University of Panels

6: Mystique

(Raven Darkholme)

 

Aside from Magneto, Apocalypse, and the Sentinles, Mystique is quite possibly one of the most recognizable X-Men villains. A blue-skinned mutant, Mystique possesses the ability to shape-shift, taking on the appearance of anyone she pleases. She has taken on so many forms and identities that she has literally forgotten her origial name. She made her debut in the pages of MS. MARVEL, but her first significant appearance was in the groundbreaking storyline DAYS OF FUTURE PAST, where she and her new Brotherhood of Mutants attempted an assassination on Senator Kelly, who was proposing the passage of the Mutant Registration Act. Mystique also shares personal ties to many of the X-Men, as she once shared a love affair back with Wolverine in the 1920's which ultimately ended in betrayal, is the biological mother of Nightcrawler (who inherited his mother's blue skin), and the adoptive mother of Rogue. Her past is also a mystery, but she is known to be over 100 years old despite her youthful appearance (she ages slowly thanks to having a healing factor like Wolverine). Able to assume any identity, and willing to stoop to any low to get what she wants, Mystique has been a long-time reoccuring thorn in the X-Men's sight.

 

The primary aspect that intrigues me about Mystique's character is that because she is a shape-shifter, she lacks a true identity of her own. Since conception she has been trusted by no one, even by her fellow mutants. As a result, she has been forced to lie, cheat, steal, or even murder to survive, often resulting to stealing other's lives by assuming their identities. This contributes to her savage nature, as she admits that she is not ashamed of who she is and what she has done in order to get what she wants. Mystique is aware of her dark nature and rather than running from it, she instead embraces it. This aspect of her character was perfectly explored in Jason Aaron's WOLVERINE: GET MYSTIQUE, where she points out the hypocrisy of Wolverine wanting revenge for her betraying the X-Men, as he has given into the beast within himself on more than occassion. Despite the fact that both have killed many to survive, and admit to the animal inside them, Wolverine instead attempts to atone for his sins while Mystique continues to commit the same ones. It's a type of yin-and-yang rivalry that makes for compelling storytelling, and further emphasizes the legnths that Mystique is willing to go to (even if it means ripping-off what the live action X-Men movies did with her), and how she embraces the dark side of humanity rather than shunning it away.