Husk

When Cannonball was introduced in Marvel Graphic Novel #4, he mentioned a large family, but we didn't meet them until Rom Annual #3. There were at least seven of them in that story, and it certainly feels like all of them have developed mutant powers over the years. The first, after Sam, was his oldest sister, Paige. Paige Guthrie, a mutant with the ability to morph her skin into any form, becomes a member of the X-Men known as Husk. Technically she morphs her whole body under her skin and has to rip it off to reveal her new form. Growing up, she idolized her big brother and was sure she'd be the next to get superpowers; so, desperate to kick-start them, she tried to figure out what they'd be: throwing herself off the roof in an effort to fly, trying to move things or communicate with her mind, raising and lowering her body temperature, everything she could think of. None of it worked, but one night she felt so anxious that she demanded God make her a mutant soon, before she tore out of her own skin. So naturally, that's exactly what happened to her next. For the most part, Husk uses the same molds as her teammate M: armored shins, armored gloves, shoulder pads, and a belt, all put on top of an existing body. There is one big difference, though... or technically "two" differences, and the difference is that this time they aren't too big. We're talking about the toy's chest. This figure has not been molded with giant dobonhonkeros. Dohoonkabhankoloos. Big ol' tonhongerekoogers. She's still got a real set of cans, especially for a teenager, but they're normal by comicbook standards and not as weird and distracting as M's bonkhonagahoogs were. But the zipper on the top is still a sculpted element, so we can be certain this is a new mold. (Hungolomghnonoloughongous.) Her face is surprising. She's sculpted with a rather cold, indifferent expression, that makes her look like she's been taking condescension lessons from Emma Frost. And yes, Emma was the teacher for the Generation X team, but Paige usually looked more energetic than this. This is a "oh my god, stop talking about crypto and Joe Rogan, you loser, nobody cares" face. Even M, who's notoriously bitchy and mean, looks happier than this figure. But that's just the normal head, with its light blonde hair falling straight down onto her shoulders. To display her powers, she includes a second head, with her hair seemingly blowing in some unseen wind, and her mouth open in a big, angry yell. Super dynamic! On this head, half her face is painted silver, suggesting she's begun ripping the skin away to reveal her new protective dermis. Generally using her powers isn't a painful process (she's so used to doing it that she'll often just shed her skin instead of washing or waiting for minor injuries to heal), so we can tell this expression is one of anger and not discomfort. To further the look, the figure includes what has to be one of the wildest accessories of the year: a flap of shredded skin. This isn't the first action figure to come with skin as an accessory. She's not even the first X-Men character to have it, thanks to the arm and face of the "Cable Cyborg" ToyBiz released in 1995's X-Force Series 6. But it's definitely not common! It doesn't attach to the face in any way, but you can either pose her holding it or drape it near her neck to look like it's still attached, like the world's worst hangnail. By giving her the same fists and clawing hands Monet had, she can look like she's actively scraping herself open. So many reused parts on the toy mean she's packaged with the largest part of the Nemesis/Holocaust Build-A-Figure, the entire torso and head. It's been two years since the last series of X-Men Legends came out, so it's easy to forget that Husk is technically coming out right after two other Generation X teammates: M, of course, but also Chamber. There are no more of the kids on the docket as of now, but who knows? Maybe 2027 will see some more. -- 07/07/25