Warning: this article contains spoilers for S.W.O.R.D. #2
A dark and deadly pall has spread over the world of Marvel Comics. The King in Black storyline is reaching its zenith and every corner of planet Earth is under threat. Though they’ve distanced themselves from the fight as long as they could, the corruption of Knull has finally reached the X-Men. Thankfully, Krakoa’s mutants have already launched their most powerful weapon, S.W.O.R.D..
One part S.H.I.E.L.D. in space and one part mutant space force, the S.W.O.R.D. series by writer Al Ewing and artist Valerio Schiti, is showcasing mutantdom’s best and brightest. Among them is the technopath extraordinaire: Takeshi Matsuya, more commonly known as Wiz-Kid. Created by Louise Simonson and Jon Bogdanove, he first appeared in the short-lived X-Terminator series. Since then he’s bounced around other Marvel titles like New Mutants and Avengers Academy. His psionic aptitudes make him more than just a genius inventor, computer scientist and engineer, but also allow him to “technoform”, i.e. physically manipulate technological hardware with his mind. But how exactly does he fit in with Marvel’s newest Big Bad?
Now that the X-Men have officially engaged what S.W.O.R.D. Commander Abigail Brand describes as a “potentially unstoppable force,” it’s all hands on deck. On board “The Peak”, while the station is on red alert, Wiz-Kid serves under the rubric of Red—Technical. In this role, not only is he monitoring the condition of Krakoan gates and maintaining communication with Earth, but he’s also utilizing the station’s defensive capabilities to dispatch Grendel’s spare-faring dragons like they were clay pigeons and he was firing photon torpedoes. Not too shabby considering they’re facing off against a primordial god of darkness. According to information from the Galactic Council, Knull has “already murdered near a dozen populated worlds,” and Earth is next on its list.
Under less dire circumstances, Wiz-Kid’s contribution to S.W.O.R.D. is no less impressive. As head of tech, Wiz-Kid has been implementing and overseeing the integration of Kroakan plant-tech with the station’s original systems. In fact, even the Master of Magnetism himself, Magneto, admires the young mutant’s incredible abilities, referring to him as “one of the architects of Krakoa’s future.” If the first two issues of S.W.O.R.D. are anything to go by, he isn’t exaggerating. As a technopath, Wiz-kid isn’t limited to electronic systems, but any technological platform, whether it’s mechanical, plant-based, or mutant-based, it’s all within the scope of his powers. That last entry is perhaps the most important to the future of the X-Men, since most of the enormous leaps Krakoans are making these days are made possible by potent mutant synergies, which fall under the header of “mutant-tech”.
A prime example of this are the mutants responsible for Krakoa’s resurrection protocols. Known as “The Five”, these mutants combine their abilities to restore the bodies and minds of deceased mutants. On board the Sword Station One, there’s another team of mutants whose combined might, when effectively orchestrated, is enough to bridge the divide between the farthest point in the unknown universe: the heart of creation. Collectively designated as “The Six”, Wiz-Kid functions as The Control, the mind conducting the complex interaction of powers.
Even though, like the Charles Xavier of old, Takeshi is bound to a hovering wheelchair, he’s more than just a big brain, especially with The Peak armaments at his disposal. According to CBR’s interview with S.W.O.R.D. writer Al Ewing, “the young rock star” Wiz Kid’s awesome potential is only going to continue growing in Marvel Comics’ new series. However, it may not always be easy being the smartest guy in the room.