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Mutant (Marvel Comics)

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See also: Mutants in fiction

Mutant
Publication information
PublisherMarvel Comics
First appearanceX-Men #1 (September 1963)
Created byStan Lee
Jack Kirby
Characteristics
Place of originEarth
Notable membersX-Men
X-Factor
X-Force
Dark X-Men
New Mutants
Brotherhood of Mutants
Acolytes
Morlocks
Quiet Council of Krakoa
Avengers

In American comic books published by Marvel Comics, a mutant is a human being that possesses a genetic trait called the X-gene. It causes the mutant to develop superhuman powers that manifest at puberty. Human mutants are sometimes referred to as a human subspecies Homo sapiens superior or simply Homo superior. Mutants are the evolutionary progeny of Homo sapiens, and are actually revealed to be the next stage in human evolution. The accuracy of this is the subject of much debate in the Marvel Universe.

Unlike Marvel's mutates, which are characters who develop their powers only after exposure to outside stimuli or energies (such as the Hulk, Spider-Man, the Fantastic Four, Absorbing Man, and Captain Marvel), mutants have actual genetic mutations.

Publication history

Early antecedents

A March 1952 story in Amazing Detective Cases #11 called "The Weird Woman" tells of a woman describing herself as a mutant who seeks a similarly superhuman mate.[1] Roger Carstairs, a mutant who can create illusions, is shown in Man Comics #28, dated September 1953.[2] A character with superhuman powers, born from a radiation-exposed parent, was seen in "The Man with the Atomic Brain!"[3] 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!"[4] was one of the first Marvel (then known as Atlas) stories to feature a named "mutant". Tad Carter, a mutant with telekinetic powers, is shown in Amazing Adult Fantasy #14, dated July 1962.[5]

Officially, Namor the Sub-Mariner is considered the first mutant superhero whom Marvel Comics ever published,[6] debuting in 1939. However, Namor was not actually described as a mutant until Fantastic Four Annual #1, decades after his first appearance.[7] The same is true of Toro, partner of the android Human Torch introduced in 1940.

Modern concept and development

The modern concept of mutants as a distinct species independent of homo sapiens began development under Marvel writer and editor-in-chief Stan Lee in the early 1960s, as a means to create a large number of superheroes and supervillains without having to think of a separate origin for each one. 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. Following the 1963 debut of this conception of mutants in the superhero series X-Men, Marvel later introduced several additional mutant superhero teams, including The New Mutants, X-Factor, Excalibur, X-Force, and Generation X.

In early X-Men stories, Professor Xavier and others suggest that mutation is related to nuclear radiation, as his parents worked on the development of the atomic bomb, though later descriptions of mutation would describe it deriving from genetics. The first in-story mention of mutants in this context is in The X-Men #1, in which Professor Xavier explains his school to the newly admitted Jean Grey: "You, Miss Grey, like the other students at this most exclusive school, are a mutant! You possess an extra power...one which ordinary humans do not!! That is why I call my students...X-Men, for Ex-tra power!"[8] This issue also features the first reference to mutants as the species "Homo Superior" by Magneto. Following the relaunch under writer Chris Claremont, narration in stories taking place on Muir Island described Moira MacTaggert as "second only to Charles Xavier as an authority on genetic mutation."[9] In the New Mutants graphic novel, after witnessing Rahne Sinclair demonstrate her mutant shapeshifting ability, MacTaggert refers to "an anomalous DNA matrix" in her blood signaling that Sinclair "could be a mutant."[10] The cause of mutation was elaborated upon in the first issue of the spin-off series X-Factor, in which Cameron Hodge refers to "people who possess the X-Factor mutation in their genetic makeup."[11] This genetic mutation was later dubbed the X-Gene. At one point, Beast states that the X-Gene is located on the 23rd chromosome;[12] the process described is that the gene activates mutation producing a protein stimulating chemical signals which induce mutations on other genes.[13]

Mutations are depicted as generally manifesting during adolescence,[14] however this is not universal. Some mutants, such as Nightcrawler, are visibly mutated from birth,[15] while others like Magneto do not develop their abilities until adulthood.[16] Some mutants are not even aware of their latent mutations unless deliberately activated, such as Polaris, whose manifestation was triggered with technological aid.[17]

Later developments

In the 2022 storyline, A.X.E.: Judgment Day, mutants are discovered by Eternals to be an offshoot of the Deviant race, triggering efforts by the Eternals' leader Druig to wipe them out, giving the mutants an explicit link to the Celestials and to the publisher's cosmic storylines.[18] In the series' conclusion, new Prime Eternal Zuras confirms the end of hostilities with the mutants and proposed a formal treaty alliance, explaining to Storm, "You mutants share some DNA with Deviants? It's of little matter. Until a mutant triggers our physiological 'excess deviation' response, you're not Deviants in the way that counts. You're just human."[19]

Mutant Subtypes

Omega-level mutants

Main article: Omega-level mutants

Changelings

Introduced in the second series of X-Factor, a changeling is a mutant whose powers manifest at birth. Jamie Madrox and Damian Tryp are examples of this sub-class.

Cheyarafim and Neyaphem

Cheyarafim and Neyaphem first appear in Uncanny X-Men #429. According to the character Azazel, the Cheyarafim are a group of angel-like mutants who were the traditional enemies of the Neyaphem, a demonic-looking group of mutants who lived in Biblical times. The Cheyarafim were fanatics who had a strict, absolutist view of morality which led them into conflict with the Neyaphem. This escalated into a holy war, causing the Neyaphem to be exiled into an alternate dimension. What happened to the Cheyarafim after this has not been revealed.

Angel and Icarus are said to be descended from Cheyarafim,[citation needed] while Nightcrawler is supposedly the son of a Neyaphem, Azazel.

Chimeras

In the pages of "House of X and Powers of X", the Chimeras are genetically altered humanoid mutants who are combined from the DNA of past mutants so that they would have combinations of their power set and also propagate the mutant population. Third generation Chimeras have a 10% failure rate making them unable to be warriors. Fourth generation Chimeras have a corrupted hive mind. They were more common in Moira MacTaggert's ninth life where they were created in Mister Sinister's Breeding Pits on Mars.[20]

Sometime after the "X of Swords" storyline, Mister Sinister created his first Chimera by splicing his own DNA samples with the DNA samples of an Arraki named Tarn the Uncaring. When the experiment proved to be a failure and the Quiet Council of Krakoa found out about it, Mister Sinister is undeterred in his next plans to research the Chimeras.[21]

Later in the "Sins of Sinister" storyline, Mister Sinister was in an alternate timeline where he created his Chimeras after taking over world with his Sinister gene.[22]

The following are the known Chimeras:

Dominant Species/Lupine

Maximus Lobo claims to be a part of a mutant sub-species of feral wolf-like mutants, whom he calls the Dominant Species. He later tries to recruit Wolf Cub into his ranks to no avail. A few years later, another mutant named Romulus claims that some human mutants evolved from canines instead of primates.[27] Romulus' sister Remus would later consider his claim to be a hoax when she meets Wolverine.[28]

Extraterrestrial mutants

Humans are not the only species to have mutant subspecies.

Externals

Created by Rob Liefeld, Externals are immortal mutants whose powers have allowed them to exist for centuries. Eventually, most of the Externals are killed by Selene, and later by Apocalypse.

"Homo superior superior"

Introduced in Chris Claremont's X-Treme X-Men, a character known as Vargas claims to be humanity's natural response to mutants. Vargas was born at the epitome of peak physical skill, having superhuman levels of strength, speed, reflexes, agility, stamina, and durability. Vargas also seems to be immune to various mutant abilities (such as Rogue's absorption and Psylocke's telekinetic blast).[29]

Hybrids

Mutants have been shown to successfully crossbreed or a result of crossbreed with Humans (Homo sapiens), Atlanteans (Homo mermanus), fairies, and other humanoid aliens like Shi'ar, etc.

Non-human mutants

Humans are not the only species to have mutant subspecies.

Extraterrestrial mutants

Non-human Earth mutants

Mutant animals have been shown, including cats, primates, bees, as well as alternate universes with humans descended from other species such as dinosaurs and insects. Robots such as Wild Sentinels and Sentinel 2 have been stated to have mutations.

Mutants as metaphor

Main article: X-Men § Reflecting social issues

As a fictional oppressed minority, mutants are often used as extended metaphors for real-world people and situations. In 1982, X-Men writer Chris Claremont said, "[mutants] are hated, feared and despised collectively by humanity for no other reason than that they are mutants. So what we have here, intended or not, is a book that is about racism, bigotry and prejudice."[citation needed]

Danny Fingeroth writes extensively in his book Superman on the Couch about the appeal of mutants and their meaning to society:

The most popular pop culture franchises are those that make the viewer/reader feel special and unique, while simultaneously making him or her feel he or she is part of a mass of people experiencing and enjoying the same phenomenon. The plight of the mutants is universally compelling. Many people feel a need for a surrogate family, one composed of those the world has abused and persecuted in the same way they have been their whole life. This is especially true in adolescents, which may in part explain some of the draw of mutants.[30]

An obvious parallel between homosexuality and mutation is drawn in the feature film X2, where Iceman's mother asks, "Have you tried not being a mutant?" This question (or various forms thereof) is common among parents who find out their children are gay.[31][32] In the 2011 film X-Men: First Class, Hank McCoy (later known as Beast), upon being outed to a colleague as a mutant, responds, "You didn't ask, so I didn't tell."

In his article Super Heroes, a Modern Mythology, Richard Reynolds writes:

Much of the appeal and draw of the mutants that comprise the X-Men has to do with feeling like an outcast while simultaneously feeling like part of a family. Mutants are ostracized because they are different but they bound together because of their differences. They may be forced together to a certain extent like 'real' families but they are also a team. They differ from other teams such as the Justice League, which is like a meritocracy; only the best of the best join that team. In contrast, the X-Men is composed of outcasts. They train and nurture one another and are united by common goals and beliefs. ...the whole theme of the X-Men — the isolation of mutants and their alienation from 'normal' society — may be read as a parable of the alienation of any minority... of a minority grouping determined to force its own place within society.[citation needed]

Other versions

Earth X

Within the Earth X universe, the powers of the vast majority of Marvel's human superheroes were revealed to have been the result of genetic manipulation by the Celestials millions of years in the past.

Ultimate Marvel

In the Ultimate Marvel universe within the pages of the Ultimate Origins #1, it is revealed that super-powered "mutants" were artificially created via genetic modification by the Weapon X program in a laboratory in Alberta, Canada in October 1943. The project was an attempt to produce a supersoldier, inspired by the existence of Captain America. James Howlett was the first individual to be so modified. At some later point, possibly during a confrontation between Magneto and his parents, the mutant trigger was released into the environment worldwide, leading to the appearance of mutants in the general population. Following the events of the Ultimatum storyline, information concerning the origins of mutancy was made public and steps were taken in the US to make being a mutant illegal. While the move apparently has majority support among the non-mutant population, a vocal minority has voiced concern that it will lead to witch-hunts and genocide.[33]

In other media

X-Men film series

Main articles: X-Men (film series) and X-Men in other media

Marvel Cinematic Universe

Following Disney's acquisition of 21st Century Fox in 2019, the film rights to the X-Men and other mutant characters reverted to Marvel Studios. When asked if his use of the term "mutants" meant the film would be avoiding the term "X-Men", Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige clarified that he was using the two terms interchangeably. He added that Marvel Studios' approach to the characters would be different to Fox's franchise.[34] Since 2022, the mutant race have appeared in various media set within the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) media franchise:

See also

References

  1. ^ Weird Woman" at The Appendix to the Handbook of the Marvel Universe
  2. ^ Roger Carstairs at The Appendix to the Handbook of the Marvel Universe
  3. ^ Ted Lestron at The Appendix to the Handbook of the Marvel Universe
  4. ^ Vincent Farnsworth at The Appendix to the Handbook of the Marvel Universe
  5. ^ Tad Carter at The Appendix to the Handbook of the Marvel Universe
  6. ^ "Namor". comicvine.com. 1922-02-22. Retrieved 2010-10-17.
  7. ^ Issue #1 — released July, 1963
  8. ^ The X-Men #1 (1963). Marvel Comics.
  9. ^ Uncanny X-Men #125 (1979). Marvel Comics.
  10. ^ Marvel Graphic Novel #4: The New Mutants (1982). Marvel Comics.
  11. ^ X-Factor #1 (1986). Marvel Comics.
  12. ^ Astonishing X-Men (Vol. 3) #25 (2008). Marvel Comics.
  13. ^ Astonishing X-Men (Vol. 3) #27 (2008). Marvel Comics.
  14. ^ New X-Men #118 (2001). Marvel Comics.
  15. ^ Uncanny X-Men #177 (1984). Marvel Comics.
  16. ^ Classic X-Men #12 (1987). Marvel Comics.
  17. ^ X-Men #50 (1968). Marvel Comics.
  18. ^ Bacon, Thomas (17 March 2022). "The X-Men's New Cosmic Origin is Marvel's Biggest Rewrite in History". ScreenRant. Retrieved 25 August 2022.
  19. ^ A.X.E.: Judgment Day, vol. 1, no. 6 (October 2022). New York, NY: Marvel Comics.
  20. ^ a b c d Powers of X #1. Marvel Comics.
  21. ^ Hellions #15-18. Marvel Comics.
  22. ^ a b Sins of Sinister #1. Marvel Comics.
  23. ^ Immoral X-Men #2. Marvel Comics.
  24. ^ a b c d Nightcrawlers #1. Marvel Comics.
  25. ^ a b c Nightcrawlers #2. Marvel Comics.
  26. ^ a b c d Storm & the Brotherhood of Mutants #3. Marvel Comics.
  27. ^ "Uncanny X-Men Vol. 2: Dominant Species". Marvel Comics Catalog. Marvel.com. 21 May 2003. Retrieved 2010-10-17.
  28. ^ Wolverine Vol. 2 #312. Marvel Comics.
  29. ^ X-Treme X-Men #2. Marvel Comics.
  30. ^ Fingeroth, Danny. Superman On The Couch: What Superheroes Really Tell Us About Ourselves and Society, Continuum, 2004. ISBN 0-8264-1540-7
  31. ^ Mantle, Martin (2007). "'Have You Tried Not Being a Mutant?': Genetic Mutation and the Acquisition of Extra-ordinary Ability". M/C Journal. 10 (5). doi:10.5204/mcj.2712.
  32. ^ "The X-Men "Come out:" Being a "Mutant" in films can be seen as a metaphor for homosexuality".
  33. ^ Ultimate Origins #1. Marvel Comics.
  34. ^ Yehl, Joshua (July 21, 2019). "Marvel's Kevin Feige Says MCU X-Men Will Be 'Quite Different' Than Fox Movies - Comic Con 2019". IGN. Archived from the original on July 21, 2019. Retrieved July 21, 2019.
  35. ^ Garbutt, Emily (May 5, 2022). "The Illuminati members in Doctor Strange 2, listed and explained". Total Film. GamesRadar+. Archived from the original on May 5, 2022. Retrieved May 5, 2022.
  36. ^ Kleinman, Jake (July 13, 2022). "Ms. Marvel Ending Explained: Is Kamala Khan a [Spoilers]?". Inverse. Archived from the original on July 13, 2022. Retrieved July 13, 2022.
  37. ^ Brail, Nathaniel (July 14, 2022). "Ms. Marvel Star Breaks Silence Since Mutant Reveal". ComicBook.com. Archived from the original on July 15, 2022. Retrieved July 15, 2022.
  38. ^ Francisco, Eric (July 13, 2022). "Ms. Marvel Credits Confirm That Huge X-Men Twist". Inverse. Archived from the original on July 14, 2022. Retrieved July 14, 2022.
  39. ^ Patches, Matt (2022-08-25). "She-Hulk's Wolverine Easter egg has Marvel teasing the X-Men yet again". Polygon. Retrieved 2022-08-25.
  40. ^ Dinsdale, Ryan (2022-08-25). "She-Hulk Just Teased a Major Marvel Character's MCU Entrance". IGN. Retrieved 2022-08-25.
  41. ^ "She-Hulk Explained: Attorney at Law's Place in MCU Timeline Revealed". ComingSoon.net. 2022-08-25. Retrieved 2022-08-25.
  42. ^ "Who is Mr. Immortal? The latest She-Hulk guest star explained". Popverse. 2022-09-23. Retrieved 2023-01-27.
  43. ^ Marnell, Blair (2022-09-28). "Jen Meets Man-Bull and El Aguila In She-Hulk Episode 7 Preview Clip". Comic Book Movies and Superhero Movie News - SuperHeroHype. Retrieved 2023-01-27.
  44. ^ Melendez, Marcos (2022-09-15). "She-Hulk's Sneaker Collection Includes Easter Eggs For X-Men, Fantastic Four, Deadpool & More". /Film. Retrieved 2023-01-27.
  45. ^ "She-Hulk ending explained: Every reference from Daredevil to X-Men". Radio Times. Retrieved 2023-01-27.
  46. ^ Vito Oddo, Marco (November 10, 2022). "Is Namor a Mutant in 'Black Panther: Wakanda Forever'?". Collider. Retrieved November 12, 2022.
  47. ^ Goodman, William (November 8, 2023). "The 'Marvels' Post-Credits Scene Spins the MCU in a Whole New Direction. Let's Start Freaking Out Right Now". GQ. Archived from the original on November 8, 2023. Retrieved November 9, 2023.
  48. ^ Donnelly, Matt (2019-12-27). "Ryan Reynolds Says 'Deadpool 3' Is in the Works at Marvel". Variety. Retrieved 2022-11-03.
  49. ^ Moreau, Jordan (2022-09-27). "Hugh Jackman Is Back as Wolverine in 'Deadpool 3' With Ryan Reynolds, Coming in 2024". Variety. Retrieved 2022-11-03.
  50. ^ Kroll, Justin (2023-09-29). "Marvel Studios Execs Eye Meetings Soon To Hear Writers' Pitches For Coveted 'X-Men' Job – The Dish". Deadline. Retrieved 2023-09-29.
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