- "We're mutants, we're never safe."
- ―Wolverine to Cassandra Nova[src]
Mutants are a series of enhanced species that possess specific genetic mutations that grants them unique superhuman abilities or distinct physical characteristics. Usually, the term mutants refer to Homo superior, a race that evolved from Homo sapiens. However, multiple other species, such as the Talokanil, are able to develop mutations and those individuals would also be classified as mutants.
History[]
The Talokanil Mutant[]
![Birth of Namor](https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/marvelcinematicuniverse/images/4/48/Birth_of_Namor.png/revision/latest/scale-to-width-down/250?cb=20220725104013)
Ch'ah Toh Almehen's mutation manifesting since his birth
In order to survive the smallpox that was brought by the Spaniards, the inhabitants of a small Mayan village in the Yucatán ingested a herb that was found in the ocean, which unknown to them was affected by vibranium. Fen, who was already pregnant with her child, ingested the herb along with the rest of her tribe. The herb affected their anatomy and biology, making them unable to breathe out of the water. The entire village then left the surface to live underwater, where Talokan was founded.
![YoungNamorFlies](https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/marvelcinematicuniverse/images/3/31/YoungNamorFlies.png/revision/latest/scale-to-width-down/250?cb=20230206205332)
Ch'ah Toh Almehen uses his wings to fly
Due to the effects of the herb, Fen's son was born with the ability to breathe both inland and underwater. In addition to his Talokanil physical traits, the child also had a mutation that manifested as a pair of wings on both ankles, allowing him to fly, pointed ears, and an extended lifespan. He became the King of Talokan, and his mutation led to him being venerated as K'uk'ulkan, the Feather Serpent God. However, he took the name Namor for his enemies, after he had been dubbed "el Niño sin Amor" by a dying priest.[1]
The Mutant Hybrid[]
![Kamala Khan Monitoring](https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/marvelcinematicuniverse/images/1/1e/Kamala_Khan_Monitoring.png/revision/latest/scale-to-width-down/250?cb=20220617065616)
Bruno Carrelli studies Kamala Khan's genes
- "Kamala, there's something different in your genes. Like... Like a mutation."
- ―Bruno Carrelli to Kamala Khan[src]
In 2025, once Kamala Khan wore one of the Quantum Bands, she became able to unlock the full potential of the Noor Dimension.[2] The sudden manifestation of her powers led her friend Bruno Carrelli to examine Khan's genes, as she was the only one in her family able to use the bangle.[3]
![Bruno tells Kamala she's a mutant](https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/marvelcinematicuniverse/images/3/31/Bruno_tells_Kamala_she%27s_a_mutant.jpg/revision/latest/scale-to-width-down/250?cb=20230509172318)
Bruno Carrelli tells Kamala Khan about the mutation in her genes
Bruno Carrelli discovered that Kamala Khan's genetics were different from her family's due to a mutation in her genes. He quickly found Khan and relayed this important information to her. As mutants were not a known race at the time, Khan simply responded that whatever that meant, it would just be another label to classify people with powers. She then brushed it off.[4]
![The Marvels Teaser Trailer (35)](https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/marvelcinematicuniverse/images/f/ff/The_Marvels_Teaser_Trailer_%2835%29.png/revision/latest/scale-to-width-down/250?cb=20230412002354)
Ms. Marvel fights Dar-Benn
In 2026, Khan helped Captain Marvel and Monica Rambeau fight Dar-Benn and the Kree, who were seeking her bangle. Even without her bangle, Khan used her Noor structures to save both of her teammates in the scuffle.[5]
The Void[]
To be added
Alternate Realities[]
Charles Xavier[]
![Professor Charles Xavier (Earth-838)](https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/marvelcinematicuniverse/images/6/68/Professor_Charles_Xavier_%28Earth-838%29.png/revision/latest/scale-to-width-down/250?cb=20220622052248)
Charles Xavier, the Mutant representative in the Illuminati
On Earth-838, Doctor Strange formed a secret organization called the Illuminati, which included among its members, Professor Charles Xavier, a powerful telepathic mutant to represent the mutant race. Along with the Illuminati, Xavier would fight and defeat Thanos. After their victory, Xavier watched Strange's execution at the hands of Black Bolt since Strange's corruption by the Darkhold had become another threat the Illuminati had to deal with.
![Charles Xavier tries to help Wanda Maximoff](https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/marvelcinematicuniverse/images/2/22/Charles_Xavier_tries_to_help_Wanda_Maximoff.png/revision/latest/scale-to-width-down/250?cb=20220622052948)
Professor X using his ability to help Wanda Maximoff
Xavier became the leader of the Illuminati and was summoned when the Doctor Strange from the prime timeline traveled to their Earth. During Strange's meeting with the Illuminati, Xavier read Strange's mind and noticed his noble intentions, and that he was not like their own Strange. Xavier then tried to fight and save Scarlet Witch, since she was corrupted by the Darkhold. However, his attempts were proven to be in vain, since Scarlet Witch killed Xavier.[6]
X-Men United[]
![Beast & Binary](https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/marvelcinematicuniverse/images/a/a2/Beast_%26_Binary.png/revision/latest/scale-to-width-down/250?cb=20240116015619)
Beast and Binary look at Monica Rambeau
In an alternate universe, a mutant superhero team named the X-Men existed, where one of its members, Beast, studied Monica Rambeau when she entered their universe. He then informed Professor X of his findings.[5]
Anchor Being Wolverine[]
To be added
Characteristic Traits[]
Mutants are beings that often appear humanoid and, due to their unique genetic mutation, have powers that manifest in various ways.
Mutant Powers[]
Power | Image | Description |
---|---|---|
Flight | Namor was born a mutant due to his mother Fen ingesting an herb that turned her into a Talokanil while she was pregnant with him. Due to his mutation, Namor was born with wings on his ankles, allowing him to fly. | |
Superhuman Senses | Namor's genetic mutation allows him to hear certain conversations at great distances even underwater, as is the case when he heard Queen Ramonda and Princess Shuri while he was diving upon reaching Wakanda.
Wolverine's genetic mutation enables him enhanced, acute senses akin to those found in animals, such as an increased sense of smell. He uses this while on the road with Deadpool to sniff out the location of a nearby diner in the Void due to the presence of food, despite their distance from the location. | |
Longevity | Namor, having mutant genes, also has a higher life expectancy than the rest of his people, which allows him to live five centuries while aging at a fraction of the normal rate. Wolverine and his alternate variants also exhibit increased longevity, with Logan telling Deadpool he has lived for at least two centuries in his life thus far. | |
Regenerative Healing Factor | ![]() ![]() |
Mutants like Deadpool, Wolverine, Sabretooth, X-23 and Lady Deathstrike have accelerated healing.s. |
Retractable Claws | ![]() |
Wolverine and all of his alternate variants have two sets of three retractable claws inside their forearms that emerge between each of their knuckles. Lady Deathstrike and Victor Creed/Sabretooth have a similar ability with retractable adamantium nails. Laura/X-23 also exhibits this ability due to originating as a genetic clone of Wolverine, but she is differentiated by having two sets of two, smaller adamantium claws inside her forearms, as well as a third adamantium nail that extends from her foot. |
Transformation | The Beast's mutation can cause him to transform into a blue feline-like being. | |
Telekinesis | Due to her mutant genes, Cassandra Nova has the power of telekinesis, the ability to move things with her mind. She used this power to fight Wolverine, controlling his arms and making him stab the ground with his Adamantium claws. | |
Mental Manipulation | Due to his mutation, Professor X from Earth-838 has the power to enter others' minds and subconciously walk in there. This is shown when he attempts to save his universe's Wanda Maximoff from the 616 version's Dreamwalking spell. | |
Telepathy | Additionally, Professor X has the mutant power of telepathy which allows him to read others' minds and speak to them telepathically. Also, he can show people memories from his past as he did to Earth-616's Doctor Strange a memory of Black Bolt executing his universe's Doctor Strange. | |
Pyrokinesis | As his namesake suggests, John Allerdyce/Pyro has a mutation enabling him the ability to physically manipulate the size, heat and intensity of any flame he comes into contact with, despite being unable to shoot fire himself. He performs this ability when depriving Johnny Storm/Human Torch of his flammable form as the latter attempts to launch a fire blast towards him. | |
Kinetic Energy Generation/Manipulation | Remy LeBeau/Gambit has a unique mutant ability to convert the potential energy of any inanimate object he touches into pure kinetic energy, charging that specific object so it is able to release said energy in a controlled, explosive manner as an offensive weapon. He demonstrates this ability through the use of his primary weapons, his playing cards and his bō staff. | |
Teleportation | Mutants such as Azazel have the ability to teleport certain distances within a known parameter, either for evasive purposes or to close in on adversaries or certain locations. |
Notable Mutants[]
- Betsy Braddock †
- Fred Dukes †
- Charles Xavier †
- Charles Xavier
- Charles Xavier †
- Erik Lehnsherr †
- Fred Dukes †
- Fredrick Wilson
- Hank McCoy †
- Jean Grey †
- Logan †
- Logan
- Logan
- Logan
- Logan
- Logan
- Logan
- Nathan Summers
- Ororo Munroe †
- Peter Maximoff †
- Remy LeBeau
- Scott Summers †
- Wade Wilson
- Wade Wilson
- Wade Wilson
- Wade Wilson
- Wade Wilson
- Wade Wilson
- Warda Wilson
- Watari
Mutant Hybrids[]
Non-Human Mutants[]
Appearances[]
Appearances for Mutants |
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In chronological order:
In an indefinite temporality:
|
Trivia[]
- In the comics, mutants are known to carry a genetic trait known as the "X-Gene", created by the Celestials, which causes them to naturally develop superhuman powers from birth, that fully manifest during puberty.
- Various implicit and explicit references to mutants and associated characters are made in the series She-Hulk: Attorney at Law:
- The episode Superhuman Law depicts Jennifer Walters searching for new jobs on a blog site, which features an article reporting on the sighting of a man who had recently fought in a bar brawl and sported metal claws, which is believed to be describing James Howlett/Wolverine.[7]
- The episode Just Jen features the character Craig Hollis/Mister Immortal played by David Pasquesi. The character originated in the comics as the only individual with homo supreme genetics, a step beyond mutation in human evolution; the character self-identifies as a mutant regardless.[8]
- Mister Immortal was first to be introduced in the cancelled Marvel Television series New Warriors.
- The episode The Retreat features El Águila, who in the comics is a mutant.
- The main on end credits sequence of the episode Mean, Green, and Straight Poured into These Jeans additionally featured artwork of Augustus Pugliese showcasing his sneaker collection to Nikki Ramos, certain designs of which alluded to other mutant characters, such as Namor, Scott Summers/Cyclops, Remy LeBeau/Gambit and Nathan Summers/Cable, in addition to a pair inspired by Wolverine's classic comics costume.[9]
- The episode Beloved of the series Secret Invasion depicts a book written by Varra under her human alias Priscilla Davis titled Decoding the "Superhuman" Gene. Despite no explicit reference to mutants, the book's subject matter is similar to the function of the X-Gene present within all mutants from birth.
Behind the Scenes[]
- The Marvel Cinematic Universe is the fourth property to depict the mutant race in live-action, following the made-for-television movie Generation X in 1996, the television series Mutant X (2001-2004), and the X-Men film & television franchise produced by 20th Century Fox from 2000 to 2020.
- An alternate version of the post-credits scene for Iron Man contained a reference to "assorted mutants" as alluded to by Nick Fury. It ultimately went unused due to 20th Century Fox owning the film rights to mutants at the time.[10]
- Due to internal disputes at Marvel over 20th Century Fox owning the film rights to the X-Men and other mutants, Inhumans in the Marvel Cinematic Universe occupied a similar status quo to mutants, often being depicted as a minority group subject to hatred, fear and bigotry for their abnormalities.[11]
- When 20th Century Fox and Marvel Studios agreed to share the characters Scarlet Witch and Quicksilver between the Marvel Cinematic Universe franchise and the X-Men films, the latter studio was prohibited from being able to mention the characters' backgrounds as mutants, their affiliation with the X-Men and Brotherhood of Mutants, or their origins as the children of Magneto, as the former studio owned all the film rights to mutants and mutant-related terminology until 2019.[12]
- In the Russian dub of Avengers: Age of Ultron, Steve Rogers uses the term "mutants", instead of "the enhanced".
- Wanda and Pietro's background as mutants was retconned in the comics continuity ahead of Age of Ultron's theatrical release, instead revealing their nature as normal humans experimented on and given their powers by the High Evolutionary.
- Marvel Television used characters such as Mary Walker and Molly Hernandez, who are mutants in the comics. They were not allowed to be identified as mutants due to 20th Century Fox owning the rights to mutants. It is stated that Molly got her powers from being exposed to a mutant fungus, which was the closest way for Marvel Television to reference her comic origin.
- Kamala Khan was originally an Inhuman in the comics; however, in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, she is labelled as a mutant. This is also a partial homage to Ms. Marvel co-creator Sana Amanat's original intention of having Kamala Khan possess mutant genes in the comics as opposed to being an Inhuman.[13]
- The change in Kamala's background within the MCU would be reflected in the mainstream Marvel continuity following the show's release. Khan was temporarily killed during the events of The Amazing Spider-Man #26 (May 2023) before being recovered by the X-Men in Hellfire Gala 2023 #1 (July 2023) and put through a Resurrection Protocol on the mutant nation of Krakoa, restoring the character as an Inhuman-Mutant hybrid. These events would be followed up on in a miniseries titled Ms. Marvel: The New Mutant, co-written by Ms. Marvel staff writer Sabir Pirzada and Iman Vellani, who portrays Khan in the MCU.[14]
- Various mutants in the Marvel Cinematic Universe are characters who originated in 20th Century Fox's X-Men film series and were reimagined as mutants in those films when they aren't traditionally depicted as such in the comics. These include Deadpool, Juggernaut, Lady Deathstrike, and Yukio. While these characters are closely associated with mutant characters in the comics, they are mutates who gained their powers through other means besides an X-Gene, such as experimentation or interaction with stimuli.
Gallery[]
References[]
- ↑ Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
- ↑ Ms. Marvel: 1.01: Generation Why
- ↑ Ms. Marvel: 1.02: Crushed
- ↑ Ms. Marvel: 1.06: No Normal
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 The Marvels
- ↑ Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness
- ↑ She-Hulk’s Wolverine Easter egg has Marvel teasing the X-Men yet again - Polygon
- ↑ She-Hulk’s Mister Immortal is a nod to the greatest Avengers team of all time - Polygon
- ↑ She-Hulk's Sneaker Collection Includes Easter Eggs For X-Men, Fantastic Four, Deadpool & More - /Film
- ↑ A newly revealed alternate Iron Man post-credits scene hints at the X-Men - Polygon
- ↑ Marvel is Killing X-Men and Fantastic Four Merchandising - Forbes
- ↑ How Marvel’s Next 10-Year Saga Could Unite Avengers and X-Men - The Hollywood Reporter
- ↑ Ms. Marvel’s Creators Originally Wanted Her To Be A (REDACTED) In The Comics Too – Exclusive - Empire
- ↑ Marvel's real motive behind Ms. Marvel's death and resurrection revealed - Popverse