Secondary mutation
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In Marvel comics Secondary Mutation was a fictional worldwide phenomenon among mutants that seemed inexplicable, with many previously established mutant characters suddenly developing new or vastly expanded powers. Henry McCoy hypothesized that since the mutant population was entering the millions at that time, that mutant physiology was responding to the need for survival. Thus in rare occasions a mutant's powers change or become even greater, and in rare cases they can develop a new, often unrelated ability. However, the criteria for secondary mutation is ill-defined at best, leaving many fans confused as to their favourite character's status on the evolutionary chain. This use of secondary mutations can sometimes be misused as a Deus ex machina; if the writer can't think of a way for a character to get out of a situation, they can simply develop a spontaneous new power to handle the problem.
[edit] Known mutants with secondary mutations
- Polaris (Lorna Dane): after having her mutant powers leeched by her supposed-sister, Zaladane, Lorna developed the first known case of secondary mutation. Her body mass had increased, along with her strength. When her secondary powers were used, it developed negative emotions in anyone around her.
- Beast (Hank McCoy): after being seriously injured by the villain Vargas, Sage attempted to use her ability to "jump start" mutation to save his life. This resulted in Beast de-evolving from his simian form into a giant feline form.
- Emma Frost: Emma's secondary mutation activated in the midst of the bombing of Genosha by Cassandra Nova's wild Mega-Sentinels. She transformed into an indestructible organic diamond form that saved her life, but negates her telepathy so she cannot use both powers at once. Recent revelations suggest that it may have been Nova who helped produce the secondary mutation.
- Angel (Warren Worthington III): discovered his new power while being wounded in a battle with a group of werewolf-like mutants called the Dominant Species. Both he and his teammate Husk were severely wounded and Husk would have died except for Warren's powers. His blood gained a healing property that can be used to mend and regenerate others. However, this ability first manifested in a battle against Black Tom Cassidy, when his skin turned from blue to normal (as a result of his healing factor activating). Angel had previously been modified by Apocalypse; whether this included genetic alterations has never been clarified.
- Iceman (Bobby Drake): his secondary mutation was not as beneficial as some of the others, greatly increasing his ice manipulation abilities, but leaving him trapped in his organic ice form and unable to transform back to flesh and blood. However, after the events of M-Day, where over 99% of the world's mutant population became depowered, Bobby is once more able to revert back and forth. This leaves the question of whether his second mutation was a transformation into ice or just an increase in his power he had to overcome.
[edit] The problem
There are definite cases when a mutant displays a new power that can be called a secondary mutation, but when does exhibiting a new aspect of an ability make it a secondary mutation? It is undoubted that over time a mutant would learn to use their abilities in creative ways, but is that ingenuity or previously untapped genetics?
