While the X-Men
may have popularized mutants in modern history, the mutant species has persisted on Earth for billions of years. Among the ever-fluctuating population of mutants, a few possess extreme regenerative or life-sustaining abilities that have preserved them for life. Looking back on Earth’s history, mutantkind has always been in the shadows, influencing the course of history, though it may never be remembered.
In the modern era, there are dozens of mutants who have transcended the rules of time and aging. Each carries countless stories from their years of travel and their many journeys, some of them lasting so long that the memories eventually fade. Unfortunately, not all mutants had their names recorded in the annals of time, with some playing such minor roles in history that their ultimate fates were never revealed. However, to help establish a stronger timeline that truly shows the existence of mutant eras on Earth, here are the twenty oldest known mutants in Marvel continuity.
20
Wolverine
Approximate age: 140 years old
Arguably the most popular elderly mutant, James Howlett was born into the incredibly wealthy Howlett family in the late 19th century in Alberta, Canada. James was the illegitimate son of Elizabeth Howlett and the family caretaker, Thomas Logan. James’ mutant powers were activated when, in a drunken rage, Thomas Logan broke into the Howlett home and killed the family patriarch, John.
James ferociously murdered Thomas, fleeing into the Canadian forests and taking on the name “Logan” with him. As his powers continued to manifest and his healing factor activated, Logan’s earliest memories eventually faded, leaving only his wild instincts. Of course, as time passed, Logan endured
the Weapon X Program
and eventually joined the X-Men under her mutant name “Wolverine”. Although most fans know this Wolverine is potentially immortalTo this day, he can be considered one of the youngest mutants compared to later entries on this list.
19
Destination
Approximate age: 150 years
Born in the late 19th century, Irene Adler’s main mutant powers manifested when she was thirteen. Irene is endowed with precognitive powers that allow her to peer into multiple possible futures. Although her future is never guaranteed, she has become incredibly well tuned to make educated guesses.
Adler was born blind, but thanks to her powers, she looks into the possible future before every move. within a 97% degree of accuracy. Soon passing through Destiny, Irene met Raven Darkholme and the two became fast friends. Over the course of the couple’s multiple decades of romantic tension, they eventually openly formed a family after
adopting Rogue and giving birth to Nightcrawler
.
18
Graymalkin
Approximate age: 250 years
Jonas Graymalkin without a doubt One of Marvel’s saddest mutant stories. Born in Colonial Era New York, Jonas’ powers would not activate until he turned sixteen. As the colonies struggled to keep up with imperial taxes, Jonas struggled to come to terms with being gay in an especially intolerant time. When his religious father discovered his son’s sexuality, Jonas was beaten almost to death and buried alive, thus activating his X-Gene.
Graymalkin spent the next 200 years still buried alive beneath what he had become.
Xavier Institute
. Jonas survived while not because of explicit mutant immortality, but because his true mutant abilities enable him to near-immortal status when submerged in darkness. Unfortunately, Graymalkin actively suffers from PTSD due to his centuries-long imprisonment in a coffin.
17
Synchronize
Approximate age: 400 years
Everett Thomas is one of three mutants, alongside the original Laura Kinney and Darwin, sent into the Vault to investigate the growing civilization of post-humans within. Time within the Vault moves at a significantly faster pace, causing the three mutants to experience hundreds of years of life within the temporal device. Thanks to Synch’s mutant abilities, which allow him to copy another superperson’s powers as long as some form of their DNA is around him, Synch was able to mimic Laura’s healing factor to endure the time spent indoors.
At some point Laura and Darwin were captured forcing Synch to flee the Vault. Everett would later reunite with Laura, who spent another 100 years trapped inside the Vault. Naturally, peace doesn’t last long for the mutants, and Synch and Laura set out on a mission to
defeat the High Evolutionary
. Laura tragically died on the mission, but continued to live inside Synch’s head thanks to the powers he copied from Jean Grey.
16
Darwin
Approximate age: 500 years
Darwin, alongside Talon and Synch, spent hundreds of years trapped inside the Vault while researching
the Children of the Vault
. More than 500 years inside the Vault later, Darwin, Synch and Talon were finally freed from their temporal prison. Darwin’s mutant abilities allow him to adapt to any situation in order to survive.
While in the Vault, Darwin’s powers indefinitely slowed his aging process. However, to help Talon escape, it has evolved into a living code to contact Forge from within the city of the Children of the Vault. Currently, Darwin remains integrated into Vault systemsslowly discovering its time-altering properties.
15
Claw
Approximate age: 500 years
Talon is the name chosen by the original Laura Kinneywho was sent to the Vault alongside Darwin and Synch to investigate the posthumans temporarily hidden within it. As time in the Vault passes significantly faster, Laura and her allies have spent hundreds of years on that world researching the evolving species and their society. After almost 500 years of captivityTalon was freed to return to her lover Synch and meet a resurrected younger version of herself who had never entered the Vault.
Talon and his younger self, who goes by the name Wolverine, never liked each other, but maintained a decent level of mutual respect. Laura would not have the chance to enjoy her rediscovered life, as she inevitably fell in battle while defending herself from Orchis’ attack on
the Hellfire Gala
. Talon would “live” for some time while his consciousness, hidden inside Synch’s mind.
14
Exodus
Approximate age: 800 years
Bennet du Paris was born sometime in 12th century medieval France. Better known as Exodus, the mutant crusader was a Knight of the Templar Order sent to Jerusalem in search of an artifact of ancient power. Exodus is
an Omega level master
of Psionics, surpassing all other mutant mediums in Marvel history.
Originally enhanced by Apocalypse, Exodus has turned against its former master several times, often believing that the “First Mutant” is a false god. Since his arrival in the modern era, Exodus has, like Apocalypse and Magneto, been an aggressively vocal supporter of mutant domination. Paris harbors a particular hatred for humans who “unnaturally” transform into mutants, like the High Evolutionary.
13
Mordred
Approximate age: 900 years
Mordred the Evil is the bastard son of King Arthur and his half-sister Morgause. To avoid a prophecy that foretold
the destruction of Camelot
King Arthur sent all his children, including a baby Mordred, born on May 1, adrift at sea to sink and die. By the will of the magic flowing in his blood, Mordred survived and was reunited with Morgause and her sister Morgan Le Fay. The Black Druid spent years trying to overthrow his father.
Mordred eventually fell, but was resurrected several times. His final resurrection partially purged his memories, allowing him to rediscover his lost history, horrified by everything he had done. In the modern era, it was recently revealed that Mordred was a mutant, who has now lives next to his father in the Other World.
12
Azazel
Approximate age: 2,000 – 4,000 years
It is difficult to determine whether Azazel was named after the biblical character or if he were the Biblical characterbut either way, it originates from the early Abrahamic era. Azazel belongs to a specific lineage of mutants known as the Neyaphem, traditional demonic-looking mutants often associated with demons. Naturally, his lineage faces opposition from the Cheyarafim, an angelic-looking mutant lineage.
Azazel’s species was trapped in a timeless dimension by their enemies, but the diabolical mutant managed to escape thanks to his teleportation powers. Azazel remained true to his demonic ideology, living a self-centered life while negotiating corrupt deals with humans. Despite its longevity, the red devil recently died after being attacked by the BAMF Dragona draconic
variant of Nocturne
from a different universe.
11
Ironfire Jon
Approximate age: 4,500 years
Before gaining his independence, Jon Ironfire was the first Enchanted Champion of White Sword. When Annihilation possessed Genesis launched a civil war against Arakko, White Sword freed Jon Ironfire from his slavery, allowing the sword-wielding mutant to escape to Arakko. During the attack
the mutant civil war
Ironfire came face to face with his previous master which had fallen under the control of Genesis.
Jon faced each of his fellow previous champions in battle, besting each and every one, until finally clashing with White Sword. Ironfire defeated his former master but, following Storm’s example, spared him. Although Jon Ironfire’s current whereabouts are unknown, he likely still resides on Planet Arakko.
10
White Sword
Approximate age: 4,500 years
White Sword was once one of the Okkaran mutants who stayed with Arakko after
Annihilation split Okkara in half
. While imprisoned on Amenth, White Sword remained a powerfully devoted mutant, often on the front lines when defending Arakko against the Demons of Amenth. Taking the first step into Amenth, White Sword and his 100 slaves marched deep into the daemon dimension and forged an Ivory Spire where they spent hundreds of years slaughtering every Daemon they could.
The Arakki believed that White Sword was dead all along, only discovering the tower and millions of crucified demons after Arakko was fully sealed within the kingdom. Spending centuries alone with only his enchanted soldiers for company, White Sword fell into madness. His only desire is to prove his strength against worthy adversaries rather than participate in mutant politics.
9
Death, Hunger and War (First Horsemen)
Approximate age: more than 4,700 years
Death, Hunger and War are the three remaining children of Revelation and Genesis. Alongside their sister Pestilence, they served as
First Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse
. All of the brothers are originally from Okkara, but followed the newly formed Arakko to Amenth to defend the Arakki people.
After Genesis was subjected to Annihilation’s powers, the brothers were forced to serve Amenth’s forces until the Tournament of Swords in the Otherworld. Genesis’ war against Krakoa inevitably failed after The influence of annihilation has been eliminated from Genesis. While Death remains in the Midnight-Dark Realm of Sevalith in the Otherworld, War and Famine currently act as rulers of the Realm of Dryador.
8
Apocalypse
Approximate age: more than 5,000 years
Incorrectly dubbing himself the world’s first mutant, En Sabah Nur was in fact one of the first of Earth’s second generation of mutants. His powers are of divine proportions, allowing the “Father of All Mutants” constantly evolve, gaining new mutant abilities throughout its multi-millennium existence. Apocalypse is, without competition, the greatest mutant activist.
Although he is often portrayed as a villain,
Apocalypse contains only the deepest love
for all mutants. Apocalypse treats every mutant he encounters in the modern day as his children, guiding their growth and protecting their well-being. Throughout his vast history, En Sabah Nur has played an active role in Earth’s history, while others as ancient as him prefer to hide in obscurity.
7
Man forever
Approximate age: more than 5,000 years
Forever Man does not have a real name, as heHow forgotten your true name after thousands of lives. When Forever Man dies, his powers come into effect. From the ashes of his last life, he is reborn with no memory of his previous lives. His complicated ability effectively means he is immortal and cursed to never remember his true identity.
In the modern era, Forever Man has temporarily unlocked all of his memories, driving the mutant into violent madness. To end your suffering, he dived into the sun where he died and was reborn hundreds of times before landing back on Earth to be reborn one last time. No one is sure if Forever Man still retains the memories of his previous lives.
6
Bait, the undefeated
Approximate age: 10,000 years
Bait is the Genesis’ younger sister and whose extraordinary power reaches where she can never lose. For better or worse, Isca’s power has helped sustain her throughout her thousands of years of existence. Unlike her sister, Isca has a silly and playful personality, while at the same time carrying her overwhelming self-confidence, knowing that she can never be defeated.
When Arakko was transferred to Mars, Isca played a vital role in terraforming the planet to create a sustainable home for the Arakki mutants. After Genesis became possessed by the spirit of Annihilation and waged war against Arakko, Isca chose the neutral path and isolated himself near a isolated volcano on planet Arakko. Today, Isca the Invincible remains in solitude, slaughtering any soul that disturbs her solitary peace.
5
Genesis
Approximate age: more than 10,000 years
Genesis, best known for being married to Apocalypse, comes from a much older time and lived on the mutant island Okkara. After marrying Apocalypse, she raised four children with him, who would become the first Four Horsemen. When Okkara was split in half, Genesis and his children were left with the newly formed Arakko while
Apocalypse stayed on Earth
to build a new civilization of mutants capable of destroying the Daemon threat of Amenth.
As Arakko faced imminent destruction from the forces of Annihilation, Genesis defeated Aarakko’s greatest enemy. However, she would later take control of the Daemons in Annihilation’s place and ultimately become Annihilation’s new host. In the modern era, Annihilation Genesis sided with Orchis, but was defeated by Storm. Freed from centuries of internal imprisonment, Genesis and his remaining children fled into exile, massacring all possible Orchis agents.
4
Sphinx
Approximate age: 10,000 – 15,000 years
Anath-Na Mut was born in the Nineteenth Dynasty of Egypt and served as a court wizard to Ramesses the Great. Ramses finally cast out Anath-Na after the mutant wizard was overshadowed by Moses’ power. Banished from Egypt, Anath-Na discovered a powerful magical artifact that imbued him with extraordinary abilities and immortality.
Now calling himself the Sphinx, he spent centuries wandering the Earth and ended up losing the will to live without any means of ending his life. Despite being a confirmed mutant, the Sphinx’s powers were never shown. Instead, he has always relied on his magical powers. The Sphinx has traveled through time on several occasions to relive your life from the beginningmost recently to spend five millennia alongside his greatest love, Meryet Karim.
3
Phoenix Lady
Approximate age: more than 1,000,000 years
Although many mutants call themselves the “first mutant,” Firehair is the oldest mutant recorded to date. Firehair is also the first mortal host of the Phoenix Force, making her responsible for the Phoenix Force’s bias towards red-haired women. During her time, she, alongside Odin, formed the Avengers 1,000,000 BC to combat monumental cosmic threats to the world, such as the rogue Celestial, Fallen.
Firehair developed a deeply close and romantic relationship with Odin throughout her journey. Some time later
Gaia and Odin conceived Thor
Firehair would later be considered a motherly figure to Thor after she saved the infant god from death. Although Firehair’s mortal body has long since died, your soul is an active presence within the Phoenix Force today.
2
Xylum
Approximate age: more than 2,000,000,000 years
Originally known as Xilora, Xilo is one of the last remaining mutants of the threshold of primordial mutant civilization next to Okkara. Instead of being born into a humanoid body, Xilo’s powers manifested at birth, transforming the child into an insect-like creature. Although Xilo always maintains a singular consciousness, he physically exists as a collective of billions of insects.
The Omega-level mutant has the power to terraform and possess another person’s body with his insects. Xilo is theoretically immortal thanks to his ability to birth and replace new insects in your hive. When Okkara was split in half by Annihilation, Xilo traveled alongside the newly formed Arakko and served as his record holder.
1
Okkara / Woods
Approximate age: more than 2,000,000,000 years
The sentient mutant island known as Okkara, the progenitor of Krakoa and Arakko, was once a mutant known as Grove. Grove belonged to an ancient civilization called Threshold, a mixed community of mutants and humans created after
Kate Pryde traveled through time
with the genetic potential for the lives lost during the fall of Genosha. Okkara has an undefined healing factor that occurs along with rapid vegetative growth.
With age no longer a factor in his existence, Okkara it has grown from a humanoid form to an ever-expanding island. Okkara ended up being split in half by Annihilation, creating two mutant clones, Krakoa and Arakko. Even after their “destruction”, Krakoa and Arakko possess the same powers as their original selves, which hypothetically means that Okkara could transform into countless smaller mutants until they are able to reunite in the distant future.