomes a solo adventurer, before being recruited by Professor Charles Xavier into joining the X-Men.^[7]

Warren's status as a wealthy playboy, as well as being an outspoken individual who chafes at the notion of being told what to do, is the subject of much tension within the X-Men. In particular, Warren is in love with Jean Grey, who is in love with Scott Summers. Though he ultimately concedes Jean to Scott, Angel still harbors an unrequited love for Jean even as he finds himself a girlfriend of his own, Candy Southern.^[8]

While pursuing Sauron in the Savage Land, Angel is attacked by pteranodons and falls to his death. He would have remained dead if not for the "Creator", who is Magneto without his costume. Magneto provides the necessary medical treatment needed to revive Angel, and provides him with a new blue-and-white costume.^[9] Unknown to Angel, the costume also has a device installed that lets Magneto gain control over Angel, which he does months later when he makes an attack on the X-Men.

Around this time, Angel publicly reveals himself as a mutant after discovering that not only has his uncle, Burt Worthington (who goes by the name of the Dazzler — though he is in no way related to Alison Blaire, a later mutant heroine and brief love interest for Warren in her own comic series who also uses the name), murdered Warren's father, Warren Worthington, Jr.,^[10] but also poisoned his mother in order to ensure his inheritance of the Worthington fortune.^[11]

When the original X-Men are captured by the mutant island Krakoa, Professor X creates a new team of X-Men to rescue them.^[12] When this new team decides to stay on as X-Men, Angel and the rest of the original team, with the exception of Cyclops, leave.^[13] He and Iceman go to Los Angeles, where they found the Champions with Hercules, the Black Widow, and the original Ghost Rider.^[14] Following the apparent death of Jean Grey and Cyclops' subsequent exile from the team, Warren rejoins the X-Men.^[15] During this time, Angel unsuccessfully pursues pop star Alison Blaire, also known as Dazzler. He grows increasingly disturbed by the behavior and actions of Wolverine,^[16] and quits the team in protest.^[17]

He is kidnapped by the Morlock leader Callisto, who intends to force Angel to be her lover. Storm, Nightcrawler, Colossus, and Sprite arrive in time to stop Callisto from cutting off Angel's wings (believing that without them, Angel will be unable to flee from her). Storm fights and defeats Callisto for the right to be the leader of the Morlocks, effectively freeing Angel in the process.^[18]

Shortly thereafter, Angel joins the Defenders, along with Beast, Iceman and girlfriend Candy Southern.^[19] Using Angel's Colorado house as their base, the group has several adventures before most of the group are killed freeing teammate Moondragon from demonic possession.^[20]

Angel considers retirement following the collapse of the Defenders, but the discovery of Jean Grey alive changes his mind. Jean Grey is furious at the increase in anti-mutant hysteria in the two years she has been missing, and opposes the X-Men's decision to align themselves with the villain Magneto. To appease Jean's desire for action, Warren organizes X-Factor.^[21] He recruits his old prep school friend Cameron Hodge to run the team, unaware that Cameron hates mutants, particularly Warren. Since Cyclops is married to Madelyne Pryor at the time and reacts coldly to Jean's return, Angel takes advantage of Jean's need for emotional support and expresses his love for her. This destroys Warren's relationship with Candy Southern, after Candy finds Warren consoling Jean.^[22]

Archangel

X-Factor's formation begins a period of upheaval in Warren's life. Cameron Hodge abuses Warren's trust and portrays X-Factor as "mutant hunters" for hire, further fueling anti-mutant sentiment. An altercation with the Brotherhood of Mutants allows Mystique to discover the relationship between the "mutant hunters" and the former X-Men; she exposes Warren as the financial backer for X-Factor, causing a public relations nightmare. Warren's wings are mutilated during the Mutant Massacre by the Marauder, Harpoon.^[23] When the wings develop gangrene, Cameron Hodge violates Angel's wishes and has the crippled wings amputated.^[24] Despondent over the loss, Warren escapes the hospital and commandeers his private jet. It explodes in the air as the rest of X-Factor watch helplessly from below.^[25] It is ultimately revealed that Hodge sabotaged Warren's plane in order to finish off his nemesis, in an apparent suicide.

Seconds before the explosion, Warren is spirited away by the ancient mutant Apocalypse. Apocalypse offers to restore Angel's wings if Angel will serve him as one of his Four Horsemen.^[26] Apocalypse subjects Angel to extensive genetic alterations, giving him blue skin and organic metal wings which can cut through almost anything. The wings can fire the metal feathers as projectiles. Apocalypse gives Worthington the title of Death. He makes Worthington the leader of his Horsemen after Worthington beats the others in a fight, and gives him extensive mental conditioning to make him obey Apocalypse's dark plans.^[27] Death is unveiled to X-Factor during their second encounter with the Horsemen,^[28] and Warren sadistically exploits the weaknesses of his friends to defeat them in combat.^[29] During a later attack on Manhattan, Iceman fakes his own death at Warren's hands, hoping that the shock of killing a friend will enable him to break Apocalypse's mental control. Although freed, Warren refuses to rejoin X-Factor, feeling that he has changed too much psychologically to be a hero.^[30]

He seeks out Candy Southern, but finds that she is missing. Warren learns that Candy has been lobotomized to protect Cameron Hodge's secrets, including the establishment of the anti-mutant militia "The Right" using funds embezzled from Worthington. In the confrontation that follows, Hodge murders Candy in front of Warren and Warren decapitates Hodge.^[31] Changing his codename from "Death" to "Dark Angel", he later rejoins X-Factor and takes the codename "Archangel" during the events of Inferno.^[32]

Warren later meets and becomes romantically involved with Charlotte Jones, a New York City Police officer and single mother. It is with Charlotte's help that X-Factor frees Warren from the Ravens, a cult of near-immortal psychic vampires.^[33] It is during this battle that Warren's survival is made public knowledge, allowing him to regain control over his family's remaining business holdings and his personal fortune. X-Factor rejoins the X-Men following the defeat of the Shadow King on Muir Island.

Angel again

After rejoining the X-Men, Archangel's brooding behavior lessens, after Jean reveals to Warren that his wings (which Warren believes have a mind of their own) have actually been operating off Warren's own unconscious desires for violence.^[34] This, combined with Warren's accidental decapitation of Mutant Liberation Front member Kamikaze,^[35] leads Warren to try to reject the dark cloud that has hung over his head ever since gaining his new wings. His relationship with Charlotte Jones fades as Warren begins dating fellow X-Men member Psylocke. In an attempt to put his dark days behind him, Warren retires his "Death" uniform in favor of the blue/white costume Magneto made for him.

After Psylocke is eviscerated by X-Men prisoner Sabretooth during an escape attempt, Warren and the X-Men track him down and capture him, but not before he is able to badly damage Warren's metal wings. Over time, the damage to his wings spreads. Eventually, the metal wings shatter completely, revealing that his feathered wings have been growing back within them and have broken them apart from the inside.^[36] This follows a visit from Ozymandias, who tells him that he is indeed one of Apocalypse's chosen ones. Reclaiming his original Angel powers, Warren still retains his blue skin color.

Angel is one of several X-Men who are present when Gambit's culpability in the events of the "Mutant Massacre" is made public by Magneto, which turns him against his teammate. Shortly afterwards, with the X-Men broke and their mansion stripped bare by the US Government, Angel volunteers money to help keep the team going, though this requires his reclaiming full control over his family company to do so. Angel returns to the team following the events of The Twelve, in which his wings (temporarily) further mutate into wings made of light and he gains talon-like hands and healing powers, which Warren uses to restore the mobility of crippled Horseman of Apocalypse War. Returning to the X-Men, Warren finds his relationship with Psylocke gone, as she has begun dating new X-Men recruit Thunderbird III.

When Rogue leaves the X-Men to join Storm's splinter group (X-Treme X-Men), Angel is promoted to head of the X-Men's field team. Angel's squad fights the anti-mutant group Church of Humanity and Mystique and her newest incarnation of the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants, and tangles with the Vanisher, who has gone into business with several medical companies to create a designer drug that could give humans mutant-like powers. Angel also becomes entangled in a love triangle with rookie X-Men member Paige Guthrie and the mutant prostitute Stacy X. Furthermore, during a battle with Black Tom Cassidy, Angel's regression to his pre-"Death" state is complete when he reverts to his normal Caucasian skin color when Cassidy (now turned into a plant-type vampire) attempts to drain Angel's life force from him.^[37] His healing powers from The Twelve also manifest themselves again, in the form of the revelation that Angel's blood has miracle healing properties.^[38]

Decimation

Following the death of Jean Grey, Warren and Paige take an extended leave of absence from the team. Warren begins doing overseas charity work at this point, in the form of a charity called "Mutants Sans Frontières" in Zanzibar (a reference to Doctors Without Borders), where he then proceeds to help stop a coup with the aid of Professor X's newest charges from nearby Genosha.^[39] In Excalibur, Warren meets up again with Callisto. As Paige reminds Warren of his history with Callisto, Viper attacks, but Warren and Callisto defeat Viper together.^[40]

In Generation M, Angel fakes having lost his wings in order to capture the Ghoul, a deranged serial killer who uses his retained mutant powers to murder ex-mutants.^[41]

Though not an active member of any team, Warren reunites with the other surviving original X-Men — Cyclops, Iceman, and Beast — in a mission to stop Bishop from recapturing the fugitive mutants known as the 198, though Bishop later joins them in their rescue attempt.^[42]

World War Hulk

Angel joins with fellow former Champions member Hercules, Namora, and Amadeus Cho in order to calm down the rampaging Hulk.^[43] Afterward, Angel discovers that Amadeus Cho has hacked into Warren's bank accounts and stolen several million dollars from him, to help him further aid the Hulk.

Messiah Complex

Angel is part of the team that investigates the new mutant birth in Alaska.^[44] He is later part of the team who is looking for former Acolytes.^[45] He is next seen part of the same team, but attacking the Marauders.^[46] Warren goes against Mister Sinister, but is easily defeated once Sinister recovers from Emma Frost's mental attack.^[47] Angel is knocked out, but recovers and is present with the X-teams for the final battle over the fate of the baby.^[48]

Divided We Stand

Angel is later seen flying over San Francisco, going to meet with Hepzibah, Warpath, and Iceman, when he stumbles across an area that looks as if the 1960s never ended. He contacts Scott and Emma, asking them for assistance before suffering the mind-altering effects of the zone, which are revealed to be caused by Martinique Jason.^[49] Angel and the three other ensnared X-Men are sent by Martinique to confront Scott and Emma.^[50] Emma manages to free them from the illusion and, during the fall-out battle, Angel rescues Mayor Sadie Sinclair. Thankful for the assistance and for the idea of having real superheroes in their city, Mayor Sinclair then talks to Cyclops and Angel about helping them resettle the X-Men in San Francisco.^[51]

Archangel returns

In X-Force (vol. 3) #4, Warren is brutally attacked by a mind-controlled Wolfsbane. During the attack, Wolfsbane savagely rips Warren's wings from his back and runs away, taking the wings with her.^[52] It is revealed by Elixir that Warren's wings are still techno-organic constructs that he is unable to heal. Wolfsbane later delivers them to the Purifiers, who are seeking the Apocalypse Strain, the techno-organics, which comprise Warren's wings. The Purifiers use the Apocalypse Strain to modify an army of Purifier agents, giving them the same metallic wings that Archangel once had. Meanwhile, although Elixir is able to heal all of Warren's injuries, he cannot regrow his wings due to interference from the Apocalypse Strain. Later in the story, Warren is gripped by a series of excruciating seizures that not only mysteriously regenerate his techno-organic wings, but also transform him back into Apocalypse's version of Death/Archangel, complete with blue skin and a techno-organic version of his uniform.^[53]

X-Force attacks Archangel, who eventually asks for relief from the pain of losing his wings and transforming into Archangel.^[54] Archangel escapes, to take revenge on the Purifiers, and at their headquarters he slaughters most of them in a blood-maddened rage. Once the battle is over, he reverts to his normal Caucasian, feather-winged appearance. He comments to Wolverine that he can still feel the metal wings inside him, and that they want to come out again. According to Elixir, Warren's transformation is permanent, implying that he is fully capable of transforming back into Archangel again at any time.^[55]

In an attempt to understand what was done to both Wolfsbane and Angel, the pair of them are placed in a room together, where Rahne is forced to gaze at Warren. The mere sight of him causes her to become murderous once again, and she attempts to rip the wings from Warren's body once more. The sight of a psychotic Wolfsbane, as well as the fear of having his wings torn from his body again, causes a defensive reaction in Warren, reverting him back into his violent Archangel persona.

From then on, Angel takes dual membership with both the X-Men and X-Force, though Cyclops forbids Angel from telling the rest of the team about the return of his Archangel powers. While recruiting a scientist for Beast's "Science Squad", the X-Club, Angel is forced to transform into Archangel in order to destroy a giant rampaging monster. Beast reacts in anger that Angel has not told him that his "Death" powers have returned, creating tension between the two friends. Angel knows telling Beast would expose the latest incarnation of X-Force and effectively end Cyclops' latest tenure as leader if the truth about his personal black ops squad became public knowledge.

During the X-Club's trip to 1906 in order to discover the origins of the modern mutant race, Angel transforms into Archangel a number of times to help further their mission.

During the Fear Itself storyline, Wolverine and Archangel interrogate Purifiers member Benedict Ryan on where Jonathan Standish is hiding out.^[56]

Dark Angel Saga

In the "Dark Angel Saga", the "Archangel" persona of Warren has finally taken over and he plans to be the heir to Apocalypse, bringing Ozymandias, Dark Beast, the Final Horsemen, Autumn Rolfson, and her son Genocide as his army to destroy humanity.^[57] At the conclusion of the story arc Betsy stabs Archangel in the chest with the Life Seed, seemingly killing him. In the aftermath of the explosion of Apocalypse's citadel, Warren is seen by the members of X-Force walking in the snow. Psylocke, shocked that he is alive and apparently free of Apocalypse, runs up and embraces him. This Warren then reveals he had no idea who Psylocke is and appears to have amnesia. Warren has his normal white skin but seems to have metallic wings.^[58]

Death and new personality

Following the Dark Angel Saga, it is revealed that Warren had indeed died and his soul departed for the afterlife, with his Celestial-mutated body now hosting an all-new personality with its own soul. He lost leadership of Worthington Industries and became a student in Wolverine's new school for mutants.^[2]

Although the new entity, who has chosen to retain the same name of Warren Worthington III, is making efforts to be integrated, it is clear that he has no memory at all of the original Warren Worthington's friends and acquaintances, as his discussions with Iceman demonstrate and how he turned away former lover Psylocke.^[2]

When Wolverine's legs were damaged Warren tried to fix them with a "miracle". When he failed he wanted to try it again but Wolverine wouldn't allow him, so he and a few other students went to the casino on Planet Sin. There they took the device that damaged their headmaster's legs so it could be used to heal him. While doing so he forged a friendship with Evan, a clone of Apocalypse.

Warren tried to prove that he truly was a real angel by flying to heaven but he failed and accepted the fact that he was mutant. While falling he was saved by Evan and revealed that he could see the essence of people when he looked at them. Evan asked him what he saw when he looked at him and despite seeing only the image of Apocalypse, Warren told him that he could see nothing but goodness in him.

Warren left the school with Bobby and Rachel to help his fellow mutants in the battle against the Avengers. After the battle, he returned to join the stand against Cyclops, and has since regained all of his memories.

All-New X-Men

When Beast decides to travel back in time to recruit the original X-Men to stop Scott committing mutant genocide,^[59] Angel accompanies his teammates into the future, but initially prefers to return to the past rather than remain in such a twisted present. Even after his teammates vote to remain until they have saved the future, Angel expresses curiosity about what has happened to his own future self, as no reference has been made to his present condition.^[60] The next day, the rebirthed Angel finds the younger Angel who asks him why he has metallic wings; the older Angel ignores the question and invites his younger self to go flying.^[61] While flying above the skies of New York, the two Angels become caught up in H.Y.D.R.A.'s attack on Avengers Tower. Together, the two heroes are able to defeat the terrorists and capture Madame Hydra.^[62]

Frustrated after seeing what will happen to himself in the future, the younger Angel defects from the Jean Grey School for Higher Learning and joins the older Cyclops' new team of outlaw X-Men.^[63] After the Battle of the Atom, the rest of the displaced X-Men also join Cyclops' team, except for younger Cyclops who joins his father Corsair and the Starjammers. Warren then starts a romantic relationship with X-23. Later, the All-New X-Men accidentally travel to the Ultimate Universe and Angel and X-23 meet up with Wolverine's son and the Ultimate X-Men. During the events of the The Black Vortex, young Warren is imbued with cosmic powers and gains magic wings of light. When asked by X-23 why he risked his life to gain new powers, he said he hoped that changing himself will alter his future and prevent him from turning into Archangel. He also professes his love for X-23.

Warren's children

In an apocalyptic possible future, an aging Frank Castle warns the present-day Deadpool of the "son of Archangel".^[64] During Uncanny Avengers (2013), it is revealed that while preparing to ascend as Apocalypse during the "Dark Angel Saga", Warren fathered two children with Pestilence of the Final Horsemen, who appear as the time-traveling "Apocalypse Twins".^[65]

All-New, All-Different Marvel

As part of the All-New, All-Different Marvel event, the original Warren has reverted somehow to his Archangel form, and appears as a member of Magneto's new Uncanny X-Men in order to protect mutantkind at all costs. His mind had also changed, having become nothing more than a mindless predator controlled by Psylocke. Under her psychic leash, Archangel became a heavy hitter in Magneto's X-Men.^[66] While his temporally-relocated past self was dating X-23, he eventually broke it off as he could not stand to see her getting hurt even if he acknowledged that her powers made her the best qualified to take punishment.^[67]

Apocalypse Wars

After dealing with the Dark Riders, Psylocke continues to try to get inside Archangel's mind, to find out what is wrong with him. She is transported to a strange, destroyed place, where Archangel speaks to her, before his appearance switches to a more human version, and he warns her that this is what will befall the town of Green Ridge, as dozens of Archangels swoop towards them. Psylocke relates the information to Magneto. Psylocke is very concerned about the Dark Angel returning. She gives Magneto a brief history of Warren's life, before they decide to depart for Green Ridge, to investigate Warren's mysterious warning. Arriving at Green Ridge, they soon follow the locals to a tent inside a park, where a preacher is welcoming them. A handsome blond man then steps out from behind a curtain, a halo-like light above him, he has blood seeping through the back of his shirt at his shoulder blades. He tells everyone that he is pleased they could join him for spiritual and physical healing, and Psylocke is surprised to see that it is Warren, but with his normal appearance and wingless.^[68]

Six months ago, Magneto, seemingly lost for a purpose, was walking through a forest, when Archangel fell from the sky into a barn. Magneto rushed to Archangel's aid, and Archangel told Magneto he had to ensure mutants survived. Magneto vowed to do so. Today, Magneto and Psylocke stand before a seemingly normal Warren Worthington who is preaching in Green Ridge, Colorado. The locals are enthralled by Warren, who soon spots Magneto and Psylocke in the audience. When he goes over to them, Psylocke asks him that many of them thought he was dead, and enquires as to why he isn't at the Xavier School, revealing him as "Angel" (the new person Warren became after being stabbed by the Celestial Life Seed). Warren tells her that this is his home. Magneto asks about his wings, and Warren explains that the Lord saw fit to heal him, that his sickness is cured, and his tainted flesh has been removed. Warren allows Psylocke to enter his mind, claiming he has nothing to hide. Betsy sees Warren in searing pain as his wings were removed. Warren sheds a tear, before leaving with the priest. Betsy tells Magneto that whoever that is, is not the "Angel" they know. Both X-Men follow him and the priest into a strange tunnel nearby, which leads them to a strange facility, with statues of Apocalypse and Archangel, and a large pyramid. They are spotted by Clan Akkaba warriors and Genocide. Warren sees them and tells them he is sorry. Magneto tells Betsy to escape and seek help while he deals with Genocide, but the villain warns them that neither of them is getting out of here alive. Magneto and Psylocke engage the Clan Akkaba warriors, before Genocide strikes them both down.^[69]

In War Room X, within the Savage Land, Magneto's robotic assistant is monitoring Archangel, and remarks how nice it is to have another automaton for company. In the hidden Akkaba City beneath Green Ridge, Colorado, Psylocke easily escaped from her captivity, and while she goes searching for Warren she instead finds her former lover Fantomex. Psylocke engaged him in an intense fight in which he told her Clan Akkaba let her escape on purpose so she could summon Archangel, kickstarting their plan, and revealed he had been working for Magneto. After knocking Fantomex out, Psylocke found a room full of clones of Archangel, and afraid of them, summoned Archangel to help her.^[70]

Meanwhile, Mystique freed Magneto from his cell and deactivated the power dampeners he was shackled with. While fighting their way through Clan Akkaba's ninjas, Mystique and Magneto heard Warren's scream, and followed it to a lab where they discovered Genocide had been having Warren's wings extracted so they could be used to create clones of him to be used to purge the world. Mystique menaced to kill "Angel" and foil Genocide's plan, but the Death-Flight had already awakened and Archangel was coming to lead them, ready to execute judgement in the name of the Lord.^[71]

Psylocke attacked the Death-Flight to protect the citizens of Green Ridge, and was eventually joined by Fantomex, Mystique, and Magneto, who had just killed Genocide. Magneto and Psylocke witnessed as Warren and Archangel merged with all their clones to create a new being. This new Archangel was unsure of who or what he now was, but was determined to find out. He swore off all violence and returned with Magneto's X-Men to their base in the Savage Land.^[72]

Powers and abilities

Archangel's primary power is that of natural flight, due to his large feathered wings. His wings have superhuman strength, and they have a very flexible skeletal structure that enables him to press them to the back of his torso and legs with only the slightest bulge visible under his clothing. His bones are hollow, his body processes food more efficiently than a normal human body and does not store any excess fat, and he possesses a greater proportionate muscle mass than normal. As a result, his strength, speed, agility, flexibility, endurance, reflexes, coordination, balance, eyesight and hearing are at their peak. Elements of his anatomy are comparable to those of birds, especially birds of prey. His eyes can withstand high-speed winds which would damage the average human eye. He can breathe at high velocities or altitudes, and he can cope with the reduced temperatures at high altitudes for prolonged periods of time, giving him a greater-than-normal capacity to endure low temperatures in areas such as the Arctic. The strength in his natural wings can easily break a man's arm or leg, or even put someone through a wall.

While he generally flies below the height of clouds, Archangel can reach almost twice this height with little effort. At his absolute maximum, he can reach the highest recorded altitude of a bird in flight — about the height of Mount Everest — but he can only remain that high for a few minutes. Although flight is as natural a mode of transportation for Angel as for a bird, he can only fly nonstop under his own power for around half a day.

He has undergone heavy training with Professor X, especially in mastering his flight indoors. He has demonstrated superior agility, flexibility, reflexes, coordination, and balance while flying, and has been shown defeating superbeings much faster than him (like the Human Torch) by dodging them and having them smash against the ground or a wall at full speed.

Angel is also an accomplished hand-to-hand combatant, having defeated several of the werewolf-like homo superior when Wolverine is defeated. He is trained in hand-to-hand combat at Xavier's school; while dating Psylocke, he receives a considerable amount of martial arts instruction. During his years on the team, he is given extensive training from Wolverine, and when he once surprises Wolverine after taking down some men, he says, "My father spoiled me with more than money." He also receives further instruction from the Black Widow and Hercules during his days with the Champions.

His wings have been replaced by Apocalypse with techno-organic versions which can appear the same as his natural wings.

As the result of a secondary mutation which has been shown inconsistently, Archangel also develops a healing factor and can heal others by mixing his blood with theirs, provided they have a matching blood type to Warren's. His healing blood does not work with Nightcrawler.^[73] Although powerful, this mutation varies in potency. At times, he cannot aid the terminally wounded; at others, he can actually raise the recently dead. This secondary mutation suggests that he may be descended from the ancient race of Cheyarafim mutants. He is nearly immune to injury because his healing blood is constantly flowing through him. At its onset, he repairs broken bones in days, but his healing abilities have enhanced since then. In an issue of X-Force, Warren is savagely attacked and his wings are ripped from his body. His healing factor fails to work, and he instead must be healed by Josh Foley. It is revealed that the Celestial Technology bonded to him by Apocalypse prevents Elixir from regenerating his wings. They eventually regenerate on their own.

After the death of Warren and the Archangel persona via the Life Seed, the new entity known as Angel has healing powers far beyond what Warren was ever able to accomplish, as demonstrated when he resurrects a recently dead dog.^[2]

Aside from his superhuman powers, the original Warren was a most-highly capable businessman and the new Warren has accordingly retained or "inherited" his position as the primary stockholder and chairman emeritus (former chairman) of the board-of-directors of Worthington Industries.

Celestial technology wings

Archangel possesses a set of metal techno-organic wings grafted onto him by the genetic engineering of Apocalypse when Apocalypse renames him the Horseman of Death.^[74] These wings are composed of a hard, sharp, organic material that resembles the "organic steel" of Colossus' body. The wings give him the ability to project his metallic feathers out from his wings at great speed and with tremendous force, enabling them to pierce even steel.

Archangel does not have complete control over his feathers, which sometimes shoot from his wings against his conscious will in response to his unconscious aggressive drives. The feathers are laced with a neural inhibitor chemical, generated by Archangel's body, which induces temporary paralysis.

These wings allow him to fly at speeds much faster than his natural, feathered wings. The edges of these metal wings are also razor sharp, allowing them to be used as weapons.

While he believes he has lost his metal wings when he re-grows his organic ones, the Celestial Technology never leaves his system, and his natural-appearing wings contain the Celestial technology. When implanted into regular human beings, the technology induces a transformation similar to that of Warren's. When his feathered wings are severed from his body by Wolfsbane, his metal wings grow back in their place. Furthermore, his skin reverts to blue and his old Archangel costume appears. Warren's body returns to normal — the metal wings being replaced with the appearance of his feathered ones — indicating that Warren has the ability to switch between metal and feathered wings and his Angel and Archangel appearances.^[75] During a battle with Selene's Coven, Blink teleports Warren's wings apart, shredding them to pieces. However, within minutes, they begin to painfully re-grow, indicating his healing factor may still exist. The wings have been shown capable to heal Apocalypse.. In issue 14 of X-Men: Second Coming, Dr. Nemesis questions the rate that they would grow as the biology is different from Colossus' armor.

Other versions

1602

In the 1602 timeline, Warren becomes Werner, a young witchbreed (as mutants are known in this reality) who hides his mutation using garments sewn by his mother. Unfortunately, he is captured and almost burnt at the stake by the Grand Inquisitor Enrique (a.k.a. Magneto), but rescued at the last moment by Carlos Javier and his students. Safe in England, Werner befriends John Grey unaware that "Master John" is in fact a young woman disguised as a man. This friendship causes jealousy on the part of Scotius Summerisle, who knows of the deception and fears Werner also knows and is trying to court her. They almost come to blows but are reconciled when circumstances lead to Jean's death. It then comes to light that Werner is unaware of Master John's true sex but states that he "was in love with that young man".

Age of Apocalypse

In the Age of Apocalypse, Warren is never remade as Death by Apocalypse, nor does he ever join the X-Men. Instead, as most of New York is destroyed, Angel works with Apocalypse's mutant elite, Magneto and his X-Men, and even the Human High Council to maintain and operate a nightclub aptly named Heaven, where humans and mutants can intermingle. When two of his employees, Scarlett MacKenzie and Karma, are apprehended and later killed, Angel finally chooses a side. Strapping himself down with a number of bombs, he attacks Apocalypse's citadel in a suicide run. His sacrifice shuts down the protective shields surrounding the citadel, providing the X-Men with a much needed entrance.

Earth-5701

In Earth-5701, an Age of Apocalypse-like reality seen in Cable & Deadpool #15, Warren has also been turned into Death and helps Apocalypse conquer the world.

Earth X

In this alternate universe, Warren loses his fortune and becomes an authentic angel, who helps anybody who needs him. He joins the New York City Police and his old friend Iceman to protect the world-altering Torch of the city against the forces of Mephisto. Later, he travels with Mister Fantastic and others to the Negative Zone in the search for Paradise.

Exiles

Archangel appeared in the comic book Exiles as a member of Weapon X, a more ruthless version of the self-titled reality hopping team. This Archangel, hailing from Earth-714, appears very much like his Earth-616 counterpart, even wearing a costume very similar to the one the 616-version wears at the time. Of course, this Archangel, since he is selected for Weapon X rather than the Exiles themselves, is more savage, employing the excessive use of automatic weapons. Archangel is, at some point, replaced by a sociopathic version of Ms. Marvel after he is supposedly sent home for completing his number of missions. He is actually placed in the Panoptichron gallery of fallen Exiles. Why he is placed there is unknown, but he is one of only five recruits to return home alive and intact, alongside She-Hulk, Beak, Iron Man, and Daredevil.

Marvel Zombies

Angel is infected by the zombies Rogue and Ms. Marvel. He participates in a zombie attack on the castle of Doctor Doom. The zombies have detected unaffected humans inside. He later appears in Marvel Zombies 3 when he attacks Jocasta, Ultron and Machine Man, but he is killed soon after. Angel is also confirmed as one of the few X-Men who attack Juggernaut.

Mutant X

In the alternate reality represented in the comic book Mutant X, Warren Worthington is captured by Apocalypse much like he is in the main Marvel timeline. Instead of blue skin and metallic wings, this version of Warren is given chalk white skin, leathery bat-wings, razor sharp claws and fangs, and the ability to breathe fire. Able to shake off Apocalypse's brainwashing, but still affected by the horrors he has endured, he becomes bitter, and often lashes out at his teammates in the superhero team the Six. Though he insists on being called the Fallen, his friends still call him Warren, to his chagrin. The Six is a continuation of the original X-Men legacy, in a reality where Alex Summers was the first X-Man instead of his older brother Scott.^[76]

When Madelyne Pryor becomes possessed by the Goblin Force and takes over New York, the Fallen defects from the Six alongside her,^[77] and vanishes after her defeat. He next appears allied again with Apocalypse against the threat of the Xavier/Shadow King entity.^[78] He is one of the very few surviving heroes after the combined attack of the Goblin Force controlled Beyonder and the revived Dracula. He allies himself with a reformed Six.

He makes one final appearance at the end of the series, when Doctor Strange summons the Fallen, along with Xavier, Reed Richards, and others to help Alex prepare for his battle with the Beyonder.

New Exiles

On the world of the Sons of Iron and Daughters of the Dragon, the New Exiles face a squad of alternate "core X-Men" who are loyal to Lilandra. These X-Men include an alternate version of Warren who is codenamed "Krait" and has many similarities to his Archangel Earth-616 appearance.^[79]

Shadow-X

New Excalibur battles an evil counterpart of Angel, who is a member of the Shadow-X, the X-Men of an alternate reality in which Professor X is possessed by the Shadow King. They are brought to Earth-616 as a result of M-Day. He is later killed by one of the Shadow Captains.

Ultimate Marvel

The Ultimate version of Angel (Warren Worthington III) is one of only a few mutants to identifiably be a mutant at birth. Warren comes from millionaire, mutant-bigoted parents who quickly sign guardianship of him over to Charles Xavier. Warren joins the X-Men taking the code name Angel, though he proves to be an inexperienced and reluctant fighter. There is much controversy over Angel joining the X-Men, as there are many protests of angels being a sign of God; also, Rogue does not like the fact that he has the appearance of an angel.^[80] On an unauthorized mission to Genosha, Angel and his teammates attempt to rescue Longshot, an accused murderer who is facing a public execution.^[81] During the Magnetic North storyline, Dazzler and Warren go to the Triskelion in an attempt to rescue Polaris.^[82] After Magneto shuts down the power, Dazzler is impaled by one of Lady Deathstrike's claws, leaving her in a coma. Angel faces Professor Xavier and takes responsibility. Under the guise of expulsion, Angel joins Emma Frost's Academy of Tomorrow as a spy for Xavier.^[83]

Warren becomes close friends with Nightcrawler, initially due to the fact that they both have physical mutations. Warren gets over his initial attraction to Storm, and after the events in Genosha, engages in a relationship with Dazzler. After Bishop recruits Dazzler in his new team of X-Men, she makes Angel part of the team (despite Bishop's protests). While trying to protect the Morlocks he is shot to death by Mister Sinister.^[84] Thanks to Jean Grey, he later returns to life.^[85] He is seen as a member of Colossus' enhanced team, his appearance drastically altered through the use of Banshee, the Ultimate version of Mutant Growth Hormone (MGH), resulting in Warren having an eagle-like head and feathered upper torso.^[86] The mutation seems to have progressed, as he is now completely feathered and has talons and double-jointed knees. During the Ultimatum event, Warren is brutally killed by Sabertooth.

Angel’s powers include feathered wings, hollow bone structure, and zero body fat, allowing flight. He also has heightened strength, speed, agility, reflexes, coordination, balance, endurance, and eyesight. He does not appear to have the healing powers of his 616 Universe counterpart.

X-Men: Fairy Tales

In the first issue of X-Men Fairy Tales, based on the Japanese story of Momotarō, Archangel appears as a pheasant. He refuses to fly because he is scared of falling and failing, until Cyclops/Hitomi and Beast/Aoi convince him.

He is named Tenshi, meaning "Angel" in Japanese.

What If...?

In What If Archangel Fell From Grace?, Archangel is still the Angel of Death and violently murders criminals.^[87] He fights Cyclops, Jean Grey, and Beast and flees after injuring Beast and Cyclops. Cameron Hodge and N'astirh, Master of Demons, hold Candy Southern captive, causing Archangel to exact vengeance. He teams with N'astirh to create the door to Inferno, but sacrifices himself by merging with the demon to prevent Inferno.^[87]

In What If Angel killed X-Factor and Horsemen?, Archangel defected back to X-Factor far more quickly than he did in canon, serving as a proactive force that acted against their enemies. However, as Apocalypse's philosophies of 'Survival of the Fittest' became more and more prominent in his mind, Warren killed not only X-Factor's enemies, but even went on to kill X-Factor and Apocalypse's Horsemen, justifying his actions by saying that his victims had proved themselves unworthy of survival by trusting him. The issue concluded with Archangel clashing with Apocalypse to determine whether he was worthy of survival, Apocalypse feeling that Archangel had gone too far as he would have judged some of Archangel's victims as worth surviving.^[88]

Prelude to Deadpool Corps

In the second issue, a universe is shown where Angel is an orphaned kid at Professor X Orphanage for troubled kids. At a dance between Professor X's and Emma Frost's orphanages, Angel teams up with kid versions of Wolverine and Colossus to take on the kid version of Deadpool (named Kidpool).

In other media

Television

• Angel made his first ever animated appearance on the 1966 Marvel Super Heroes episode of The Sub-Mariner with the original X-Men line-up (Beast, Cyclops, Iceman, and Jean Grey).
• Angel was also shown in two episodes of Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends voiced by William Callaway. He appeared in "The Origin of Iceman" and "A Firestar is Born". In "A Firestar is Born", he introduces Storm to Iceman and Firestar and helps in the fight against Juggernaut.
• Archangel's origin was retold in the animated X-Men series, where Apocalypse creates the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse voiced by Stephen Ouimette. Angel goes to a scientist who claims he can "cure" genetic mutations, but is actually Mystique, a servant of Apocalypse, who turns him into Death. Angel then appears in the episode "Obsession", obsessed with seeking violent revenge against Apocalypse for making him his slave. Angel also makes several appearances in the "Beyond Good and Evil" four-part episode (he appears in parts II, III, and IV), and during that multi-part episode, a visitor from the future indicates that he will one day join the X-Men. In a contradiction of early show continuity (which seemed to say Xavier formed the X-Men not too long before "Night Of The Sentinels"), he also appears as one of the original X-Men in two flashbacks, with he and his teammates depicted as they were in the 1963 X-Men #1 comic book. In this version, he loses the "death" status to once again become Archangel, thanks to Rogue, who saps the evil that lies within him. In all, Angel or Archangel appeared in 6 episodes of the series.
• Angel appeared in the X-Men: Evolution episode "On Angel's Wings" voiced by Mark Hildreth. He appears like an angel, shown rescuing people from what would otherwise be life-threatening situations, much like his pre-X-Men/Avenging Angel adventures. Magneto tries to recruit him, but Cyclops and Rogue help him fend the villain off. Though he ultimately does not join the X-Men, he becomes allies with them. In the episode "Under Lock and Key", he seeks the help of the X-Men after an encounter with Mesmero and Magneto, which leads to the X-Men learning of the looming threat of Apocalypse. In the episode "Ascension", Angel helps the X-Men and their allies fight Apocalypse and the Four Horsemen. In Xavier's glimpse of the future in the final episode, Angel is shown alongside other X-Men.
• Warren Worthington III first appears in the series Wolverine and the X-Men both as Angel, and later as Archangel, voiced by Liam O'Brien. Angel first appears in one clip, when he is shown flying with Rogue in his arms shortly before a shot hits his wing and they both go down. In the series, Angel is a founding member of the X-Men in the episode "Breakdown", but is now forced to remain off the team in order to continue to have access to the family fortune, which he has been using in order to aid mutantkind. Despite this, he does help the team in battle as an ally, as well as use his funds to help them out, including repairing the Xavier Institute in the third episode. In the eighteenth episode, "Backlash", Angel officially joins the X-Men once again to help take down Master Mold. In the episode "Guardian Angel", Warren shows some kind of romantic attraction to Storm, as implied during one scene where the two of them are flying amongst the clouds together. Archangel first appears later in the episode "Guardian Angel", when Warren snaps at his father for developing a "cure" for mutants. His wings are damaged in a clash with the MRD and are cut off during surgery at the hospital due to them being damaged beyond repair. Angel is approached by Mister Sinister (rather than Apocalypse) who uses his technology to transform Angel into Archangel. With his new abilities, he seeks his father for revenge and is ultimately defeated by Wolverine and Storm, but he manages to escape. He later appears in the episode "Shades of Grey" as Mister Sinister's non-speaking and ruthlessly loyal servant. He attempts and succeeds in capturing both Cyclops and Jean Grey. When the other X-Men infiltrate Sinister's lair in search of their friends, Archangel is defeated by Jean Grey using her immeasurable Phoenix abilities and later escapes.
• Archangel appears in the Marvel Anime: X-Men episode "Destiny". He and the other X-Men are contacted by Professor X to aid the humans during the crisis caused by Takeo Sasaki.

Film

• Angel appeared in an early draft of X-Men, but didn't make it past pre-production.^[89]
• Archangel was going to make an appearance in X2 as one of William Stryker's experiments, but was cut.^[90] An element of Dougherty and Harris' efforts remains in the final film as an X-ray film displayed in one of Stryker's labs.
• Warren Worthington III appears as a character in the 2006 film X-Men: The Last Stand, portrayed by Ben Foster. In the film, Warren (referred to as "Angel" in the credits but never called this in dialogue) is a young man in his early twenties, the son of a rich industrialist who is motivated by his son's mutation to create a "cure" for mutants. In a flashback, Warren is shown as a boy (portrayed by Cayden Boyd) attempting to cut off his underdeveloped wings because the growths frighten him. Mr. Worthington proposes him as the first subject for the cure, but Warren has since become resistant to the idea and escapes by flying away. His true nature is publicly revealed, and his example inspires Wolverine, Storm and Beast to rally their forces following the murders of Xavier and Cyclops. He later appears during the final confrontation against Magneto's forces, rescuing his father after the Omegas throw him off a building.
• A viral marketing website for X-Men: Days of Future Past shows that Angel was killed in 2011 by the Sentinels during a mutant protest march against the Sentinel program.^[91] When Wolverine prevented the Sentinel-dominated future from happening, Angel's death never happened.
• Bryan Singer confirmed in an Empire Magazine interview that British actor Ben Hardy was cast as Angel for X-Men: Apocalypse.^[92] In this version, he is only referred to by his codename Angel throughout the film and originally possesses a pair of sharp talons on his organic flesh wings. Initially competing in mutant cage fights, he is forced to flee after his left wing is crippled in a fight with Nightcrawler, leading to him drinking as he broods in an attic until he is found by Apocalypse, who enhances his powers and gives him his metal wings and razor sharp projectiles and became "Archangel" (although he was never called this in dialogue nor in the credits).^[93] He is mortally wounded when he is left trapped in the X-Men's crashing jet just as Nightcrawler teleports the rest of the team to safety. Apocalypse comes across his mutilated body later and calls him "useless".

Video games

• In the Sega Genesis release X-Men, Archangel can be summoned for some assistance.
• Archangel is a playable character in the Fall of the Mutants PC game.
• André Sogliuzzo is credited as Angel in X-Men Legends, but is not seen. Angel was originally intended to be a playable character, but he was cut for unknown reasons.
• Dave Wittenberg voices Angel in X-Men Legends II: Rise of Apocalypse. Angel shows up as the scout for the different areas that are visited until he is captured by Apocalypse and turned into Archangel. After fighting him as Archangel, the player follows Apocalypse to Egypt for the game's climax. In stage 5, it is mentioned that his mind and body are changed by Mister Sinister's drugs. Though Professor X says that Angel will recover from the mind-control drugs, it is unknown if Angel will recover from the body-altering drugs and turn back to his natural form. Archangel has special dialogue with Jean Grey.
• Angel has a cameo appearance in Magneto's ending in the video game Marvel vs. Capcom 3: Fate of Two Worlds. Warren joins Magneto and other mutants in Magneto's new space station, which was formerly the home of Galactus. He is seen wearing his costume from Uncanny X-Men #412.
• Archangel appears in Deadpool's ending in Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3 alongside the other members of X-Force.
• Angel is a playable character in Marvel Super Hero Squad Online.
• Angel appears as a playable character in Marvel: Avengers Alliance.
• Archangel appears as a playable character in Lego Marvel Super Heroes,^[94] voiced by Will Friedle. He is shown flying outside the X-Mansion during the Brotherhood of Mutants' attack on the X-Mansion. Archangel can be unlocked by using a beam-shooting character to destroy the air ducts on the side of Avengers Mansion.
• Angel appears as an non-playable team-up character in Marvel Heroes.

Books

• Archangel appears in the X-Men/Star Trek crossover novel Planet X. In it, he is examined by Dr. Beverly Crusher, who finds the technorganic virus implanted in his system by Apocalypse to be similar to the nanovirus used by the Borg for assimilation. He later helps Dr. Crusher program a copy of Professor X into the holodeck, and also assists Captain Jean-Luc Picard in disarming a bomb that had been launched at a planet the two groups are trying to save.
• Archangel appears in the X-Men trilogy Mutant Empire
• In the story "On The Air" by Glenn Hauman in 1996's The Ultimate X-Men, Warren Worthington engages in a long interview.
• In another story by Glenn Hauman in 1998, Warren Worthington makes friends with Cyclops.
• In the novelization of X-Men: The Last Stand, he goes with the X-Men to Alcatraz Island.

References

External links

• Angel at Marvel.com
• Marvel 1602 Angel at Marvel.com
• Ultimate Angel at Marvel.com
• UncannyXmen.net's Spotlight on Archangel
• The Angel (Marvel Comics, 1963) at Don Markstein's Toonopedia. Archived from the original on April 4, 2012.