The Mystique of Mystique

[history79]

Source: https://thenib.com/fluid/

Comments

[donnblake]

An interesting take! I've always thought of Mystique's transformations more in the sense of passing than of changes or fluidity in her own identity, but then, I haven't read an awful lot that examines the question from Mystique's own point of view.

Also, I cannot help but chuckle at her asking if her fluidity is the reason she's considered dangerous *as she chokes a Hydra goon out.*

[cyberghostface]

Kind of a stretch to suggest she's transgender just because she's a shapeshifter.

[donnblake]

I don't know. Mystique adopts bodies with radically different sexual characteristics and societal gender roles, sometimes for extended periods. I don't think that there's sufficient evidence to make a case that Mystique is canonically a trans* man or anything like that, but certainly there are aspects of her story and powers that touch on trans* themes.

[icon_uk]

Agreed, Mystique seems entirely comfortable in any gender without any sense of discomfort, let alone dysphoria.

[beyondthefringe]

Over in Exiles, there was an alternate universe version named Mystiq, who presented as male.

So even though Mystique in our universe has traditionally presented as female most of the time, and is best known in her female form and associated aliases, there's clearly nothing to keep her from being whoever and however they want to be.

On a notable tangent, Masquerade of the Blood Syndicate actually WAS a trans male using shapeshifting to present in his ideal body, something he kept a secret from the others. When he was discovered, he didn't take it well at all.

That was, of course, par for course for the Blood Syndicate. They also had a were-rat who was really white but allowed everyone to think he was Black, and a closeted gay Latino.

[gnarll]

I think she was supposed to be Nightcrawlers father for a while.

[cyberghostface]

Claremont had the idea of her shapeshifting so she could impregnate Destiny but as a family unit its always been them as two moms.

[icon_uk]

Yes, though that might have been because that's what made Irene happy.

[lencannon]

It's not about Mystique being cis or trans or nonbinary in some type of marvel comics canon, it's about the role she plays as an evolving threat to the status quo and how her powerset and personality are consistently challenging the straight, white, cisgender social hegemony and how that has evolved as new anxieties over out groups present themself in society.

[cyberghostface]

As a queer woman, yes. The other elements not so much.

[icon_uk]

Queerness, in it's definition, extends to nonconformity in terms of sexuality AND gender.

[cyberghostface]

I'm aware of that. I said queer because I wasn't sure if she was lesbian or bisexual in canon.

[icon_uk]

She's had male and female lovers and spouses through her life , (She was married to Baron Wagner, and absolutely considers Destiny to have been her wife) so bisexual in canon, though it seems improbable she's not pansexual.

[themajesticmoose]

I think she's homoromantic bisexual. She's had sex with men but it's clear she's never had feelings or cared about any of them while Destiny is her true love

[filthysize]

Mystique's power to transform has made her an aspirational icon to a lot of trans kids who like X-Men and wish they could shift their body just as easily. That alone is enough for that interpretation and it has been the case for years now, which is what this comic is simply making a reference to. Whether or not the canon actually support that reading is rather beside the point, because as Mark Hamill said it best: https://twitter.com/lesbianlancelot/status/1356062432544882690

[cyberghostface]

Maybe some do but I was just reading an article today where someone was bothered by the idea as Mystique is generally an awful person who uses her abilities to shapeshift to deceive and rape people (as she has in canon). So it’s not clear cut.

https://comic-watch.com/news/comic-watch-pride-an-exploration-of-transness-in-popular-comics-part-1-marvels-fanfare

[filthysize]

Yes, that's always wholly expected when you try to bring the canon into the allegory, especially when the character of choice is traditionally a villain. I have seen plenty of similar discomfort among lesbians who take issue with other lesbians adopting Harley/Ivy as queer icons. It is what it is. But even that article you linked to is talking about how popular a reading "Mystique is trans" has been.

[donnblake]

Also, I realize that it's probably supposed to be mid transition, but I am totally here for the red suit with single elbow length white glove and one flared short leg revealing matching boot, exactly as depicted.

[icon_uk]

It is a striking number isn't it? Especially as there's absolutely no logic for her wearing a suit like that in the first place except for the aesthetic.

[mazway_75]

There's really little reason for most of her outfits, she just likes them.

[agent8]

At one time it was established that she doesn't actually wear clothes. Her outfits are products of her shapeshifting ability. Is that still canon?

I have to say that would be a handy power to have. You'd save boatloads of money.

[mazway_75]

Really, her attitude was nicely summed up in X2.

Nightcrawler: "Why don't you just change yourself all the time? Look like them?"
Mystique: "Because we shouldn't have to."

[deh_tommy]

“I prefer the real Raven.”

[themajesticmoose]

Great webcomic featuring one of my favourite Marvel heroes!

[silverhammerman]

A very cool read on the character, I've been hoping that with the more overt queerness in the new era of X-books and the simmering plot thread of Mystique trying to bring back Destiny that we might finally see some of this explored more explicitly in the ongoings.

[themajesticmoose]

I'm hoping she's going to accomplish her goal here of getting Destiny back one way or another because I want to see the two of them together in an ongoing book again

[lilacsigil]

Yes, I'm really enjoying the sudden increase in actual on-page queerness and also casual queerness in the current comics, and it looks like they haven't forgotten that particular plot point, either. (Which makes me think - are there any living pre-cogs on the island anyway? What about Blindfold? Isn't a living pre-cog just as much of a threat as a resurrected one?)

[themajesticmoose]

Blindfold sadly died in that truly horrible "Uncanny X-men" book that was coming out before HOX/POX came along and got the X-books back on track

She was one of the many characters that series killed off in a nasty and pointless fashion

[deh_tommy]

I don’t get it...