and the Subcategories Thereof
What is a mutate? What is a mutant? Are there really different types of mutants? The answers are both simplistic and complex.
Mutates
To put this in the most simple manner possible, mutates are people who develop powers, but never had a genetic predisposition toward powers. They’re created, in a way, usually receiving powers as the result of an accident or experimentation. Some of the most well known mutates are characters such as Steve Rogers and Bruce Banner. Neither of these men had a particular predisposition toward gaining powers, but ended up receiving them as the result of an experimental serum in Steve’s case, and an accident in Bruce’s case.
Mutants
Mutants are the opposite of mutates: they are people either born with power, or born with the predisposition for or innate ability to gain power. This predisposition toward powers comes from a gene in their DNA called the X gene. For most, mutant powers surface around puberty at times of heightened stress, but it is not unheard of for powers to be triggers and manifest later in life, usually in response to some sort of danger. More rarely, however, are mutants whose powers are active from birth. There are five primary subspecies of mutant:
Externals
Externals are mutants whose powers make them practically immortal, allowing them to exist for centuries. Examples of Externals are Selene and Apocalypse.
Cheyarafim and Neyaphem
Cheyarafim are mutants who are angel-like, such as Angel (Warren Worthington), while Neyaphem are mutants who resemble demons, such as Nightcrawler and Azazel. These two groups are traditionally mortal enemies, and have been around since Biblical times, though their numbers dwindled drastically following a Holy War at that time.
Dominant Species/Lupine
Feral, wolf-like mutants are frequently called Lupine Mutants or even the “Dominant Species”. There are different schools of thought regarding this type of mutant, with some claiming that some human mutants evolved from canines instead of primates, which is why there is such a large number of Lupine mutants. There has not, however, been any real confirmation of this theory, and some brush it off as a superiority complex run rampant.
Changelings
Changelings are mutants who have had their powers since birth. Multiple Man is an example of a Changeling.
Extraterrestrial Mutants
Other species have a mutant subspecies. Extraterrestrial Mutants are exactly that - mutants of an alien species.
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