Q2: What is a mutant? A2: Mutants are individuals born with the
X-gene, making them the next possible step in human evolution,
Homo superior (as opposed to homo sapiens). While the X-gene is
present at birth, it is normally not until puberty that a
mutation due to the X-gene begins to fully present itself, and
unleash a mutant's full potential. While most often, this is in
the form of a physical mutation of little import, but in other
cases, mutants can develop a great variety of superhuman
abilities due to how their X-gene manifests. Purportedly, Stan
Lee came up with the idea of “mutants” – humans born with a
special “X-factor” in their genetic makeup which gave them
super-powers – because he had such a hard time coming up with
explanations on how the heroes and villains obtained their
powers. Of course, this isn't entirely the case. While Namor is
considered to be the "first mutant" character at Marvel, and
debuted in 1939, he was not called as such until X-Men (vol. 1)
#6, in 1963. Other characters with s