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|image=magikII.png
|image=magikII.png
|converted=y
|converted=y
|caption= Art by Darick Robertson
|caption= Amanda Sefton.<br>Art by Darick Robertson.
|real_name=Jimaine Szardos
|real_name=Jimaine Szardos
|publisher=[[Marvel Comics]]
|publisher=[[Marvel Comics]]
|debut=''[[Uncanny X-Men]]'' #98 (Apr 1976)
|debut=''[[Uncanny X-Men|X-Men]]'' #98 (April 1976)
|creators=[[Chris Claremont]]<br>[[Dave Cockrum]]
|creators=[[Chris Claremont]]<br>[[Dave Cockrum]]
|alliances=[[List of X-Men members#Muir Island X-Men (1989)|Muir Island X-Men]]<br/>[[Excalibur (comics)|Excalibur]]<br/>[[Avengers (comics)|Avengers]]<br/>[[X-Men]]
|alliances=[[List of X-Men members#Muir Island X-Men|Muir Island X-Men]]<br/>[[Avengers (comics)|Avengers]]<br/>[[Excalibur (comics)|Excalibur]]
|aliases=Amanda Sefton, Magik
|aliases=Amanda Sefton<br> Daytripper<br>Magik
|powers=*Illusion generation
|powers=[[Magic (paranormal)|Magic]],<br>[[Teleportation]],<br>Illusion generation,<br>[[Shapeshifting]],<br>Force bolts,<br>[[Hypnotism]],<br>Formerly wielded the [[Soulsword]]
*[[Shapeshifting]]
*[[Teleportation]]
*Spell casting
*Force bolts
*[[Hypnotism]]
|cat=super
|cat=super
|subcat=Marvel Comics
|subcat=Marvel Comics
|hero=y
|hero=y
|sortkey=Sefton, Amanda
|sortkey=Sefton, Amanda
|species=[[Human]]}}
}}
'''Amanda Sefton''' (real name '''Jimaine Szardos''') is a fictional character appearing in [[American comic book]]s published by [[Marvel Comics]]. Created by [[Chris Claremont]] and [[Dave Cockrum]], the character [[First appearance|first appeared]] in ''[[Uncanny X-Men|X-Men]]'' #98 (April 1976). The character has also been known as '''Daytripper''' and '''Magik''' at various points in her history. She is the foster sister and former lover of [[superhero]] [[Nightcrawler (character)|Kurt Wagner / Nightcrawler]] of the [[X-Men]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Diaz |first=Eric |date=November 4, 2022 |title=The Marvel Witches We Want to See in AGATHA: COVEN OF CHAOS |url=https://nerdist.com/article/agatha-coven-of-chaos-marvel-witches-we-want-to-see-wiccan-enchantress/ |access-date=2023-03-17 |website=[[Nerdist]] |language=en-US}}</ref>
'''Amanda Sefton''' (real name '''Jimaine Szardos''') (also known as '''Daytripper''' and the second '''Magik''') is a [[fictional character]], a [[witch]] appearing in [[American comic book]]s published by [[Marvel Comics]]. She is the foster sister, half sister, and lover of Kurt Wagner, [[Nightcrawler (comics)|Nightcrawler]] of the X-Men.


==Publication history==
==Publication history==
⚫
Amanda Sefton debuted in the ninety-eighth issue of the 1976 ''[[Uncanny X-Men|X-Men]]'' series, created by [[Chris Claremont]] and [[Dave Cockrum]].<ref>{{cite book |last1=DeFalco |first1=Tom |title=The Marvel Encyclopedia |last2=Sanderson |first2=Peter |last3=Brevoort |first3=Tom |last4=Teitelbaum |first4=Michael |last5=Wallace |first5=Daniel |last6=Darling |first6=Andrew |last7=Forbeck |first7=Matt |last8=Cowsill |first8=Alan |last9=Bray |first9=Adam |date=2019 |publisher=DK Publishing |isbn=978-1-4654-7890-0 |page=225}}</ref> She later appeared in the 1981 ''Uncanny X-Men'' series. She appeared in the 1998 ''[[Excalibur (comics)|Excalibur]]'' series. She appeared in the 2000 ''X-Men: Magik'' series, her first solo [[Ongoing series|comic book series]], by [[Dan Abnett]], [[Andy Lanning]], and [[Liam Sharp]].
{{Expand section|date=November 2008}}
⚫
Amanda Sefton first appeared in ''[[Uncanny X-Men]]'' #98 (April 1976), created by [[Chris Claremont]] and [[Dave Cockrum]].<ref>{{cite book |last1=DeFalco |first1=Tom |last2=Sanderson |first2=Peter |last3=Brevoort |first3=Tom |last4=Teitelbaum |first4=Michael |last5=Wallace |first5=Daniel |last6=Darling |first6=Andrew |last7=Forbeck |first7=Matt |last8=Cowsill |first8=Alan |last9=Bray |first9=Adam |title=The Marvel Encyclopedia |date=2019 |publisher=DK Publishing |isbn=978-1-4654-7890-0 |page=225}}</ref> She has appeared occasionally in X-Men titles, most often in ''Uncanny X-Men'' and ''[[Excalibur (comics)|Excalibur]]''.

As Magik, Amanda had her own [[eponym]]ous, four-issue [[Limited series (comics)|mini-series]] in 2000–2001 from writers [[Dan Abnett]] and [[Andy Lanning]], with artist [[Liam Sharp]]. The series focused on her taking over [[Otherplace|Limbo (also known as Otherplace)]]. The series also featured her foster brother/lover, [[Nightcrawler (comics)|Nightcrawler]].


==Fictional character biography==
==Fictional character biography==
Jimaine and her mother [[Margali Szardos|Margali]] are [[witch]]es. When Nightcrawler joined the X-Men, Jimaine eventually followed him to the US, assumed the identity of '''Amanda Sefton''', took a job as a [[flight attendant]], and became Nightcrawler's girlfriend.<ref>Uncanny X-Men #169 (May 1983).</ref> When Margali attacked the X-Men, believing Nightcrawler to have been responsible for the death of Stefan Szardos (her son; Jimaine's brother), "Amanda" revealed herself as Jimaine, convinced her mother to let Kurt live, and resumed her on-and-off relationship with him.<ref>''Uncanny X-Men Annual'' #4 (1980)</ref> Their relationship broke apart when Kurt suffered a severe case of self-doubt following an encounter with the [[Beyonder]] upon [[Secret Wars II|the latter's arrival on Earth]].<ref>''Uncanny X-Men'' #204</ref>
Jimaine and her mother [[Margali Szardos|Margali]] are [[Romani people in France|''Manouche'']] [[witch]]es. When Nightcrawler joined the X-Men, Jimaine eventually followed him to the US, assumed the identity of '''Amanda Sefton''', took a job as a [[flight attendant]], and became Nightcrawler's girlfriend.<ref>''The Uncanny X-Men'' #169 (May 1983).</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Young |first=Kai |date=November 24, 2022 |title=Every Marvel Witch Who Could Be In Agatha's Coven Of Chaos |url=https://screenrant.com/agatha-coven-chaos-marvel-witches-who-explained/ |access-date=2023-03-17 |website=[[Screen Rant]] |language=en}}</ref> When Margali attacked the X-Men, believing Nightcrawler to have been responsible for the death of Stefan Szardos (her son; Jimaine's brother), "Amanda" revealed herself as Jimaine, convinced her mother to let Kurt live, and resumed her on-and-off relationship with him.<ref>''The Uncanny X-Men'' Annual #4 (1980)</ref> Their relationship broke apart when Kurt suffered a severe case of self-doubt following an encounter with the [[Beyonder]] upon [[Secret Wars II|the latter's arrival on Earth]].<ref>''The Uncanny X-Men'' #204</ref>


===Daytripper===
===Daytripper===
[[File:Theuncannyxmen-logo.svg|thumb|Logo of [[Uncanny X-Men]], one of the groups Amanda belongs and the first comic which she appear]]
Much later, in need of her magical abilities, Nightcrawler called his former girlfriend Amanda Sefton to aid [[Excalibur (comics)|Excalibur]]. For dramatic reasons she chose to adopt the codename '''Daytripper''', playing on Kurt's codename, and presented herself in a new costume. Once familiarized with the problem at hand, Amanda did the best she could to help [[Meggan (character)|Meggan]] and [[Rachel Summers]] locate the lost [[Captain Britain]] in the timestream, but as they made contact they only achieved to exchange Captain Britain for Rachel, who in his place entered the timestream to emerge in some farfetched future.<ref>''Excalibur'' (vol. 1) #75 (1994)</ref>
Much later, and in need of her magical abilities, Nightcrawler called his former girlfriend Amanda Sefton to aid [[Excalibur (comics)|Excalibur]]. For dramatic reasons she chose to adopt the codename '''Daytripper''', playing on Kurt's codename, and presented herself in a new costume. Once familiarized with the problem at hand, Amanda did the best she could to help [[Meggan (character)|Meggan]] and [[Rachel Summers]] locate the lost [[Captain Britain]] in the time-stream, but as they made contact, they only achieved to exchange Captain Britain for Rachel, who entered the time-stream in his place to emerge in some distant future.<ref>''Excalibur'' #75 (1994)</ref>

⚫
Following this incident Kurt and Amanda traveled to Germany, where her mother Margali had been taken captive by [[D'Spayre]].<ref>''Excalibur'' #76 (April 1994)</ref> As Kurt wondered how such a powerful sorceress could be held captive against her will, Daytripper explained that the Winding Way is not only a mystic discipline, but also it functions like a journey with ups and downs. Currently Margali was at a low point and powerless or else D’Spayre could never have defeated her. The pair rescued their mother and Amanda returned with Kurt to Excalibur.<ref>''Excalibur'' #77 (May 1994)</ref>


⚫
Following this incident, Kurt and Amanda traveled to Germany, where her mother Margali had been taken captive by [[D'Spayre]].<ref>''Excalibur'' #76 (April 1994)</ref> As Kurt wondered how such a powerful sorceress could be held captive against her will, Daytripper explained that the Winding Way is not only a mystic discipline, but also it functions like a journey with ups and downs. Margali was at a low point and powerless, otherwise D'Spayre would never have been able to defeat her. The pair rescued their mother and Amanda returned with Kurt to Excalibur.<ref>''Excalibur'' #77 (May 1994)</ref>
Back on Muir Island, Amanda was the only one who recognized that the team's scientist Rory Campbell was the man destined to become the future mutant hunter Ahab, but she promised him to keep her knowledge secret and offered to be there for him whenever the need would arise.<ref>''Excalibur'' #80</ref>
Back on Muir Island, Amanda was the only one who recognized that the team's scientist Rory Campbell was the man destined to become the future mutant hunter Ahab, but she promised him to keep her knowledge secret and offered to be there for him whenever the need would arise.<ref>''Excalibur'' #80</ref>


Around this time she suffered a mystical/telepathic attack on a plane while taking a shift under her air hostess job. It involved the fate of the [[Black Queen (comics)|Black Queen]].<ref>''Excalibur Annual'' #2 (1994)</ref>
Around this time she suffered a mystical/telepathic attack on a plane while working a shift under her air hostess job. It involved the fate of the [[Black Queen (comics)|Black Queen]].<ref>''Excalibur'' Annual #2 (1994)</ref>


After Excalibur had been attacked by opposing sorcerers trying to acquire the [[Soulsword]] of the deceased Illyana Rasputin,<ref>''Excalibur'' #83</ref> Amanda convinced Shadowcat to give her Magik's Soul Sword for safe-keeping.<ref>''Excalibur'' #84</ref> Amanda thought it best to hand the sword over to her mother, however, only too late did Amanda realize that she was tricked by her own mother, who wanted the Soulsword to kill all those ahead of her on the Winding Path.<ref>''Excalibur'' #85</ref>
After Excalibur had been attacked by opposing sorcerers trying to acquire the [[Soulsword]] of the deceased Illyana Rasputin,<ref>''Excalibur'' #83</ref> Amanda convinced Shadowcat to give her Magik's Soul Sword for safe-keeping.<ref>''Excalibur'' #84</ref> Amanda thought it best to hand the sword over to her mother. Only when it was too late, Amanda realized that she was tricked by her own mother who wanted the [[Soulsword]] to kill all those ahead of her on the Winding Path.<ref>''Excalibur'' #85</ref>


Even though she had never been more powerful it wasn't enough for Margali and so in disguise she joined the London Hellfire Club as their Red Queen, proceeding their plan to destroy London and take over Britain.<ref>''Excalibur'' #100</ref> Shortly after helping to defeat her mother and the Hellfire Club, Amanda left Excalibur without even telling Nightcrawler.<ref>''Excalibur'' #108</ref>
Even at her most powerful, Margali wanted more, and she covertly joined the London Hellfire Club, acting as their red Queen. She planned to destroy London and take over Britain.<ref>''Excalibur'' #100</ref> Shortly after helping to defeat her mother and the Hellfire Club, Amanda left Excalibur without even telling [[Nightcrawler (X-Men episode)|Nightcrawler]].<ref>''Excalibur'' #108</ref>


In fact, it was not Amanda who made that decision, but Margali who had taken over her body. Upon her defeat among the Hellfire Club, Margali had been captured by the villain sorcerer [[Belasco (Marvel Comics)|Belasco]] and been tortured in his realm, from where she secretly switched minds with her daughter so that she could recuperate and win back her freedom and her position on the Winding Way. Eventually Margali, using Amanda's body, made her way back to Limbo, where mother and daughter switched back and defeated Belasco with Nightcrawler's help. Margali apologized for exposing her daughter to such danger, but then quickly left. Only after she was gone, Amanda realized that with both her and Belasco gone, there was no one left besides her capable enough to take over as Limbo's new ruler. To leave the dimension unguarded seemed too dangerous, given that several demons could have used its stepping disks to invade earth.<ref>''X-Men Unlimited'' #19</ref>
It is later revealed it was not Amanda who made that decision, but Margali who had taken over her body. Upon her defeat among the [[Hellfire Club (comics)|Hellfire Club]], Margali was captured by the villain sorcerer [[Belasco (Marvel Comics)|Belasco]] and was tortured in his realm. From his realm, she secretly switched minds with her daughter so that she could win back her freedom. Eventually, Margali, using Amanda's body, made her way back to Limbo, where the mother and daughter pair switched back and defeated Belasco with Nightcrawler's help. Margali apologized for exposing her daughter to such danger, but then quickly left. Amanda realized that without her mother or Belasco, she was the only person able to take over as Limbo's new ruler. It was too dangerous to leave the dimension unguarded, given that several demons could have used it to invade Earth.<ref>''X-Men Unlimited'' #19</ref>


===Magik===
===Magik===
It was during this time that Amanda was forced to thwart Belasco and the [[N'Garai]]’s takeover of Limbo, and Earth, where she was forced to conceal her identity from her closest friends, until the end of the battle where those who had not already worked out that she was not Illyana, learned of Amanda's new role. Following that, Amanda rallied together the rulers of all other various dimensions of Hell to unite them in a common goal: The preservation of Hell.<ref>''X-Men: Black Sun'' #1-5</ref>
At this moment, Amanda thrwarted Belasco [[N'Garai]]’s takeover of Limbo and Earth. She was forced to conceal her identity until of the end of the battle. Those who had not figured out that her new alias was Illyana were informed of this at the end of the battle. Following that, Amanda rallied together the rulers of all other dimensions of Hell to unite them in a common goal: The preservation of Hell.<ref>''X-Men: Black Sun'' #1-5</ref>


Amanda has also mastered the ability to magically control the stepping disks of Limbo, just like Belasco did before her, and practiced to wield the Soulsword.<ref>''X-Men: Magik'' #1–4</ref> During one of Nightcrawler's trips to Limbo, Amanda secretly hid the powerful Soulsword in Kurt's body, thinking it was safe there since his soul was the purest that she could find. There was a shift in the cosmic balance, powerful forces at work, and one thing they were after was the Soulsword, and indeed not much later, Amanda was attacked and overpowered by [[Nightmare (Marvel Comics)|Nightmare]].<ref>''Nightcrawler'' (vol. 3) #9</ref> She was rescued by the timely arrival of her mother Margali, and together, mother and daughter found out that Nightmare had been manipulated into attacking them by someone else. Amanda and Margali immediately sought out Nightcrawler to warn him, but upon their arrival the demon Hive revealed himself and took over the body of Nightcrawler's teammate, Wolverine.<ref>''Nightcrawler'' (vol. 3) #10</ref>
Amanda has also mastered the ability to magically control the stepping discs of Limbo, just like Belasco did before her, and practiced to wield the Soulsword.<ref>''X-Men: Magik'' #1–4</ref> During one of Nightcrawler's trips to Limbo, Amanda secretly hid the powerful Soulsword in Kurt's body, thinking it was safe there since his soul was the purest that she could find. There was a shift in the cosmic balance and powerful forces at work. They were in search of the Soulsword, and shortly after, Amanda was attacked and overpowered by [[Nightmare (Marvel Comics)|Nightmare]].<ref>''Nightcrawler'' vol. 3 #9</ref> She was rescued by the timely arrival of her Margali. Together, they discovered that Nightmare had been manipulated into attacking them by someone else. Amanda and Margali immediately sought out Nightcrawler to warn him, but upon their arrival, the demon Hive revealed himself and took over the body of Nightcrawler's teammate, Wolverine.<ref>''Nightcrawler'' vol. 3 #10</ref>


Gradually, the demon's essence was disrupted by the Soulsword, though not before he revealed that there is a major war coming, one that has been brewing for a millennium, and that the entire Szardos family factor very importantly into it.<ref>''Nightcrawler'' (vol. 3) #11</ref>
Gradually, the demon's essence was disrupted by the Soulsword, though not before he revealed that there is a major war coming, and that the entire Szardos family factors very importantly into it.<ref>''Nightcrawler'' vol. 3 #11</ref>


===Driven out of Limbo===
===Driven out of Limbo===
Amanda resurfaced in ''[[New X-Men]]'' when she plunged out of a dimensional portal in a blast of flaming energy and landed in a small [[Germany|German]] village. She pleaded, "Help me...someone please...He's back." Amanda was driven out of Limbo after being overwhelmed by an invasion led by Belasco; although she had fought and defeated him in the past, Belasco now appeared more powerful and, without the Soulsword, Amanda was no match.<ref>''New X-Men'' (vol. 2) #37</ref>
Amanda resurfaced in ''[[New X-Men (2004 series)|New X-Men]]'' when she plunged out of a dimensional portal in a blast of flaming energy and landed in a small [[Germany|German]] village. She pleaded, "Help me...someone please...He's back." Amanda was driven out of Limbo after being overwhelmed by an invasion led by Belasco; although she had fought and defeated him in the past, Belasco now appeared more powerful and, without the Soulsword, Amanda was no match.<ref>''New X-Men'' vol. 2 #37</ref>


She assisted New X-Men [[Hellion (Marvel Comics)|Hellion]] and [[Surge (Marvel Comics)|Surge]] as well as [[Office of National Emergency|O*N*E]] [[Sentinel (comics)|Sentinel]] operative (and former mutant) [[Alexander Lexington|Lex]] in finding students that were kidnapped by Belasco. The students were saved due to [[Illyana Rasputin]] usurping control of Limbo. Once the heroes were teleported back to [[Professor X|Xavier]]'s school though, Amanda found Limbo to be sealed off.<ref>''New X-Men'' (vol. 2) #41</ref>
She assisted New X-Men [[Hellion (Marvel Comics)|Hellion]] and [[Surge (Marvel Comics)|Surge]] as well as [[Office of National Emergency|O*N*E]] [[Sentinel (comics)|Sentinel]] operative (and former mutant) Lex in finding students who were kidnapped by Belasco. The students were saved due to [[Illyana Rasputin]] usurping control of Limbo. Once the heroes were teleported back to [[Professor X|Xavier]]'s school though, Amanda found Limbo to be sealed off.<ref>''New X-Men'' vol. 2 #41</ref>


While [[Pixie (X-Men)|Pixie]] has stated that she has been approached by both Amanda and [[Doctor Strange]] about furthering her magical tutelage when she comes of age, Amanda's whereabouts remained unknown for some time, but she was recently mentioned by Cyclops in the aftermath of Second Coming when he was writing her a letter of condolence over the death of Nightcrawler.<ref>''X-Men: Second Coming'' #2</ref>
While [[Pixie (X-Men)|Pixie]] has stated that she has been approached by both Amanda and [[Doctor Strange]] about furthering her magical tutelage when she comes of age, Amanda's whereabouts remained unknown for some time, but she was recently mentioned by Cyclops in the aftermath of Second Coming when he was writing her a letter of condolence over the death of Nightcrawler.<ref>''X-Men: Second Coming'' #2</ref>


===Family reunion===
===Family reunion===
After Nightcrawler's resurrection<ref>''[[Amazing X-Men]]'' (vol. 2) #1–5</ref> and some period of readjustment, he sought out Amanda for a romantic reunion, but then Amanda was almost kidnapped by a villain called Trimega.<ref>''Nightcrawler'' #1 (2014)</ref> After Nightcrawler and his [[Bamf]]s subdued Trimega, he chose to grant Amanda and [[Margali Szardos|Margali]] sanctuary in the [[X-Mansion|Jean Grey School for Higher Learning]]; but then an army of Trimegas descended upon the school. During the battle, it turned out that Margali was actually Trimega's creator and had orchestrated the attack in order to gain knowledge of how to cross into the Afterlife. Armed with that knowledge, Margali opened a portal, whose existence would endanger reality. In order to stop her scheme, Nightcrawler and Amanda attempted to pass the gate, but Nightcrawler's voluntary exile from Heaven barred him from entry, stranding Amanda alone in the Void.<ref>''Nightcrawler'' (2014) #4</ref> They met again when Nightcrawler, fatally stabbed in combat by the [[Crimson Pirates]], was intercepted by Amanda at an "interim station" between life and death, who successfully encouraged him—with some assistance from [[Wolverine (character)|Wolverine]] and [[Jean Grey|Phoenix]]—to return to the land of the living.<ref>''Nightcrawler'' (2014) #10</ref>
After [[Nightcrawler (character)|Nightcrawler]]'s resurrection<ref>''[[Amazing X-Men]]'' vol. 2 #1–5</ref> and some period of readjustment, he sought out Amanda for a romantic reunion, but then Amanda was almost kidnapped by a villain called Trimega.<ref>''Nightcrawler'' vol. 4 #1</ref> After Nightcrawler and his [[Bamf]]s subdued Trimega, he chose to grant Amanda and [[Margali Szardos|Margali]] sanctuary in the [[X-Mansion|Jean Grey School for Higher Learning]]; but then an army of Trimegas descended upon the school. During the battle, it turned out that Margali was actually Trimega's creator and had orchestrated the attack in order to gain knowledge of how to cross into the Afterlife. Armed with that knowledge, Margali opened a portal, whose existence would endanger reality. In order to stop her scheme, Nightcrawler and Amanda attempted to pass the gate, but Nightcrawler's voluntary exile from Heaven barred him from entry, stranding Amanda alone in the Void.<ref>''Nightcrawler'' vol. 4 #4</ref> They met again when Nightcrawler, fatally stabbed in combat by the [[Crimson Pirates]], was intercepted by Amanda at an "interim station" between life and death, who successfully encouraged him—with some assistance from [[Wolverine (character)|Wolverine]] and [[Jean Grey|Phoenix]]—to return to the land of the living.<ref>''Nightcrawler'' vol. 4 #10</ref>


==Powers and abilities==
==Powers and abilities==
Amanda is a sorceress following the path of the Winding Way. Her power changes in its levels, waxing and waning over time, allowing her to summon such powers as teleportation, illusions casting, shape changing, mystical force bolts, hypnotism, and the manipulation of other complex mystical forces.{{cn|date=August 2021}}
Amanda is a sorceress following the path of the Winding Way. Her power changes in its levels, waxing and waning over time, allowing her to summon such powers as teleportation, illusions casting, shape changing, mystical force bolts, hypnotism, and the manipulation of other complex mystical forces.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Beaty |first=Drew |date=2021-10-31 |title=15 Most Powerful Marvel Magic Users (Who Aren't Doctor Strange) |url=https://screenrant.com/marvel-comics-most-powerful-magic-users-not-doctor-strange/ |access-date=2022-10-23 |website=[[Screen Rant]] |language=en-US}}</ref>


When she became the Sorceress Supreme of Limbo, Amanda began wielding the powerful Soulsword. While she couldn't access the full power of the sword, she could still create and control teleportation energies in the form of "stepping discs". This allows her to absorb souls of others either permanently or to simply store and transfer, to place and store the sword in absolute nothingness and to retrieve it from whence it came with ease. Like Illyana Rasputin, the more Amanda used the Soulsword, the more mystical Eldritch armor appeared on her body in addition to demonic features such as horns and hooves. The armor deflects or limits attacks, both physical and magical. However, on Earth, Amanda's abilities are limited to a different capacity. She has since lost these abilities when Limbo was sealed to her and resumed her normal display of powers.{{cn|date=August 2021}}
When she became the Sorceress Supreme of Limbo, Amanda began wielding the powerful Soulsword. While she couldn't access the full power of the sword, she could still create and control teleportation energies in the form of "stepping discs". This allows her to absorb souls of others either permanently or to simply store and transfer, to place and store the sword in absolute nothingness and to retrieve it from whence it came with ease. Like [[Magik (Illyana Rasputina)|Illyana Rasputin]], the more Amanda used the Soulsword, the more mystical Eldritch armor appeared on her body in addition to demonic features such as horns and hooves. The armor deflects or limits attacks, both physical and magical. However, on Earth, Amanda's abilities are limited to a different capacity. She has since lost these abilities when Limbo was sealed to her and resumed her normal display of powers.

== Reception ==

=== Critical reception ===
Deirdre Kaye of ''[[Scary Mommy]]'' called Amanda Sefton a "role model" and a "truly heroic" female character.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kaye |first=Deirdre |date=November 16, 2020 |title=Looking For A Role Model? These 195+ Marvel Female Characters Are Truly Heroic |url=https://www.scarymommy.com/marvel-female-characters |access-date=2022-10-23 |website=[[Scary Mommy]] |language=en}}</ref> Nitish Vashishtha of ''[[Sportskeeda]]'' ranked Amanda Sefton 7th in their "10 Strongest Marvel Witches" list.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Vashishtha |first=Nitish |date=November 10, 2022 |title=10 strongest Marvel witches, ranked |url=https://www.sportskeeda.com/comics/10-strongest-marvel-witches-ranked |access-date=2023-03-17 |website=[[Sportskeeda]] |language=en-us}}</ref> Darren Franich of ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]'' ranked Amanda Sefton 65th in their "Let's rank every X-Man ever" list.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last1=Franich |first1=Darren |date=May 21, 2014 |title=Let's rank every X-Man ever |url=https://ew.com/article/2014/05/21/x-men-best-worst/ |access-date=2022-10-23 |magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]] |language=en}}</ref>

''[[Screen Rant]]'' included Amanda Sefton in their "15 Most Powerful Marvel Magic Users (Who Aren’t Doctor Strange)" list,<ref name=":0" /> and in their "10 Best Magical Or Supernatural Heroes Not Yet In The MCU" list.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Prom |first=Bradley |date=2022-09-29 |title=10 Best Magical Or Supernatural Heroes Not Yet In The MCU |url=https://screenrant.com/best-magical-supernatural-heroes-not-yet-mcu/ |access-date=2022-10-23 |website=[[Screen Rant]] |language=en-US}}</ref> ''[[Comic Book Resources]]'' ranked Amanda Sefton 6th in their "20 Fan-Favorite X-Men Who Aren't Even Mutants" list.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Webber |first=Tim |date=2018-09-15 |title=Not So Gifted: 20 Fan-Favorite X-Men Who Aren't Even Mutants |url=https://www.cbr.com/x-men-who-were-never-mutants/ |access-date=2022-10-23 |website=[[Comic Book Resources]] |language=en-US}}</ref>

The plot twist revealing that Amanda Sefton is really Nightcrawler's sister, Jimaine Szardos, received mixed reactions. ''Book Riot'' described the twist as "the crowning moment of creepy" in their article "The X-Men's Love Lives are Messed Up You Guys."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gonzalez |first=Eileen |date=2019-02-04 |title=The X-Men's Love Lives are Messed Up You Guys |url=https://bookriot.com/x-mens-love-lives/ |access-date=2023-06-19 |website=[[Book Riot]] |language=en-US}}</ref>

== Literary reception ==

=== Volumes ===

==== ''Magik'' (2000) ====
According to [[Diamond Comic Distributors]], ''X-Men: Magik'' #1 was the 32nd best selling comic book in October 2000.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Comichron: October 2000 Comic Book Sales to Comics Shops |url=https://www.comichron.com/monthlycomicssales/2000/2000-10.html |access-date=2023-04-19 |website=[[Comichron]]}}</ref>


==Other versions==
==Other versions==
In the "[[Days of Future Past]]" timeline, Amanda and Nightcrawler have a daughter [[Blue (comics)|Blue]] who inherited her father's appearance and similar teleporting powers. Amanda and Nightcrawler, along with that timeline's version of Illyana Rasputin, were gunned down by a government strikeforce deployed to destroy the Xavier Institute after [[Senator Robert Kelly]] was assassinated.<ref>''Uncanny X-Men'' #188</ref>
An alternate version of Amanda Sefton appears in the ''[[Days of Future Past]]'' timeline. Amanda and Nightcrawler have a daughter Blue who inherited her father's appearance and similar teleporting powers. Amanda and Nightcrawler, along with that timeline's version of Illyana Rasputin, were gunned down by a government strike force deployed to destroy the Xavier Institute after [[Senator Robert Kelly]] was assassinated.<ref>''The Uncanny X-Men'' #188</ref>


===Marvel Noir===
⚫
== In other media ==
Set in ''[[Marvel Noir]]'', Amanda Selton as '''The Red Rose''' appears as a head of the [[Weapon X]] program. She was later killed by Kurt Wagner but not before burning his face with a torch. <ref>''Weapon X Noir'' #1</ref>
In ''[[X-Men: Evolution]]'', Amanda Sefton appears as Nightcrawler's love interest, but she does not have most of the background of her comic counterpart. Her mother's name remains Margali, but the Seftons appear to be a normal family. She is portrayed as an American teenager of [[Demographics of Africa#Ethnicity|African]]/[[Romany people|Romany]] descent who accepts Kurt completely despite his mutation. She was voiced by [[Moneca Stori]].


===X-2: X-Men Unite'===
In her first appearance, the episode "Shadow Dance", Amanda asks Kurt to be her date for a [[school dance]] and tells him that she did have a crush on him for months but was too shy to tell him, and that her feelings remained even after she once accidentally saw him turning off his image inducer. They start dating seriously, and after a time ("The Toad, the Witch and the Wardrobe") Amanda attempts to introduce Kurt — as his true self — to her parents. The intention is ruined by [[Toad (comics)|Toad]], who steals Kurt's image inducer, demolishing the Sefton home and revealing Kurt's true appearance before Amanda can properly prepare her parents. Even though Amanda's parents are understandably upset, Amanda shrugs off any discomforts which they might bring into her relationship with Kurt, and she continues to date him.
A tie-in comic to the 2003 film ''[[X-2 (film)|X-2: X-Men United]]'' depicts Amanda and Kurt's past, but reveled as an illusion/flashback to persuade him to join Weapon X. <ref>''X-Men 2 Prequel: Nightcrawler'' #1</ref>

⚫
== In other media ==
Amanda Sefton appears in ''[[X-Men: Evolution]]'', voiced by [[Moneca Stori]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Voice Of Amanda Sefton – Behind The Voice Actors |url=https://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/tv-shows/X-Men-Evolution/Amanda-Sefton/ |website=Behind The Voice Actors |postscript=. Check marks indicates role has been confirmed using screenshots of closing credits and other reliable sources}}</ref> This version is an [[Demographics of Africa#Ethnicity|African]]/[[Romani people|Romani]] American teenager and student of Bayville High School who comes from a normal family and gradually enters a relationship with Nightcrawler.


==References==
==References==
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{{Marvel Mystic}}
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{{Excalibur}}
{{Excalibur}}


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[[Category:Fictional swordfighters in comics]]
[[Category:Marvel Comics witches]]
[[Category:Marvel Comics witches]]
[[Category:Marvel Comics characters who are shapeshifters]]
[[Category:Marvel Comics shapeshifters]]
[[Category:Marvel Comics characters who use magic]]
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[[Category:Excalibur (comics)]]

Latest revision as of 07:07, 16 July 2024

"Daytripper (comics)" redirects here. For the Vertigo limited series, see Daytripper (DC Comics).
Daytripper
Amanda Sefton.
Art by Darick Robertson.
Publication information
PublisherMarvel Comics
First appearanceX-Men #98 (April 1976)
Created byChris Claremont
Dave Cockrum
In-story information
Alter egoJimaine Szardos
SpeciesHuman
Team affiliationsMuir Island X-Men
Avengers
Excalibur
Notable aliasesAmanda Sefton
Daytripper
Magik
Abilities

Amanda Sefton (real name Jimaine Szardos) is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by Chris Claremont and Dave Cockrum, the character first appeared in X-Men #98 (April 1976). The character has also been known as Daytripper and Magik at various points in her history. She is the foster sister and former lover of superhero Kurt Wagner / Nightcrawler of the X-Men.[1]

Publication history

[edit]

Amanda Sefton debuted in the ninety-eighth issue of the 1976 X-Men series, created by Chris Claremont and Dave Cockrum.[2] She later appeared in the 1981 Uncanny X-Men series. She appeared in the 1998 Excalibur series. She appeared in the 2000 X-Men: Magik series, her first solo comic book series, by Dan Abnett, Andy Lanning, and Liam Sharp.

Fictional character biography

[edit]

Jimaine and her mother Margali are Manouche witches. When Nightcrawler joined the X-Men, Jimaine eventually followed him to the US, assumed the identity of Amanda Sefton, took a job as a flight attendant, and became Nightcrawler's girlfriend.[3][4] When Margali attacked the X-Men, believing Nightcrawler to have been responsible for the death of Stefan Szardos (her son; Jimaine's brother), "Amanda" revealed herself as Jimaine, convinced her mother to let Kurt live, and resumed her on-and-off relationship with him.[5] Their relationship broke apart when Kurt suffered a severe case of self-doubt following an encounter with the Beyonder upon the latter's arrival on Earth.[6]

Daytripper

[edit]
Logo of Uncanny X-Men, one of the groups Amanda belongs and the first comic which she appear

Much later, and in need of her magical abilities, Nightcrawler called his former girlfriend Amanda Sefton to aid Excalibur. For dramatic reasons she chose to adopt the codename Daytripper, playing on Kurt's codename, and presented herself in a new costume. Once familiarized with the problem at hand, Amanda did the best she could to help Meggan and Rachel Summers locate the lost Captain Britain in the time-stream, but as they made contact, they only achieved to exchange Captain Britain for Rachel, who entered the time-stream in his place to emerge in some distant future.[7]

Following this incident, Kurt and Amanda traveled to Germany, where her mother Margali had been taken captive by D'Spayre.[8] As Kurt wondered how such a powerful sorceress could be held captive against her will, Daytripper explained that the Winding Way is not only a mystic discipline, but also it functions like a journey with ups and downs. Margali was at a low point and powerless, otherwise D'Spayre would never have been able to defeat her. The pair rescued their mother and Amanda returned with Kurt to Excalibur.[9] Back on Muir Island, Amanda was the only one who recognized that the team's scientist Rory Campbell was the man destined to become the future mutant hunter Ahab, but she promised him to keep her knowledge secret and offered to be there for him whenever the need would arise.[10]

Around this time she suffered a mystical/telepathic attack on a plane while working a shift under her air hostess job. It involved the fate of the Black Queen.[11]

After Excalibur had been attacked by opposing sorcerers trying to acquire the Soulsword of the deceased Illyana Rasputin,[12] Amanda convinced Shadowcat to give her Magik's Soul Sword for safe-keeping.[13] Amanda thought it best to hand the sword over to her mother. Only when it was too late, Amanda realized that she was tricked by her own mother who wanted the Soulsword to kill all those ahead of her on the Winding Path.[14]

Even at her most powerful, Margali wanted more, and she covertly joined the London Hellfire Club, acting as their red Queen. She planned to destroy London and take over Britain.[15] Shortly after helping to defeat her mother and the Hellfire Club, Amanda left Excalibur without even telling Nightcrawler.[16]

It is later revealed it was not Amanda who made that decision, but Margali who had taken over her body. Upon her defeat among the Hellfire Club, Margali was captured by the villain sorcerer Belasco and was tortured in his realm. From his realm, she secretly switched minds with her daughter so that she could win back her freedom. Eventually, Margali, using Amanda's body, made her way back to Limbo, where the mother and daughter pair switched back and defeated Belasco with Nightcrawler's help. Margali apologized for exposing her daughter to such danger, but then quickly left. Amanda realized that without her mother or Belasco, she was the only person able to take over as Limbo's new ruler. It was too dangerous to leave the dimension unguarded, given that several demons could have used it to invade Earth.[17]

Magik

[edit]

At this moment, Amanda thrwarted Belasco N'Garai’s takeover of Limbo and Earth. She was forced to conceal her identity until of the end of the battle. Those who had not figured out that her new alias was Illyana were informed of this at the end of the battle. Following that, Amanda rallied together the rulers of all other dimensions of Hell to unite them in a common goal: The preservation of Hell.[18]

Amanda has also mastered the ability to magically control the stepping discs of Limbo, just like Belasco did before her, and practiced to wield the Soulsword.[19] During one of Nightcrawler's trips to Limbo, Amanda secretly hid the powerful Soulsword in Kurt's body, thinking it was safe there since his soul was the purest that she could find. There was a shift in the cosmic balance and powerful forces at work. They were in search of the Soulsword, and shortly after, Amanda was attacked and overpowered by Nightmare.[20] She was rescued by the timely arrival of her Margali. Together, they discovered that Nightmare had been manipulated into attacking them by someone else. Amanda and Margali immediately sought out Nightcrawler to warn him, but upon their arrival, the demon Hive revealed himself and took over the body of Nightcrawler's teammate, Wolverine.[21]

Gradually, the demon's essence was disrupted by the Soulsword, though not before he revealed that there is a major war coming, and that the entire Szardos family factors very importantly into it.[22]

Driven out of Limbo

[edit]

Amanda resurfaced in New X-Men when she plunged out of a dimensional portal in a blast of flaming energy and landed in a small German village. She pleaded, "Help me...someone please...He's back." Amanda was driven out of Limbo after being overwhelmed by an invasion led by Belasco; although she had fought and defeated him in the past, Belasco now appeared more powerful and, without the Soulsword, Amanda was no match.[23]

She assisted New X-Men Hellion and Surge as well as O*N*E Sentinel operative (and former mutant) Lex in finding students who were kidnapped by Belasco. The students were saved due to Illyana Rasputin usurping control of Limbo. Once the heroes were teleported back to Xavier's school though, Amanda found Limbo to be sealed off.[24]

While Pixie has stated that she has been approached by both Amanda and Doctor Strange about furthering her magical tutelage when she comes of age, Amanda's whereabouts remained unknown for some time, but she was recently mentioned by Cyclops in the aftermath of Second Coming when he was writing her a letter of condolence over the death of Nightcrawler.[25]

Family reunion

[edit]

After Nightcrawler's resurrection[26] and some period of readjustment, he sought out Amanda for a romantic reunion, but then Amanda was almost kidnapped by a villain called Trimega.[27] After Nightcrawler and his Bamfs subdued Trimega, he chose to grant Amanda and Margali sanctuary in the Jean Grey School for Higher Learning; but then an army of Trimegas descended upon the school. During the battle, it turned out that Margali was actually Trimega's creator and had orchestrated the attack in order to gain knowledge of how to cross into the Afterlife. Armed with that knowledge, Margali opened a portal, whose existence would endanger reality. In order to stop her scheme, Nightcrawler and Amanda attempted to pass the gate, but Nightcrawler's voluntary exile from Heaven barred him from entry, stranding Amanda alone in the Void.[28] They met again when Nightcrawler, fatally stabbed in combat by the Crimson Pirates, was intercepted by Amanda at an "interim station" between life and death, who successfully encouraged him—with some assistance from Wolverine and Phoenix—to return to the land of the living.[29]

Powers and abilities

[edit]

Amanda is a sorceress following the path of the Winding Way. Her power changes in its levels, waxing and waning over time, allowing her to summon such powers as teleportation, illusions casting, shape changing, mystical force bolts, hypnotism, and the manipulation of other complex mystical forces.[30]

When she became the Sorceress Supreme of Limbo, Amanda began wielding the powerful Soulsword. While she couldn't access the full power of the sword, she could still create and control teleportation energies in the form of "stepping discs". This allows her to absorb souls of others either permanently or to simply store and transfer, to place and store the sword in absolute nothingness and to retrieve it from whence it came with ease. Like Illyana Rasputin, the more Amanda used the Soulsword, the more mystical Eldritch armor appeared on her body in addition to demonic features such as horns and hooves. The armor deflects or limits attacks, both physical and magical. However, on Earth, Amanda's abilities are limited to a different capacity. She has since lost these abilities when Limbo was sealed to her and resumed her normal display of powers.

Reception

[edit]

Critical reception

[edit]

Deirdre Kaye of Scary Mommy called Amanda Sefton a "role model" and a "truly heroic" female character.[31] Nitish Vashishtha of Sportskeeda ranked Amanda Sefton 7th in their "10 Strongest Marvel Witches" list.[32] Darren Franich of Entertainment Weekly ranked Amanda Sefton 65th in their "Let's rank every X-Man ever" list.[33]

Screen Rant included Amanda Sefton in their "15 Most Powerful Marvel Magic Users (Who Aren’t Doctor Strange)" list,[30] and in their "10 Best Magical Or Supernatural Heroes Not Yet In The MCU" list.[34] Comic Book Resources ranked Amanda Sefton 6th in their "20 Fan-Favorite X-Men Who Aren't Even Mutants" list.[35]

The plot twist revealing that Amanda Sefton is really Nightcrawler's sister, Jimaine Szardos, received mixed reactions. Book Riot described the twist as "the crowning moment of creepy" in their article "The X-Men's Love Lives are Messed Up You Guys."[36]

Literary reception

[edit]

Volumes

[edit]

Magik (2000)

[edit]

According to Diamond Comic Distributors, X-Men: Magik #1 was the 32nd best selling comic book in October 2000.[37]

Other versions

[edit]

An alternate version of Amanda Sefton appears in the Days of Future Past timeline. Amanda and Nightcrawler have a daughter Blue who inherited her father's appearance and similar teleporting powers. Amanda and Nightcrawler, along with that timeline's version of Illyana Rasputin, were gunned down by a government strike force deployed to destroy the Xavier Institute after Senator Robert Kelly was assassinated.[38]

Marvel Noir

[edit]

Set in Marvel Noir, Amanda Selton as The Red Rose appears as a head of the Weapon X program. She was later killed by Kurt Wagner but not before burning his face with a torch. [39]

X-2: X-Men Unite'

[edit]

A tie-in comic to the 2003 film X-2: X-Men United depicts Amanda and Kurt's past, but reveled as an illusion/flashback to persuade him to join Weapon X. [40]

In other media

[edit]

Amanda Sefton appears in X-Men: Evolution, voiced by Moneca Stori.[41] This version is an African/Romani American teenager and student of Bayville High School who comes from a normal family and gradually enters a relationship with Nightcrawler.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Diaz, Eric (November 4, 2022). "The Marvel Witches We Want to See in AGATHA: COVEN OF CHAOS". Nerdist. Retrieved 2023-03-17.
  2. ^ DeFalco, Tom; Sanderson, Peter; Brevoort, Tom; Teitelbaum, Michael; Wallace, Daniel; Darling, Andrew; Forbeck, Matt; Cowsill, Alan; Bray, Adam (2019). The Marvel Encyclopedia. DK Publishing. p. 225. ISBN 978-1-4654-7890-0.
  3. ^ The Uncanny X-Men #169 (May 1983).
  4. ^ Young, Kai (November 24, 2022). "Every Marvel Witch Who Could Be In Agatha's Coven Of Chaos". Screen Rant. Retrieved 2023-03-17.
  5. ^ The Uncanny X-Men Annual #4 (1980)
  6. ^ The Uncanny X-Men #204
  7. ^ Excalibur #75 (1994)
  8. ^ Excalibur #76 (April 1994)
  9. ^ Excalibur #77 (May 1994)
  10. ^ Excalibur #80
  11. ^ Excalibur Annual #2 (1994)
  12. ^ Excalibur #83
  13. ^ Excalibur #84
  14. ^ Excalibur #85
  15. ^ Excalibur #100
  16. ^ Excalibur #108
  17. ^ X-Men Unlimited #19
  18. ^ X-Men: Black Sun #1-5
  19. ^ X-Men: Magik #1–4
  20. ^ Nightcrawler vol. 3 #9
  21. ^ Nightcrawler vol. 3 #10
  22. ^ Nightcrawler vol. 3 #11
  23. ^ New X-Men vol. 2 #37
  24. ^ New X-Men vol. 2 #41
  25. ^ X-Men: Second Coming #2
  26. ^ Amazing X-Men vol. 2 #1–5
  27. ^ Nightcrawler vol. 4 #1
  28. ^ Nightcrawler vol. 4 #4
  29. ^ Nightcrawler vol. 4 #10
  30. ^ a b Beaty, Drew (2021-10-31). "15 Most Powerful Marvel Magic Users (Who Aren't Doctor Strange)". Screen Rant. Retrieved 2022-10-23.
  31. ^ Kaye, Deirdre (November 16, 2020). "Looking For A Role Model? These 195+ Marvel Female Characters Are Truly Heroic". Scary Mommy. Retrieved 2022-10-23.
  32. ^ Vashishtha, Nitish (November 10, 2022). "10 strongest Marvel witches, ranked". Sportskeeda. Retrieved 2023-03-17.
  33. ^ Franich, Darren (May 21, 2014). "Let's rank every X-Man ever". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved 2022-10-23.
  34. ^ Prom, Bradley (2022-09-29). "10 Best Magical Or Supernatural Heroes Not Yet In The MCU". Screen Rant. Retrieved 2022-10-23.
  35. ^ Webber, Tim (2018-09-15). "Not So Gifted: 20 Fan-Favorite X-Men Who Aren't Even Mutants". Comic Book Resources. Retrieved 2022-10-23.
  36. ^ Gonzalez, Eileen (2019-02-04). "The X-Men's Love Lives are Messed Up You Guys". Book Riot. Retrieved 2023-06-19.
  37. ^ "Comichron: October 2000 Comic Book Sales to Comics Shops". Comichron. Retrieved 2023-04-19.
  38. ^ The Uncanny X-Men #188
  39. ^ Weapon X Noir #1
  40. ^ X-Men 2 Prequel: Nightcrawler #1
  41. ^ "Voice Of Amanda Sefton – Behind The Voice Actors". Behind The Voice Actors. Check marks indicates role has been confirmed using screenshots of closing credits and other reliable sources{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: postscript (link)
[edit]
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