Is Polaris a changeling?

[.A²]

Changelings:
X-Factor #11 introduced the concept of changelings, or "homo killcrop", a kind of evolutionary throwback that anticipated the eventual coming of homo superior. The two species are remarkably similar: both have access to superhuman powers. There is, nevertheless, a single, profound distinction: while mutant powers manifest at puberty, changelings have access to their abilities from birth. Currently, the only known changeling is Damian Tryp, while Jamie Madrox remains a probable, (though not yet completely verified) candidate as well. Although the unknown nature of both Madrox and Tryp's powers has been an ongoing thread throughout X-Factor the notion of "homo killcrop" hasn't been prominent for a long time. Despite this, the upcoming X-Factor mini-event, "Breaking Points" promises to revisit and tie up several of the still dangling plot points introduced throughout the run. Soliciations, interviews and preview images reveal that this arc will also explore the origin story of Polaris, and that what she discovers about her past will leave her traumatised:

- PART III: Discovering a long-buried secret from the past, one member of X-Factor will be driven insane.

Could these two elements possibly converge? Is Lorna Dane a changeling?

The theory:
The result of an extramarital affair, Polaris has DNA evidence to prove that she is the daughter of Magneto and an unknown woman. However, she wasn't raised by either of her biological parents. The couple Lorna knew as her parents - the "Danes" - were in fact her aunt and uncle. Lorna's biological mother and the man to whom she was married had died in a plane crash soon after Lorna's birth:

(Ignore the fact that this image claims Magneto isn't Lorna's father, that has since been changed.)

Whether Lorna was a passenger on that fateful flight has never been revealed, but in Uncanny X-Men #431, she made the discovery that much of the wreckage of the plane had been "highly magnetized":

Naturally, her first impulse was to blame Magneto, but could it be that as an infant changeling, with full access to her powers but no control over them, that she was responsible instead? Changelings have no control over their abilities in their infancy. Jamie had to wear a specially designed suit to avoid creating duplicates. Just as Jamie's genetic differences were apparent from the moment he was born, so too were Lorna's, having been born with green hair:

It's tempting to suggest that Lorna must be a mutant, because despite her hair, her magnetic abilities didn't kick (back) in until X-Men #50 when Mesmero wired her into a genetic stimulator, bringing them to the surface. But Mesmero is a hypnotist, and perhaps it wasn't the machine that brought on her powers, but his own psychic tampering. Perhaps Lorna (whose fragile mental state is well known) had suppressed the memory of inadvertently killing so many people as a child, that her powers were somehow neutralised, until Mesmero unlocked them from within her unconscious.

Could what drives Lorna over the edge be the revelation that as "homo killcrop" she is responsible for the death of her own mother and step-father?

[.A²]

Appendix:

Damian Tryp explains changelings to the Madroxs:

Cover to X-Factor #243:

Preview art by Leonard Kirk:

[Dr. Sonic]

Interesting. I don't know, but I wager we'll find out soon.
HomoKillcrop is a pretty tough term.

[keeper444]

whatever she is, she still is awesome. I hope they explain her origin without making a mess of it.

[OBrianTallent]

I love Lorna as a character and am very curious as to what her origin might be, but one thing I do tire of is the constant need to make her crazy. I had expected better of PAD, and I still do have hopes that this isn't exactly what the solicits suggest.

As to your query, both very good points...it would be easy to suggest a killcrop.

[Angevine]

I don't think Linnaeus would have approved of "Homo killcrop."

[preppistonpav]

Appendix:

Damian Tryp explains changelings to the Madroxs:

In this picture, does anyone else think Mrs. Madrox is just a duplicate of Mr. Madrox with a wig on?

-Pav

[Mitteloss]

Yes, technically she could very well be a 'killcorp'.

Way back in 2006 I remember having a similar theory but I confined it to her green hair aspect. As far as I was concerned however- her magnetic powers were a latent mutation but AU evidence strongly suggests otherwise and that whatever happened in 616 with her magnetic powers after birth was a quirk.

At the same time I share and echo the views of others in this thread- whatever she is, she is an awesome character in my eyes whether a regular mutant or not. I do hope that PAD sticks to continuity and I hope that whatever happens she is only mentally unstable for a brief amount of time.

Also, supporting your theory inadvertently, during Giant Size X-Men Jean Grey had to overcome some "psychic defenses" in Lorna's mind to fully awaken her power potential- suggesting there may be a psychological aspect.

[otipep_90]

This is a really good theory, I can see it as being a big reason why Magneto didn't want to tell her he was her father. He could have blocked her power off like Xavier did to Jean, after the plane crashed and why he broke ties with her. This would really mess with Lorna's head and would perfectly go along with what PAD is building up with Tryp/Madrox.

[Havok83]

A mutant within the Marvel Universe is defined as any being with an X-gene. Lorna has an X-gene. Lorna is a mutant

[AcesX1X]

i hope not. killcrops was a disappointing idea and i wish it had never been suggested to be completely honest.

[Swashbuckler]

I don't think killcrops are disappointing but pointing them out as separate from other mutants is silly. Nightcrawler would be one too then. and any deformed mutant who was born that way.

[The Black Guardian]

"Killcrop" is a racist word. Mutants are mutants.

[Swashbuckler]

Technically, Namor would be a killcrop too.

[AcesX1X]

Technically, Namor would be a killcrop too.

see? it doesn't even make sense. there's tons of mutants who would fit this definition, and yet this damen tryp is supposedly the only one? no thank you.