Marvel’s Newest X-Men Ally Is Its Most Unique Immortal Yet
Marvel Comics
Published Sep 13, 2026, 8:30 PM EDT
Adam has been writing in the entertainment news space for over a decade. Beginning his career of covering film and TV at CinemaBlend, he has also appeared on The Flash Podcast and done several radio spots.
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There are various X-Men characters who are gifted with either longevity or immortality as part of their mutant abilities. Examples include characters like Wolverine and Sabretooth having lived several centuries because of their healing factors, to Apocalypse using his power to manipulate the atoms in his body to stay alive since the times of Ancient Egypt. Even some non-mutant characters from this corner of the Marvel universe, like Mister Sinister, have found ways to extend their lifespans.
Most of the time, these forms of immortality are relatively straightforward with no strings attached, but that’s not the case with the X-Men’s newest ally. X-Men: Outback’s titular team are now being aided by an immortal whose power comes from a specific condition, putting a unique twist on this superpower.
Bushranger's Immortality Is Fueled By Belief
X-Men: Outback #4, Written By Steve Orlando, Art By Roi Meroado
Marvel ComicsThe preview for X-Men: Outback #4 introduces readers to Bushranger, whom Wolverine tracks down near the ghost town of Cooterman’s Creek in central Australia, the same place where the original Reavers were active. Bushranger looks after mutants in the region who can’t pass as human, and the ones under her care found a safe place to hide called the Never Never. Unfortunately, the day before this X-Men team met her, they were kidnapped by the Lava Men, led by King Basallo. Bushranger was killed during the assault, but remains alive thanks to her unique form of immortality.
She explains to Wolverine, Storm, Psylocke, Havok, Rogue, Colossus, Dazzler, and Longshot that her “life’s tied to belief.” So long as one person still believes in her, she can’t die. Additionally, Bushranger can “see mutant auras,” which each emit a “unique light.” With Basallo using the kidnapped mutants’ genes to “strengthen his own kind,” she’s confident she can kill him if she has her own army to deal with his. The X-Men agree to help her, with all but Wolverine joining Bushranger for this rescue mission.
Marvel · Mutant Profile Which X-Men Character Are You? “Mutation: it is the key to our evolution.”
🐺 Wolverine The Loner
🧠 Professor X The Visionary
🧲 Magneto The Survivor
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01
Humans discover your mutant abilities. What do you do?
ADisappear. Go off the grid before anyone can come after me — I don’t owe them an explanation BReach out calmly and try to have a dialogue — fear comes from misunderstanding, and I can help bridge that gap CMake a show of strength — they need to understand that mutants will not be hunted or controlled, ever
NEXT →
02
Anti-mutant protesters surround a school full of young mutants. What’s your first move?
AGet between the kids and the mob. If anyone raises a hand, they answer to me BAddress the crowd telepathically or publicly — show them the children are just scared kids, not threats CEvacuate the children to safety, then make the protesters deeply regret their choices
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03
A team of mutants needs a leader for a dangerous mission. What role do you naturally fall into?
AI work alone, but I’ll take point — someone’s gotta make sure nobody gets killed BI coordinate the team, play to each person’s strengths, and keep morale steady CI lead from the front — my vision, my plan, my responsibility if it fails
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04
A powerful mutant threatens innocent humans. How do you respond?
APut them down fast — talk later. Innocent people don’t have time for a debate BTry to reach them mentally — understand why they’re doing this and find a peaceful resolution COffer them a place at my side — their power is wasted on chaos when it could serve a greater cause
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05
A human politician offers to champion mutant rights — but has a shady past. What do you do?
AGive them a chance — people can change, and this alliance could mean real progress for coexistence BI don’t trust politicians. Watch them closely, and the second they betray us, I’ll be right there CUse them — let them think they’re in charge while I control the narrative from behind the scenes
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06
What’s your biggest flaw?
AI push people away — I’d rather be alone than risk losing someone I care about BI’m too idealistic — I keep believing in people even when the evidence says I shouldn’t CMy anger — once I commit to a path, I’ll burn everything down before I admit I was wrong
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07
Sentinels are hunting mutants in your city. What’s your move?
AHunt the hunters — tear them apart before they find anyone else BCoordinate an underground network to hide and protect every mutant in the area CSeize control of the Sentinels — turn the weapons of oppression into instruments of liberation
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08
What do you believe about coexistence between humans and mutants?
ACoexistence is a fantasy. Humans will always fear what they can’t control — mutants must secure their own future BI don’t care about the big picture — I protect the people I care about, and everyone else can sort themselves out CIt’s possible and worth fighting for — the dream of a world where humans and mutants live in peace is everything
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Wolverine (Logan)
“I’m the best there is at what I do. But what I do best isn’t very nice.” You’re the fierce loner who acts first and philosophises later — but beneath that adamantium-plated exterior beats a heart that cares far more than you’d ever admit. You’ve been burned enough times to distrust the world, so you keep people at arm’s length, yet you’d throw yourself into any fight to protect the ones who slip past your defences. You don’t need a cause or a manifesto — you just need someone worth fighting for. Like Logan, your greatest strength isn’t your claws or your healing factor; it’s the stubborn refusal to let the people you love face danger alone.
Fierce Protective Resilient Untamed
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Professor X (Charles Xavier)
“Just because someone stumbles and loses their path, doesn’t mean they’re lost forever.” You’re the visionary who sees the best in everyone — even when the world gives you every reason not to. Your greatest power isn’t telepathy; it’s an unshakeable belief that understanding and compassion can bridge any divide. You lead not through force but through hope, building bridges where others build walls. Some call you naive, but you know that real strength lies in extending a hand to your enemy. Like Charles Xavier, you carry the weight of a dream that most consider impossible, and you refuse to let it die.
Visionary Empathetic Diplomatic Hopeful
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Magneto (Erik Lehnsherr)
“Peace was never an option.” You’re the survivor who learned the hardest lesson life has to offer: the world will not protect you, so you must protect yourself. Your conviction is unbreakable and your patience is terrifying — you’ll wait years to set the right plan in motion. You don’t hate humanity; you simply refuse to let your people be victims ever again. Every action you take, no matter how ruthless, is driven by a profound love for those who share your struggle. Like Erik Lehnsherr, you are both revolutionary and tragic — a leader forged in pain who will bend the world before it bends you.
Resolute Strategic Ruthless Unyielding
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Bushranger's Power Proves She Could Be A Great X-Men Leader
Marvel ComicsWhatever the outcome of Bushranger and the X-Men’s clash with King Basallo and the Lava Men is, Bushranger has already proven herself to be an exemplary leader. Her form of immortality confirms this, because if the kidnapped mutants didn’t have faith in her, then she would have stayed dead. The fact that she’s still breathing is not only a testament to her leadership qualities, but also confirms that some, if not all of these mutants are still alive. With the X-Men by her side, now she can save them.
The catch with Bushranger's immortality is also fascinating, because if the day comes that she’s ready to die, she could just go into seclusion and wait until she’s forgotten in order to pass away. For now, though, the character isn’t shying away from her responsibility to protect less fortunate mutants. Assuming the rescue mission is successful, then Bushranger will take them back to the Never Never and continue looking after their well-being.
There’s also a scenario where, assuming the safety of these mutants in Australia can be guaranteed, Bushranger could join one of Marvel’s X-Men teams. If she developed the same kind of rapport and trust with these mutant superheroes, then that would make her a suitable candidate for leading one of their teams. Her survival is guaranteed on missions as long as at least one of her teammates is breathing, which means it would be wise to make sure she’s always paired with someone like Wolverine.
The one hitch to this is that X-Men: Outback takes place in the past, and this is the first time that Bushranger’s been seen. So it can be assumed that she’ll remain in Australia after the mission, making sure that mutants in need can find the Never Never. However, that doesn’t mean she couldn’t return in a present-day X-Men book, reestablish ties with these heroes, and officially join their ranks.
Outback X-Men #4 will be released Wednesday, September 16 by Marvel Comics.
TV Show(s) X-Men: Pryde of the X-Men, X-Men (1992), X-Men: Evolution (2000), Wolverine and the X-Men (2008), Marvel Anime: Wolverine, Marvel Anime: X-Men, Legion (2017), The Gifted (2017), X-Men '97 (2024)
Video Game(s) X-Men: Children of the Atom (1994), Marvel Super Heroes (1995), X-Men vs. Street Fighter (1996), Marvel Super Heroes vs. Street Fighter (1997), Marvel vs. Capcom (1998), X-Men: Mutant Academy (2000), Marvel vs. Capcom 2: New Age of Heroes (2000), X-Men: Mutant Academy 2 (2001), X-Men: Next Dimension (2002), Marvel vs. Capcom 3: Fate of Two Worlds (2011), Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3 (2011), X-Men Legends (2005), X-Men Legends 2: Rise of Apocalypse (2005), X2: Wolverine's Revenge (2003), X-Men (1993), X-Men 2: Clone Wars (1995), X-Men: Mutant Apocalypse (1994)
First Film X-Men (2000)
Character(s) Professor X, Cyclops, Iceman, Beast, Angel, Phoenix, Wolverine, Gambit, Rogue, Storm, Jubilee, Morph, Nightcrawler, Havok, Banshee, Colossus, Magneto, Psylocke, Juggernaut, Cable, X-23
Comic Release Date 213035,212968
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