Mutant X is an obscure but cult favorite series in Marvel’s X-Men franchise. While the main star of this What If? style universe is the main universe’s Havok, other characters like Bloodstorm reappear in series like Paradise X. But the character who catches my attention is a unique Captain America. But this iteration has no name and his powers remind me of other characters. Here is my theory on the identity of Mutant X‘s Captain America.
Mutant X Background
Mutant X is the spin-off epic of Howard Mackie’s X-Factor. In this alternate universe, a number of elements from Marvel’s What If? scenarios are present. Such examples include a six-armed Spider-Man and Storm fully embracing her vampirism for heroics. Havok of the main Marvel Universe ends up in the body of his counterpart, who leads a team of mutants The Six.
Eventually, The Six recruit a mutant Captain America who succeeded Steve Rogers. But despite his morals and his relatable struggles to settle into mundane life and live up to the legacy of Rogers, this unnamed mutant has a dark past. When the Weapon Plus program use the Super Soldier serum to complete the process, there were severe side-effects. While his mutant powers are increased to an immense degree, the process damaged his psyche. There were even instances where he nearly killed his Avengers’ teammates. But are there any characters who share traits with this super mutant?
Super Soldiers=Mutant X?
The Super Soldier Serum has a long history of users with the earliest giving peak human potential. But a few attempts to recreate this formula result in some greater augmentations, often with severe side effects. Some of the most notable derivative Super Soldier formulas include the Black Widow program and Luke Cage’s Power Man Process. But now it’s time to compare the Mutant X Captain America with a few other characters. Because there aren’t a lot of mutants with Super Soldier augmentations.
Sentry
The Sentry is notable character whose origin is tied to one of the most powerful super formulas. Interestingly, this was a joint project between the US and Canada; whereas in Mutant X, Canada is a militaristic superpower who actually stole Project Rebirth’s resources for its military. Note that this is before Weapon X was retconned into being a successor to Project Rebirth. Besides, mutant Captain America and Robert Reynolds share a few traits. Aside from the hair and eye color, their serums came with some very severe side effects. While Bob isn’t a mutant, the Golden Sentry Serum does give rise to The Void, a deadly dark force symbiotically linked to Bob’s mental state. As does the mutant Captain America’s ultrapatriotic conditioning that has him unleash a dangerous amount of power.
Anti-Cap
Anti-Cap also shares traits with the nameless mutant. This Navy volunteer was the subject of an experimental super drug. But the traumatic events that followed in addition to the nameless recruit’s mental status triggers an unstable mind. As such, his superiors tried to find ways to dispose of him when they start to lose control of both Anti-Cap and their project’s secrets. While Anti-Cap is nowhere near as powerful as Mutant Cap, it stands to reason the latter could’ve ended up like the former.
Alternate Universes Besides Mutant X
While the main Marvel Universe has a few select examples of people similar to the Mutant Cap, the other universes might provide insights.
Ultimate Marvel
In the Ultimate Marvel universe, many characters have gotten their powers from a Super Soldier Serum arms race. As a matter of fact, mutants resulted from Weapon X’s attempts at a Super Soldier. While it wouldn’t surprise me that a mutant got a super soldier serum, there are no records of survivors.
Earth-1287
One other Earth certainly has better ties between mutants and super soldiers. This world’s think tank’s serum had something dubbed the Volga Effect; it essentially weaponizes the mutant genome for more stable if self-destructive superpowers of anyone who takes it. Sound familiar?
Any Conclusions For Our Mutant X?
Whoever the Mutant X Captain America is, he certainly has storytelling potential in terms of identity and origin. I’m not sure if he’s Sentry though, not just for Cap’s lack of a Void, but Reynolds died around the time mutants got revival methods. Again, he’s from another universe, but the idea of him having a counterpart is never far behind. I don’t think anybody even remembers Anti-Cap that well to consider the possibility of him being a mutant. Not to mention fans hated how Ultimate Marvel’s mutants are lab accidents; I don’t think Marvel wants to entertain the idea anymore than by reputation. But that Volga effect in how mutant genomes interact with the serum is something to always explore.
But the ink’s not dry yet! Thanks for coming to the end and as always remember to look between the panels.