Wolfsbane's forgotten powers

[Brett P]

OK, so I don't know as much about Rahne and the original New Mutants as I'd like, having been reading comics for less than a decade, but from all the handbooks and websites and old tpb's I know enough to realise that Wolfsbane isn't nearly as versatile as she used to be.

I havn't seen her change into an acual wolf in all the time I've been reading (can she even still do that?) and her transitional forms seem to have been completely swept under the rug, in favour of the full on werewolf mode being utilised the whole time.

I really liked the animal wolf form and transitional stages, it set her apart from your average werewolf type lycan character.

In the past when she transformed, she was mostly half wolf/half girl. She'd still look mostly human in body size and shape, but with fur, teeth, claws and a smallish wolf snout. Her final hulking werewolf would surface in more extreme situations. I remember in TAS when X-Factor fought the X-Men, how she transformed twice when fighting Beast, becoming more wolven the second time.

I really liked how she looked when she was a girl with wolf attributes, but the full on snout and misshapen body being her only form these days doesn't do it for me at all. Especially the way alot of artists draw it. She looked more like a rat in X-Force 1 as her body remained exactly the same size but her face became that of an actual wolf (that resembled a rat). The transitional stage would have been perfect here, and would work much better with the X-Force costume.

Why has everyone seemingly forgotten the range of her wolf abilities?

Would we be told that her powers have changed or she has less fine control since Elixir gave them back to her?

EDIT: To clarify, as people were not understanding me:

In the past, aside from her normal human form, she had three other forms:

1) she could also turn into an ACTUAL wolf. As in, the body of the actual animal, on all fours.

2) change into various stages between human and lycan, and mostly went for an "inbetween" stage which she still had human features in and was quite lithe and agile but still had claws, teeth and fur.

3) The completely transformed "werewolf" stage was her final transitional stage, where she became large, shaggy and had completely wolf like features. This stage was often reached out of rage and first achieved after having been experimented on. But nowadays it's the only form we ever see. And I just think that makes her less interesting and unique.

http://img147.imageshack.us/img147/9105/wolfsbanejj2.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Thoughts?

[AcesX1X]

I believe it's just the simple fact that she's finally embraced her inner wolf, and no longer fights it.

New X-Men: Academy X dealt with this plot I think.

[Sindel]

OK, so I don't know as much about Rahne and the original New Mutants as I'd like, having been reading comics for less than a decade, but from all the handbooks and websites and old tpb's I know enough to realise that Wolfsbane isn't nearly as versatile as she used to be.

I havn't seen her change into an acual wolf in all the time I've been reading (can she even still do that?) and her transitional forms seem to have been completely swept under the rug, in favour of the full on werewolf mode being utilised the whole time.

I really liked the animal wolf form and transitional stages, it set her apart from your average werewolf type lycan character.

In the past when she transformed, she was mostly half wolf/half girl. She'd still look mostly human in body size and shape, but with fur, teeth, claws and a smallish wolf snout. Her final hulking werewolf would surface in more extreme situations. I remember in TAS when X-Factor fought the X-Men, how she transformed twice when fighting Beast, becoming more wolven the second time.

I really liked how she looked when she was a girl with wolf attributes, but the full on snout and misshapen body being her only form these days doesn't do it for me at all. Especially the way alot of artists draw it. She looked more like a rat in X-Force 1 as her body remained exactly the same size but her face became that of an actual wolf (that resembled a rat). The transitional stage would have been perfect here, and would work much better with the X-Force costume.

Why has everyone seemingly forgotten the range of her wolf abilities?

Would we be told that her powers have changed or she has less fine control since Elixir gave them back to her?

Thoughts?



it's just laziness on the writer and artists part. i think it's probably alot more easer to have rhane change into a wolf/girl hybrid then a wolf/semi girl hybrid then the various transitioning stages till she's FINALLY a full out wolf.

[Brett P]

I believe it's just the simple fact that she's finally embraced her inner wolf, and no longer fights it.

New X-Men: Academy X dealt with this plot I think.

Not really, it was more about the realisation that she couldn't live without the wolf in her. I always loved the exchange between her and Dani, that went something like:

Rahne: "What does it say that I can't live without a wolf inside me?"

Dani: "That you're human"

But she didn't really embrace it as such, and nothing was really stated as to why she'd want to fully "Hulk out" the whole time instead of just "enhancing" herself.

Also, if that were the reason, that doesn't explain why she never changes into an actual wolf anymore. Infact it kind of contradicts it.

it's just laziness on the writer and artists part. i think it's probably alot more easer to have rhane change into a wolf/girl hybrid then a wolf/semi girl hybrid then the various transitioning stages till she's FINALLY a full out wolf.

Well, she doesn't have to keep changing between forms. Just sometimes use the "wolf enhanced girl" form, and other times use the crazy full on werewolf b!tch! And maybe even sometimes the animal form. Four legged, slender wolf form would be handy in a lot of situations.

[Optic Rage!]

Didn't she turn into a full on wolf in Messiah Complex?

She does not seem to do it much tough...

tbh, i'm having a slow day...i'm not quite sure what your asking...

[AcesX1X]

Not really, it was more about the realisation that she couldn't live without the wolf in her.

Well, whatever man. I don't know. I'm just trying to help you reconcile her change in looks.

Either chalk it up to artistic license or come up with an explanation. I don't think it's very high on Marvel's to-do list of things to broadcast.

I wish I could be of more help, but I don't quite understand what you're trying to figure out here.

[The Cool Thatguy]

I believe it's just the simple fact that she's finally embraced her inner wolf, and no longer fights it.

New X-Men: Academy X dealt with this plot I think.

You mean dealt with it again, after regressing her character :rolleyes:

[Josef F.]

Probably because It's too much effort to draw that.
Effort she's not worth.Lolololol Sorry.

[worstblogever]

Keep in mind that in Age of Apocalypse, she remained a wolf for virtually the whole series (and was protective of Havok).

Food for thought.

[Brett P]

tbh, i'm having a slow day...i'm not quite sure what your asking...

.I wish I could be of more help, but I don't quite understand what you're trying to figure out here.

lol, ok, it's like this. Currently we have two forms. Normal human Rahne, and lycan Rahne. In her lycan form, she is basically a fully transformed werewolf.

But in the past

1) she could also turn into an ACTUAL wolf. As in, the body of the actual animal, on all fours.

2) change into various stages between human and lycan, and mostly went for an "inbetween" stage which she still had human features in and was quite lithe and agile but still had claws, teeth and fur.

3) The completely transformed "werewolf" stage was her final transitional stage, where she became large, shaggy and had completely wolf like features. This stage was often reached out of rage and first achieved after having been experimented on. But nowadays it's the only form we ever see. And I just think that makes her less interesting and unique.

http://img147.imageshack.us/img147/9105/wolfsbanejj2.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

I also like how her fur used to be reddish like her hair. Makes sense, and again, more unique.

Gonna add this to the first post now lol.

Probably because It's too much effort to draw that.
Effort she's not worth.Lolololol Sorry.

How dare you sir! BUT, it's MORE effort to draw a proper werewolf than a wolfish girl! And since most people make her look silly as a werewolf, the "girl-wolf" form would be easier AND look better. Plus it makes it would make it more exciting when we do see her go fully werewolf and let rip.

[Kid Icarus]

WEIRD!
I was thinking exactly this today
I really like her werewolf form
buy I miss her as a doggy
It makes me sad

[Optic Rage!]

lol, ok, it's like this. Currently we have two forms. Normal human Rahne, and lycan Rahne. In her lycan form, she is basically a fully transformed werewolf.

But in the past

1) she could also turn into an ACTUAL wolf. As in, the body of the actual animal, on all fours.

2) change into various stages between human and lycan, and mostly went for an "inbetween" stage which she still had human features in and was quite lithe and agile but still had claws, teeth and fur.

3) The completely transformed "werewolf" stage was her final transitional stage, where she became large, shaggy and had completely wolf like features. This stage was often reached out of rage and first achieved after having been experimented on. But nowadays it's the only form we ever see. And I just think that makes her less interesting and unique.

http://img147.imageshack.us/img147/9105/wolfsbanejj2.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

I also like how her fur used to be reddish like her hair. Makes sense, and again, more unique.



How dare you sir! BUT, it's MORE effort to draw a proper werewolf than a wolfish girl! And since most people make her look silly as a werewolf, the "girl-wolf" form would be easier AND look better. Plus it makes it would make it more exciting when we do see her go fully werewolf and let rip.

OHHHHHHHHH!

Your right, she never changes in to a full on wolf these days...she did it once during MC but it never really happens.

And as for that inbetween stage...well i'm pretty sure they have forgotten about that.

[FemGeek]

It seems she dosent like transforming into a full wolf anymore, and most artists are sticking to one transitional phase, which are all really inconsistant with each other. My favourite was back in the government X Factor days when she was mutate wolf-girl, and when provoked she'd get all scary and monsterous. Plus recently her clothes have stopped ripping when she changes, she used to have to wear a suit of unstable molecules all the time.

[RickyD410]

In a recent X-Factor arc, she turned into a full wolf. I think it was when they dealt with that Terrorist group, that Quicksilver was repowering. I forget their name though.. X-Cell! Thats it. She turned into a full wolf there I'm pretty sure.

I think its the fact that she still keeps the human advantages by staying human. As a full wolf, she needs to walk on all fours, and it can be kind of awkward attacking people. But in her transitional state, she still has arms and opposable thumbs and things, but she also has the teeth and claws and senses of a wolf. So her transitional state is the best of both worlds.

[Brett P]

I think its the fact that she still keeps the human advantages by staying human. As a full wolf, she needs to walk on all fours, and it can be kind of awkward attacking people. But in her transitional state, she still has arms and opposable thumbs and things, but she also has the teeth and claws and senses of a wolf. So her transitional state is the best of both worlds.

No, no, the transitional stage is the stage between human and werewolf. Where she still looks relatively human but has the enhanced senses, agility, claws and teeth without the full wolf snout and huge mishhapen body. That's what I'm missing aswell as the animal form.

My favourite was back in the government X Factor days when she was mutate wolf-girl, and when provoked she'd get all scary and monsterous.

Yup, that's what I mean. Three transitional stages: Normal human Rahne - wolf girl - monstrous werewolf. Plus the ability to turn into an actual wolf.

Now it's just normal human and monstrous werewolf, which usually looks ridiculous. Wolf girl wins.

[FemGeek]

Now it's just normal human and monstrous werewolf, which usually looks ridiculous. Wolf girl wins.


Yep. And transitional Rahne had facial expressions beyond angry. Hope she comes back soon. X Force Rahne looks like she can't fit into her suit.

[FemGeek]

damn you Double Post

[Kid Icarus]

I wonder how her stretchy mask works

[FemGeek]

I wonder how her stretchy mask works

Heh, I've been wondering that too. She has no mouth part when she's human, but she does when she's wolfy. Mysterious.

[Teh m0nk3y]

In a recent X-Factor arc, she turned into a full wolf. I think it was when they dealt with that Terrorist group, that Quicksilver was repowering. I forget their name though.. X-Cell! Thats it. She turned into a full wolf there I'm pretty sure.
This is correct. Rahne was in full wolf form in issue #20 of the current X-Factor.

http://img222.imageshack.us/img222/5263/xfactor020007qy1.jpg

[Brett P]

This is correct. Rahne was in full wolf form in issue #20 of the current X-Factor.

http://img222.imageshack.us/img222/5263/xfactor020007qy1.jpg

OMG! I love X-Factor and I didn't even remember that! I am SERIOSULY worried about my memory these days - I forget EVERYTHING!

Anyway, that's awesome and even acknowledges why she rarely uses that form anymore! PAD rules.

Now all that's left is for the transitional form to be resurrected! Seriously, it would work so much better with the X-Force costume. It's just common sense really.

[MarvelGirlBoy]

WEIRD!
I was thinking exactly this today
I really like her werewolf form
buy I miss her as a doggy
It makes me sad

I have had the same strange serendipity. She hardly occupies much of my thought-space but it popped into my mind with sadness that she didn't go quadruped any more. And lo' and behold a thread!

I think that it's that she is more visually 'interesting' as a hybrid, especially with more savage features.

[Teh m0nk3y]

OMG! I love X-Factor and I didn't even remember that! I am SERIOSULY worried about my memory these days - I forget EVERYTHING!

Anyway, that's awesome and even acknowledges why she rarely uses that form anymore! PAD rules.

Now all that's left is for the transitional form to be resurrected! Seriously, it would work so much better with the X-Force costume. It's just common sense really.

Didn't the previews for Young X-Men have Rahne in transitional form? She definitely had a more human head as she was addressing Wolfcub. Or am I confused on her forms?

Found the picture here:
http://img87.imageshack.us/img87/3714/3200newstoryimage827488dw3.jpg

[Sindel]

This is correct. Rahne was in full wolf form in issue #20 of the current X-Factor.

http://img222.imageshack.us/img222/5263/xfactor020007qy1.jpg



awww she's so cute! can i keep her?

[WolfsbaneFan]

1. As already pointed out, it was said in X Factor she hardly ever uses her full on wolf form anymore because she didn't like what it does to her.

2. the # 3 you listed, "werewolf", I'm pretty certain IS her transitional form. Now I loved her older form too, but I'm pretty certain this was explained as well in New Mutants 95-97 when she became a mutate. Her transitional form apparently became more 'feral'

But I might be wrong.

[AcesX1X]

You know whats even more mysterious than the stretchy-wolf mask of hers in X-Force?

Her New Mutants costumes!! Seriously, WTF? I always thought it was creepy how she would be wearing a full body costume and then transform into her hybrid or wolf forms and "poof" - no more X-Men costume. Where did it go?

[ChristosSoter]

You know whats even more mysterious than the stretchy-wolf mask of hers in X-Force?

Her New Mutants costumes!! Seriously, WTF? I always thought it was creepy how she would be wearing a full body costume and then transform into her hybrid or wolf forms and "poof" - no more X-Men costume. Where did it go?


"Sam, look away!"

[FemGeek]

You know whats even more mysterious than the stretchy-wolf mask of hers in X-Force?

Her New Mutants costumes!! Seriously, WTF? I always thought it was creepy how she would be wearing a full body costume and then transform into her hybrid or wolf forms and "poof" - no more X-Men costume. Where did it go?

THey were made of unstable molecules. So when she'd transform they'd retract into a coller or disapear. She was always worried about wearing regular clothes in case she needed to transform, which always happened.

[Brett P]

Didn't the previews for Young X-Men have Rahne in transitional form? She definitely had a more human head as she was addressing Wolfcub. Or am I confused on her forms?

Found the picture here:
http://img87.imageshack.us/img87/3714/3200newstoryimage827488dw3.jpg

That scene is based on New Mutants in their early days, but yes, that is exactly how I'd like to see Rahne more often. She looks so much better than that nasty savage wolf. Well, maybe lose the hair lol.

1. As already pointed out, it was said in X Factor she hardly ever uses her full on wolf form anymore because she didn't like what it does to her.

2. the # 3 you listed, "werewolf", I'm pretty certain IS her transitional form. Now I loved her older form too, but I'm pretty certain this was explained as well in New Mutants 95-97 when she became a mutate. Her transitional form apparently became more 'feral'

But I might be wrong.

Hey, glad I pushed you to make your first post! Welcome to the forums! :biggrin:

[Lombardo!]

to be honest, if I could choose between Wolf or Werewolf, i think i'd pick Werewolf transformation.

I chalk it up to Rahne being less in control of her powers at the time, that she found it 'easier' to transform into the extremity of her animalia - the wolf - rather the devastating hybrid that IS! the werewolf.

[The Cool Thatguy]

to be honest, if I could choose between Wolf or Werewolf, i think i'd pick Werewolf transformation.

I chalk it up to Rahne being less in control of her powers at the time, that she found it 'easier' to transform into the extremity of her animalia - the wolf - rather the devastating hybrid that IS! the werewolf.

Agreed. You can do alot more with opposable thumbs, though it'd be nice if they didn't completely forget her wolf form. Being able to get into small places can be a plus at times too ;)

[Kage Kisaragi]

Not really, it was more about the realisation that she couldn't live without the wolf in her. I always loved the exchange between her and Dani, that went something like:

Rahne: "What does it say that I can't live without a wolf inside me?"

Dani: "That you're human"

But she didn't really embrace it as such, and nothing was really stated as to why she'd want to fully "Hulk out" the whole time instead of just "enhancing" herself.

Also, if that were the reason, that doesn't explain why she never changes into an actual wolf anymore. Infact it kind of contradicts it.


Well, she doesn't have to keep changing between forms. Just sometimes use the "wolf enhanced girl" form, and other times use the crazy full on werewolf b!tch! And maybe even sometimes the animal form. Four legged, slender wolf form would be handy in a lot of situations.

It'd be easier to enforce/use if there were given reasons for each transitional form.

Girl with Wolf traits: Fastest form in terms of bipedal shapes due to not having canine like legs. Some natural weapons in the form of small claws from hands. No fangs as the mouth and neck aren't really as proficient as a wolfs mouth and neck in terms of biting, thrashing and ripping. Enhanced olfactory sense, hearing and sight compared to Human form.

Werewolf Traits: Greater strength, durability, larger, enhanced olfactory, hearing and sight than previous form. Fully functional natural weapons for biting and clawing. Weaker mental functions, basically limiting her to half human intelligence or half Rahne intelligence, while heightening bestial instincts and habits. Those similar to a actual wolf. Slower movements due to being bipedal but with canine legs. Good at lunging long distances.

Wolf Form Traits: highest level of enhanced sight, hearing, olfactory, greatest land cross speeding, heals quicker in this form, only partial human or Rahne level intelligence.

... I know all that sounds very game like but for it to really matter I think there would have to be substantial benefits to each form, so that when writers look at them they don't immediately dismiss them as irrelevant.