Warning: The following contains spoilers for Giant Size X-Men: Nightcrawler #1, by Jonathan Hickman, Alan Davis, Carlos Lopez and VC’s Clayton Cowles, on sale now.
Although the New Mutants have aged a little since their debut in the early '80s, many members of the junior X-Men team still display child-like qualities, including impulsiveness and irresponsibility. Giant Size X-Men: Nightcrawler #1 just revealed some of that irresponsibility from Douglas Ramsey aka Cypher, a mutant trusted enough to be made an unofficial member of the governing body of Krakoa, the Quiet Council.
Approached by Charles Xavier early in the mutant nation-state's formation, Cypher worked closely with the professor in the creation of the official language of Krakoa and is one of very few people who are able to communicate with the island’s consciousness. As such, he has been instrumental and has been privy to many of the secrets surrounding Krakoa.
However, Doug has been holding onto a secret of his own.
Since first coming to Krakoa, one of Cypher’s arms has been covered in the black and gold wiring indicative of the alien race called the Technarchy, which also happens to be the race of his shape-shifting best friend, Warlock. However, last year’s Powers of X revealed the Technarchy are agents of the nefarious Phalanx, aliens who actively seek to assimilate life forms and planets. Warlock was believed to be dead.
X-Men #7 planted the first seed of doubt as to whether or not Warlock was really dead. Cyclops happens upon Cypher and sees what appears to be Warlock sitting next to him with his trademark child-like grin and Cypher’s Tech-Sleeve has disappeared. A moment later, Warlock disappears and the sleeve is firmly back in place. Cyclops brushes it off, because he must be imagining things.
Giant Size X-Men: Nightcrawler #1 confirms Warlock’s appearance was not imaginary. When facing alien bounty hunters, Cypher’s sleeve morphs into a giant version of the creatures as Doug attempts to communicate with them. Cypher is caught in the act when his teammate Illyana, aka Magik, teleports into the room in an effort to rescue him. As Magik shouts out a warning to her teammate, the creature morphs again, displaying the face of Warlock. He says, "Happy to see you, friend Illyana."
Illyana immediately demands an explanation as to why Doug and Warlock have been “running this game.” Warlock tells Illyana their secret has to remain hidden, but Doug agrees to tell Magik what is going on if she promises to keep the secret. Doug is about to explain his actions when the more immediate need of dealing with the alien bounty hunters interrupts him. He promises to explain later when they have more time to talk.
Still, Cypher’s actions remain questionable. His decision to keep Warlock’s presence a secret even while in the middle of sensitive conversations with the Quiet Council is another display of the maturity level of both himself and the New Mutants in general, especially considering Warlock’s origin and the possibility that he may still have a nefarious connection to the Phalanx.