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A mutant within the Marvel comic books, particularly those of the X-Men mythos, is an individual who possesses a genetic trait called an X-gene that allows them to naturally develop superhuman powers and abilities. Mutants are members of the subspecies Homo sapiens superior, an evolutionary progeny of Homo sapiens, and are considered the next stage in human evolution.
Overview
[] Description
A mutant is a person who is a member of a genetic offshoot of humanity, often described as a subspecies sometimes called Homo superior and other times called Homo sapiens superior (sometimes inaccurately referred to as a separate species). All mutants have a genetic mutation called an X-gene that causes their bodies to develop abilities that regular humans cannot. The majority of mutants develop these abilities, which vary from person to person, upon puberty, though there are some mutants who display powers and/or physical mutations from birth. Some mutants even display abilities from within the womb and posthumously, like Professor Charles Xavier and Jean Grey, respectively.
Mutant powers vary seemingly without limit. Examples of powers shared by many individuals include telepathy; telekinesis; flight; the ability to project energy, accelerated healing; and enhanced physical strength, agility, or senses; all to variable limits. Mutation can also entail a minor to radical alteration in physical appearance from the human norm - wings, gills, a tail, fur, altered skin color, etc.
Most mutant powers manifest during puberty. There are notable examples of mutants who are born with their powers, however, like Nightcrawler.
Mutant powers can grow and 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 in adulthood. For some mutants, several years of self-discipline are needed before they can control their powers, while others never gain full control of their powers.
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, termed "baseline" by characters within the Marvel Universe. Some baseline humans are genetically predisposed towards having mutant descendants such as the Guthrie family (see Cannonball, Husk, and Icarus). Mutant children born to mutant parent(s) will not necessarily have the same power(s) as their parent(s), nor will they necessarily have the same power(s) as any mutant siblings they may have; however, examples of children with the same power(s) as their parents and/or siblings are not uncommon.
Secondary mutations
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Recently within the Marvel Universe, some mutants have undergone seemingly random mutations, granting them new powers outside the realm of their original mutations. Such a phenomenon is called a secondary mutation.
Mutants and disease
Mutants are immune to the AIDS virus as revealed in an issue of Uncanny X-Men in which the character Archangel discussed he did not need an HIV test due to his status as a mutant. Before its elimination, mutants were particularly susceptible to the Legacy Virus. Mutants are also born with a natural immunity against certain other genetic infections like Phalanx and Sublime, and a specific brainwave pattern that can be detected by certain means, such as the Cerebro device.
Mutant-like individuals
Within the Marvel Universe, there exist some people who also display superpowers yet are not mutants because they lack an X-gene.
Mutates
The term "mutant" in the Marvel Universe does not apply to those whose DNA has been mutated by an external force; in such case, those individuals are called mutates, an abbreviation of "mutated human." The genetic material of mutates has been altered by an outside stimulus such as radiation, toxic shock, chemical agents, or energy. Spider-Man, who was not born a mutant, but was granted superhuman powers by a radioactive spider, is a popular example of a mutate.
Some mutates have been altered by magic, such as Juggernaut. These individuals were given the name magic-based mutates as of Civil War: Battle Damage Report.
Following the events of House of M many mutants have lost their powers - or, more specifically, their X-genes - and become 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.
Homo superior
The supervillain Vargas was born with superpowers yet lacks an X-gene. He claims to be a representative of an entirely new species, the "true" Homo superior. His claim may be authentic given the principle of genetic drift.
Background
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.[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".
The modern concept of mutants as an independent subspecies 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. 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. These mutants first appeared in the superhero series X-Men, which debuted in 1963 and remains the most prominent vehicle for the mutant concept.
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.
Officially, Namor the Sub-Mariner is considered the first mutant superhero whom Marvel Comics ever published [1], debuting in 1939. However, Namor was not actually described as a mutant until decades after his first appearance. The same is true of Toro, a little-known hero introduced in 1940.
Fictional history
[] The Celestials
One million years ago, an alien race called the Celestials came to Earth and performed genetic experiments on proto-humanity, incorporating and altering DNA in the genetic code of the early species of the genus Homo to allow future generations to gain superpowers, making the Celestials the source of all mutants.
The first mutants
The first recorded mutant on Earth is Selene Gallio (active as early as the Hyborian Age); as her particular mutant powers grant her immortality, however, she may not necessarily be the first mutant. Given the character's propensity for lying and misleading, it is also possible that she fabricates this element of her biography. She was considered a de facto member of the Externals, a defunct group of ancient immortal mutants. Apocalypse, born in the 30th century BC, is often referred to as the first mutant. Gateway is another noteworthy ancient mutant.
Some of the first mutants were honored as gods, like Selene herself.
Post-World War II
Very few people know about mutants before the latter half of the 20th century. Given that mutants were an unknown population until after World War II, many, if not the vast majority of mutants apparently hid their powers. The general public did know about mutates, however, like Captain America. The American military knew of Wolverine, but they were unaware that he was something categorically different from other supersoldiers.
Other noteworthy mutants active at this time include: Mystique, Destiny and Sabretooth. Whilst technically not a mutant, Mr. Sinister was also active from before this time.
Prejudice against mutants
It is unclear within the Marvel Universe when, exactly, mutants were exposed to the world. Activities of some superheroes and supervillians may have been what notified the general public about the existence of mutants.
Many people harbor prejudicial attitudes about mutant people. They do so for a variety of reasons, including 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. Anti-mutant sentiment often leads to mob violence and the alienation of mutants from society. Mutant Town, for example, is a ghetto-like neighborhood in New York City.
By comparison, most non-mutant superheroes, including mutates, are not affected by such bigotry, at least not to the same degree.
The X-Men and mutant supremists
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As many people hate mutants, their safety, wellbeing, and lives are jeopardized. The X-Men, founded by Professor Charles Xavier, are mutant superheroes who defend a world that hates and fears them and who work for peaceful mutant-human coexistence. They deal with anti-mutant sentiment, mutant exploitation, and a number of organized anti-mutant campaigns such as:
- Mutant-hunting robot Sentinels of Project: Wideawake and Operation: Zero Tolerance, 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).
- Weapon X, part of the larger Weapon Plus project, a covert program of the U.S. government.
- Friends of Humanity, an anti-mutant hate group.
- Humanity's Last Stand, a similar anti-mutant survivalist 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 fear a potential mutant/human war, partially due to the actions of these mutants.
Other mutant superteams such as X-Factor, X-Force, 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.
Mutant population boom and end of humanity
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The majority of mutants have arisen in the relatively recent past; the number of children being born with X-genes is growing enormously, creating a mutant population boom. The worldwide mutant population boom was a significant plot of New X-Men, in which the rise of mutants in the world created new tensions, necessities, and fears.
The growing mutant youth population develops a subculture with mutant bands and fashions, with some rebellious non-mutant youths adopting the subculture in turn.
Meanwhile, Dr. Hank McCoy discovered that coinciding with the mutant baby boom is the potential to end Homo sapiens within five generations, making mutants the dominant species on Earth.
Decimation of mutant populations
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Following a nervous breakdown of the Scarlet Witch, she uses her reality warping powers to reverse the human-mutant relation; in the new reality, mutants are dominant in comparison with ordinary humans and her father Magneto is the leader of the world.
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Terrified of the reality she had created in which her tyrannical father enslaved humanity and oppressed fellow mutants, the Scarlet Witch again altered reality, this time eliminating the X-gene from the vast majority of the world's mutants, rendering them human. Among the depowered are Professor Charles Xavier and Magneto, the two leaders of modern mutant thought. In addition, new mutant births - previously a possibility even for two human parents - cease. Because of their extremely reduced numbers, mutants are no longer considered a viable line of evolution for humanity, and are, like an endangered species, on the brink of extinction.
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The weakened position of mutants worldwide leads to increased susceptibility to acts of violence against mutants. With their numbers already in extreme decline, the anti-mutant zealot William Stryker begins a strategic genocide of young mutants living at the Xavier Institute. Meanwhile, world governments begin legislating a series of Superhuman Registration Acts, further pressuring mutants.
Messiah Complex
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The X-Men: Messiah Complex storyline, which ran from 2007 to 2008, offered the possibility of continued existence for the mutant subspecies. The storyline details the birth of a female child with an X-gene, making her the first mutant born since M-Day. After a large battle for custody of the child within the Marvel Comics Universe, the child now resides in the future with Cable, prompting the possibilty that the mutant race survives. Additionally, the X-Men have taken residence in San Francisco, California.
Fictional culture
As of the mutant population boom of New X-Men, a mutant subculture was gaining popularity.
Naming conventions
It is not uncommon for mutants to adopt a new name for themselves aside from their legal names, often considered to be a code name. These names were originally used by the X-Men as a way to hide their secret identities and by the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants as a manner to reject their human ancestry. This practice has seemingly spread into everyday use for civilian mutants as well. Some mutants, however, prefer their given names.
Music
Two famous singers are mutants within the Marvel Universe: Dazzler and Lila Cheney. Several mutant bands are mentioned called Juggernaut, Sentinel Bait, and Cerebrastorm.
Terms and idioms
Mutants face a great deal of anti-mutant sentiments. "Mutie" and "Gene Joke", are common slurs used against mutants, particularly by younger people. The anti-mutant hate group the Purifiers also uses the term often. In Genosha, the term "genejoke" was also widespread.
Many mutants use the terms "baseline" and "flatscan" to refer to non-mutant humans. Both terms can be either neutral or pejorative depending on context.
Classification of potential of mutant powers
Occasionally, the genetic potential of mutants is ranked on a scale named after the Greek alphabet. This roughly-defined scale usually attempts to categorize the genetic potential of a mutant individual's powers rather than their current ability to control their own powers, though specific usage seems to vary depending on the writer. Marvel Comics has never officially defined the following terms, but characters and writers use them with relative consistency. The lack of concrete definitions, however, has caused much controversy and discussion within the fan base and fandom.
A similar hierarchy of mutant powers is briefly mentioned in X-Men: The Last Stand. In that mythos, mutants are separated in to a one-to-five numerical class structure with the highest mentioned as Class 5. All the Brotherhood mutants were class 3 or below (possible exceptions being Juggernaut, Multiple Man, and Mystique) with Magneto, Pyro, and (presumably) Professor Xavier and most of the X-Men being class 4. Jean Grey aka Phoenix is the only mentioned Class 5 mutant.
Omega-level mutants
An Omega-level mutant is one with the most powerful genetic potential of their mutant abilities. The term was first seen in the 1986 issue Uncanny X-Men #207, but was completely unexplained (beyond the obvious implication of it referring to an exceptional level of power). The term was not seen again until the 2001 limited series X-Men Forever. Some abilities depicted by mutants described as Omega-level include immortality, extreme manipulation of matter and energy, high psionic ability, strong telekinesis, and the potential to exist beyond the boundaries of the known physical universe. No firm definition has been offered in comics, but the term clearly refers to extraordinarily powerful mutants, such as Iceman, Nate Grey, Jean Grey,[2] Vulcan,[3] Rachel Summers,[4] Legion and Franklin Richards, among others.
Since 2001, however, writers still used alternate terminology to describe mutants that have powers beyond that of Homo superior. Mr. Immortal, for example, is described as Homo supreme.[5] Marvel has not created any specific criteria for characters to be defined as omega-level mutants. This has led to continued and repeated ambiguities in the term's usage. Chamber is referred to as “a potentially Omega-level mutant running around”[6] and Storm is described by S.H.I.E.L.D. as a "possible Omega-level mutant."[7] Most of the reality warping mutants presented have been implied to be Omega Level. Some of these include Mad Jim Jaspers, Scarlet Witch, Proteus, and the above mentioned Franklin Richards. The gold-skinned mutant Elixir has also been identified as an Omega Level Mutant.
The Alpha-level and other levels constitute potential below that of the Omega-level.[citation needed]
Mutants as metaphor
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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."
Danny Fingeroth writes extensively in his book Superman on the Couch about the appeal of mutants and their meaning to society. He writes, "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 adolescences, which may in part explain some of the draw of mutants." An obvious parallel between homosexuality and mutation is drawn in the 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 homosexual. [8][9]
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. The may be forced together to a certain extent like “real” families but they are also a team. They differ from other teams like the Justice League which is like a meritocracy; only the best of the best join that team. Whereas in the X-Men is comprised of outcast, they also train and nurture one another. In addition, they are united by common goals and beliefs. ...the whole theme of the X-Men---the isolation of mutants and their alienation from "normal" society---be read as a parable of the alienation of any minority... of a minority grouping determined to force its own place within society."
In other continuities
The universe within the Marvel Comics cosmology holds a multiverse structure, and in such, there exist many parallel realities. The situations and circumstances of mutants within these multiverses differs.
Ultimate Marvel
In the Ultimate Marvel universe, Wolverine is the first mutant as revealed in the first issue of the Ultimate Origins miniseries. The mutant gene is created by accident in order to recreate the experiment that led to Captain America. Most characters in the universe seem unaware of this and it unclear how the gene spread beyond Wolverine.
An alternative claim was made by Lilandra Neramani of the Shi'ar cult in Ultimate X-Men issue #67 that the Phoenix is imprisoned inside the Earth, and 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 superhuman Novas of White Wolf, Inc.'s role playing game Aberrant).
Ultimate Origins #1 reveals that the mutant genome was the result of experimentation on James Howlett by the Weapon X Project in 1943.
1602
In Marvel 1602, set in an altered reality in the year 1602, mutants are called witchbreed and are believed to be the offspring of witches and the Devil. They are hunted and executed by the Inquisition. The two major factions of witchbreed are Carlos Javier's followers gathered at Carlos Javier's Select College for the Sons of Gentlefolk and the Brotherhood of Those Who Will Inherit the Earth gathered by the Grand Inquisitor Enrique, who executes the witchbreed, or "mutantur" (changing ones) according to Javier, who cannot pass as normal humans (with the exception of Toad, an agent of the Vatican), and spares those who look normal.
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, 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.
Notes
References
Superman On The Couch: What Superheroes really tell us about ourselves and society/Danny Fingeroth; foreword by Stan Lee (2004) - ISBN 0-8264-1540-7
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