Marvel’s Premier Mutant Shapeshifter Just Got a Shocking Upgrade to Her Powers – And It Changes Everything

The greatest mutant shapeshifter of all time has just uncovered a whole new layer to her powers.

In her hunt for answers regarding the mysterious device known as the Protozoa, the titular mutant anti-villain of Mystique #3 finds herself playing the role of Magneto in order to pry whatever information she can from a down-on-his-luck Fabian Cortez. Unsurprisingly, this meeting quickly turns violent, as the latest team of Sentinels have finally caught up with their targets. In a genuinely shocking turn, a little boost from Cortez is all it takes for Mystique to not just take on Magneto's appearance, but his powers as well, which officially opens the door for the shapeshifter to become one of the most powerful mutants of all time.

Mystique #3

• Written by DECLAN SHALVEY
• Art by DECLAN SHALVEY
• Colors by MATT HOLLINGSWORTH
• Letters by VC's CLAYTON COWLES
• Design by JAY BOWEN
• Main cover art by DECLAN SHALVEY
• Variant cover art by MATEUS MANHANINI

While Raven Darkhölme, better known as Mystique, has been a part of the Marvel Universe for decades, her powers have never quite afforded her the opportunity to replicate another's mutant abilities for herself. Mystique has always been able to replicate specific physical attributes, her shapeshifting abilities have only ever extended that far. With the addition of the kind of boost that Cortez can provide, however, it would seem that there are no powers Mystique cannot replicate, although the extent to which she can successfully command them remains to be seen.

Fabian Cortez made his Marvel Comics debut back in the pages of 1991's X-Men #1 by Chris Claremont and Jim Lee as a member of the villainous Acolytes, a band of young would-be mutant villains who came together over their shared adoration of Magneto. At the time, the Acolytes were caught in a battle with both the Blue and Gold teams of X-Men, who vastly overpowered the budding young menaces. Although Cortez has no real powers on his own besides a healing touch, he is an invaluable asset when surrounded by other mutants, whose powers he can amplify, dampen, and even unite at will.

The latest iteration of Sentinels consist of human agents who have been cybernetically enhanced, transforming them into the perfect mutant hunting machines. Introduced in the pages of Sentinels #1 by Alex Paknadel and Justin Mason, these Sentinels make up the series' core group known as Fireteam. In their first outing, Fireteam successfully defeated and captured the infamous Omega Red, though not without suffering some wounds of their own. To make matters worse, these cybernetic Sentinels are at risk of becoming fully grafted to their enhancements, which all but entirely removes their humanity and sense of self, necessitating their ultimate destruction.

Mystique #3 is on sale now from Marvel Comics.

Source: Marvel Comics