Editing X-Men (section)

==An X-Gene Primer==
Mutants, also known as "Homo Sapiens Superior" to baseline humanity being "Homo Sapiens Sapiens", are an offshoot of humanity distinguished by the presence of the mysterious X-Gene, a special strand of DNA that usually activates during puberty. However, for a minority of mutants, the X-Gene either activates earlier, sometimes at birth, or else it doesn't activate until full adulthood.

The effects of an X-Gene are random, and not helped by various contradictory statements by clashing writers. Typically, a mutant develops either a superpower with a psionic or biological basis (admittedly stretching the definition of "biological" pretty far), a physical deformity, or both. Mutants from the same family line often develop similar powers, and sometimes even have a natural resistance to each other - an iconic example of this are the Summers Brothers, Scott "Cyclops" and Alexander "Havok ", both of whom can shoot energy blasts and yet are completely unaffected by each others' powers. Usually, a mutant only has a small selection of powers, and many only have a single one; when multiple powers are present, they usually form a kind of "theme", such as a mutant who can transform into a body made of inorganic material gaining superhuman strength and durability in that form. Complicating matters further is the phenomena of "secondary mutations", where a mutant may, at random, experience a further mutation of their X-Gene and develop one or more completely new powers, which may have nothing in common with their original powerset. The postergirl for this is Emma Frost, whose original power was telepathy, but who gained the ability to shapeshift into a nigh invulnerable, psi-immune form made of living diamond.