In another world, Thunderbird, one of Marvel’s most underutilized X-Men, proved he was strong enough to throw down with the Juggernaut. While John Proudstar’s time with the X-Men was short, he found a second life as a member of the reality-hopping Exiles. In their first mission facing an evil Charles Xavier and his version of the X-Men, Thunderbird faced Cain Marko, Charles’ stepbrother famously known as the unstoppable Juggernaut in other worlds. Thanks to the modifications forced upon him by one of the X-Men’s greatest enemies, Thunderbird not only holds his ground but defeats Cain in combat suggesting John’s potential in the mainstream Marvel world has barely scratched the surface.
While John Proudstar was a member of the X-Men, his time was cut short when the Apache Native American mutant died in a plane crash during a skirmish with Count Nefaria and the Ani-Men. In the Exiles, an alternate version of John was introduced who did not die but was kidnapped and experimented upon by Apocalypse. Although John escaped and returned to the X-Men, he was eventually unhinged from time and forced to join a group of mutant heroes from other worlds tasked to repair alternate worlds. They found themselves in a world that detained and executed superhumans and mutants alike. They fought to release Charles Xavier whom they mistakenly believed was their mission to learn he was this world’s Magneto, obsessed with exterminating humanity and balancing the scales regarding the atrocities mutantkind had suffered.
In Exiles #2 by Judd Winick and Mike McKone, the Exiles sought to push past their guilt by locating the man who fought for coexistence between humans and mutants, Erik Lensherr. Following an unprecedented psychic attack that left millions comatose, Xavier infiltrated another prison where he sought to recruit members of his terrorist X-Men, which included his half-brother Cain. Cain appeared to maintain his strength and colossal size, suggesting his origin of getting empowered by the Crimson Gem of Cyttorak may be canon here. The X-Men attack the New York Stock Exchange, hoping to cripple the world’s economy while collecting many human causalities. Their attack is stopped by the Exiles who pick their dance partners as Thunderbird faces Cain. John holds his own against Cain, threatening him to stand down and not force him to be killed, and his body is used to knock out his teammate Chamber before a grateful Morph.
John Proudstar’s death in the X-Men has been one of frequent criticism as one of Marvel’s first Native American heroes was given little time to grow or develop as a character. Although his brother James would carry on his memory, John would finally get a second chance at life when he was revived in New Mutants #24 thanks to Krakoa’s Resurrection Protocols. The Exiles stand as proof of John’s untapped potential as he can hold his ground against one of Marvel’s mightiest villains. While the Juggernaut could take on entire teams of X-Men before being defeated, Thunderbird’s modifications at the hands of Apocalypse was to make him War, one of his infamous Horsemen. With rage amplifying his power, Thunderbird traded blows with someone who attacked innocents whom he saw as responsible for allowing the atrocities he witnessed.
Although Cain’s suffering while imprisoned was inhumane, his anger is no match for Thunderbird’s rage, reinforced by the remnants of heroism that even Apocalypse could not remove. With his X-Men defeated, the Exiles were able to end Xavier’s threat and save Erik Lensherr, successfully completing their first mission. While the Exiles repeatedly proved John’s strength, heroism, and value to the team, one can hope the mainstream X-Men will allow Thunderbird opportunities to make his own legacy that could measure up to his reputation throughout the multiverse.