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(Redirected from Mutant (Marvel comics))
In Marvel comic books, particularly those of the X-Men mythos, a mutant is a member of the species ''Homo sapiens superior'', an offshoot of regular humanity, ''Homo sapiens sapiens''. Mutants are born with a genetic trait called the X-gene, which allows them to naturally develop abilities not possessed by regular humans. Mutants are supposedly the next stage in human evolution.
The term "mutant" in the Marvel Universe should not be confused with its usual usage in reality to describe any organism whose DNA has been ''altered'' by an external force. These do exist in the Marvel Universe - Spider-Man, the Incredible Hulk and the Fantastic Four are prominent examples - but are covered by the separate and distinct term "mutates", a shorthand term for "mutated human". Marvel mutants, by comparison, possess the X-gene from birth.
Mutant powers vary almost without limit. Individual mutant powers or power combinations are almost always unique, though common themes include telepathy, telekinesis, flight, the ability to project energy, accelerated healing and enhanced strength, agility and senses, all to variable limits. Mutation can also often entail a minor to radical alteration in physical appearance from the human norm - wings, gills, fur, altered skin colour, etc.
Most mutant powers manifest during puberty or early adolescence and can increase as the mutant grows and develops. Some powers remain latent until activated by severe stress, or remain unnoticed throughout the person's lifetime, while others are apparent immediately from birth. Some individuals have a secondary mutation which activates around middle age. For some mutants, several years of self-discipline are needed before they can control their powers, while others never gain full control of them.
Mutants may be born to human or mutant parents, though the odds of a mutant birth are much better for the latter. Likewise, it is rare but possible for mutant parents to have human children. Some humans are genetically predisposed towards having mutant descendants. As an unstated rule, mutant relatives will generally have similar powers and will often be immune to each other's powers.
The supervillain Vargas was born with superpowers and claims to be a representative of the "true" ''Homo superior'', but lacks the mutant X-gene and is genetically human. The source of his powers is a mystery.
Following the events of ''House of M'' many mutants lost their powers - or, more specifically, their X-genes - and became physically human. In ''Son of M'', several ex-mutants are exposed to the mutagenic Terrigen Mist, in some cases restoring their powers in uncontrollable forms but in others, such as Quicksilver's, granting entirely new powers. All, however, are now technically ''mutates'', not mutants.
Magic-users such as Dr. Strange are neither mutants nor mutates. Persons who are granted powers ''by'' magic, such as Juggernaut or the Absorbing Man have been recently dubbed magic-based mutates as shown in ''Civil War: Battle Damage Report''.
A character with superhuman powers, born from a radiation-exposed parent, was seen in "The Man With The Atomic Brain!"[1] in ''Journey into Mystery'' #52 in May 1959; although not specifically called a "mutant", his origin is consistent with one.
A little-known story in ''Tales of Suspense'' #6 (November 1959) titled "The Mutants and Me!"[2] was the first Marvel (then known as Atlas) story to feature a named "mutant".
However, these early precursors count as retcons. The modern concept of mutants as an independent species was created and utilized by Marvel editor/writer Stan Lee in the early 1960s, as a means to create a large number of superheroes and villains without having to think of a separate origin for each one (though the Beast, Professor X and Sunfire appear to have acquired their powers when their parents were exposed to radiation before their children were born). As part of the concept, Lee decided that these mutant teenagers should, like ordinary ones, attend school in order to better cope with the world, in this case Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters. The most prominent vehicle for the mutant concept is the superhero series ''X-Men'', which debuted in 1963.
Officially, Namor the Sub-Mariner is the first mutant superhero whom Marvel Comics ever published, debuting in 1939. However, Namor was not actually described as a mutant until decades after his first appearance. Toro, a little known Marvel super-hero introduced in 1940, may be the same.
The extensive popularity of the X-Men led Marvel to create several additional mutant superhero teams, including The New Mutants, X-Factor, Excalibur, X-Force, and Generation X.
The ultimate source of all supernormal mutations is the enigmatic Celestials, who came to Earth one million years ago and performed genetics experiments on proto-Humanity, incorporating and altering DNA in the genetic code of the early ''Homo sapiens'' to allow future generations of humans to gain superpowers. This genetic potential is sometimes activated through external stimulation, such as radiation (see mutates, above), but in many individuals the genetic potential is activated before birth, manifesting in the form of the a genetic trait called the X-Factor or X-gene, giving rise to a mutant.
Besides their diverse powers and appearances, mutants are also born with a natural immunity against certain genetic infections like the Phalanx and Sublime, and a specific brainwave pattern that can be detected by certain means, such as the Cerebro device.
Within the Marvel Universe, Namor remains one of the earliest mutants, though a number of later-created mutant characters are shown to predate him, including: Apocalypse (born in the 30th Century BC); Wolverine (late 19th Century AD); Mystique and Destiny (dates of birth unknown, but known to have been active at the "Dawn of the 20th Century"); Selene (active at least as early as the Hyborian Age, and evidently many millennia old); and a group of mutants known as the Externals.
Otherwise, the majority of mutants have arisen in the relatively recent past. They are a worldwide phenomenon and their existence as a species is widespread public knowledge in the Marvel Universe.
Ordinary humans often hate and fear mutants for a variety of reasons: ordinary bigotry and xenophobia (particularly directed at mutants with nonstandard appearances), jealousy of their natural superpowers, and fear of being replaced or rendered extinct by the so-called next stage in human evolution. "Mutie" is a common slur. Anti-mutant sentiment often leads to mob violence and the alienation of mutants from society. Mutant Town, for example, is a ghetto-like neighbourhood in New York City.
(By comparison, most non-mutant superheroes, including mutates, are not affected by such bigotry.)
In more recent comics, a mutant "baby boom" is discovered with the potential to make mutants the dominant species on Earth within five generations. The growing mutant youth population develops a subculture with mutant bands and fashions, with some rebellious non-mutant youths adopting the subculture in turn.
The X-Men, founded by Professor X, are mutant superheroes who defend a world that hates and fears them and who work for peaceful coexistence of the two races. They deal with anti-mutant sentiment and a number of organised anti-mutant campaigns:
★ Mutant-hunting robot Sentinels of Project: Wideawake and , both sponsored by the US government. Under Cassandra Nova, Sentinels killed approximately 16 million Mutants on Genosha (''New X-Men #115 ['E' is for Extinction Storyline]'' , 2001).
★ The Canadian government's Weapon X project
★ Friends of Humanity, an anti-mutant hate group
★ The U-Men, a cult-like group who attempt to gain superpowers from mutant organ transplants
★ The "Purifiers", a religious hate group led by Reverend William Stryker. Such groups are particularly inflamed by the fact that, by genetic coincidence, some mutants have an angelic or demonic appearance.
At the same time they confront threats (to both mutants and humans) coming from mutants such as Magneto and Apocalypse, who (in their own ways) believe their species has a right to rule over ordinary humans, simply by virtue of being more genetically advanced. A considerable number of ordinary humans do fear a potential mutant/human war, partially due to the actions of these mutants.
Other mutant superteams such as X-Factor and Excalibur also operate in the Marvel Universe, with their own agendas and obstacles.
Some mutants have been important parts of such traditionally non-mutant teams as the Avengers, the Fantastic Four and the Defenders, even receiving celebrity or iconic status as a result.
The events of House of M change the face of the Marvel Universe. Following a nervous breakdown, the Scarlet Witch rewrites reality to reduce mutantkind from a swelling population of nearly a million to just a few hundred individuals, with the rest simply losing their X-genes and reverting to normal humans. Among the depowered are prominent mutants such as Magneto and Polaris.
In addition, new mutant births - previously a possibility even for two human parents - have ceased. Because of their reduced numbers, mutants are no longer considered a viable line of evolution and several individuals have described mutants as an endangered species, on the brink of extinction.
Whether this latest development will stand the test of time, or if it will eventually be negated remains to be seen.
Throughout the history of the X-Men franchise, X-Teams have often been written as typical superhero comic books, featuring epic adventures and battles with super villains. Yet, the theme of mutants as a metaphor for real world minorities who face oppression has been a constant throughout the series. Some examples:
★ Magneto, a Jewish Holocaust survivor who once lived in Israel has attempted to create a "mutant home state" similar to Israel. His first attempt was the fictional South American nation of San Marco. Later he became ruler of Genosha, a fictional island off the coast of Madagascar, recognized by the United Nations as a mutant state.
★ The 1981 dystopian future storyline ''Days of Future Past'' portrays a mutant Holocaust, where mutants are herded into concentration camps and massacred.
★ Senator Robert Kelly has proposed a "Mutant Registration Act" that would force mutants to reveal their powers and identities to the federal government (reintroduced and expanded to include all superhumans as the Superhuman Registration Act in the "Civil War" story arc), similar to McCarthyism and other Red Scare-era acts of Congress that effectively outlawed the American Communist Party.
★ With most mutant powers manifesting at puberty and the large number of young mutants who are rejected by their families, mutation parallels the realization that many young gay people have of their homosexuality in their teen years and the rejection and ostracization from family they experience. For example, The X-Men Iceman has had a difficult relationship with his father, who is often portrayed as a bigot. The parellel is drawn especially sharply in the second X-Men movie with the line "Have you ever tried ''not'' being a mutant?"
★ The Legacy Virus storyline of the 1990s was often seen as a metaphor for the AIDS epidemic. The Legacy Virus was a mysterious and deadly pathogen that affected mutant genes, however the larger world was not concerned about it until the first non-mutant victim was made public. Also, Genosha, the aforementioned island nation, was particularly affected, mirroring the spread of AIDS in Africa. (Additionally, the status of the legacy virus as an artificial creation may have been influenced by conspiracy theories asserting that AIDS was created by the government to wipe out gays and blacks.)
In the Ultimate Marvel universe it has not been stated what the cause of mutations is, although it was claimed by the Shi'ar cult in an Ultimate X-Men issue that the Phoenix, which is imprisoned inside the Earth, is responsible for creating mutants and several other advancements in human evolution. However it is unknown if this statement will be supported by subsequent stories.
Mutants in the Ultimate universe are even more controversial than in the mainstream Marvel Universe: for instance, in the first issue of ''Ultimate X-Men'', Sentinel robots are seen killing people on the streets, with a news reporter calmly announcing that a "nest" of mutants has been exterminated.
Though mutants are also referred to in the Ultimate universe as ''Homo superior'', particularly by mutant-supremacists such as Magneto, in ''Ultimate Nightmare'' #1 Charles Xavier uses the more neutral term ''Homo sapiens novus''. Coincidentally, this is also the scientific term for the ''Novas'' of White Wolf, Inc.'s role playing game Aberrant.
In the Ultimate Marvel Universe, mutates were briefly called "Unnatural Mutations".
The ''Earth X'' series stated that the Celestials reproduce by implanting an "egg" at the core of the planet, and use the genetically modified dominant species (in Earth's case, Human Mutants) to protect the egg from Galactus until it hatches. However, Marvel editors officially declared that anything stated in ''Earth X'' would not necessarily be canonical.
★ ''Homo sapiens (Marvel Comics)''
★ List of Marvel Comics mutants
★ Mutate (comics)
★ Mutant (fictional)
★ Marvel Comics
★ X-Men
★ Metamutant
★ Secondary mutation
★ Omega-level mutant
In Marvel comic books, particularly those of the X-Men mythos, a mutant is a member of the species ''Homo sapiens superior'', an offshoot of regular humanity, ''Homo sapiens sapiens''. Mutants are born with a genetic trait called the X-gene, which allows them to naturally develop abilities not possessed by regular humans. Mutants are supposedly the next stage in human evolution.
The term "mutant" in the Marvel Universe should not be confused with its usual usage in reality to describe any organism whose DNA has been ''altered'' by an external force. These do exist in the Marvel Universe - Spider-Man, the Incredible Hulk and the Fantastic Four are prominent examples - but are covered by the separate and distinct term "mutates", a shorthand term for "mutated human". Marvel mutants, by comparison, possess the X-gene from birth.
Description
Mutant powers vary almost without limit. Individual mutant powers or power combinations are almost always unique, though common themes include telepathy, telekinesis, flight, the ability to project energy, accelerated healing and enhanced strength, agility and senses, all to variable limits. Mutation can also often entail a minor to radical alteration in physical appearance from the human norm - wings, gills, fur, altered skin colour, etc.
Most mutant powers manifest during puberty or early adolescence and can increase as the mutant grows and develops. Some powers remain latent until activated by severe stress, or remain unnoticed throughout the person's lifetime, while others are apparent immediately from birth. Some individuals have a secondary mutation which activates around middle age. For some mutants, several years of self-discipline are needed before they can control their powers, while others never gain full control of them.
Mutants may be born to human or mutant parents, though the odds of a mutant birth are much better for the latter. Likewise, it is rare but possible for mutant parents to have human children. Some humans are genetically predisposed towards having mutant descendants. As an unstated rule, mutant relatives will generally have similar powers and will often be immune to each other's powers.
Clarifications to the X-gene rule
The supervillain Vargas was born with superpowers and claims to be a representative of the "true" ''Homo superior'', but lacks the mutant X-gene and is genetically human. The source of his powers is a mystery.
Following the events of ''House of M'' many mutants lost their powers - or, more specifically, their X-genes - and became physically human. In ''Son of M'', several ex-mutants are exposed to the mutagenic Terrigen Mist, in some cases restoring their powers in uncontrollable forms but in others, such as Quicksilver's, granting entirely new powers. All, however, are now technically ''mutates'', not mutants.
Magic-users such as Dr. Strange are neither mutants nor mutates. Persons who are granted powers ''by'' magic, such as Juggernaut or the Absorbing Man have been recently dubbed magic-based mutates as shown in ''Civil War: Battle Damage Report''.
Background
A character with superhuman powers, born from a radiation-exposed parent, was seen in "The Man With The Atomic Brain!"[1] in ''Journey into Mystery'' #52 in May 1959; although not specifically called a "mutant", his origin is consistent with one.
A little-known story in ''Tales of Suspense'' #6 (November 1959) titled "The Mutants and Me!"[2] was the first Marvel (then known as Atlas) story to feature a named "mutant".
However, these early precursors count as retcons. The modern concept of mutants as an independent species was created and utilized by Marvel editor/writer Stan Lee in the early 1960s, as a means to create a large number of superheroes and villains without having to think of a separate origin for each one (though the Beast, Professor X and Sunfire appear to have acquired their powers when their parents were exposed to radiation before their children were born). As part of the concept, Lee decided that these mutant teenagers should, like ordinary ones, attend school in order to better cope with the world, in this case Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters. The most prominent vehicle for the mutant concept is the superhero series ''X-Men'', which debuted in 1963.
Officially, Namor the Sub-Mariner is the first mutant superhero whom Marvel Comics ever published, debuting in 1939. However, Namor was not actually described as a mutant until decades after his first appearance. Toro, a little known Marvel super-hero introduced in 1940, may be the same.
The extensive popularity of the X-Men led Marvel to create several additional mutant superhero teams, including The New Mutants, X-Factor, Excalibur, X-Force, and Generation X.
Fictional history
The ultimate source of all supernormal mutations is the enigmatic Celestials, who came to Earth one million years ago and performed genetics experiments on proto-Humanity, incorporating and altering DNA in the genetic code of the early ''Homo sapiens'' to allow future generations of humans to gain superpowers. This genetic potential is sometimes activated through external stimulation, such as radiation (see mutates, above), but in many individuals the genetic potential is activated before birth, manifesting in the form of the a genetic trait called the X-Factor or X-gene, giving rise to a mutant.
Besides their diverse powers and appearances, mutants are also born with a natural immunity against certain genetic infections like the Phalanx and Sublime, and a specific brainwave pattern that can be detected by certain means, such as the Cerebro device.
Within the Marvel Universe, Namor remains one of the earliest mutants, though a number of later-created mutant characters are shown to predate him, including: Apocalypse (born in the 30th Century BC); Wolverine (late 19th Century AD); Mystique and Destiny (dates of birth unknown, but known to have been active at the "Dawn of the 20th Century"); Selene (active at least as early as the Hyborian Age, and evidently many millennia old); and a group of mutants known as the Externals.
Otherwise, the majority of mutants have arisen in the relatively recent past. They are a worldwide phenomenon and their existence as a species is widespread public knowledge in the Marvel Universe.
Ordinary humans often hate and fear mutants for a variety of reasons: ordinary bigotry and xenophobia (particularly directed at mutants with nonstandard appearances), jealousy of their natural superpowers, and fear of being replaced or rendered extinct by the so-called next stage in human evolution. "Mutie" is a common slur. Anti-mutant sentiment often leads to mob violence and the alienation of mutants from society. Mutant Town, for example, is a ghetto-like neighbourhood in New York City.
(By comparison, most non-mutant superheroes, including mutates, are not affected by such bigotry.)
In more recent comics, a mutant "baby boom" is discovered with the potential to make mutants the dominant species on Earth within five generations. The growing mutant youth population develops a subculture with mutant bands and fashions, with some rebellious non-mutant youths adopting the subculture in turn.
The X-Men
The X-Men, founded by Professor X, are mutant superheroes who defend a world that hates and fears them and who work for peaceful coexistence of the two races. They deal with anti-mutant sentiment and a number of organised anti-mutant campaigns:
★ Mutant-hunting robot Sentinels of Project: Wideawake and , both sponsored by the US government. Under Cassandra Nova, Sentinels killed approximately 16 million Mutants on Genosha (''New X-Men #115 ['E' is for Extinction Storyline]'' , 2001).
★ The Canadian government's Weapon X project
★ Friends of Humanity, an anti-mutant hate group
★ The U-Men, a cult-like group who attempt to gain superpowers from mutant organ transplants
★ The "Purifiers", a religious hate group led by Reverend William Stryker. Such groups are particularly inflamed by the fact that, by genetic coincidence, some mutants have an angelic or demonic appearance.
At the same time they confront threats (to both mutants and humans) coming from mutants such as Magneto and Apocalypse, who (in their own ways) believe their species has a right to rule over ordinary humans, simply by virtue of being more genetically advanced. A considerable number of ordinary humans do fear a potential mutant/human war, partially due to the actions of these mutants.
Other mutant superteams such as X-Factor and Excalibur also operate in the Marvel Universe, with their own agendas and obstacles.
Some mutants have been important parts of such traditionally non-mutant teams as the Avengers, the Fantastic Four and the Defenders, even receiving celebrity or iconic status as a result.
Decimation
The events of House of M change the face of the Marvel Universe. Following a nervous breakdown, the Scarlet Witch rewrites reality to reduce mutantkind from a swelling population of nearly a million to just a few hundred individuals, with the rest simply losing their X-genes and reverting to normal humans. Among the depowered are prominent mutants such as Magneto and Polaris.
In addition, new mutant births - previously a possibility even for two human parents - have ceased. Because of their reduced numbers, mutants are no longer considered a viable line of evolution and several individuals have described mutants as an endangered species, on the brink of extinction.
Whether this latest development will stand the test of time, or if it will eventually be negated remains to be seen.
Mutants as metaphor
Throughout the history of the X-Men franchise, X-Teams have often been written as typical superhero comic books, featuring epic adventures and battles with super villains. Yet, the theme of mutants as a metaphor for real world minorities who face oppression has been a constant throughout the series. Some examples:
★ Magneto, a Jewish Holocaust survivor who once lived in Israel has attempted to create a "mutant home state" similar to Israel. His first attempt was the fictional South American nation of San Marco. Later he became ruler of Genosha, a fictional island off the coast of Madagascar, recognized by the United Nations as a mutant state.
★ The 1981 dystopian future storyline ''Days of Future Past'' portrays a mutant Holocaust, where mutants are herded into concentration camps and massacred.
★ Senator Robert Kelly has proposed a "Mutant Registration Act" that would force mutants to reveal their powers and identities to the federal government (reintroduced and expanded to include all superhumans as the Superhuman Registration Act in the "Civil War" story arc), similar to McCarthyism and other Red Scare-era acts of Congress that effectively outlawed the American Communist Party.
★ With most mutant powers manifesting at puberty and the large number of young mutants who are rejected by their families, mutation parallels the realization that many young gay people have of their homosexuality in their teen years and the rejection and ostracization from family they experience. For example, The X-Men Iceman has had a difficult relationship with his father, who is often portrayed as a bigot. The parellel is drawn especially sharply in the second X-Men movie with the line "Have you ever tried ''not'' being a mutant?"
★ The Legacy Virus storyline of the 1990s was often seen as a metaphor for the AIDS epidemic. The Legacy Virus was a mysterious and deadly pathogen that affected mutant genes, however the larger world was not concerned about it until the first non-mutant victim was made public. Also, Genosha, the aforementioned island nation, was particularly affected, mirroring the spread of AIDS in Africa. (Additionally, the status of the legacy virus as an artificial creation may have been influenced by conspiracy theories asserting that AIDS was created by the government to wipe out gays and blacks.)
In other continuities
Ultimate Marvel
In the Ultimate Marvel universe it has not been stated what the cause of mutations is, although it was claimed by the Shi'ar cult in an Ultimate X-Men issue that the Phoenix, which is imprisoned inside the Earth, is responsible for creating mutants and several other advancements in human evolution. However it is unknown if this statement will be supported by subsequent stories.
Mutants in the Ultimate universe are even more controversial than in the mainstream Marvel Universe: for instance, in the first issue of ''Ultimate X-Men'', Sentinel robots are seen killing people on the streets, with a news reporter calmly announcing that a "nest" of mutants has been exterminated.
Though mutants are also referred to in the Ultimate universe as ''Homo superior'', particularly by mutant-supremacists such as Magneto, in ''Ultimate Nightmare'' #1 Charles Xavier uses the more neutral term ''Homo sapiens novus''. Coincidentally, this is also the scientific term for the ''Novas'' of White Wolf, Inc.'s role playing game Aberrant.
In the Ultimate Marvel Universe, mutates were briefly called "Unnatural Mutations".
''Earth X'': Mutants as Planetary Antibody
The ''Earth X'' series stated that the Celestials reproduce by implanting an "egg" at the core of the planet, and use the genetically modified dominant species (in Earth's case, Human Mutants) to protect the egg from Galactus until it hatches. However, Marvel editors officially declared that anything stated in ''Earth X'' would not necessarily be canonical.
Related Links
★ ''Homo sapiens (Marvel Comics)''
★ List of Marvel Comics mutants
★ Mutate (comics)
★ Mutant (fictional)
★ Marvel Comics
★ X-Men
★ Metamutant
★ Secondary mutation
★ Omega-level mutant
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