426 MUTANTS
Initially, Marvel gave mutants singular or a limited range of superpowers; essentially
matching one superpower to each mutant. However, as Marvel expanded its universe
and its cast of mutants, either current mutants’ powers expanded or new characters
were introduced with several mutant powers. For example, Jean “Marvel Girl/ Phoenix”
Grey was initially a mere telepath, but over the years she developed her telepathy
further and became a vessel for the Phoenix Force. Some characters manifested mul-
tiple mutations, as in the case of Kurt “Nightcrawler” Wagner, who was blue, had three
digits per appendage and had a tail, while also being able to teleport. Other mutants,
particularly second generation mutants (mutants born of mutants or other charac-
ters with superpowers), often had several superpowers. Nathan “Cable” Summers and
Franklin Richards are the best examples of these. Additionally, Marvel has hinted that
fi rst generation mutants have the potential to go through a second mutation, including
Henry “Beast” McCoy, and Emma “White Queen” Frost. While mutant powers can
vary signifi cantly, the powers that reappear time and again in popular, strong, or infl u-
ential mutants include: telepathy, telekinesis, increased healing abilities, superhuman
strength, fl ight, and energy emission (in the form of blasts). Additionally, time-travel,
though rarely a power with mutants, has often been central to many storylines among
X-titles. While mutants epitomize evolution as the natural progression of humankind
in most narratives, Marvel has gone further to explain that the Celestials, god-like
beings who visited Earth in its infancy, actually altered human DNA, allowing for later
manifestations of powers in both mutants and other super-powered people alike. Th is
idea came to fruition in the series, Earth X (1999) and, while the series as a whole has
not been accepted as part of Marvel’s main continuum, this origin of mutant powers
has not been completely rejected.
With more than 40 years of stories about mutants, several have emerged as the most
powerful, infl uential or popular. Charles “Professor X” Xavier is not only one of the
fi rst mutants (and ultimately, the fi rst Marvel mutant), he is the world’s most power -
ful telepath. Despite occasional respites, he has led the X-Men as mentor, tactical,
and fi eld leader throughout most of their run. Although Scott “Cyclops” Summers has
served as a leader of an X-team repeatedly since his creation, his infl uence and even
power as a mutant is surpassed by his long-time lover and (currently) deceased wife,
Jean Grey. Since joining with the Phoenix Force in Uncanny X-Men #100–1 (1979),
she has continually challenged her colleagues, her enemies, and entire planets and solar
systems. James “Wolverine” Howlett has had the staying power and popularity to rival
all other X-Men with a continued success of ongoing and miniseries comic books, a
movie, X-Men Origins: Wolverine (2009), and several video games as well. His tough
demeanor, mutant healing factor and adamantium-grafted skeleton have made him a
popular antihero over the years, though his potential and power as a mutant have not
been particularly more signifi cant than many other mutants. Cable exhibits a similar
motif as Wolverine, with cyborg limbs, a dubious moral code, and superior fi ghting
abilities, but has the added bonus of being the temporally displaced son of Cyclops and
having several mutant powers, including telekinesis and telepathy. Franklin Richard, the
