Warning! Spoilers ahead for Uncanny X-Men #8!For years, Professor X has been one of the X-Men’s most influential telepaths but Marvel just unveiled a new team of not one but five new mutants who are hinted to be Charles Xavier’s match. As Rogue and Cyclops’s X-Men teams are taken down by the villain Philip Scurvy, he reveals that there is a deeper connection between Xavier and these new telepathic mutants.

In the preview to Uncanny X-Men #8 – written by Gail Simone, with art by Javier Garrón – Philip Scurvy tells Professor X he is not the only one of his kind and Scurvy, along with four other telepaths, are part of this new class of mutants who call themselves "Avians.”

Scurvy reveals that one of the Avians was the young Harvey X who died but displayed extraordinary power by transferring his conscience into Rogue’s after his death. Scurvy says the Avians want nothing to do with Xavier’s war but their enigmatic existence is tied to Charles Xavier’s past sins.

Marvel Reveals Five New Powerful Telepaths Stronger than Professor X: “The Avians”

Uncanny X-Men #8 – Written By Gail Simone; Art By Javier Garrón; Color By Matthew Wilson; Lettering By Clayton Cowles

Little is known about Phillip Scurvy except for his loyalty to the anti-mutant Warden, Corina Ellis, and his telepathic powers that rival Xavier’s own which was shown when he created a powerful telepathic blast that took both X-Men teams at Graymalkin. Harvey X was also shown to be incredibly gifted before his ing with the ability to see different possible futures and warn Rogue beyond the grave of an impending peril that will befall the X-Men. The three remaining Avians have yet to be revealed but it’s to be expected the other will have similar near omega-level powers.

Both Scurvy and Harvey X not only share similar powers to Xavier, but they also have a similar appearance to Charles, further driving home their mysterious connection.

Both Scurvy and Harvey X not only share similar powers to Xavier, but they also have a similar appearance to Charles, further driving home their mysterious connection. While the Avians share striking similarities, their motives differ with Scurvy aligning himself with anti-mutant villains while Harvey X aspired to be an X-Men. The Avians also seem to suffer from different illnesses with Scurvy needing crutches to walk; Scurvy calls attention to this by asking Professor X if he wants to know what killed Harvey X, hinting it may not have been cancer.

X-Men Villain Hints There Might Be a Darker Connection to the Avians and Professor Xavier

Are the Avians Another Consequence of Professor Xavier’s Past Mistakes?

The Avians are a new revelation to Charles as he was shocked to learn of their existence with neither he nor Cerebro sensing the five high-level telepaths and their exact ties to Xavier remain an enigma, leaving their true identities open to theorization. Scurvy’s line, "you’re not the only one of your kind,” alludes that these five mutants may be fractures of Xavier’s mind or attempts to clone him by Orchis before it disbanded. The Avians also have potential ties to Cassandra Nova who has since reappeared in X-Men #5 by Jed MacKay and Ryan Stegma.

Now that Charles Xavier is free from Graymalkin prison, the mystery behind the Avians presents a potentially deadly threat to the professor as he escapes, with Scurvy telling Xavier he can ask Rogue about Harvey X if he lives. The two Avians that have been revealed, Scurvy and Harvey, have proven to be just as dangerous with their psychic powers as Xavier. With X-Manhunt crossover on the horizon and Charles expected to make a bold escape from Graymalkin, the Avians will inevitably play a part in Charles Xavier’s redemption or further descent into a villainous figure in the eyes of the X-Men.

Uncanny X-Men #8 will be available on January 8, 2025, from Marvel Comics!