Loa (Alani Ryan) is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by Michael Ryan, Nunzio DeFilippis, and Christina Weir, Loa debuted in The New Mutants vol. 2 #11 (June, 2004). Loa belongs to the human subspecies known as mutants, who are born with superhuman abilities. She possesses the ability to phase through objects, breaking down their molecular bonds in the process and causing the target to disintegrate.
Born in Maui, Hawaii of mixed Native Hawaiian and Caucasian ancestry, Alani Ryan quickly developed a talent for surfing. Her mutant powers activate after she and her father are attacked by the villain Great White and his pack of trained sharks. However, they are rescued by Namor. Alani's grandmother Alice Ryan is revealed to be a former acquaintance of Namor and a friend of his former lover Betty Dean. It is also revealed that her "tattooed" appearance is an aspect of her mutation.[1]
Alpha Squadron
After arriving at the Xavier Institute as a student, she adopts the codename Loa. Along with fellow students Anole, Rubbermaid, Kidogo, Network, and Indra, she is assigned to Alpha Squadron, a training squad advised by Northstar. When Northstar is apparently killed by Wolverine, advising duties for Alpha Squadron are taken over by Karma.
After the Decimation, Loa is one of the 27 students to retain her powers. Loa is among the students who fight for a chance to join the X-Men, but ends up losing. Along with fellow students Mercury and Onyxx, Loa is tasked with keeping peace at the riots on Telegraph Hill after the mutant hate group Humanity Now marches from Sacramento to San Francisco to promote "Proposition X". The group's actions displease many citizens of San Francisco, mutant and non-mutant alike.[2]
Necrosha
During the attack of Selene's undead force on Utopia, Alani is attacked by three reanimated Acolytes: Fabian Cortez, Seamus Mellencamp, and Marco Delgado. She is saved by Deadpool, who repeatedly attacks the Acolytes, only for them to regenerate. As Mellencamp is about to kill Deadpool, Loa dives through Mellencamp, disintegrating him. Seeing that Mellencamp did not reform, Deadpool throws Loa at the remaining Acolytes, disintegrating them as well.[3]
Collision
Loa joins Rogue, Magneto, Indra, and Anole on a trip to Mumbai after Indra's family tells him to come home. The group, minus Indra, venture into the city to see the sites. While roaming the streets the group experience a bizarre storm, which causes lightning to bombard the city. Loa appears unharmed and the group encounter a strange girl named Luisa, who appears out of nowhere. The group is then attacked by three Sentinels.[4] Loa takes down a Sentinel on her own by phasing through its head, which impresses Rogue. When they return to Indra's home, Indra reveals to them that he is going to be placed in an arranged marriage.
Before the marriage can happen, the Children of the Vault attack with the intention of reclaiming their "sister" Luisa, who reveals that her real name is Luz. However, Indra's father refuses to allow his son to leave before he is to be married. Indra then decides to marry Vaipala first that afternoon so they may rescue their teachers.[5]
As the wedding goes on, it is revealed that Vaipala and Luz switched places and that the Children of the Vault have captured Vaipala.[6] Loa threatens Luz for information on the way to Quitado, the Children's city. After rescuing Rogue, Magneto and Vaipala, Loa and Magneto work together in sending Quitado back to the reality where it came from.[7]
The Curse of the Mutants
Loa accompanies Emma Frost underwater to present Namor with data from Doctor Nemesis about the Atlantean vampires, the Aqueos. During the trip, she reveals she would not only like to see New Atlantis for herself but she is well educated in Atlantean history, mythology and culture.[8]
During the final assault on the Aqueos city, Loa appears with Logomancer as backup. They arrive with a spell that weakens the Aqueos but during the process an Aqueos breaks her diving helmet. A pendant she is wearing begins to glow, giving Loa the ability to breathe underwater. Loa then begins to proceed in destroying several of the Aqueos.[9]
Death and rebirth
Loa is killed during a mutant retaliation.[10] During the "Empyre" storyline, Loa is revealed to have been resurrected on Krakoa. She, Anole, and Rockslide go to Arakko Point on Krakoa and meet with the Summoner, which is interrupted when a Cotati fleet approaches Krakoa.[11] Loa and Mercury attempt to start a relationship, which ends up not working out.[12]
Loa's powers as depicted in New X-Men (vol. 2) #38 (May 2007). Art by Skottie Young (penciller), Sean Parsons and Jay Leisten (inkers), and Jean-François Beaulieu (colorist).
Powers and abilities
Loa possesses a molecular distortion power that allows her to move through solid matter by disabling binding forces. This causes the matter to crumble, or break down around as she passes through it.[1] Despite having little field experience, Loa has proven herself capable in battle, surviving the Purifiers' assault on the Xavier Institute, defending herself against demons when sucked into Limbo, combating the reanimated dead during Necrosha alongside Deadpool, and holding her own against Sentinels.
Accolades
In 2020, Scary Mommy included Loa in their "Looking For A Role Model? These 195+ Marvel Female Characters Are Truly Heroic" list.[13]
In 2022, CBR ranked Loa 2nd in "10 Marvel Characters You Should Read For AAPI Month".[14]
In 2022, Screen Rant ranked Loa 7th in "Marvel's 10 Most Powerful Aquatic Characters, Ranked".[15]
In 2024, Screen Rant included Loa in "10 Most Underrated X-Men in Marvel History".[16]
In 2024, CBR ranked Loa 9th in "The 10 Most Powerful X-Men No One Talks About, Ranked".[17]
In other media
Loa makes a non-speaking cameo appearance in the X-Men '97 episode "To Me, My X-Men".[18]
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