Warren Worthington III

Angel/Archangel
Cover to Excalibur #11. Art by Aaron Lopresti.
Publication information
Publisher	Marvel Comics
First appearance	X-Men (vol. 1) #1 (September 1963)
Created by	Stan Lee Jack Kirby
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
Notable aliases	Angel, Avenging Angel, Archangel, Dark Angel, Death
Abilities	As Angel: Flight Enhanced strength Aerial adaptation Peak physical attributes As Archangel: Metal wings Flight, speed, and projection of razor sharp feathers Healing factor Enhanced strength Aerial adaptation Peak physical attributes

Warren Kenneth Worthington III is a fictional character, a comic book antihero in the Marvel Comics universe. Originally known as Angel and later Archangel, Worthington is one of the founding members of the X-Men. Created by writer Stan Lee and artist/co-creator Jack Kirby, he first appeared in X-Men (vol. 1) #1 (September 1963) as Angel.^[2] He first appeared as Archangel in X-Factor (vol. 1) #24 (January 1988).

A mutant, Angel originally possesses a pair of large feathered wings extending from his back, enabling him to fly. He is the heir and CEO of the multi-billion dollar Worthington Industries. This privileged background results in Warren being stereotyped as an arrogant and 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 more grim and gritty "Archangel" persona.

One of the original X-Men, Angel 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. Angel also appeared in the third film of the X-Men film series, X-Men: The Last Stand; he is portrayed by Ben Foster.

Publication history

Angel debuted in X-Men (vol. 1) #1 and was a regular character in that title until it was revamped 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). The title reprinted earlier issues from issue #66 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.

After leaving 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.^[3]

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 (vol. 1), 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 his time in X-Factor, from issue #16-24, the character was presumed dead after losing his wings and apparently killing himself in a plane crash. In truth, Angel was alive and dramatically revamped as a character, given a new costume, blue skin, and metallic wings which could fire blades.

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 title in which he currently stars. He simultaneously stars in X-Force (vol. 3), where the character has regained his metallic wings and has again assumed the codename Archangel.

Fictional character biography

Angel

Warren Worthington III 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,^{[volume & issue needed]} before being recruited by Professor Charles Xavier into joining the X-Men.^{[volume & issue needed]}

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.^{[volume & issue needed]} Though he ultimately concedes Jean to Scott,^{[volume & issue needed]} Angel still harbors an unrequited love for Jean even as he finds himself a girlfriend of his own, Candy Southern.^[4]

While pursuing Sauron in the Savage Land, Angel is attacked by Pteranodons and falls to his death.^{[volume & issue needed]} 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 from death and provides Angel with a new blue and white costume. 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.^{[volume & issue needed]}

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.,^[5] but also poisoned his mother in order to ensure his inheritance of the Worthington fortune.^[6]

When the original X-Men are captured by the mutant island Krakoa, Professor X creates a new team of X-Men to rescue them.^[7] When this new team of X-Men decides to stay, Angel and the rest of the original team, with the exception of Cyclops, leave the team.^[8] He and Iceman go to Los Angeles, where they found the Champions with Hercules, the Black Widow, and the original Ghost Rider.^[9] Following the apparent death of Jean Grey and Cyclops' subsequent exile from the team, Warren rejoins the X-Men to help pick up the slack.^[10] During this time, Angel unsuccessfully pursues pop star Alison Blaire, also known as Dazzler.^{[volume & issue needed]} He grows increasingly disturbed by the behavior and actions of Wolverine,^[11] and before long, quits the team in protest.^[12]

He is at one point 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.^[13]

Shortly thereafter, Angel joins the Defenders, with his fellow former X-Men Beast and Iceman and girlfriend Candy Southern as members.^{[volume & issue needed]} Using Angel's Colorado penthouse as their base, the group has several adventures before most of the group (excluding Angel, his girlfriend, and his fellow ex-X-Men) are killed freeing fellow New Defender Moondragon from being possessed by a malevolent spirit.^{[volume & issue needed]}

Angel ponders retirement following the collapse of the Defenders team, but the return of Jean Grey (having been in stasis while an alien demigod impersonated her and ultimately died) once again keeps him from stepping away from the limelight. Jean Grey is furious at the increase in anti-mutant hysteria in the two years she has been away, let alone the X-Men's decision to align themselves with the villain Magneto. To appease Jean's desire for action, Warren organizes X-Factor.^[14] He recruits his old prep school friend Cameron Hodge to run the team, unaware that Cameron hates mutants and, in particular, Warren.^{[volume & issue needed]} Since Cyclops is still married to Madelyne Pryor at the time, Angel's love for Jean finds its way to the surface as Jean turns to Warren for emotional support in lieu of Cyclops' coldness towards her.^{[volume & issue needed]} This in turn destroys Warren's relationship with Candy Southern, after Candy catches Warren consoling Jean after she discovers Cyclops' marriage.^[15]

Archangel

Cover of X-Factor #24. Art by Walt Simonson.

X-Factor's formation signals a brutal period of upheaval in Warren's life. Cameron Hodge uses Warren's trust in running X-Factor to further fuel anti-mutant sentiment by portraying X-Factor as "Mutant Hunters" for hire.^{[volume & issue needed]} A run-in with the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants results in the group's leader, Mystique, exposing the fact that Warren is financially backing X-Factor, which creates a public relations nightmare for Warren, due to his outed status as a mutant.^{[volume & issue needed]} Worse yet, Warren's wings are mutilated during the Mutant Massacre by the Marauder Harpoon, although Thor's intervention saves his life.^[16] When the wings develop gangrene, Cameron Hodge willfully signs the paperwork, against Angel's wishes, to have Warren's crippled wings amputated.^[17] Despondent over the loss of his wings, Warren escapes the hospital and commandeers his private jet, which explodes in the air as the rest of X-Factor watch helplessly from below.^[18] It is ultimately revealed that Hodge has sabotaged Warren's ultra-light airplane in order to finish off his nemesis, under the cover of an apparent suicide.^{[volume & issue needed]}

However, seconds before the explosion, Warren is spirited away by the ancient mutant Apocalypse. Apocalypse offers the despondent Angel a deal: serve him as his Horseman Death and get his wings back.^[19] Apocalypse subjects Angel to extensive genetic alterations, giving him blue skin and organic metal wings, which can cut through almost anything and can fire his metal feathers as projectiles. He also gives him the title of Death, the leader of his Horsemen after he beats the others in a fight, complete with extensive mental conditioning to make him obey Apocalypse's dark plans.^[20] Death is unveiled to X-Factor during their second meeting with the Horsemen, with Warren sadistically exploiting his friends' shock at seeing him alive to defeat them in combat.^{[volume & issue needed]} As he leads the Horsemen of Apocalypse to attack Manhattan, it is Iceman who helps Warren break free of Apocalypse's control by making Warren think he has murdered him using a humanoid ice block which Warren cuts through.^[21]

Free, Warren refuses to rejoin his teammates, however, as the effects of his metamorphosis have left Angel changed to the core.^{[volume & issue needed]} No longer is he the handsome playboy billionaire, but an emotionally damaged individual whose wings reflect his newfound bloodlust. The bloodlust is ultimately fueled when he tries to seek out Candy Southern, only to find out that she has gone missing.^{[volume & issue needed]} Warren learns that Candy has discovered all of Hodge's secrets (most notably his embezzlement of Warren's fortune to finance the creation of his anti-mutant militia "The Right") only to be abducted and lobotomized to keep her silent.^{[volume & issue needed]} In the confrontation that follows, Hodge murders the brain-dead Candy in front of Warren. Warren responds by decapitating Cameron Hodge (who ultimately survives due to a deal with demons, granting him immortality).^[22] Warren (going by both "Death" and "Dark Angel" at this point in time) ultimately settles on "Archangel" as his new codename as he finally rejoins X-Factor during the events of Inferno.^[23]

After the Inferno and an adventure in space with his teammates, Warren meets and becomes romantically involved with Charlotte Jones, a New York City Police officer and single mother.^{[volume & issue needed]} It is with Charlotte's help that X-Factor frees Warren from the Ravens, a cult of near-immortal psychic vampires.^[24] It is during this battle that Warren being alive is made public knowledge, allowing him to regain control over the surviving business holdings held by his family, regaining his wealth as a result.^{[volume & issue needed]} Soon afterwards, X-Factor rejoins the X-Men following the defeat of the Shadow King on Muir Island.^{[volume & issue needed]}

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 subconscious desires for violence.^[25] This, combined with Warren's accidental decapitation of Mutant Liberation Front member Kamikaze,^{[volume & issue needed]} 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.^{[volume & issue needed]} 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.^{[volume & issue needed]}

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.^{[volume & issue needed]} 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.^[26] This follows a visit from Ozymandias, who tells him that he is indeed one of Apocalypse's chosen ones.^{[volume & issue needed]} Reclaiming his original Angel powers, Warren still retains his blue skin color.^{[volume & issue needed]}

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.^{[volume & issue needed]} 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.^{[volume & issue needed]} 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.^{[volume & issue needed]} Returning to the X-Men, Warren finds his relationship with Psylocke gone, as she has begun dating new X-Men recruit Thunderbird III.^{[volume & issue needed]}

Archangel with his feathered wings

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.^{[volume & issue needed]} Angel's squad fights the anti-mutant group Church of Humanity^{[volume & issue needed]} and Mystique and her newest incarnation of the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants,^{[volume & issue needed]} 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.^{[volume & issue needed]} Angel also becomes entangled in a love triangle with rookie X-Men member Paige Guthrie and the mutant prostitute Stacy X.^{[volume & issue needed]} 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.^[27] His healing powers from The Twelve also manifest themselves again, in the form of the revelation that Angel's blood has miracle healing properties (the powers themselves have since been ignored by later writers).^{[volume & issue needed]}

Decimation

Following the death of Jean Grey, Warren and Paige take an extended leave of absence from the team.^{[volume & issue needed]} 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.^[28] 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.^[29]

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.^[30]

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,^{[volume & issue needed]} though Bishop later joins them in their rescue attempt.^[31]

World War Hulk

Angel joins with fellow former Champions member Hercules, Namora, and Amadeus Cho in order to calm down the rampaging Hulk.^[32] 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.^{[volume & issue needed]}

Messiah Complex

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

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. Angel and the three other ensnared X-Men are sent by Martinique to confront Scott and Emma. Emma manages to free them from the illusion and, during the fall-out battle, Angel rescues the mayor of San Francisco. Thankful for the assistance and for the idea of having real superheroes in their city, the mayor then talks to Cyclops and Angel about helping them resettle the X-Men in San Francisco.^{[volume & issue needed]}

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.^{[volume & issue needed]} It is revealed by Elixir that Warren's wings are still techno-organic constructs that he is unable to heal.^{[volume & issue needed]} 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.^{[volume & issue needed]} 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.^[33]

X-Force attacks Archangel, who eventually asks for relief from the pain of losing his wings and transforming into Archangel.^[34] However, at the last minute, Archangel escapes into the night, intent on taking vengeance against the Purifiers. Warren arrives at the Purifiers' headquarters and slaughters most of them in a blood-maddened rage. However, once the battle is over, he reverts back to his normal Caucasian, feather-winged appearance. He comments to Logan that he can still feel the metal wings inside him, however, 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.^[35]

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.^{[volume & issue needed]}

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.^{[volume & issue needed]} However, 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.^{[volume & issue needed]}

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.^{[volume & issue needed]}

During the Fear Itself storyline, Wolverine and Archangel interrogate Purifiers member Benedict Ryan on where Jonathan Standish is hiding out.^[36]

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.^[37]

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, endurance, reflexes, eyesight, and hearing are at their peak. Elements of his anatomy are comparable to those of birds. His superhumanly sharp 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, reflexes, coordination, and balance while flying, and has been shown defeating superbeings much faster than he is (like the Human Torch^{[volume & issue needed]}) 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.^{[volume & issue needed]} He is trained in hand-to-hand combat at Xavier's school; while dating Psylocke, he receives a considerable amount of martial arts instruction.^{[volume & issue needed]} 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."^{[volume & issue needed]} He also receives further instruction from the Black Widow and Hercules during his days with the Champions.^{[volume & issue needed]}

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.^{[volume & issue needed]} 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. However, 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 regenerate on their own.^{[volume & issue needed]}

Aside from his superhuman powers, Warren is a highly capable businessman, and is the former chairman of the board and principal stockholder 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.^[38] 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 quite 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 back to blue and his old Archangel costume appears.^{[volume & issue needed]} 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.^[39] 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.^{[volume & issue needed]} However, as it is shown in issue 14 of X-Men: Second Coming, Dr. Nemesis questions the rate that they would grow as the biology is different than Colossus' armor.^{[volume & issue needed]}

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.^{[volume & issue needed]} He participates in a zombie attack on the castle of Doctor Doom. The zombies have detected unaffected humans inside.^{[volume & issue needed]} He later appears in Marvel Zombies 3 when he attacks Jocasta and Machine Man, but he is killed soon after.^{[volume & issue needed]} Angel is also confirmed as one of the few X-Men who attack Juggernaut.^{[volume & issue needed]}

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. However, instead of the changes seen in Earth 616 (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, especially the child-like Brute. The Fallen, as he now calls himself, joins Havok's team of mutants known as the Six. The Six is a twisted reimagining of the original X-Factor team, in a reality where Alex Summers was the first X-Man instead of his older brother Scott. The other members are Marvel Woman (Madelyne Pryor), Ice-Man (with his powers enhanced beyond his control), the Brute (a Hank McCoy who possesses green scales and an amphibious nature instead of blue fur), and Bloodstorm (an alternate version of Storm who is turned into a vampire by Dracula).^{[volume & issue needed]}

When Madelyne Pryor becomes possessed by the Goblin Force and takes over New York, the Fallen defects from the Six alongside her, becoming her second-in-command, and later vanishing after her defeat. Unlike most of Pryor's servants, the Fallen went with her willingly.^{[volume & issue needed]} He next appears allied again with Apocalypse against the threat of the Onslaught-like Xavier/Shadow King entity.^{[volume & issue needed]} 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.^{[volume & issue needed]}

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.^{[volume & issue needed]}

A character resembling the Fallen (albeit miscolored) briefly appears in Exiles Annual #1 as one of numerous captives of a team of Exiles stationed on Earth-33629.^{[volume & issue needed]}

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.^[40]

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 Angel

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. On an unauthorized mission to Genosha, Angel and his teammates attempt to rescue Longshot, an accused murderer who is facing a public execution. During the Magnetic North storyline, Dazzler and Warren go to the Triskelion in an attempt to rescue Polaris. 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.

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.^[41] Thanks to Jean Grey, he later returns to life.^[42] He is seen as a member of Colossus' enhanced team,^[43] 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. 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.^[44] 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.^[44]

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)^{[volume & issue needed]}

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 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 7 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 he is 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 "Dark Horizon," Angel helps the X-Men and their allies fight Apocalypse and the Horsemen of Apocalypse. 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 new 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 "Guardian Angel", Warren shows some kind of 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 and later escapes.

Film

• Warren Worthington III appears in the 2006 feature film X-Men: The Last Stand portrayed by Ben Foster. In the film, Warren (referred to as Angel in the credits but never called by this name in the 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 as a boy (portrayed by Cayden Boyd) is seen attempting to cut off what would eventually become his wings. When his father comes in seeing this, Warren asks what is happening to him. Warren is the first subject for the cure, but has second thoughts. He breaks free of his bonds, knocks down the two orderlies holding him down for injection, and outstretches his wings. He tells his father that this is what he (his father) wants, then flees the scene by crashing out a window and flying to safety. He seeks haven at the Xavier School for the Gifted. He later makes an appearance in the final confrontation against Magneto's Brotherhood of Mutants, rescuing his father after he is thrown off of a roof by Quill, Arclight, and Psylocke. Towards the end of the film, he is seen flying across the repaired Golden Gate Bridge and past several people in a park, moments before the camera shifts its focus to a de-powered Magneto. Although seen in the leather X-Men uniform in promotional posters, Warren does not wear it and is seen in civilian clothes most of the time.

Video games

• In the Sega Genesis release X-Men, the blue-skinned/metal wing version of Warren can be summoned for some assistance.
• The same blue-skinned, metallic-winged 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.

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.
• 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

1. ^ Uncanny X-Men #507
2. ^ Complete Marvel Reading Order - X-Men #1
3. ^ Isabella, Tony. "Cables of Champions," Champions #6, Marvel (June 1976).
4. ^ The X-Men (vol. 1) #32 (May 1967)
5. ^ Ka-Zar #2-3 (December 1970, March 1971); Marvel Tales #30 (April 1971)
6. ^ X-Men the Hidden Years #16-18
7. ^ Giant-Size X-Men #1 (1975).
8. ^ The X-Men (vol. 1) #94 (August 1975).
9. ^ Champions #1-3
10. ^ Uncanny X-Men #138
11. ^ Uncanny X-Men #140 (December 1980)
12. ^ Uncanny X-Men #148 (August 1981)
13. ^ Uncanny X-Men #169-170
14. ^ X-Factor (vol. 1) #1 (February 1986)
15. ^ X-Factor (vol. 1) #10 (November 1986)
16. ^ Thor (vol.1) #373-374
17. ^ X-Factor (vol. 1) #14
18. ^ X-Factor (vol. 1) #15
19. ^ X-Factor (vol. 1) #18
20. ^ X-Factor (vol. 1) #17, 21
21. ^ X-Factor #25
22. ^ X-Factor (vol. 1) #34
23. ^ X-Factor (vol. 1) #36
24. ^ X-Factor (vol. 1) #57-59
25. ^ Uncanny X-Men #293
26. ^ Uncanny X-Men #338
27. ^ Uncanny X-Men #412
28. ^ Excalibur vol. 2 #11-12 (May–June 2005)
29. ^ Excalibur vol. 2 #12 (June 2005)
30. ^ Generation M #5
31. ^ Civil War: X-Men
32. ^ Incredible Hulk #107
33. ^ X-Force (vol. 2) #4
34. ^ X-Force (vol. 2) #5
35. ^ X-Force (vol. 2) #6
36. ^ Fear Itself: Uncanny X-Force #2
37. ^ Uncanny X-Force #11-16
38. ^ X-Factor vol. 1 #24
39. ^ X-Force (vol.3) #7
40. ^ New Exiles #15
41. ^ Ultimate X-Men #90
42. ^ Ultimate X-Men #93
43. ^ Ultimate X-Men #94
44. ^ ^{a b} What If...? #65

External links

• Angel at Marvel.com
• Marvel 1602 Angel at Marvel.com
• Ultimate Angel at Marvel.com
• UncannyXmen.net's Spotlight on Archangel