The X-Men have changed their roster many times over the years, but it never strays too far from the classic lineup, despite new teams such as the New Mutants offering team members that could be great X-Men. One of the New Mutants that has the potential to evolve well past their peers is the ever popular Dani Moonstar, who has had a lot of development since her first appearance. After years of teamwork, she has become solidified as an extremely powerful mutant in the current world of Krakoa.
Even though she’d led the New Mutants for years, she’s since evolved from their roster and gained massive respect from the mutants in her community. Having worked with the X-Men in the past, she already knows the ins and outs of how their team works and the experience of leading her own team under her belt. As the voice of her generation, she would provide a newer, fresher look to the X-Men to help them evolve with the times.
First introduced in Marvel Graphic Novel #4 by Chris Claremont, Bob McLeod, Glynis Wein, and Tom Orzechowski, Dani made headway as one the first indigenous mutants. She was introduced to be part of the new team called the New Mutants, alongside other heroes such as Sunspot, Wolfsbane, Karma, and more. Despite her originally small role, she gained traction and popularity until eventually she separated from her fellow New Mutants to pursue multitudes of solo adventures. Even during her introduction, she always held on to her sense of identity and stood firm in her ways, making herself a sturdy pillar of support on the team.
Dani Moonstar Is The New Mutant’s Best Leader
When she took up the helm of a co-leader of the New Mutants, she was chosen for her skills and the trust she built with her teammates in The New Mutants #7 by Chris Claremont, Sal Buscema, Bob McLeod, and Glynis Wein. During her time as co-leader, alongside Cannonball, she developed a deep relationship with each team member and took on a problem-solving role. When the New Mutants movie was released, she was set up as the leader of that team too because of her experience. Dani was a natural at leadership during The New Mutants run and even when she left the team to pursue bigger things, she took that experience with her and applied it to her adventures. After spending years as a New Mutant and also going off on solo adventures, she rightfully should earn her place as a member of the X-Men.
The X-Men’s newest roster was revealed in X-Men: Gallfire Gala (2022) #1 by Gerry Duggan, Kris Anka, Russell Dauterman, Matteo Lolli. It consists of Cyclops, Jean Grey, Havoc, Forge, Iceman, Magik, Firestar, and Synch, which is a lot of the classic X-Men members. While many have earned their spot as a member of the team, they need a new leader to take up the mantle to represent the younger mutants. As times change, leadership and teams should evolve alongside it, and Dani has proven her worth many times over. She’s ready to move on and take her place as the leader of the X-Men, providing a fresh eye into the problems of the world while upholding their ideals and values. With her teammates to support her, she would be the perfect choice to take her place among the greats.
Throughout her journey, she’s been shown as an outspoken, supportive woman who is incredibly important representation indigenous fans. Dani sheds light on the very different experiences that older mutants and younger mutants have compared to one another. The X-Men need to evolve alongside the times and Dani has long since surpassed her role as a New Mutant, earning a title far beyond this small team.
