9 of the Best Alternate-Universe Characters from EXILES

Adorable Wolverine. Battle-hardened Ms. Marvel. Emo Nick Fury? Nine of the best alternate universe characters from EXILES.

A.J. O'Connell

Staff Writer

A.J. O’Connell is the author of two published novellas: Beware the Hawk and The Eagle & The Arrow. All she’s ever wanted to do in life is read and write books, and so, is constantly writing at least one novel. She holds an MFA in creative fiction, but despite the best efforts of her teachers at Fairfield University's low-residency program, remains a huge dork for sci-fi, fantasy and comic books. She is a journalist and has taught journalism to college students. She blogs about feminism, the writing life, and whatever else comes into her head at www.ajoconnell.com. Blog: A.J. O'Connell Twitter: @ann_oconnell

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Sep 12, 2018

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Do you like Doctor Who? If so, you’ll probably love Marvel’s Exiles. In case you haven’t read any Exiles titles, the Exiles are a super team made up of heroes from different alternate realities. Usually they’re led by Blink, a teleporting mutant from the Age of Apocalypse, who uses a device called the Tallus to jump realities and complete missions in universes that need her and her team. …or does the Tallus use her to get from one reality to the next? It’s old tech. It sort of breaks down a lot, but when it works, it’s BOSSY. The latest iteration of Exiles—written by Saladin Ahmed and pencilled by Javier Rodríguez—has been a delightful ray of pure sunshine on my pull list this year. This team—which includes MCU’s Valkyrie, an older, harder Kamala Khan, Nathaniel Richards as Iron Lad, and an adorable Wolverine—has visited some weird Marvel alternate realities, ranging from gritty to adorable to just campy, and it has been so much fun. If you haven’t been reading it, let me introduce you to Exiles by way of the nine alternate universe characters that made me gasp, squee, or laugh out loud when they showed up on the page.

Khan You know how Ms. Marvel is fun? Khan, her alternate-reality counterpart from an apocalyptic future, isn’t that. Khan is older, wiser, and justifiably bitter. Still, you’ll love her because she’s Kamala freaking Khan.

Wolvie

What’s small, yellow and blue, loves pie, and has an adamantium skeleton? WOLVIE! A version of Wolverine from an impossibly kawaii universe, Wolvie is the cutest member of the Exiles, and the team’s heart. Also, it’s probably good that no other version of Wolverine has met him, because the shock of meeting him might be the only thing capable of killing them.

Watcher Nick Fury

The Watcher is stuck on the moon, doomed to watch time pass him by. He’s also the guy who sends the Exiles on missions, because even when he’s dressed like Sandman and feeling really sorry for himself, Nick Fury cannot stop sending teams on missions. He just can’t help himself.

Hippie Namor

The Exiles find this version of Namor at a Woodstock-like music festival in a literal octopus garden. He is way more fun than regular Namor.

Becky Barnes

A gender-swapped version of Bucky, the wise-cracking Becky Barnes shows up twice, in two alternate realities, in the first arc of this book. Valkyrie can’t resist either version, so here’s hoping we get many more Beckys, because they are adorable together.

Captain Thing

Did you know The Thing could grow a beard? Me neither. Captain Thing is from a particularly ridiculous pirate alternate reality that I want a whole series about. He is a noble scoundrel who battles against the British Royal Navy, which brings me to my next fave…

The Juggernaut, but a ship

I don’t know why this made me laugh so hard. I don’t even think he had any lines. It was just funny that Juggernaut had to keep his face underwater all day and let people live on him until it was time for a battle at sea.

Cowboy T’Challa

Why, who ever is that mysterious stranger? It’s Black Panther, but as a cowboy in a western alternate reality. T’Challa is a perfect spaghetti western hero—he’s quiet, serious, noble, and good in a fight. He also looks awesome in his cowboy getup.

Captain America Peggy Carter

In her alternate universe, Peggy has taken up the shield against Red Skull. A version of Agent Carter taken from the Marvel Puzzle Quest game, this Cap is everything you’re hoping for and more. Who do we have to beg to get a Captain America—Peggy Carter book, Marvel? Who are your favorite Exile alternate universe characters? Leave your answers in the comments.