New Mutants

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New Mutants may also refer to the genetically engineered superhumans of the Mutant X (TV series).

The New Mutants is the name of two defunct Marvel Comics superhero teams, as well as the title of two series featuring those teams. Both were spin-offs of the popular X-Men franchise and both featured a team of teenaged, mutant superheroes.

The first New Mutants were a junior team of teenage X-Men. Created by Chris Claremont and Bob McLeod, they first appeared in Marvel Graphic Novel #4 (1982) and were featured in an eponymous title from 1983 until 1991, when they were reinvented as X-Force. Like its parent title, The New Mutants highlighted interpersonal and group conflict as well as action and adventure, and featured a large, ensemble cast.

The second New Mutants series, launched in 2003, featured another group of teenaged mutants, tutored by members of the first group. Unlike the original New Mutants, they were only one part of a huge cast of students at Xavier Institute. At first they were notable for their drive to become superheroes but soon rival groups played a large role in the series. In 2004 it was relaunched as New X-Men: Academy X, after which the central group was formally dubbed the New Mutants.

In late 2005, as part of the Decimation event, the remaining students were merged into one group and formed a junior segment of X-Men.

New Mutants Vol. 1

New Mutants
File:Newmutants10383.jpg
New Mutants (vol. 1) #1. Clockwise from top: Cannonball, Sunspot, Wolfsbane, Karma, Dani Moonstar, and Professor X (blue in background). Art by Bob McLeod
Publication information
PublisherMarvel Comics
First appearanceMarvel Graphic Novel #4 (1982)
Created byChris Claremont
Bob McLeod
In-story information
Base(s)Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters
Member(s)Cannonball
Wolfsbane
Danielle Moonstar
Karma
Sunspot
Magik
Magma
Kitty Pryde
Cypher
Warlock
Bird-Brain
Gosamyr
Rictor
Rusty Collins
Skids
Boom Boom
Shatterstar
Thunderbird (James Proudstar)
Feral
Copycat
Roster
See: New Mutants members

By the early 1980s, Uncanny X-Men, under the authorship of Chris Claremont, had become one of the comic book industry's most successful titles, persuading Marvel to launch The New Mutants, the first of several X-Men spin-offs.

The New Mutants were teenaged students of the telepathic Professor X, much like the original X-Men, who debuted in 1963 and had since grown into adulthood. The New Mutants, however, more resembled the "All-New, All-Different X-Men", who debuted in 1975, in terms of ethnic diversity. The original team consisted of:

  • Cannonball (Samuel Guthrie), a mild-mannered Kentuckian and eventual co-leader after Karma's "death, who became nigh-invulnerable when rocketing through the air.
  • Psyche (Danielle Moonstar, also called Mirage and Moonstar; depowered), a Cheyenne and eventual co-leader after Karma's "death", who could create visual empathic three-dimensional illusions.
  • Karma (Xi'an Coy Manh), a 19 year-old Vietnamese girl and original team leader, who could mentally possess other people's bodies.
  • Sunspot (Roberto da Costa), a Brazilian who gained superhuman strength in the presence of sunlight

The team debuted in Marvel Graphic Novel #4 (1982), which continued a plotline from Uncanny X-Men. The group was formed by Professor X when he was under the control of the menacing alien race the Brood. The youths were intended to be hosts for Brood embryos, but the X-Men returned and set matters straight.

The five youngsters remained at Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters to learn to control their powers.

The series was originally written by Claremont and illustrated by McLeod, the team's co-creators, but McLeod soon passed artistic duties onto Sal Buscema and then Bill Sienkiewicz, who often painted covers for the series. Claremont gave the series an oddly dark tone. In addition to very serious depictions of teenage angst and growing pains, the series featured themes of mysticism and psychic boundaries. The New Mutants battled various demons, a secret society villain group called the Hellfire Club, and their young apprentices, the Hellions.

The New Mutants initially had a semi-antagonistic relationship with the youngest X-Man, Kitty Pryde, sparked by Professor X's decision to essentially "demote" Kitty to the training team once it was established. Though Kitty ultimately proved herself to Xavier and remained an X-Man, she held a grudge against the New Mutants nonetheless, dubbing them "X-Babies"; the New Mutants, blameless in Xavier's decision and resenting Kitty's attitude, responded in kind. The animosity softened after the team attempted to rescue Kitty from the Hellfire Club's White Queen, and after Kitty's friends Illyana Rasputin and Doug Ramsey joined the team (see below).

Although The New Mutants never reached the popularity of its parent title, the series gained a loyal following among many readers.

File:Newmutants11.png
New Mutants (vol. 1) #11, featuring Magma.

The team' later recruits included:

  • Magik (Illyana Rasputin), the sister of the Russian X-Man Colossus, who possessed the ability to travel between a demonic pocket dimension and the main fictional universe of the comic and also an accomplished mystic.
  • Cypher (Douglas Ramsey), a shy boy who could understand any language. Killed by The Ani-mator, a scientist employed by Cameron Hodge.

In 1986, Professor X was written out of the series. Before he left he made the X-Men's one-time nemesis, Magneto, headmaster of Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters. Not trusted by his students, Magneto struggled in his new role and eventually joined the Hellfire Club.

In 1987, the series was turned over to writer Louise Simonson and illustrator Bret Blevins. Simonson's run was controversial, as Magma was written out of the book, Cypher was killed off, new characters Bird-Brain and Gosamyr were added to the team, and Magik was de-aged back to childhood. Simonson also folded the X-Terminators, a group of young wards from the X-Factor (vol. 1) series into the New Mutants.

The X-Terminators added to the team were:

  • Skids (Sally Blevins), who could project a force field around her body.
  • Boom Boom (Tabitha Smith), who could create “plasma bombs.”

In 1989, Simonson crafted a saga in which the team journeyed to Asgard, the home of the gods of Norse mythology. The storyline wrote Dani Moonstar out of the series.

File:NewMutants100b.jpg
New Mutants#100 drawn by Rob Liefeld. From left to right : Boom-Boom, Cable and Cannonball, Domino, Feral, Warpath and Shatterstar

Sales of the series had slumped for several years, but took a sharp upturn after Rob Liefeld took over the penciling and co-plotting chores at the end of 1989. A new mentor for the group, the mysterious mercenary Cable, was introduced, further helping sales. Over the next year, several longtime team members were written out or killed off. When Rob Liefeld, providing ploting and pencils, and Fabian Nicieza, who wrote dialogue based on Liefeld's plots, took over as writers of the final three issues of the series, they included several harder-edged characters:

  • Domino, Cable's pale-skinned, black-garbed mercenary lover.
  • Shatterstar, a swashbuckling warrior from another dimension.
  • Warpath (James Proudstar), an Apache who possessed super strength and speed who was also the younger brother to deceased X-men Thunderbird, the original Thunderbird.
  • Feral (Maria Callasantos), (Deceased), who possessed a beast-like temperament and appearance.

In 1991, The New Mutants series was cancelled with '#100 and replaced with the platoon-like X-Force, a series that would last until 2002 and incorporate many members of the New Mutants; Liefeld plotted the first twelve issues (with Fabian Nicieza supplying dialogue), and pencilled the first nine issues. X-Force became a huge success with approximately one-million copies sold.[citation needed]

In 1997, a three-issue reunion series, New Mutants: Truth or Death, written by Ben Raab and illustrated by Bernard Chang, featured the younger New Mutants, traveling forward in time to meet their older selves the X-Force.

Creators

Writers

  • Chris Claremont - New Mutants (vol. 1) #1-54, #81, Annuals #1-3 (March 1983 - August 1987, November 1989, 1984 - 1987).
  • Louise Simonson - New Mutants (vol. 1) #55-80, #82-97, Annuals #4-6 (September 1987 - October 1989, December 1989 - January 1991, 1988- 1990).
  • Fabian Nicieza - New Mutants (vol. 1) #98-100, Annual #7 (February 1991 - April 1991, 1991).

Artists

  • Bob McLeod - New Mutants (vol. 1) #1-3 (March 1983 - May 1983).
  • Sal Buscema - New Mutants (vol. 1) #4-8 (June 1983 - September 1983).
  • Steve Leialoha - New Mutants (vol. 1) #32-34 (October 1985 - December 1985).
  • Mary Wilshire - New Mutants (vol. 1) #35-37 (January 1986 - March 1986).
  • Jackson Guice - New Mutants (vol. 1) #40-42 (June 1986 - August 1986), #44-54 (October 1886 - August 1987).
  • Bret Blevins - New Mutants (vol. 1) #55-83 (October 1986 - December 1989).
  • Rob Liefeld - New Mutants (vol. 1) Annual #5, 86-91, 93-96, 98-100 (1989, February 1990 - April 1991).

Layouts

  • Sal Buscema - New Mutants (vol. 1) #9-17 (October 1983 - July 1984)
  • Tom Mandrake - New Mutants (vol. 1) #9-17 (October 1983 - July 1984)
  • Kim DeMulder - New Mutants (vol. 1) #16-17 (June 1984 - July 1984)

Cover Art

  • Bill Sienkiewicz - New Mutants (vol. 1) Annual #1, #18-31 (1984, August 1984 - September 1985).
  • Art Adams - New Mutants (vol. 1) #38-39 (April 1986 - May 1986).
  • Rob Liefeld - New Mutants (vol. 1) Annual #5-6, #86-100 (1989 - 1990, February 1990 - April 1991).
  • Todd McFarlane - New Mutants (vol. 1) #85-89 (January 1990 - May 1990).

New Mutants (vol. 2)

New Mutants (Training Squad)
New Mutants
Art from New X-Men: Academy X #2.
Art by Randy Green.
Publication information
PublisherMarvel Comics
First appearanceNew X-Men: Academy X #2 (2004)
Created byNunzio DeFilippis
Christina Weir
Keron Grant
Randy Green
In-story information
Base(s)Xavier Institute for Higher Learning
Member(s)Mirage (advisor)
Wind Dancer
Prodigy
Surge
Wallflower
Elixir
Icarus
Wither

In 2003, Marvel launched a second ongoing New Mutants series with writers Nunzio DeFilippis and Christina Weir. The series featured a handful of the dozens of teenagers attending the Xavier Institute. The kids were instructed by the X-Men, Dani Moonstar, Karma, and Northstar, while Wolfsbane and Magma also appeared in several issues.

After thirteen issues, this series was relaunched as New X-Men: Academy X in 2004. Ironically, it was only after the name change that the main group of characters was formally dubbed the New Mutants and received code names.

The former line-up of the New Mutants, advised by Dani Moonstar, includes:

  • Prodigy (David Alleyne), (Depowered), the team's co-leader, who can utilize the skills and knowledge (but not powers) of those near him. Currently aids the New X-Men powerless.
  • Wind Dancer (Sofia Mantega), (Depowered), the other co-leader, who can create winds, fly via said winds and eavesdrop over distances by conducting air vibrations. Has since left the mansion and is currently featured in the fourth volume of New Warriors.
  • Wallflower (Laurie Collins), (Deceased), a shy girl who generates pheromones that usually cause people near her to match her moods, although she has learned to control this. Killed by Purifiers.
  • Elixir (Josh Foley), who can heal himself and others as well as inflict damage.
  • Surge (Noriko Ashida), who absorbs electricity which she can release as blasts, or use for super-speed, but requires mechanical gauntlets to prevent overcharge. Currently team leader of the New X-Men.
  • Icarus (Joshua "Jay" Guthrie), (Deceased), who flies on red, angel-like wings, heals rapidly and possesses a very beautiful singing voice. Killed by Purifiers.

Former Hellions, advised by Emma Frost and rivals of the New Mutants, include:

  • Hellion (Julian Keller), has telekinetic abilities, Can move objects and create barriers. Powers recently boosted by Emma Frost to new levels.
  • Dust (Sooarya Quadir), can change completely into sand and create sandstorms with her sand form.
  • Mercury (Cessily Kincaid), body is made of mercury, can form various shapes such as blades and blunt objects.
  • Rockslide (Santo Vaccaro) rock-like form with increased strength, able to de/re-attach body parts. Recently altered form after being incinerated.
  • Tag (Brian Cruz), (Depowered, Deceased) telepathically repels people from a person he touches. Killed by Purifiers.
  • Wither (Kevin Ford), disintegrates organic matter with a touch. Left after M-Day and joined up with Selene, the Black Queen.

Supporting characters in New X-Men have included fellow students Anole, X-23 and the Stepford Cuckoos as well as several veteran X-Men.

Main articles: Decimation (comics), New X-Men

As a result of the Decimation event, in which the Scarlet Witch's magic de-powered most of the mutant population, only 27 of the 182 students enrolled at the Xavier Institute for Higher Learning still retain their powers. The New Mutants and other squads disbanded and a trainee team of X-Men was made, including four Hellions and two (later, a third) New Mutants.

Creators

  • Nunzio DeFilippis & Christina Weir - New Mutants (vol. 2) # 1-13 (July 2003 - June 2004)
  • Nunzio DeFilippis & Christina Weir - New X-Men - Academy X # 1-19 (2004-2005)
  • Craig Kyle & Chris Yost - New X-Men # 20-46 (2005-2008)

Collections

The New Mutants (vol. 1) has been collected in several trade paperbacks, some based on specific story arcs, and some collected as part of collections of crossovers between several different titles. The New Mutants Classic trade paperbacks were launched by Marvel Comics in 2006, a chronological reprinting of the old series, which has gone up to three volumes as of 2008.

Volume 1

Title Material Collected Publication Date ISBN
New Mutants Classic, Volume 1 The New Mutants (vol. 1) #1-7

plus Marvel Graphic Novel #4 and Uncanny X-Men #167

May 2006 ISBN 0-7851-2194-3
New Mutants Classic, Volume 2 The New Mutants (vol. 1) #8-17 January 2007 ISBN 0-7851-2195-1
New Mutants Classic, Volume 3 The New Mutants (vol. 1) #18-25 and Annual #1 May 2008 ISBN 0-7851-3119-1
X-Men: Fall of the Mutants The New Mutants (vol. 1) #59-61

plus Uncanny X-Men #225-227 and X-Factor #24-26

February 2002 ISBN 0-7851-0825-4
X-Men: Inferno The New Mutants (vol. 1) #71-73

plus Uncanny X-Men #239-243 and X-Factor #36-39

December 1996 ISBN 0-7851-0222-1
Cable and The New Mutants The New Mutants (vol. 1) #86-91 and #93-94 May 1995 ISBN 0-8713-5937-5
New Mutants: The Demon Bear Saga The New Mutants (vol. 1) #18-21 December 1990 ISBN 0-87135-673-2

Volume 2

Title Material Collected Publication Date ISBN
New Mutants: Back to School New Mutants (vol. 2) #1-6 March 2005 ISBN 0-7851-1242-1

Other versions

In Ultimate X-Men, the Academy of Tomorrow (previously called New Mutants) is founded by Emma Frost. They are loosely linked to the X-Men via Emma Frost's professional relationship with her former lover and teacher Charles Xavier. This Academy accepts any talented students, regardless of their genetic status.

The team is headed by a non-telepathic and more pacifistic version of Emma Frost and headed by field leader Havok. Members include Havok's girlfriend Polaris, Cannonball, Cypher (a human genius), Northstar (the current boyfriend of this universe's Colossus), Sunspot and Shinobi Shaw (Emma Frost's current boyfriend and secretly part of the Hellfire Club. Former members include Karma, Angel, Colossus, and Beast.

Rahne of Terra

The graphic novel Rahne of Terra, by Peter David, is set in a heroic fantasy universe in which Wolfsbane's counterpart is Princess Rain of Geshem. Members of the royal household include her lady-in-waiting Tabby (Boom Boom), the knights Robert (Sunspot), Samuel (Cannonball) and Richard (Riktor), and her Prince Consort, Douglas (Cypher). None of them have the powers of their counterparts, although the knights have magical items that duplicate their effects.

Appearances in other media

  • New Mutants is the name given to the 'race' of Mutants on the television show Mutant X.
  • It has been rumored by Zak Penn, screenwriter of X-Men: The Last Stand, that if that film is a success he will direct a fourth installment of the film series. While no details have been released, it is believed that it may be an adaptation of New Mutants, featuring the younger mutants from the films, such as Iceman, Rogue, Colossus and Kitty Pryde.[citation needed]

Bibliography

  • New Mutants (vol. 1) #1-100 (March 1983 - April 1991, Marvel Comics)
  • New Mutants Annual #1-7 (1984 - 1991, Marvel Comics)
  • New Mutants Special EDITION #1 (1985)
  • New Mutants Summer Special #1 (1990)
  • New Mutants #1-3 (1997)
  • New Mutants (vol. 2) #1-13 (July 2003 - June 2004, Marvel Comics)

See also

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