Shapeshifters in Comic Books

Shapeshifters have been popular in fiction for centuries, appearing in mythologies and folklore worldwide. Comic books, especially in the Marvel universe, have embraced these intriguing characters, bringing them to life in dynamic ways. We’ve seen Mystique on the big screen in almost every X-Men film. While Morph is a lesser-known character, he stole the hearts of X-Men fans from episode one of X-Men ’97. With Morph returning to the screen in a more prominent role, it begs the question: which one is better? For one thing, the two share many similarities: they can change both their appearance and their voices. They also shapeshift part of themselves into clothes, which means they’re both always naked.

Mystique’s History and Powers

Mystique is one of Marvel’s most famous shapeshifters. She can copy a person’s appearance, voice, and even retinas within a split second. She’s also very long-lived, having been around since at least the 19th century, where she was solving crimes as Sherlock Holmes in an alternate storyline. She’s also an excellent fighter and spy. Initially, she could only change her appearance. In X-Men Forever issue 6, Mystique is exposed to a rare form of radiation, which results in a power boost, and her appearance changes to look more reptilian. This had nothing to do with the X-Men film that came out the year before.

Power Boost

In Wolverine #300, Mystique is resurrected by the mystic Japanese ninja clan, The Hand, which results in another power boost. This time, it enables her to shapeshift far beyond her normal limits, allowing her to copy entire traits of individuals to the point she could fool Wolverine’s sense of smell. However, it is explicitly stated that she can’t duplicate the X-gene, thus can’t copy powers. Her abilities are still limited to mass. If she morphs into something smaller, like in Mystique issue 1, she’ll be heavy. If she morphs into someone larger than herself, she’ll be weaker. She’s also demonstrated the ability to produce extra limbs and a face at the back of her head for better vision in Mystique issue 5, but she’s stated that holding this form puts her under considerable strain. The nature of her powers also prevents telepaths, even one as powerful as Charles Xavier, from reading her thoughts, once again a neat addition to her occupation as a spy. Mystique has spent a lot of time studying her own physiology to the point that she can easily move vital organs around when attacked. Mystique’s shapeshifting abilities make her an unparalleled spy, able to infiltrate any organization by mimicking key figures down to their smallest traits. Her combat skills and ability to move her vital organs give her a significant edge in survival situations.

Mystique’s Role in the Marvel Universe

Mystique has been a significant character in the Marvel universe for decades. Her complex relationship with other mutants, especially her adoptive daughter Rogue, adds depth to her character. Mystique’s ability to manipulate and deceive makes her a formidable foe for the X-Men. She has been involved in numerous plots to overthrow governments and has led the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants, further showcasing her leadership skills and tactical mind.

Her longevity and shapeshifting abilities also allow her to take on long-term infiltration missions. This makes Mystique not only a physical threat but also a psychological one, as she can plant seeds of doubt and mistrust among her enemies. Her role in various Marvel storylines, including “Days of Future Past” and “Age of Apocalypse,” highlights her adaptability and importance within the Marvel universe.

Morph’s History and Powers

Morph is lesser known but he’s quite formidable. When the X-Men animated series came out in 1992, hot on the heels of the massively popular comic book series, the lovable goofball Morph stole the hearts of fans everywhere. He was based on Changeling, a character who perished early on in the comics. We saw more of the character in the 1995 X-books crossover, Age of Apocalypse, an event where he could showcase his powers a lot more. It’s here that we learn the scope of Morph’s abilities, as he’s impersonated other characters right down to their voices. While Mystique has been able to change her mass due to upgrades, it’s still limited. This has never been a problem for Morph, who in the Age of Apocalypse universe transformed into a sperm whale, not only in appearance but in physiology as well, carrying several teammates in his massive mouth like the biblical Jonah. You may remember Morph turning into Angel in X-Men ’97 and scooping up a falling teammate. That’s because, in the comics, he possesses the ability to psionically fly. He’s also able to mimic the physical attributes of characters, such as turning his arms into Thing’s with the strength to go with it. While Mystique could copy physical attributes, like Angel’s wings, they would not allow her to fly. Morph’s abilities also mean he has no natural scent, which frustrates mutants like Wolverine and Sabretooth. While Mystique is currently able to mask her scent in the comics, she needed upgrades to her powers to do it. It should be noted, however, that animated Morph might not possess these abilities to the same level. After all, in the original X-Men animated series, when he was trying to impersonate Professor X, Wolverine got wise to the trick when he smelled Morph. Morph uses his comedic and unpredictable transformations to surprise his enemies and assist his allies, turning the tide of battle with unexpected forms and abilities.

Morph’s Evolution in Marvel Comics

Morph’s character has evolved significantly since his introduction. Initially a comedic and light-hearted character, Morph’s powers have grown to be more versatile and powerful over time. His ability to transform into any shape, combined with his psionic powers, makes him a valuable asset to any team he joins.

In the “Age of Apocalypse” storyline, Morph’s abilities are pushed to their limits, showcasing his potential as more than just comic relief. He can change his mass and form to such extremes that he can become a formidable fighter and a versatile teammate. This evolution has endeared Morph to fans who appreciate his unique blend of humor and power.

Morph’s interactions with other X-Men characters often provide a lighter counterbalance to the darker themes in the comics. His loyalty and bravery, despite his humorous exterior, make him a beloved character in the Marvel universe.

Mystique vs. Morph – Comparative Analysis

Aspect	Mystique	Morph
Abilities	Change appearance, voice, retinas, scent	Change appearance, voice, mass, physiology
Mass Limitation	Yes	No
Combat Skills	Highly skilled	Less skilled
Scent Masking	Requires power boost	No natural scent
Notable Upgrades	Reptilian appearance, enhanced shapeshifting	Psionic flight, mimic physical attributes

Who Would Win in a Fight?

If we’re talking scope of abilities, Morph has Mystique outclassed. But if you’re asking who’d win in a fight, that’s a different matter altogether. As stated before, Mystique has decades of extensive experience. During her long life, she’s become a skilled hand-to-hand combatant, something Morph failed to polish up on since he always relied on powerful transformations. Mystique could easily find a way to fight Morph hand-to-hand, use her skills to counter his transformations, like becoming as flat as a millimeter if he tries to slam down on her at the size of a whale, and use slashing weapons to injure him when he’s using his agility. Her skill is also a factor when she moves around vital organs to avoid fatal injury, making it very hard to do any critical damage. It’s an interesting pairing for sure, with almost no limit as to where these two could take it. While Morph definitely has greater scope in terms of mass, maneuverability, and environmental advantage, Mystique proves that who’s stronger doesn’t necessarily mean they’d always win.

In X-Men: The Animated Series, Morph’s transformations are often used for comic relief, such as when he turns into a basketball to escape an enemy. Conversely, Mystique’s transformations in the films, like impersonating Senator Kelly in the first X-Men movie, highlight her more serious and deadly nature.

Potential Future Storylines

Both Mystique and Morph have the potential for exciting future storylines. Mystique’s complex relationships and her role as a master spy offer endless possibilities for intrigue and conflict within the Marvel universe. Future storylines could explore more of her past, her relationships with other mutants, and her ongoing quest for mutant rights.

Morph, with his evolving powers, could be central to storylines that require versatility and creativity. His character could be further developed to explore his past, his motivations, and his potential as a leader. Given his comedic nature, Morph’s storylines could also incorporate more humor, balancing the darker tones of other X-Men plots.

These potential future storylines could further cement Mystique and Morph’s places as essential characters in the Marvel universe, continuing to captivate and entertain fans.