What Are X-23’s Powers and Abilities in Marvel Comics?

In our latest deep-dive into the characters of Marvel Comics, we explore X-23, a.k.a. Laura Kinney. In this piece, we’ll explore X-23’s Marvel powers and abilities. You can check out the full series here.

In Marvel Comics, X-23 has all the same mutant regenerative healing powers as her father, Logan, a.k.a Wolverine, and then some. When it comes to Marvel abilities, X-23 also possesses the superhuman strength, enhanced senses and reflexes, increased agility, and intense durability of Wolverine. Additionally, while Logan only has adamantium claws that extend from his hands, Laura Kinney also has claws that come out of her feet. Unlike Logan, however, X-23 only has two claws per hand, not three.

Another major difference in powers between Wolverine and X-23 comes in the amount of adamantium they have in their bodies. Wolverine has adamantium covering his whole skeleton. X-23, meanwhile, only has adamantium lacing her claws. Furthermore, X-23’s captors can activate a “trigger scent” in her that sends her into a berserker rage when they need her to kill multiple targets. Despite psychic tampering from X-Men like Charles Xavier and Emma Frost, it’s doubtful that trigger will ever fully go away.

Laura Kinney in battle mode as X-23.
Marvel Comics

Is X-23 More Powerful Than Wolverine?

In some key ways, Laura Kinney is more powerful than her father Logan. She heals much faster, because she doesn’t have the adamantium lacing her entire body. Because of this, she’s also quicker and more agile.

The Full Story of Marvel’s X-23

If you’d like to learn more about X-23, check out the rest of the pieces in our explainer series, below: