I thought siblings were immune to each other's powers

[kawasakidave78]

Here is a couple fun ones my buddy thought of...

If mutant siblings are immune to each other's powers, then why doesn't Quicksilver seem to have any memories from the world before House of M?

Can Nightcrawler Bamf Rougue?

And can Rougue imprint Nightcrawlers Bamfing?

(bamf is a fun word)

[cosmicspidey]

I was only aware of Cyclops and Havok being immune to each others powers. I guess I never knew this was supposed to be an across-the-board type of thing (although, now that I think of it, Captain Britain was immune to He-Psylocke's psychic knife recently in Uncanny). Anyway, since Nightcrawler and Rogue aren't technically siblings, there would be no problem there. As for Quicksilver/SW...Wanda didn't necessarily wipe everyone's mind in HoM.

I'm thinking the immunity probably only applies to when the power is used to directly attack a sibling. Cyclops would shoot Havok with an eye beam, but Quicksilver wouldn't super-speed Wanda...he'd punch her at super-speed, or create a vortex around her, or whatever. It wouldn't be Quicksilver's power attacking Wanda--the attack would come as a result of using his power. Does that make any sense?

[Sanagi]

It's a rule that only applies when the writers want it to.

And Rogue has drained Nightcrawler's powers before(Asgardian Wars).

[Dizzy D]

It's not a hard and fast rule, the instances we have seen is
- Cyclops and Havok, the most obvious one.
- Banshee and Black Tom, even though they are not siblings, they are cousins.
- male-Betsy and Brian (and I have hated that scene because Betsy's powers have affected Brian more than once)
- Mystique being unaffected by the draining effect of Nightcrawler's teleport. (Nocturne also has it, but it was stated that in her case, she has been teleporting with him since early childhood, so she likely built up a resistance.)
- M and Emplate had some immunity going on to each other, but not to all powers they had.

At the same time (leaving out physical powers), just a few examples:
- Rachel, Jean and Cable all can use their telepathy and telekinesis against each other without any problems.
- Magneto can affect Pietro and Wanda without any problems. I believe Wanda's powers were also able to affect Pietro.

Anyway Rogue and Nightcrawler should have no immunity whatsoever to each other because they are not related: Rogue was adopted, while Nightcrawler was a natural son of Mystique.

[Atom_basher]

Rogue and Nightcrawler arent blood relatives

[newscott]

Isn't it weird that the same isn't true for clones? Like Maddie Pryor and Jean Grey went at it pretty hard, same for Cable and Stryfe...

[Flight]

I don't know how you can compare immunity from Havok & Cyclops to siblings like Quicksilver & Scarlet Witch.
Cyke and Havok project stuff at each other so they just cancel each other out.
Wanda and Pietro don't do that. Pietro's power is to run really fast. You can't really be immune to that and vice versa. Their powers are completely different.

[Gingold]

I'm pretty sure that Scott and Alex have immunity because they both have the power to absorb solar/stellar energy through their skin, and then project it out. So they just absorb the other's energy. It has less to do with the fact that they're related, than that their powers are similar.

[ibrakeforchinwe]

About Betsy and Brian.

Sure they have used their powers on each other in the past and it affected them, but it didn't have anywhere near full effect as it would on someone else.

Betsy used her powers on Jamie before and it "burst his bubble," but it didn't really hurt him.

[The Lucky One]

I'm pretty sure that Scott and Alex have immunity because they both have the power to absorb solar/stellar energy through their skin, and then project it out. So they just absorb the other's energy. It has less to do with the fact that they're related, than that their powers are similar.

Good point- Cyclops has absorbed other forms of energy at times when necessary (like Storm's lightning), though it hurts him and is much less efficient. Since he absorbs solar energy and Alex absorbs cosmic rays (hey, so shouldn't he drain the Fantastic Four just by being around them?), that makes a lot of sense, Gingold.
:)

(Although Cyke actually only absorbs solar power through his eyes, not his skin... though some does leak through his eyelids when they're closed.)

-D

[Michael P]

I'm pretty sure that Scott and Alex have immunity because they both have the power to absorb solar/stellar energy through their skin, and then project it out. So they just absorb the other's energy. It has less to do with the fact that they're related, than that their powers are similar.
It's also probably a function of them being immune to their own powers. One would reason that their similar mutant biomechanisms would produce similar forms of energy, and of course, if Cyclops's own beams don't hurt him, then a very similar form of energy from Havok would likewise have little to no effect, and vice versa.

[Babylon23]

Rogue and Nightcrawler arent blood relatives

Spot on. Mystique is Rogue's adoptive mother. There's no biological relation.

[Dr Ray Palmer]

I always thought the Northstar/Aurora power dynamic was pretty interesting. Remember, originally when they touched each other, they produced a blinding light. Then after Aurora had Langowski alter her powers, I think she could produce light on her own, but if she and Northstar touched each other, they both lost their powers. I don't know what the current situation is because I haven't seen her appear anywhere in AGES.

[kawasakidave78]

Wow I'm glad I'm not the only one to take such silly questions so seriously. Thanks for the input and clarifications.

[mattbib]

- male-Betsy and Brian (and I have hated that scene because Betsy's powers have affected Brian more than once)
I thought Brian's powers were magical in nature anyway? When (if ever) was he identified as a true mutant?

[ibrakeforchinwe]

I thought Brian's powers were magical in nature anyway? When (if ever) was he identified as a true mutant?

He is a mutant. His powers were magically catalyzed.

[mattbib]

He is a mutant. His powers were magically catalyzed.So he's NOT a true mutant.

[Alpha to Omega]

He is a mutant. His powers were magically catalyzed.

I thought his powers were the result of his father being from Otherworld and not from the X-Factor gene so he's not a mutant.

[Tommy]

So he's NOT a true mutant.
No, he would be a Mutate.

[mattbib]

No, he would be a Mutate.A magical mutate. I still would like to know where this was all stated, or are you all just speculating? Because everything I remember said his powers were magical in nature. No different than the most recent Captain Britain.

I thought his powers were the result of his father being from Otherworld and not from the X-Factor gene so he's not a mutant.Yeah, that was my understanding. And also that Betsy and Jamie, while having an X-gene, were still questionably influenced by the same magic.

[ibrakeforchinwe]

He is a mutant a latent mutant.

He has a latent X-Gene. He would never have become a mutant if it weren't for Roma and Merlin. So he technically is a mutate....

[mattbib]

He is a mutant a latent mutant.

He has a latent X-Gene. He would never have become a mutant if it weren't for Roma and Merlin. So he technically is a mutate....Again, where has it ever been stated that they released a latent mutation? I get what you're saying, I just don't know that it's true so would like some confirmation. All prior indications have been that the powers were magical endowments.

[Dizzy D]

About Betsy and Brian.

Sure they have used their powers on each other in the past and it affected them, but it didn't have anywhere near full effect as it would on someone else.

Betsy used her powers on Jamie before and it "burst his bubble," but it didn't really hurt him.

Betsy killed an alternate reality version of her brother with her telepathy. If that isn't "full effect" I don't know what is.

[Alpha to Omega]

Betsy killed an alternate reality version of her brother with her telepathy. If that isn't "full effect" I don't know what is.

That alternate Brian probably had a different father since there was only one James Braddock from Otherworld and he only had the three 616 Braddock children. Kaption Briton most likely had different genetics considering he had yellow skin and it's unknown if he even had a sister. Besides that IIRC there resistance to each others powers was revealed before that.

[jarrod]

Yeah, that was my understanding. And also that Betsy and Jamie, while having an X-gene, were still questionably influenced by the same magic.
It's debatable actually, Besty's mental abilities aren't uncommon for otherworlders and Jamie's powers were similarly catalyzed like Brain's (well into adulthood). The truth is all three are most likely just human/otherworlder hybrids and not really mutants at all.

[Dizzy D]

That alternate Brian probably had a different father since there was only one James Braddock from Otherworld and he only had the three 616 Braddock children. Kaption Briton most likely had different genetics considering he had yellow skin and it's unknown if he even had a sister. Besides that IIRC there resistance to each others powers was revealed before that.

And male Betsy probably had a different father as well, so it's still a similar case. And Briton looked exactly like Brian, he didn't have yellow skin (otherwise there wouldn't have been the mix-up at all)

[The Lucky One]

Brian is not a mutant; his powers are from his Otherworld heritage. Betsy may be a mutant Otherworlder, as telepathy is an uncommon power among Otherworlders, but she is (by definition) not a mutant human, since she's only half human.

-D

[jarrod]

And male Betsy probably had a different father as well, so it's still a similar case. And Briton looked exactly like Brian, he didn't have yellow skin (otherwise there wouldn't have been the mix-up at all)
It's likely less an issue of total immunity and more of a level of resistance. With the extreme emotional distress of almost being raped by her "brother", Besty's adrenalin likely kicked her telepathic attack into overdrive... it fact her attack was so strong, it did physical damage to Kapton Briton even.

[jarrod]

Brian is not a mutant; his powers are from his Otherworld heritage. Betsy may be a mutant Otherworlder, as telepathy is an uncommon power among Otherworlders, but she is (by definition) not a mutant human, since she's only half human.

-D
Telepaphy (and precognition) aren't that uncommon for otherworlders, at least not to the point where those who displayed those abilities would be considered mutants. Unless you'd also consider Roma and Merlin to be "Otherworld Mutants" or whaterever...

It's also worth pointing out, Jamie's abilities came about as a result of his torture by Doc Croc... meaning he's probably not a mutant either. The best explanation I've heard for the Braddocks is that it's their inherent links to otherworld energies were displayed outwardly in their unique abilities, and that those displays were "by design" in a sense by Merlin and James Sr. Jamie's abilities were too powerful and easily corruptable, so they were suppressed and plans started again with the twins.

[Shellhead]

I always thought the Northstar/Aurora power dynamic was pretty interesting. Remember, originally when they touched each other, they produced a blinding light. Then after Aurora had Langowski alter her powers, I think she could produce light on her own, but if she and Northstar touched each other, they both lost their powers. I don't know what the current situation is because I haven't seen her appear anywhere in AGES.

Aurora appeared in the Weapon X series. I gave up on it after a dozen issues, including her getting raped by Sabretooth and severely abused by the Director.

[Alpha to Omega]

Aurora appeared in the Weapon X series. I gave up on it after a dozen issues, including her getting raped by Sabretooth and severely abused by the Director.

She wasn't raped by Sbretooth he just cut up her face.

[DDM]

It's debatable actually, Besty's mental abilities aren't uncommon for otherworlders and Jamie's powers were similarly catalyzed like Brain's (well into adulthood). The truth is all three are most likely just human/otherworlder hybrids and not really mutants at all.

Except Betsy Braddock has been identified as a mutant during Alan Moore's Captain Britain & the Nimrod/Master Mold II--both Sentinels--identified Psylocke as a mutant in Uncanny X-Men #246-247. Betsy is a powerful psi, a telepath.

[The Lucky One]

As I always do in such circumstances, let's go to the X-FAQ:

Which X-Men haven't been mutants?

The original Psylocke, Betsy Braddock, is the sister of Brian Braddock, aka Captain Britain. Both she and her brother gain their powers from their not-entirely human heritage (their father was from Otherworld). This was stated directly in her pre-X-Men appearances, as recounted now in the "Captain Britain" trade paperback. However, there are statements made in the X-titles clearly identifying her as a mutant--including a caption where Betsy described herself as a mutant in UXM #213, and an identification by the Master Mold in UXM #247. One reader points out that telepathic powers are unusual even for the Otherworlders--Brian's powers are more typical. While this doesn't prove that she is both a hybrid and a mutant, it adds a little credibility to the notion.

Brian is unquestionably not a mutant; Psylocke is on the fence as of now. Works for me.

-D

[jarrod]

Except Betsy Braddock has been identified as a mutant during Alan Moore's Captain Britain & the Nimrod/Master Mold II--both Sentinels--identified Psylocke as a mutant in Uncanny X-Men #246-247. Betsy is a powerful psi, a telepath.
Sure, but most hybrids tend to get reclassified as "mutants" anyway. Besty's abilities aren't really unique for her race and she didn't manifest them until well into adulthood (like Brain and Jamie, though we don't don't know if there was a similar catalyst for Betts). Also, Moore never established Besty's abilities as being mutant in origin, that was done later by Claremont when he brought her into the New Mutants. Tends to be the trend for "non-mtant" members of the X-teams... there's always backpeddalling justifications for why Longshot, Warlcok, Captain Britian or Psylocke are "really mutnats", as if being a non-mutant X-person is something impossible. :/

[Crimson]

Aurora appeared in the Weapon X series. I gave up on it after a dozen issues, including her getting raped by Sabretooth and severely abused by the Director.

She wasn't raped by Sabretooth... she was abused by the Director but she ended up turning on him and kicking the hell out of him.

[The Lucky One]

Tends to be the trend for "non-mtant" members of the X-teams... there's always backpeddalling justifications for why Longshot, Warlcok, Captain Britian or Psylocke are "really mutnats", as if being a non-mutant X-person is something impossible. :/

As far as I know, no one has ever classified Longshot as a mutant; in fact, given Scott Lobdell's failed attempt at explaining the Mimic as a latent mutant, Longshot may be the only X-Man who no one's ever tried to shoehorn into mutantdom. He can't be a mutant because everything in him, including his free will, was intentionally built into him by Arize; if none of it was an accident, it can't by definition be a mutation. The only thing Arize didn't give him was his luck, which he received in a mystical ceremony.

-D

[jarrod]

As far as I know, no one has ever classified Longshot as a mutant; in fact, given Scott Lobdell's failed attempt at explaining the Mimic as a latent mutant, Longshot may be the only X-Man who no one's ever tried to shoehorn into mutantdom. He can't be a mutant because everything in him, including his free will, was intentionally built into him by Arize; if none of it was an accident, it can't by definition be a mutation. The only thing Arize didn't give him was his luck, which he received in a mystical ceremony.

-D
The justification I've heard for Longshot was his spine making him unique and a "mutant" for his race. I don't agree, but that's what's been thrown out before.

And mutation doesn't need be "accidental", it's simply an issue of genetics. Using that standard, Gambit wouldn't be a mutant either.

[The Lucky One]

And mutation doesn't need be "accidental", it's simply an issue of genetics. Using that standard, Gambit wouldn't be a mutant either.

Yes, he would; in the Marvel Universe, a mutant is someone who received his or her powers through 1) genetic chance, and 2) being born with them. Anyone who's been either intentionally altered (Captain America) or had their genes accidentally scrambled later in life (Spider-Man, Fantastic Four) is a mutate, not a mutant, by the MU definition.

-D

[The Lucky One]

The justification I've heard for Longshot was his spine making him unique and a "mutant" for his race. I don't agree, but that's what's been thrown out before.

Glad you don't agree, as it doesn't make any sense. ;) Longshot's race is a completely separate race from the Spineless Ones, and every member of Longshot's race (the slave race) has a spine. Not exactly a mutation; it's not like he was born to a Spineless Ones mother, he was built from the ground up.

-D

[Char Aznable]

As far as I know, no one has ever classified Longshot as a mutant; in fact, given Scott Lobdell's failed attempt at explaining the Mimic as a latent mutant, Longshot may be the only X-Man who no one's ever tried to shoehorn into mutantdom. He can't be a mutant because everything in him, including his free will, was intentionally built into him by Arize; if none of it was an accident, it can't by definition be a mutation. The only thing Arize didn't give him was his luck, which he received in a mystical ceremony.

-D

Don't forget Juggernaut, I don't think anyone has tried to make him into a mutant.
So we got Mimic, Longshot, and Juggernaut as the non-mutant X-Men. Shatterstar, Warlock/Douglock, Captain Britian, Shard (ok so she originally was a mutant), Feron, Amanda Sefton, and Cerise for extended teams.
Would one count Slipstream or Poloris as mutants or mutates though? Both had latent x-factor genes but neither developed powers on their own.

[Shadowcat]

It's debatable actually, Besty's mental abilities aren't uncommon for otherworlders and Jamie's powers were similarly catalyzed like Brain's (well into adulthood). The truth is all three are most likely just human/otherworlder hybrids and not really mutants at all.


no, only betsy and brian have been stated to be mutants brians simply heavily magically influenced far more then the others. i believe psylockes ability to see the future was due to her otherworld heritage?

[DDM]

no, only betsy and brian have been stated to be mutants brians simply heavily magically influenced far more then the others. i believe psylockes ability to see the future was due to her otherworld heritage?

In an Excalibur letter page, the editor mentions that Captain Britain is not a mutant; whereas, Meggan, Phoenix, Nightcrawler, & Shadowcat are mutants.

[Shadowcat]

lol i meant to say betsy and jamie. yea i know brian isn't a mutie.

[DDM]

The justification I've heard for Longshot was his spine making him unique and a "mutant" for his race. I don't agree, but that's what's been thrown out before.

And mutation doesn't need be "accidental", it's simply an issue of genetics. Using that standard, Gambit wouldn't be a mutant either.

Longshot was created by Mojo to be a slave. On MojoWorld, if one has a spine, one is a slave. Longshot's powers are inherent--similar to a mutant, but he is genetically enegineered.

Mojo also created Spiral from Richochet Rita; however, both women seem to exist simultaneously on Mojoworld. Therefore, Spiral had to have been created at some point in the future, but returns to the present to be with Mojo. Spiral was given six arms so she would be an outcast even among the other slaves.

Arize is an outcast among the Spineless Ones because he invented an aritifical spine for himself. Arize--like Mojo--is a Spineless One.

[Dizzy D]

Arize is an outcast among the Spineless Ones because he invented an aritifical spine for himself. Arize--like Mojo--is a Spineless One.

Arize wasn't cast out for building and wearing an artificial spine, lots of the Spineless Ones used the spines (the ones who didn't oddly enough became the rulers though). Arize was cast out because he refused to build weapons for the Spineless Ones after they had turned his previous creations into slaves.

[The Lucky One]

So we got Mimic, Longshot, and Juggernaut as the non-mutant X-Men. Shatterstar, Warlock/Douglock, Captain Britian, Shard (ok so she originally was a mutant), Feron, Amanda Sefton, and Cerise for extended teams.
Would one count Slipstream or Poloris as mutants or mutates though? Both had latent x-factor genes but neither developed powers on their own.

Well, Warlock is a Technarch mutant, as he's the only of his race to be peaceful by nature; he was able to enter Ship back in the day, while non-mutants couldn't. Shatterstar is a mutant, with a very rarely used energy-blasting power. Cap Britain, Feron, Daytripper, Widget are non-mutants; Meggan's status varies by the day of the week (mutant or actual faery), and I think Cerise was a Shi'ar mutant. Micromax I can't remember, and Kylun was a mutant. Prosh was a non-mutant, Bird-Brain was a mutate, and Gossamyr was an alien. Shard, as you said, was a hologram of a mutant, but not a mutant herself.

Slipstream and Polaris were both latent mutants, but I think the official Marvel line is that they had the potential for powers, just needed something to activate them; whereas Peter Parker was never intended by nature to stick to walls, it was all the radioactive spider. So Spider-Man is a mutate, but Slipstream and Polaris are mutants, just latent mutants. (Actually, Polaris's green hair was her original mutation; her magnetic powers could be looked on as sort of a secondary mutation.)

-D

[DDM]

Slipstream and Polaris were both latent mutants, but I think the official Marvel line is that they had the potential for powers, just needed something to activate them; whereas Peter Parker was never intended by nature to stick to walls, it was all the radioactive spider. So Spider-Man is a mutate, but Slipstream and Polaris are mutants, just latent mutants. (Actually, Polaris's green hair was her original mutation; her magnetic powers could be looked on as sort of a secondary mutation.)

-D

Lorna's green hair marked as a mutant. However, Lorna was missing a few codes in her DNA to acitivate her mutant powers. Mesmero used a machine to activate Lorna's latent powers. Lorna's magnetic powers are not a secondary mutation.

In much the same way, Slipstream's powers are latent. Sage catalyzed his genes--in much the same way Mesmero's machine untapped Lorna's latent genes--so he would be a mutant himself.

When Forge stripped Storm of her elemental powers, he removed certain codes which made Ororo unable to tap into her powers. Storm was a latent mutant when she lead the X-Men as a powerless Storm.

A secondary mutation is a separate power. For instance, Jean Grey, Marvel Girl's telepathy, is a secondary mutation. When she was originally introduced, Marvel Girl only possessed telekinesis. Much later, Marvel Girl revealed she is also a telepath as well. Chris Claremont wrote Marvel Girl's origin in Bizarre Adventures #27 about Jean Grey becoming telepathically linked to her dying friend, Annie Richardson which lead to Jean being taught by Professor Xavier exclusively. Jean Grey as Phoenix is not a secondary mutation.

Emma Frost's diamond form is a secondary mutation since she still possesses her telepathy as well.

The Beast's cat-like mutation form is not a secondary mutation.

[mattbib]

A secondary mutation is a separate power. For instance, Jean Grey, Marvel Girl's telepathy, is a secondary mutation. When she was originally introduced, Marvel Girl only possessed telekinesis. Much later, Marvel Girl revealed she is also a telepath as well. Chris Claremont wrote Marvel Girl's origin in Bizarre Adventures #27 about Jean Grey becoming telepathically linked to her dying friend, Annie Richardson which lead to Jean being taught by Professor Xavier exclusively. Jean Grey as Phoenix is not a secondaryI don't think Jean's telepathy is a secondary mutation. It may have been retconned in as having happened first (upon the death of Annie), but it's still part of her original mutation. IIRC Xavier, however, used his powers to inhibit the telepathy, which may be why she originally only used her teke.

[Shadowcat]

The Beast's cat-like mutation form is not a secondary mutation.

acctually yes beasts cat like mutation form IS a secondary mutation he even stated it himself.

[mattbib]

...Widget are non-mutants...Knowing Marvel science, though, once Kate Pryde's spririt inhabited the robot who knows how a Sentinel would have read him...
Micromax I can't remember...Scott Wright is a mutant.

[mattbib]

acctually yes beasts cat like mutation form IS a secondary mutation he even stated it himself.I'd say that's probably wrong.

First, if it WAS a secondary mutation it was one only in the way that Lorna's magnetic powers are a secondary mutation (to her green hair). His cat mutation was catalyzed by an outside source, not naturally like true secondary mutations.

Second, the blue/furry thing isn't a mutation...so I don't know that any change in that form could be considered a mutation, but a furthered state of what made him a mutate.

[Flight]

How has this thread gone from "Sibling immunity to their powers" to "Which X-Men are mutants" to "The History of the Braddocks" to "Secondary mutations"...?

[mattbib]

How has this thread gone from "Sibling immunity to their powers" to "Which X-Men are mutants" to "The History of the Braddocks" to "Secondary mutations"...?It's the thread's secondary mutation.

[TheWolfOfAsgard]

It's the thread's secondary mutation.

I think we are beyond secondary here.:D

[Char Aznable]

Well, Warlock is a Technarch mutant, as he's the only of his race to be peaceful by nature; he was able to enter Ship back in the day, while non-mutants couldn't. Shatterstar is a mutant, with a very rarely used energy-blasting power.

-D

Hmmm that Warlock thing is interesting. But would'nt he require an x-factor gene? Also, I'm not real well read on Shatterstar but I thought he was an artificial being just like Longshot, only from Mojoworld's future? Was it ever stated that Cerise was a mutant? I know she has powers but assumed they were either given to her or were technological in nature. She is a member of the actual Shiar race and not some alien from one of their conquered planets right?

[jarrod]

no, only betsy and brian have been stated to be mutants brians simply heavily magically influenced far more then the others. i believe psylockes ability to see the future was due to her otherworld heritage?
Both were retconned into being mutants, as has been Brian before. Brain and Jamie's abilities were both mystically catalyzed as adults (by Merlyn and Doc Croc respectively) and Besty's abilities didn't manifest until adulthood as well. I'd say all their abilities were likely engineered by their father and Merlyn, and most likely none of the three are truly mutants in the classic sense. They're carefully planned hybrids.


Cap Britain, Feron, Daytripper, Widget are non-mutants;
Actually, Feron would have to be a mutant if he manifested the Phoenix. He hasn't yet, but he still might...

[Dizzy D]

Hmmm that Warlock thing is interesting. But would'nt he require an x-factor gene?

In this case we are using the scientific definition of mutant: a being with traits different from its parents.

Also, I'm not real well read on Shatterstar but I thought he was an artificial being just like Longshot, only from Mojoworld's future?

This one is difficult to explain. Loeb promised to clear up Shatterstar's origin and appareantly clear up means something completely different in his dictionary. Before Shatterstar was indeed a cloned gen-engineered warrior, but after Loeb's cleaning-up he is now the spirit of that gen-engineered warrior in the body of an Earth mutant... and for some unexplained reason they look completely the same and Shatterstar possessed some of the memories of that Earth mutant before the switch took place. Try not to think about it.

[Dizzy D]

Actually, Feron would have to be a mutant if he manifested the Phoenix. He hasn't yet, but he still might...

Why would he have to be a mutant?

[mattbib]

Both were retconned into being mutants, as has been Brian before.Again, where was Brian retconned into being a mutant? Which issue?

[jarrod]

Again, where was Brian retconned into being a mutant? Which issue?
Marvel Trading Cards Series 2. :)

Offhand I can't think of any particular issue where Brain was called a mutant. At the same time, I can't think of any particular issue where it was stated Brain specifically isn't a mutant either. I think if Besty and Jamie are considered mutants, I'd think it natural to assume the same applied to Brain most likely.

[xakko]

Actually, Feron would have to be a mutant if he manifested the Phoenix. He hasn't yet, but he still might...
If you'll reread the issues of Excalibur detailing the origin of the original Feron, you'll see that it differentiates greatly from the Jean Grey = Phoenix lines or the Phoenix being a mutant only phenomenon. It was while it was still a cosmic force, summoned by Merlin, Necrom, and especially the original Feron.

[jarrod]

Why would he have to be a mutant?
Elevation to the level of Phoenix is a mutation. According to Morrisson anyway.

[jarrod]

If you'll reread the issues of Excalibur detailing the origin of the original Feron, you'll see that it differentiates greatly from the Jean Grey = Phoenix lines or the Phoenix being a mutant only phenomenon. It was while it was still a cosmic force, summoned by Merlin, Necrom, and especially the original Feron.
True, there they "tapped" into the force rather than it manifesting within them (like Jean, Rachel, Quentin, etc). I take Feron back. :)

[mattbib]

Marvel Trading Cards Series 2. :)

Offhand I can't think of any particular issue where Brain was called a mutant. At the same time, I can't think of any particular issue where it was stated Brain specifically isn't a mutant either. I think if Besty and Jamie are considered mutants, I'd think it natural to assume the same applied to Brain most likely.Clearly the trading cards shouldn't be considered canon in terms of plot. The old OHotMU listed the source of his powers as (paraphrasing) sorcery and the heritage of being the son of an Otherworlder.

So while you can't think of an issue where it was stated that he was a mutant, there are multiple instances on panel (not to mention Handbook listings) showing the source of his power as magic. Despite his sibling's mutations, I don't think it's natural to assume that Brian is a mutant at all.

Jean's sister wasn't a mutant. Not all of Sam's siblings are mutants. Rogue's half-brother wasn't a mutant. Slipstream wasn't a mutant.

I'm sticking with Brian not being a mutant, then, as there's been no proof otherwise.

[The Lucky One]

Also, I'm not real well read on Shatterstar but I thought he was an artificial being just like Longshot, only from Mojoworld's future?

He is from the Mojoverse's future (100 years), and he may be an artificial being -- like Dizzy said, the Loeb story raised more questions than it answered, and he may also be Spiral/Ricochet Rita's son -- but he's been shown using an energy blasting power. Even if he was artificially created, he could still have an accidental power that snuck in there; if it was unintended by his creator, he would still be qualified as a mutant. Longshot has no abilities not intentionally put into him (except the luck powers, which again are mystical in nature), so he's not a mutant.

-D

[The Lucky One]

Elevation to the level of Phoenix is a mutation. According to Morrisson anyway.

Even among Grant's most staunch, diehard proponents, most will admit that maintaining continuity is not exactly his strong suit. While I wouldn't go so far as to suggest most of his run is apocryphal or anything (we reserve that judgment for Messr. Austen), I do think we need to allow for a bit of, ah, shall we say blind-eye-turning at some of his ideas that, in turn, contradict earlier, established stories. The host of the Phoenix Force doesn't need to be a mutant, so Feron isn't one until someone gives some reasonable suggestions otherwise in a future published story. Not saying it's impossible, but it's not what I'd call exactly canon.

-D

[jarrod]

Clearly the trading cards shouldn't be considered canon in terms of plot. The old OHotMU listed the source of his powers as (paraphrasing) sorcery and the heritage of being the son of an Otherworlder.

So while you can't think of an issue where it was stated that he was a mutant, there are multiple instances on panel (not to mention Handbook listings) showing the source of his power as magic. Despite his sibling's mutations, I don't think it's natural to assume that Brian is a mutant at all.

Jean's sister wasn't a mutant. Not all of Sam's siblings are mutants. Rogue's half-brother wasn't a mutant. Slipstream wasn't a mutant.

I'm sticking with Brian not being a mutant, then, as there's been no proof otherwise.
I dunno... I'd consider Official Trading Cards just as canon as the Handbooks or an Editor's reply in a letter's page.

Just because he hasn't been formally retconned into mutanthood (yet) like his siblings were, I don't think it unnatural to assume he probably is. You bring up other siblings as a case for it being possible, but none of your examples are those of twins. Brain and Besty being twins, makes it even more likely I think, espcially since there's never been any in canon statements to Brain not being a mutant.... but then, I don't buy that Betsy herself's a true mutant either. She's a carefully planned genetic hybrid who's natural abilities didn't manifest until adulthood, just like her brothers.

[DDM]

Hmmm that Warlock thing is interesting. But would'nt he require an x-factor gene? Also, I'm not real well read on Shatterstar but I thought he was an artificial being just like Longshot, only from Mojoworld's future? Was it ever stated that Cerise was a mutant? I know she has powers but assumed they were either given to her or were technological in nature. She is a member of the actual Shiar race and not some alien from one of their conquered planets right?

Professor Xavier deduced Warlock to be a mutant--not from his powers--but from his behavior in The New Mutants #21. Warlock is so fundamentally alien that his behavior marks him as a mutant.