In Speed and the Spyke, we follow the journey of Evan Daniels, affectionately known as Spyke, as he grapples with his newfound mutant powers.

Evan Daniels, Storm’s nephew, discovers that he possesses the ability to generate bony spikes from his body. Initially, he is reluctant to embrace his mutant identity. The fear of rejection and the burden of responsibility weigh heavily on him. The episode beautifully captures the internal struggle faced by many mutants: acceptance versus concealment.

As Spyke grapples with his powers, he stumbles upon a fellow mutant – Pietro Maximoff, also known as Quicksilver. However, Pietro isn’t using his abilities for noble purposes. Instead, he orchestrates a series of robberies, exploiting his speed to evade capture. The clash between Spyke and Quicksilver highlights the diversity of mutant experiences – some choose heroism, while others succumb to darker paths.

Behind Quicksilver’s criminal activities lies Mystique, the shape-shifting mastermind. She manipulates events to her advantage, pulling the strings from the shadows. Spyke’s discovery of Quicksilver’s involvement prompts him to seek help from the X-Men. The X-Men’s intervention underscores the importance of unity and mentorship in a world where mutants are often misunderstood and feared.

Ororo Munroe is at a high school basketball game watching her nephew Evan Daniels play. The coach makes Pietro Maximoff pass the ball to Evan and Evan makes the winning basket but gets knocked down. As he falls spikes grow out of his arms. He covers them and they disappear but not before Storm and Pietro notice. Storm watches Pietro walk off the court.

Pietro and Evan argue in the locker room about who’s the better ball player. Storm walks in and talks to Evan about his powers. Later at home she tries to talk him into coming to Xavier’s Institute. He asks her to wait until the next morning before talking to his parents about it. Charles Xavier contacts Ororo and tells her Jean Grey and Scott Summers are coming to help. He also tells Storm that Cerebro picked up another mutant at the ball game.

Next day at school Evan finds out that his locker has been broken into again. Pietro comes along and offers to loan him money as bait to catch the thief. At home Jean, Scott and Storm talk with Evan’s parents about Evan joining the X-Men. Evan is rude to them and takes off. He heads back to the school where he finds out that Pietro is really a mutant too. Pietro wrecks the lockers and leaves Evan to take the blame.

Everyone shows up at the jail to get Evan. Scott says that Xavier will use his influence to get him out if Evan will join the school, and he agrees. Next morning at breakfast the X-Men talk about Evan wanting revenge. Magneto talks to Mystique about how they can get Quicksilver to join the Brotherhood. They arrange a basketball game between Bayville and Evan’s old school.

Evan is training in the Danger Room with the other X-Men. Kitty ends the session to tell Evan that a last minute game has been scheduled and he’s needed at school. Evan confronts Pietro and Jean and Scott show up to help. Quicksilver ends up wrecking main street. The three X-Men end up taking him down. Evan is cleared of the charges and Magneto shows up to break Pietro out of jail. Quicksilver agrees to join Magneto.

At the mansion, the X-Men are hanging out in the pool. Kurt cannonballs in and knocks Kitty off of her float. Xavier talks to Evan about how they’re happy to have him. Evan jumps in the pool, lands on Kitty’s float and pops it with his spikes. Xavier tells Storm that Evan fits in just fine.

Spyke, an original creation for the animated series, boasts powers that echo those of Marrow from the comic books. As the series progresses, Evan, akin to Marrow, delves deeper into the world of the underground Morlocks. Meanwhile, a character with a resemblance, named Spike, graces the pages of the X-Statix book, a media adaptation. In the comics, Storm’s nephew is christened David Monroe, Jr., in honour of her father.

Magneto harbours a particular fascination with Pietro, yet he meticulously conceals their father-son relationship, even from Quicksilver himself. An endearing quirk of Pietro’s abilities is his accelerated speech, always a beat faster than his fellow characters.

In a nostalgic nod, as the students unwind by the pool post-episode, a familiar melody from the X-Men animated series’ theme can be discerned, albeit with a subtle twist.

SPEEDSTER WITH AN ATTITUDE!

Quicksilver, known in civilian life as Pietro Maximoff, made his electrifying debut in Uncanny X-Men #4 in March 1964, thanks to the iconic creators Stan Lee and Jack Kirby. His superpower? Unbelievable speed that defies the very laws of physics. Yet, this mutant is more than just a blur on the page.

Originally cast as a foe to the X-Men, Quicksilver quickly changed allegiances. He became an integral part of the Avengers, showcasing his signature speed. His abilities are not limited to mere sprinting; they include generating whirlwinds, climbing walls effortlessly, and even gliding over water. However, Quicksilver’s story delves deeper than his super-speed: it’s a tale of self-discovery, allegiance, and the intricate interplay between his mutant lineage and his humanity.

The impact of Quicksilver transcends the comic book pages. In the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), he has been brought to life by Aaron Taylor-Johnson in Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015) and by Evan Peters in the 20th Century Fox’s X-Men series. Peters’ portrayal, infused with a roguish allure, took audiences on a whirlwind through the ’70s and ’80s, leaving a trail of mayhem. Notably, his iconic slow-motion sequence in X-Men: Days of Future Past is a cinematic gem that challenges both gravity and logic.

Quicksilver’s legacy, whether inked or projected, continues to thrill fans worldwide, serving as a reminder that life can sometimes be too swift to grasp all the nuances – but that’s precisely what superpowers are designed to handle!

Mutant Crush | Middleverse