Mutant

Biodata

Classification

• Naturally occurring Mutants — Their abilities vary from barely noticeable to extraordinarily destructive. Nick Fury considers each natural Mutant’s powers as distinctive as fingerprints, shaped by that person’s genes 6 53.
• Artificially created “Mutants” — S.H.I.E.L.D. uses the term for physically altered people before their origins are known. Identical abilities and similar appearances among multiple subjects lead Fury and Coulson to suspect deliberate enhancement rather than natural mutation 53 61.
• Mistaken identification — Coulson and Melinda initially suspect Evenson is a Mutant after seeing footage of his powers. Coulson later learns that Evenson uses Magic 5 15.

Abilities & Limits

Natural abilities

• Documented or discussed powers include physical enhancement, control of fire, ice, or lightning, mind control, and teleportation. Their strength and usefulness differ greatly between individuals 6 53.
• Powers can be difficult to control when they first emerge, sometimes causing unintended harm 18.

Artificial physical enhancement

• Five altered humans who attack a US Army search team have immense strength and speed, with nearly identical appearances and abilities 50 53.
• Ordinary firearms struggle to harm them, but explosives and anti-armor weapons can kill them 50 53.
• Footage later shows one of these altered humans being created with Tyrant Enhancement Serum 72.

History

Coulson and Melinda’s investigation of Evenson establishes how uncertain a Mutant identification can be: footage shows him apparently killing a gang member with extraordinary powers, but does not reveal their source 5 15.

The five attackers encountered during the search for Tony Stark raise a different question. Their matching traits prompt Fury to consider an artificial process comparable in principle to a Super Soldier program. Similar creatures subsequently appear in a group of 25 at a US military warehouse, strengthening Coulson’s suspicion that someone can induce targeted mutations 53 61.