Mutation... At Old Age?

**ProfeZZor X** · 09-08-2006, 09:39 AM

Considering these characters are human like everyone else, with the exception of that extra X-gene, do you think that with age, their mutations would diminish. Considering most mutants manifest their abilities during a heightened period in their lives, mostly at puberty, is it conceivable that they could lose these abilities during other natural occurring events, such as menopause, or other mentally debilitating diseases, like Alzheimer’s or something along that line. Although Alzheimer’s is mostly the ability to recall information, I’m sure this could play a major turning point in their ability to connect with their powers. That, or any other mental disease associated with old age.

Marvel writes futuristic versions of our favorite characters, but I don’t think they realistically portray them in humanistic situations and how the diseases associated with old age may play in altering their mutations. Given, they don't make them severely old, but there are some naturally occuring diseases or biological events that may cease their mutated abilities.

What are your (educated) thoughts?

**The Fury** · 09-08-2006, 09:43 AM

That's actually something I've never thought about.

And i have no idea.

**Joe Acro** · 09-08-2006, 09:44 AM

I think that, much like joints, metabolism, and organs, mutant abilities should deteriorate over time. As the characters start to get beyond middle age, their powers begin to weaken. This isn't to say they lose their abilities at some point, though.

**Metallurgique** · 09-08-2006, 09:49 AM

When Crimson Commando, Stonewall, and Super Sabre were introduced, they pointed out that they were "not as sharp as they used to be" - because they were old men at the time, WW2 vets. But this was not reflected in the use of their abilities. Nor was Destiny's power effected by her age.

I think some powers, powers which derive from physical strength, would grow weaker over time. Sunspot, at 80, would probably not be able to use most of his super strength because his bones couldn't support all the weight of the things he punches and lifts. His basic strength would be less, so his enhanced strength would have to be less.

But somebody like Justice would probably retain all of his ability - since it is not derived from his body but from his mind, unless his mind physically deteriorated from something like Alzheimers. I would think that the control over thier powers would also deteriorate.

Magma mentioned many times that using her power tired her out, so no doubt this effect would be intensified as she got older. She would also have less control if concentration on using her powers became more physically difficult. The same would go for Nightcrawler, who's power depends on physical stamina and mental concentration. He sometimes gets tired out if he teleports too many times in too short a span. No doubt this would get worse as he aged and his body became less able to cope with that physical strain. His physical mutation, however, might counteract some of the effects of age.

Somebody with considerable physical invulnerablity, like Cargill, might also retain more control and stamina because basic fatigue would not effect her as much as a normal human or non-invulnerable mutant. Any mutant with a serious healing factor would also essentially live forever, as their body would fight off the signs of decay that come with natural age. Icarus couldn't kill himself, and Wolverine can regenerate...

**ProfeZZor X** · 09-08-2006, 10:46 AM

Originally Posted by Metallurgique

When Crimson Commando, Stonewall, and Super Sabre were introduced, they pointed out that they were "not as sharp as they used to be" - because they were old men at the time, WW2 vets. But this was not reflected in the use of their abilities. Nor was Destiny's power effected by her age.

I think some powers, powers which derive from physical strength, would grow weaker over time. Sunspot, at 80, would probably not be able to use most of his super strength because his bones couldn't support all the weight of the things he punches and lifts. His basic strength would be less, so his enhanced strength would have to be less.

But somebody like Justice would probably retain all of his ability - since it is not derived from his body but from his mind, unless his mind physically deteriorated from something like Alzheimers. I would think that the control over thier powers would also deteriorate.

Magma mentioned many times that using her power tired her out, so no doubt this effect would be intensified as she got older. She would also have less control if concentration on using her powers became more physically difficult. The same would go for Nightcrawler, who's power depends on physical stamina and mental concentration. He sometimes gets tired out if he teleports too many times in too short a span. No doubt this would get worse as he aged and his body became less able to cope with that physical strain. His physical mutation, however, might counteract some of the effects of age.

Somebody with considerable physical invulnerablity, like Cargill, might also retain more control and stamina because basic fatigue would not effect her as much as a normal human or non-invulnerable mutant. Any mutant with a serious healing factor would also essentially live forever, as their body would fight off the signs of decay that come with natural age. Icarus couldn't kill himself, and Wolverine can regenerate...

I don't necessarily agree with that. Wolverine was once a child, then a teenager, and then an adult. There are things in life regardless of extra abilities that are inevitable... Death and Taxes. And I'm more than certain there has to be a limit to his healing factor. It's not as if he can stop aging at old age. Through all the manipulations and punishment his body and mind have endured over the years, he, of all people should be the number one candidate for mutation degeneration. Out of all the decades and centuries of psychological and physical abuse, his mind and body would have to "snap" at one point.

**Mikl C** · 09-08-2006, 11:05 AM

Magneto old <<<< Magneto young. So yeh I guess they do deteriorate! Eep! I wonder if using powers excessively ages certain characters?

**ProfeZZor X** · 09-08-2006, 11:30 AM

Originally Posted by darker_phoenix

Magneto old <<<< Magneto young. So yeh I guess they do deteriorate! Eep! I wonder if using powers excessively ages certain characters?

I wonder what the deteriorating effects would be like for transmorphing mutants (i.e., Colossus, Iceman, Magma).

Also, how would old age affect mutants that absorb energy from external sources and store it within their bodily cells (i.e., Havok, Bishop). Would those cells start to deteriorate, or would they die from some form of radiation?... hmm.

**Mikl C** · 09-08-2006, 11:37 AM

It would be funny if they exploded.

**Kevin Vetter** · 09-08-2006, 02:50 PM

I think it's possible wolverine wouldn't age anymore. I think the thing with his aging up until now is his healing factor allowed his body to age until it reached its peak. So physically his body got the the best it was ever going to be and then the healing factor doesn't allow any further aging because the physical condition of his body was only get worse if he aged anymore.

I was watching something on the science channel about how humans stop aging. I believe it was something about the science of super heros and it was during the part about wolverine where some scientist was saying that at some point when humans reach a certain age our body stops aging. It's really up there like around 90 I think but they were saying if you lived to be like 110 then your body at that age wouldn't be any different than it was at like 95. Well It could be different but the changes wouldn't be related to your body getting older.

**fishtaco** · 09-08-2006, 03:11 PM

Originally Posted by The Fury

That's actually something I've never thought about.

And i have no idea.

Same. I never thought of that.

**Affinity** · 09-08-2006, 08:14 PM

I think certain powers could be cool.

A lot of powers in my mind could be fine tuned and then entirely PERFECTED by the time our favorite X-Men hit 50, 60, 70. Imagine Emma not needing Cerebra, and using her telepathy to constantly hide her aged appearance (a la Rachel and the hound marks).

**ProfeZZor X** · 09-10-2006, 08:55 AM

The only way I see Iceman living forever, is if he stays in his ice form forever. He could constantly regererate from any form of water. As for Wolverine, I see his healing factor going haywire as he ages, kind of like the nanomed frog in the Hulk movie. I mean really, what happens to all those toxins and poisons he ingests over the decades?.... Does he just poop them out.

**Tag06** · 09-10-2006, 11:51 AM

In the MAGIK mini series back in the 1980's I believe an aged Ororo's powers had weakened and she turn to sorcery.

**BoosterBronze** · 09-10-2006, 04:56 PM

Originally Posted by ProfeZZor X

I wonder what the deteriorating effects would be like for transmorphing mutants (i.e., Colossus, Iceman, Magma).

I think in their later years, Colossus and his type would transform into something more brittle, less indestructable, andeventually, like male erectile dysfunction, transforming wouldn't be as automatic, until at real old age, sometimes it wouldn't work when you want it to.