After Joshua Foley’s mutant powers manifest, he studies at Xavier’s Institute, and in learning how to use his powers, he eventually joins the New X-Men and X-Force teams. He becomes Elixir, an Omega-level mutant with the ability to heal or cause harm. Though he continually faces an internal struggle with his abilities, which can give life or take it away.
Golden Boy
Born in Flushing, Queens, New York to parents Howard and Grace Foley, Joshua “Josh” Foley is often referred to as the “golden boy” growing up. Josh grows up well-liked and well-adjusted in a loving home, with parents devoted to raising their child in a typical family setting. Unaware that he was a mutant, Josh is convinced by his friend Duncan to join Donald Pierce’s anti-mutant Reavers. During a battle with the New Mutants, young protégés of the heroic X-Men, Duncan is wounded. Josh’s powers manifest, and he inadvertently heals Duncan.
When Pierce wounds mutant Laurie Collins, AKA Wallflower, Foley sets aside his fears and heals her. As a result, one of the original New Mutants, Danielle Moonstar, AKA Dani Moonstar, offers Josh enrollment in Xavier’s Institute. Josh refuses until his family and friends shun him for being a mutant. Reluctantly accepting Moonstar’s invitation, Foley starts attending the Institute.
Omega-Level Healer
An omega-class mutant, Elixir has a flexible, metallic golden skin with a dark mercury-like substance flowing all over his body. Through physical contact, while concentrating, he can manipulate organic material, such as flesh, blood, and bone, on a genetic level. This biokinesis allows him to heal wounds, regrow tissues that have been damaged or completely removed, heal physiological disturbances that disrupt normal brain function, repair traumatic brain injury, and heal injuries at a subconscious level. After healing massive injuries, Elixir is prone to losing consciousness.
Elixir can use his powers offensively by reversing his energy, causing numerous effects, including cellular damage, cerebral hemorrhage, or even cardiac arrest. He has a high school education with knowledge equivalent to a Ph.D. in biochemistry. As such, he is an expert on mutations and evolutionary biology, with extensive knowledge of genetics, biochemistry, and other various scientific fields.
Relatives and Found Family
Josh is raised by his parents Howard and Grace Foley and has two older brothers. He has a drama-free upbringing until his healing powers manifest, and his family disowns him for being a mutant.
Before his powers manifest, Josh joins up with the Super Villain cyborg Donald Pierce and his Reavers, an anti-mutant organization. Once they realize he’s a mutant, they ostracize him. He joins the mutants at Xavier’s Institute and rooms with David Alleyne, AKA Prodigy, but has difficulty fitting in with the “muties” as he calls them. Although Josh and David’s relationship has a rocky start, the two soon become good friends. After his parents receive an update from Josh telling them how he’s fairing at school, they name the school Josh’s legal guardian. Later, his faculty advisor Dani Moonstar becomes his legal guardian.
After taking the codename Elixir, he joins the New Mutants Training Squad, the New X-Men, followed by the X-Force.
Killer Dark Side
When Reverend William Stryker attacks Xavier’s Institute, Josh kills him and as such becomes a darker version of himself, literally and figuratively. Whenever he comes up against fierce foes after that, such as Belasco, Kevin Ford, AKA Wither, and Gauntlet, his black form manifests and either completely covers him or crawls over his body as if spilled ink.
Elixir faces another battle to the death with Wither and they fight over their mutual friend and love interest Wallflower who previously perished. Elixir shifts from gold to his black form and kills Wither.