Sofia Yong unlocks a new character in the iconic reiteration of the Uncanny X-Men series that first captured imaginations back in 1981.
With the recent excitement of the Olympics, many of us have wondered what it would be like to perform those incredible stunts, nailing every move with precision. Well, Marvel’s newest addition to the X-Men might just be living that dream—meet Jitter, a Singaporean teenager who can do anything she sets her mind to without ever slowing down or even needing sleep!
Debuting on Singapore’s National Day, Marvel introduced this groundbreaking new mutant with the unique ability to hyper-focus. Sofia Yong, known as Jitter, joins “The Outliners,” a group of three other new characters, in the latest iteration of The Uncanny X-Men series, which first took the world by storm in 1981.
Here’s What We Know So Far About the Singaporean Mutant, Jitter
Jitter was first teased at July’s San Diego Comic-Con, but she was officially revealed to the public on August 9. She’ll make her comic debut in the second issue of the latest X-Men series, penned by Gail Simone and illustrated by David Marquez, slated for release on September 11.
According to Marvel’s official description, “She can do anything she sets her mind to—accessing talents and skills most people train their lives to develop. The only downside for the Singaporean teen is the immediate crash if she exerts her ability for too long. Constantly on the move, she keeps a stopwatch on her at all times, so she never has to slow down—not even sleep!”
Her ability allows her to master skills like a world-class martial artist or a top-notch lockpicker, but only for 60 seconds. Adding to her complexity, Jitter also has a stutter, a detail that adds depth to her character. As writer Gail Simone explains, The Outliners were created to represent invisible disabilities—“that when you look at them, you cannot tell that they’re mutants.”
Jitter’s connection to Singapore goes beyond the country’s subtle yet enduring presence in the Marvel universe. Madripoor, a single-city nation located in the Indonesian archipelago, has long been part of Marvel’s lore. Originally founded by pirates, the island’s government is notoriously tolerant of crime and corruption, making it a haven for some of Marvel’s most notorious criminals. The underworld of Madripoor is controlled by Jessan Hoan, also known as Tyger Tiger, a Harvard-educated Singaporean banking heiress who is as skilled in finance as she is in combat.
Alongside Jitter, The Outliners include Ransom, a Buenos Aires-born mutant with a black hole for a heart who gained strength after surviving a kidnapping; Deathdream, a Kyoto teen who can toggle between life and death, summoning spirits from the afterlife; and Calico, a wealthy American girl who struggles to accept her mutant identity but commands a shape-shifting steed named Ember.
So, what do you think of Jitter and her fellow Outliners? How do you see these new mutants shaking up the X-Men universe? As a Singaporean, how does it feel to see a character like Jitter take center stage as a mutant hero? Let’s see how this exciting new chapter unfolds—stay tuned for the release!
Cover Image: Marvel
