The Human Torch , also known as Jim Hammond , is a superhero appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics . Created by writer and artist Carl Burgos , he first appeared in Marvel Comics #1 (October 1939), published by Marvel's predecessor, Timely Comics .
84-511: X-gene may refer to: The mutant factor in Marvel Comics X-Gene Platform, an ARM-based computer microarchitecture by Applied Micro Circuits Corporation See also [ edit ] Generation X or Gen X XGen Studios , a Canadian video game development studio Topics referred to by the same term [REDACTED] This disambiguation page lists articles associated with
168-477: A mutant is a human being that possesses a genetic trait called the X-gene. It causes the mutant to develop superhuman powers that manifest at puberty . Human mutants are sometimes referred to as a human subspecies Homo sapiens superior or simply Homo superior . Mutants are the evolutionary progeny of Homo sapiens , and are actually revealed to be the next stage in human evolution . The accuracy of this
252-451: A mutant ! You possess an extra power...one which ordinary humans do not!! That is why I call my students... X-Men , for Ex -tra power!" This issue also features the first reference to mutants as the species "Homo Superior" by Magneto . Following the relaunch under writer Chris Claremont , narration in stories taking place on Muir Island described Moira MacTaggert as "second only to Charles Xavier as an authority on genetic mutation." In
336-470: A universal blood type has been shown to have restorative properties: The Human Torch is a synthetic being designed and constructed of artificial materials. He has the capacity for creative intelligence, unlimited self-motivated activity, and human-like emotions. The Torch has the ability to envelop his body in fiery plasma without harm to himself and to utilize this heat energy for various effects, including flight, formation of fiery shapes, energy releases in
420-528: A "Damage Control" facility, the encased body of Human Torch is shown there. During an attack by H.A.N.D. agents, Captain America and Iron Lad had to improvise a fire bottle in order to reactivate Human Torch. This works and Human Torch helps them fight the H.A.N.D. agents. The android Human Torch makes a cameo appearance in Captain America: The First Avenger . It is seen as a synthezoid dubbed
504-631: A bomb. In return, the Human Torch blasted fire at Hitler, burning him alive. Sometime afterward, the Torch was placed in deactivation sleep in the Mojave Desert ; an atomic bomb test awoke him. Learning that Toro had been captured by the Soviets and brainwashed, the Torch rescued his old partner and learned that the nuclear bomb's radiation had made his powers both much stronger and more unstable. To keep Toro
588-543: A certain extent like 'real' families but they are also a team. They differ from other teams such as the Justice League , which is like a meritocracy; only the best of the best join that team. In contrast, the X-Men is composed of outcasts. They train and nurture one another and are united by common goals and beliefs. ...the whole theme of the X-Men — the isolation of mutants and their alienation from 'normal' society — may be read as
672-560: A female android based on him, whom he came to regard as a daughter of sorts. He also renewed acquaintances with Spitfire, to the dismay of her beau, Union Jack (Joey Chapman). Tara was revealed to have been created by the Red Skull ; overrides on her developing personality allowed the Invaders' enemies, the Axis Mundi, to use her as a weapon against the team. As Tara heated toward overload to kill
756-443: A fictional oppressed minority , mutants are often used as extended metaphors for real-world people and situations. In 1982, X-Men writer Chris Claremont said, "[mutants] are hated, feared and despised collectively by humanity for no other reason than that they are mutants. So what we have here, intended or not, is a book that is about racism, bigotry and prejudice." Danny Fingeroth writes extensively in his book Superman on
840-581: A living, artificial human made of synthetic flesh and blood was unique in comics, as opposed to the much more common theme of a mechanical automaton that only externally resembles a human being. After the Mad Thinker's modification and reactivation of the Torch, writers began to portray him as clearly mechanical, containing circuits, relays, and motors, much like a traditional robot. This variable presentation of his anatomy remains an unresolved issue, whether an overlooked continuity error or explained within
924-591: A natural "fire and water" theme, Timely was responsible for comic books' first major crossover , with a two-issue battle between the Human Torch and the Sub-Mariner that spanned Marvel Mystery Comics #8–9—telling the same story from the two characters' different perspectives. Marvel Mystery Comics ended its run with #92 (June 1949), and The Human Torch with #35 (March 1949), as superheroes in general had faded in popularity. Timely Comics publisher Martin Goodman —who by
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#17328553674781008-629: A parable of the alienation of any minority... of a minority grouping determined to force its own place within society. Within the Earth X universe, the powers of the vast majority of Marvel's human superheroes were revealed to have been the result of genetic manipulation by the Celestials millions of years in the past. In the Ultimate Marvel universe within the pages of the Ultimate Origins #1, it
1092-587: A police officer for the New York City Police Department . The Human Torch was one of Timely Comics' three signature characters, along with Captain America and Namor the Sub-Mariner. Like many superheroes, the Human Torch fell into obscurity by the 1950s. In 1961, Stan Lee and Jack Kirby repurposed his name and powers for a new character, Johnny Storm , a member of the Fantastic Four who
1176-549: A separate origin for each one. As part of the concept, Lee decided that these mutant teenagers should, like ordinary ones, attend school in order to better cope with the world, in this case Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters . Following the 1963 debut of this conception of mutants in the superhero series X-Men , Marvel later introduced several additional mutant superhero teams, including The New Mutants , X-Factor , Excalibur , X-Force , and Generation X . In early X-Men stories, Professor Xavier and others suggest that mutation
1260-748: A squadron of Kree soldiers, resuming his identity as the Human Torch once again. After being saved by the intervention of Captain America and the Winter Soldier , the Torch joins the newly reformed Invaders. When the Fantastic Four are declared to be unfit guardians for the children of the Future Foundation , Hammond offers to take custody of the children to provide a guardian that the FF can trust who they know will do all that he can to reunite them with their parents, even threatening to leave S.H.I.E.L.D. if he
1344-428: A startling discovery proves that Toro's mutation may have been created as a result of his mother working for Horton. The Thinker uses the Torch as a weapon of mass destruction to destroy an Estonian town. An escape attempt by Toro damages the control mechanism and sets the Torch free. He returns to the A.I.M. carrier and begins murdering everyone in sight. The Mad Thinker reveals that he has managed to synthesize more of
1428-605: A woman describing herself as a mutant who seeks a similarly superhuman mate. Roger Carstairs, a mutant who can create illusions, is shown in Man Comics #28, dated September 1953. A character with superhuman powers, born from a radiation-exposed parent, was seen in "The Man with the Atomic Brain!" in Journey into Mystery #52 in May 1959; although not specifically called a "mutant", his origin
1512-550: A young boy, the Professor was rescued from Japanese authorities by the Invaders, and was fascinated by the Torch. Now, he intends to use the technology to further his goals. Captain America (James Barnes), Black Widow , and the Sub-Mariner race to prevent this from happening. The Professor used the Torch's chemistry and cell structure to create an airborne virus that can spontaneously kill people. The Professor plans to use this virus to eradicate half of Earth's population. Luckily, Cap
1596-412: A young boy, the writers retconned the character slightly, claiming the Torch met him after World War II rather than at the beginning of the war. The revival lasted five issues. Later writers explained how fearing he would become a danger to those around him, the Torch flew back out into the desert and went nova, using up his energy reserve and effectively deactivating himself. In modern-day continuity,
1680-460: Is a mutate instead of an android. Unlike Captain America and the Sub-Mariner, the original Human Torch has had only a small presence in the post-1950s Marvel comic books and is closely associated with the Golden Age . Following his debut in the hit Marvel Comics #1, the Human Torch proved popular enough that he soon became one of the first superheroes to headline a solo title. Through the 1940s,
1764-467: Is able to stop this and made sure that Jim received a proper burial. At the beginning of the " Dark Reign " storyline, the recently resurrected Toro is captured by A.I.M. during an attempt to kill the Mad Thinker . Initial experimentation on Toro makes the Mad Thinker realize that he can reconstruct the Torch. A.I.M. steals the Torch's body from Arlington National Cemetery for experimentation. After
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#17328553674781848-478: Is at such intensity that it immediately vaporizes such materials on contact. While in flame form, the original Human Torch has engaged in hand-to-hand combat with Namor, the Sub-Mariner. He has also dug underground and through vessels like a human missile. The upper limit of his resistance has been undefined over the years, having once walked out stronger from a nuclear blast, and on another time considered destroyed by another nuclear blast, this last one happening in
1932-570: Is consistent with one. A little-known story in Tales of Suspense #6 (November 1959) titled "The Mutants and Me!" was one of the first Marvel (then known as Atlas ) stories to feature a named "mutant". Tad Carter, a mutant with telekinetic powers, is shown in Amazing Adult Fantasy #14, dated July 1962. Officially, Namor the Sub-Mariner is considered the first mutant superhero whom Marvel Comics ever published, debuting in 1939. However, Namor
2016-533: Is defeated and while Reed Richards can create an antidote, he cannot create enough of it fast enough. The Torch, Toro, and Johnny Storm team up and attack the Mad Thinker's base and the Thinker at first refuses to cooperate until the Torch threatens that he will scorch the Earth clean, starting with the Thinker. The Thinker realizes the Torch's memories are returning, and provides the antidote before teleporting away. The antidote
2100-453: Is forced to make a choice between the agency and his promise to protect the children. During the final confrontation with the forces of Counter-Earth – unleashed by the mysterious Quiet Man as part of his plan against the Fantastic Four – Sleepwalker revealed that Hammond had a soul despite his artificial origin. Earlier writers portrayed the Torch's body as anatomically identical to human, but made out of synthetic material. Correspondingly,
2184-458: Is related to nuclear radiation, as his parents worked on the development of the atomic bomb , though later descriptions of mutation would describe it deriving from genetics. The first in-story mention of mutants in this context is in The X-Men #1, in which Professor Xavier explains his school to the newly admitted Jean Grey: "You, Miss Grey, like the other students at this most exclusive school, are
2268-620: Is released and all infected victims are cured, but Reed Richards determines that the antidote breaks down all Horton cells, not just Compound D and that the Torch has only a few days before he is destroyed. Toro attempts to investigate his past to learn of his parents' association with Professor Horton and learns that some Horton cell prototypes were stolen long ago. The Torch is visited by the Golden Age Vision who advises him to seek out Toro and aid him while he still can. Their quest takes them to an underground society called "New Berlin", where
2352-572: Is revealed that super-powered "mutants" were artificially created via genetic modification by the Weapon X program in a laboratory in Alberta , Canada in October 1943. The project was an attempt to produce a supersoldier , inspired by the existence of Captain America . James Howlett was the first individual to be so modified. At some later point, possibly during a confrontation between Magneto and his parents,
2436-622: Is the subject of much debate in the Marvel Universe . Unlike Marvel's mutates, which are characters who develop their powers only after exposure to outside stimuli or energies (such as the Hulk , Spider-Man , the Fantastic Four , Absorbing Man , and Captain Marvel ), mutants have actual genetic mutations . A March 1952 story in Amazing Detective Cases #11 called "The Weird Woman" tells of
2520-554: Is worshiped by the Descendants, who respectfully refer to him as "Grandfather". During an encounter with a cyborg resembling the original Miss America , the Torch learns that the city was created by a man known as the Father, who created the Descendants back in the 1940s as part of a failed attempt to replicate Professor Horton's work. The Torch is badly damaged during the Avengers' escape from
2604-484: The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) media franchise: Human Torch (android) The "Human" Torch was an android created by scientist Phineas Horton , off of the tutelage of Victor Timely . He possessed the ability to surround himself with fire and control flames. In his earliest appearances, he was portrayed as a science fiction monstrosity, but quickly became a hero and adopted a secret identity as
X-gene - Misplaced Pages Continue
2688-544: The New Mutants graphic novel , after witnessing Rahne Sinclair demonstrate her mutant shapeshifting ability, MacTaggert refers to "an anomalous DNA matrix" in her blood signaling that Sinclair "could be a mutant." The cause of mutation was elaborated upon in the first issue of the spin-off series X-Factor, in which Cameron Hodge refers to "people who possess the X-Factor mutation in their genetic makeup." This genetic mutation
2772-599: The " Marvel Apes " reality, the Human Torch android is an unidentified ape who was the original Simian Torch. Because the Human Torch android is a synthezoid, he was destroyed by the vampire-converted Invaders. In the " Spider-Ham " reality, there is a donkey version of the Human Torch android known as the Asinine Torch. During the " Ultimate Invasion " storyline, Maker traveled to Earth-6160 and remade it into his own image. His memory log lists Jim Hammond as "dead". When Iron Lad , Doom , and Captain America enter
2856-589: The 2011 film X-Men: First Class , Hank McCoy (later known as Beast ), upon being outed to a colleague as a mutant, responds, " You didn't ask, so I didn't tell. " In his article Super Heroes, a Modern Mythology , Richard Reynolds writes: Much of the appeal and draw of the mutants that comprise the X-Men has to do with feeling like an outcast while simultaneously feeling like part of a family. Mutants are ostracized because they are different but they bound together because of their differences. They may be forced together to
2940-552: The Avengers for many issues before losing his powers to save the former superheroine Spitfire in the 1990s series Namor . His powers gone, the Torch settled down with Ann Raymond. He became the Chief of Security for Oracle, Inc., and would appear later as the CEO of Oracle, Inc., a company run by Namor. There he ran the mercenary team Heroes for Hire , and his mysterious connection to the Vision
3024-556: The Cheyarafim after this has not been revealed. Angel and Icarus are said to be descended from Cheyarafim, while Nightcrawler is supposedly the son of a Neyaphem, Azazel. In the pages of " House of X and Powers of X ", the Chimeras are genetically altered humanoid mutants who are combined from the DNA of past mutants so that they would have combinations of their power set and also propagate
3108-480: The Compound D which can interact with living organisms and control them. As he teleports to safety the compound pours into the ocean. It reaches an Atlantean settlement below, as it was being visited by Namor , and infects the population. As the Compound D infection spreads through New York, the Torch battles an infected Sub-Mariner and learns the nature of Compound D after Sub-Mariner attempts to infect him. Sub-Mariner
3192-543: The Core, and is placed in stasis until his body can be repaired. Black Ant later frees the Torch and teleports him back to the Core, where he is repaired by Father. There, the Torch sides with the Descendants, realizing that he never quite fit in with humans. He then leads an army of robots during a raid on New York City, with the goal of forcibly assimilating the human race through the use of nanotechnology . The Torch eventually realizes that he had been brainwashed, and destroys
3276-473: The Couch about the appeal of mutants and their meaning to society: The most popular pop culture franchises are those that make the viewer/reader feel special and unique, while simultaneously making him or her feel he or she is part of a mass of people experiencing and enjoying the same phenomenon. The plight of the mutants is universally compelling. Many people feel a need for a surrogate family, one composed of those
3360-574: The DNA samples of an Arraki named Tarn the Uncaring. When the experiment proved to be a failure and the Quiet Council of Krakoa found out about it, Mister Sinister is undeterred in his next plans to research the Chimeras. Later in the " Sins of Sinister " storyline, Mister Sinister was in an alternate timeline where he created his Chimeras after taking over world with his Sinister gene. The following are
3444-452: The Human Torch android was amalgamated with the Alan Scott version of Green Lantern where the character was known as Human Lantern. In the " House of M " reality, the Human Torch android is still a member of the Invaders when Captain America wasn't frozen ice. The Human Torch android, Captain America, and the rest of the Invaders were able defeat Red Skull and apprehend Adolf Hitler. In
X-gene - Misplaced Pages Continue
3528-517: The Human Torch began appearing as a main character in the Marvel NOW! relaunch of The Invaders . The Human Torch was an android created by Professor Phineas Horton in his lab in Brooklyn , New York for "scientific" purposes. At a press-conference unveiling, however, Horton's creation burst into flames when exposed to oxygen . The android showed human-like sentience, personality, and awareness, but
3612-537: The Human Torch for a possible revival. This was followed up by John Byrne , who had the Scarlet Witch revive the Torch in Avengers West Coast , seeking answers about her husband, the Vision, and to help Ann Raymond, wife of Tom " Toro " Raymond. In these stories, it was determined that the Vision had been made by Ultron out of the Torch's spare parts, which explained their physical similarities. The Torch served
3696-639: The Invaders, he was soon brainwashed by the Red Skull and battled the Liberty Legion . He later gave a blood transfusion to Jacqueline Falsworth, giving her superhuman powers to become Spitfire . The Torch, the Sub-Mariner, Captain America, and Bucky banded together with the Whizzer , and Miss America in post-war America in a subsequent super-team, the All-Winners Squad (the original Captain America and Bucky's membership were later retconned as having been
3780-521: The Invaders, the Torch channeled her heat to prevent her meltdown. With his own systems then overloading, he flew high into the atmosphere, away from where he could cause harm, and detonated. The Torch's remains were recovered by the United Nations and sequestered for research. They were subsequently stolen by professor Zhang Chin, who used the Torch's chemistry to create a virus weapon that caused infected persons to immolate. Captain America (Barnes) and
3864-413: The Mad Thinker and A.I.M. spend months experimenting on the Torch's corpse and on the captive Toro they are able to resurrect the Torch, but his memories have disappeared. The Mad Thinker gains control of the Torch using "Compound D", a synthetic molecule he adapted from the Torch's cells (H 42 N 2 C 2 O 6 ), which he dubs "Horton cells". Meanwhile, Toro's powers begin to manifest themselves again and
3948-487: The Orb of Necromancy, the mystical artifact that granted life to the descendants. Although the human race is saved, the Descendants are all killed as a result. Distraught, the Torch quits the Avengers and flies off to parts unknown. A number of months after his resignation from the Avengers, Hammond is shown living in a small town called Blaketon, now working as a mechanic. He is forced to abandon his new life after being attacked by
4032-624: The Sub-Mariner . He would join other heroes as war broke out in Europe, and later in the Pacific, to fight the Axis powers . In his solo title's debut issue, he acquired a young partner, Thomas " Toro " Raymond, the mutant son of two nuclear scientists whose exposure to radiation gave him the ability to control fire. The Human Torch also joined the New York City police force as part of his "human cover" under
4116-455: The Sub-Mariner stopped the attack, and were able to pressure the U.S. Government into burying the Torch with full military honors. The superhuman training camp created in the aftermath of the Civil War is named Camp Hammond , in the Torch's honor. A statue of Hammond on the grounds bears the inscription "JIM HAMMOND, THE FIRST OF THE MARVELS: He showed us that heroes can be made". When the camp
4200-531: The Torch starred or was featured in Marvel Mystery Comics (the book's title beginning with issue #2), The Human Torch (premiering with issue #2, Fall 1940, having taken over the numbering of the defunct Red Raven Comics ), and Captain America Comics #19, 21–67, 69, 76–77, as well as appearing in several issues of All Select Comics , All Winners Comics , and Young Allies Comics . Seeing
4284-493: The Torch was shown to have human needs and human weaknesses; he has been felled by drugs, poison gas, hypnotic and telepathic attacks in both Golden Age stories and the Invaders series from the 1970s. The Torch has a heart, lungs, circulatory and digestive systems, and has been shown sleeping, eating, and drinking on more than one occasion. Toro has humorously implied that the Torch has normal human excretory functions. This concept of
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#17328553674784368-404: The Torch's anatomy as biologically based, moving the pendulum back in the other direction: the Torch's body has both DNA and a cellular structure, according to Zhang Chin. Other writers have continued to emphasize the Torch's mechanical aspects, both in terms of showing metallic body components and references to the Torch having 'programming' that can be altered. The Mad Thinker has stated that
4452-449: The Torch's organs are composed of "Horton cells" – synthetic replicas of human cells using plastic and carbon polymers that duplicate the structures found in organic human cells. These cells can be grown in a culture, and are compatible with human and mutant physiology. Even in small clusters, they are capable of generating and storing a remarkable amount of power: Of particular note is the Torch's synthetic blood, which in addition to being
4536-488: The briefly revived Captain America Comics and Sub-Mariner Comics , and in the anthology Men's Adventures #28 (July 1954). The original Human Torch debuted in present-day Marvel Comics continuity in Fantastic Four Annual #4 (Nov. 1966). Human Torch appeared as a regular character in the 2010–2013 Secret Avengers series, from issue #23 (April 2012) through its final issue #37 (March 2013). Starting in 2014,
4620-530: The character Azazel , the Cheyarafim are a group of angel -like mutants who were the traditional enemies of the Neyaphem, a demonic-looking group of mutants who lived in Biblical times. The Cheyarafim were fanatics who had a strict, absolutist view of morality which led them into conflict with the Neyaphem. This escalated into a holy war , causing the Neyaphem to be exiled into an alternate dimension. What happened to
4704-529: The citizens intact; this also prevents Toro and the Torch from using their powers and they are captured. The Thinker stabilizes the New Berlin leader's weapon so that it can function without destroying itself. The Thinker also frees the Torch and Toro. Despite the Torch still dying from the Compound D antidote, he engages the Inhuman Torch in battle. The Inhuman Torch can absorb and manipulate all flame and siphons
4788-519: The coerced help of the Human Torch's original creator, Phineas Horton. The seed of this idea was planted by artist Neal Adams and worked out in detail in The Avengers #133–135 (May–June 1975) by writer Steve Englehart . A later story by Roy Thomas in What If? #4 (Aug. 1977), planted the suggestion that the Vision was actually made from a second android created by Horton, named Adam II . This freed up
4872-558: The early 1950s had transitioned the company to its next iteration, as Atlas Comics —attempted to revive superheroes with the anthology comic Young Men #24–28 (Dec. 1953 – June 1954), starring the Human Torch (art by Syd Shores and Dick Ayers , variously, with covers and initially some panels featuring the Torch redrawn by Burgos for style consistency), along with the Sub-Mariner and Captain America . The solo title The Human Torch returned for issues #36–38 (April–Aug. 1954) before again being canceled. The Torch also appeared in stories in
4956-445: The epitome of peak physical skill, having superhuman levels of strength, speed, reflexes, agility, stamina, and durability. Vargas also seems to be immune to various mutant abilities (such as Rogue's absorption and Psylocke's telekinetic blast). Mutants have been shown to successfully crossbreed or a result of crossbreed with Humans (Homo sapiens), Atlanteans (Homo mermanus), fairies, and other humanoid aliens like Shi'ar , etc. As
5040-441: The fictional context of the stories. After his creation by Phineas Horton, many others have examined and experimented on the Torch's body, including the Mad Thinker, Zhang Chin, Henry Pym, and unspecified scientists working for the United Nations. It is unclear if any of these entities have made additions to the Torch's original body design that could explain the appearance of his mechanical components. Captain America #47 describes
5124-494: The film rights to the X-Men and other mutant characters reverted to Marvel Studios . When asked if his use of the term "mutants" meant the film would be avoiding the term "X-Men", Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige clarified that he was using the two terms interchangeably. He added that Marvel Studios' approach to the characters would be different to Fox's franchise. Since 2022, the mutant race have appeared in various media set within
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#17328553674785208-445: The flame from the Torch and Toro. The Torch manages to reignite himself and engages the Inhuman Torch in a final fight. By channeling his fire into a nova flame the Torch overload the Inhuman Torch, fusing it into an inert statue. A side effect of the Torch using the nova flame deactivates the enzyme in his body, saving his life. They bid farewell to New Berlin and the Golden Age Vision takes them back to New York. The Thinker reveals that
5292-560: The form of heat blasts, "nova flame bursts" (highest intensity heat blasts, similar to the heat-pulse of a nuclear warhead), and concussive force blasts. The Torch has the ability to control ambient heat energy in his immediate environment, which allows him to control flames not of his own generation, makes him immune to the effects of external heat and to absorb heat from other sources. The Torch's flame can be extinguished by lack of oxygen, or by smothering materials such as water, sand, fire-fighting foam, or heat-resistant blankets unless his flame
5376-504: The known Chimeras: Maximus Lobo claims to be a part of a mutant sub-species of feral wolf -like mutants, whom he calls the Dominant Species. He later tries to recruit Wolf Cub into his ranks to no avail. A few years later, another mutant named Romulus claims that some human mutants evolved from canines instead of primates. Romulus' sister Remus would later consider his claim to be a hoax when she meets Wolverine. Humans are not
5460-552: The last issue of New Invaders . The Torch was a member of the NYPD in the 1940s, and has police academy training. He has received some training in unarmed combat by Captain America , and is an expert in the combat use of his superhuman powers. The Torch is also an accomplished street fighter. The Torch can live without oxygen, entering a stasis mode. In 2012, Hammond was ranked 28th in IGN 's list of "The Top 50 Avengers". In Amalgam Comics ,
5544-571: The leader of "New Berlin" is himself an android. Unwilling to believe this, the leader attempts to leave New Berlin and is incinerated. The Torch is later offered membership in the Secret Avengers by Captain America after Hawkeye takes over as the team's leader. During his first mission with the group, the Secret Avengers travel to the Core, a subterranean city inhabited by an advanced race of robots called Descendants. The Torch finds that he
5628-531: The mutant population. Third generation Chimeras have a 10% failure rate making them unable to be warriors. Fourth generation Chimeras have a corrupted hive mind. They were more common in Moira MacTaggert 's ninth life where they were created in Mister Sinister's Breeding Pits on Mars. Sometime after the " X of Swords " storyline, Mister Sinister created his first Chimera by splicing his own DNA samples with
5712-531: The mutant trigger was released into the environment worldwide, leading to the appearance of mutants in the general population. Following the events of the Ultimatum storyline, information concerning the origins of mutancy was made public and steps were taken in the US to make being a mutant illegal. While the move apparently has majority support among the non-mutant population, a vocal minority has voiced concern that it will lead to witch-hunts and genocide. Following Disney's acquisition of 21st Century Fox in 2019,
5796-527: The mutants and proposed a formal treaty alliance, explaining to Storm , "You mutants share some DNA with Deviants? It's of little matter. Until a mutant triggers our physiological 'excess deviation' response, you're not Deviants in the way that counts. You're just human." Introduced in the second series of X-Factor , a changeling is a mutant whose powers manifest at birth. Jamie Madrox and Damian Tryp are examples of this sub-class. Cheyarafim and Neyaphem first appear in Uncanny X-Men #429. According to
5880-417: The name James "Jim" Hammond. He would later drop the human name and serve the police force outright as the Human Torch, fighting villains and his off-and-on foe, the Sub-Mariner. Both the Torch and the Sub-Mariner joined with Captain America and his partner Bucky as the core of the superhero team the Invaders , fighting Nazis during World War II (in retcon stories that premiered in 1970s comics). With
5964-400: The only species to have mutant subspecies. Created by Rob Liefeld , Externals are immortal mutants whose powers have allowed them to exist for centuries. Eventually, most of the Externals are killed by Selene , and later by Apocalypse . Introduced in Chris Claremont 's X-Treme X-Men , a character known as Vargas claims to be humanity's natural response to mutants. Vargas was born at
6048-655: The organization in the belief that they are sentient machines that have been enslaved by the agency, but it is revealed that he has been deceived by Ultron , who had infiltrated the Helicarrier. Some time after his destruction, the pieces of his body are gathered and reassembled in a secret UN lab, until stolen by a squad of mercenaries led by Batroc the Leaper , at the behest of the Chinese science-villain Professor Pandemic. As
6132-478: The population has been taught that the Axis powers won WW2; people who leave the underground city are incinerated. The leader of the colony lures the Mad Thinker to it and then holds him captive to coerce him to cooperate. It is revealed that all citizens of New Berlin are in fact androids created from the unstable prototype Horton cells and that the atmosphere of the colony is saturated with anti-combustion chemicals to keep
6216-512: The second Captain America and Bucky ). In Marvel continuity, the Human Torch was responsible for the death of Adolf Hitler . When the Russians were invading Berlin , the Torch and Toro broke into Hitler's bunker just as he was about to commit suicide, to offer him the chance to surrender himself to the Americans, rather than the Russians. Hitler lunged for a red switch, presumed by the Torch to be
6300-555: The spectators feared that he posed a safety threat. Public outcry led to the Torch being sealed in concrete, though he escaped due to a crack that let oxygen seep in. The Torch then inadvertently caused parts of New York City to burn and, after dealing with a mobster who wanted to gain advantage of his abilities for fire insurance (and accidentally causing the mobster's death in an explosion), he eventually learned to control his flame, rebelled against his creator, and vowed to help humanity. The Torch later first encountered and battled Namor
6384-545: The supervillain the Mad Thinker reactivated the Torch to have him battle the Fantastic Four , deactivating him when the Torch refused to kill the heroes. In a storyline in the Avengers that dealt with the secret background of its android member, the Vision revealed that the Torch's body had been found by a renegade robot named Ultron 5 , and modified to become the Vision, his mind wiped of past memories and his powers altered with
6468-509: The title X-gene . If an internal link led you here, you may wish to change the link to point directly to the intended article. Retrieved from " https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=X-gene&oldid=1076130206 " Category : Disambiguation pages Hidden categories: Short description is different from Wikidata All article disambiguation pages All disambiguation pages Mutant (Marvel Comics) In American comic books published by Marvel Comics ,
6552-578: The two outcomes concurrent. According to this explanation, the Human Torch is the Vision, but also continues to exist as himself. When Oracle, Inc., was closed down and Heroes for Hire disbanded, Hammond was soon asked to head Citizen V 's V-Battalion upon the retirement of Roger Aubrey , the Destroyer . While on leave from the V-Battalion as field leader of the New Invaders , he became attached to Tara ,
6636-452: The world has abused and persecuted in the same way they have been their whole life. This is especially true in adolescents, which may in part explain some of the draw of mutants. An obvious parallel between homosexuality and mutation is drawn in the feature film X2 , where Iceman 's mother asks, "Have you tried not being a mutant?" This question (or various forms thereof) is common among parents who find out their children are gay . In
6720-489: Was furthered when Ant-Man (Scott Lang) declared that his internal mechanisms were not merely similar, but identical to the Vision's, despite the profound differences in their appearance and powers. During the time-travel adventure Avengers Forever , the Avengers subsequently discovered Immortus , the custodian of Limbo, had used a device called the Forever Crystal to diverge the Torch's personal timeline while keeping
6804-683: Was later dubbed the X-Gene. At one point, Beast states that the X-Gene is located on the 23rd chromosome ; the process described is that the gene activates mutation producing a protein stimulating chemical signals which induce mutations on other genes. Mutations are depicted as generally manifesting during adolescence, however this is not universal. Some mutants, such as Nightcrawler , are visibly mutated from birth, while others like Magneto do not develop their abilities until adulthood. Some mutants are not even aware of their latent mutations unless deliberately activated, such as Polaris , whose manifestation
6888-469: Was not actually described as a mutant until Fantastic Four Annual #1, decades after his first appearance. The same is true of Toro , partner of the android Human Torch introduced in 1940. The modern concept of mutants as a distinct species independent of homo sapiens began development under Marvel writer and editor-in-chief Stan Lee in the early 1960s, as a means to create a large number of superheroes and supervillains without having to think of
6972-567: Was shut down by Norman Osborn , an angry mob tore down the statue. The original Human Torch appears in the Avengers/Invaders maxi-series alongside his fellow Invaders when an incident takes them from the battlefields of World War II to the present Marvel Universe , where they encounter both the New Avengers and Mighty Avengers . During his time in the future, the Torch briefly attempts to 'lead' S.H.I.E.L.D.'s Life Model Decoys against
7056-525: Was triggered with technological aid. In the 2022 storyline, A.X.E.: Judgment Day , mutants are discovered by Eternals to be an offshoot of the Deviant race, triggering efforts by the Eternals' leader Druig to wipe them out, giving the mutants an explicit link to the Celestials and to the publisher's cosmic storylines. In the series' conclusion, new Prime Eternal Zuras confirms the end of hostilities with
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