SECURITY CLEARANCE ACTIVATED..
[NAME] Raven Darkhölme
[FIRST COMIC BOOK APPEARANCE] Ms. Marvel #16 (1978)
[MUTANT ABILITIES] Advanced genetic manipulation, capable of changing her DNA to other forms via molecular control
…ACCESSING…
PERSONAL NOTES OF CHARLES XAVIER
“Raven Darkhölme – Mystique – is a woman of many faces, both literally and figuratively. Her mutation grants her the ability to alter her form at will, seamlessly adopting the appearance, voice, and mannerisms of anyone she chooses. It is a gift that has made her one of the most dangerous and unpredictable mutants in existence.
But beneath the shifting exterior lies a mind shaped by survival. Mystique has lived for over a century, navigating a world that has never truly accepted her. She has been a spy, a warrior, a leader, and a mother. She has fought for mutant kind, yet her methods have often placed her at odds with those who seek peace.
Her relationship with Destiny, her wife, was perhaps the one constant in her life – a rare connection built on trust and understanding. Together, they shaped the course of mutant history, though often from the shadows. Mystique’s love for Destiny was unwavering, and when she was lost, Raven’s grief became a force unto itself.
She has been a member of the Brotherhood, an adversary to the X-Men, and at times, even an ally. Her allegiances shift as easily as her form, dictated by necessity rather than ideology. She has impersonated me, infiltrated my Institute, and manipulated events to suit her own ends. And yet, I cannot deny that she has, in her own way, fought for the survival of our kind.
Mystique is neither hero nor villain. She is a force of nature—unpredictable, relentless, and utterly devoted to her own vision of the future.
I have long since abandoned the notion that she can be fully understood.”
IN OTHER MEDIA
APPEARANCES ON-SCREEN (Television)
APPEARANCES ON-SCREEN (Movies)
X-MEN
FIRST APPEARANCE: Slave Island
VOICED BY: Randall Carpenter; Jennifer Dale
Mystique is a cunning and ruthless shapeshifter who operates in the shadows, often working for greater powers while pursuing her own agenda. She is first seen imprisoned on Genosha, where mutants are enslaved, though she later escapes when the X-Men intervene [Slave Island].
She later impersonates Dr. Adler, luring mutants to Muir Island with the promise of a cure for their powers. In reality, she is working for Apocalypse, helping him transform mutants into his Horsemen. Rogue nearly falls victim to this scheme before Angel intervenes, leading to Mystique’s escape [The Cure].
Mystique is later revealed to be the assassin who attempted to kill Senator Kelly, disguising herself as Gambit to frame the X-Men. This act sets off a chain of events that leads to a dystopian future ruled by Sentinels [Days of Future Past (Part 2)].
Her most personal conflict arises when she tries to reclaim Rogue, whom she raised as her own daughter. She attempts to manipulate Rogue into returning to her side, but Rogue ultimately rejects her, choosing to remain with the X-Men [A Rogue’s Tale].
She is later kidnapped by her son Graydon Creed in an effort to lure his brother, Nightcrawler, whom Mystique abandoned years ago, into a trap. Their reunion is fraught with tension, as Nightcrawler struggles to understand why she left him. Though she tries to justify her actions, offers her peace. Surprised, she sacrifices herself to save Kurt, pushing him out of the way of a gunshot. She falls to her death, although she is later shown to have silently crept away [Bloodlines].
Mystique resurfaces when Apocalypse attempts to rewrite history. Though she initially aids him, she later turns against him, helping the X-Men stop his plans [Beyond Good and Evil].
FILM SERIES
FIRST APPEARANCE: X-Men
OTHER APPEARANCES: X2; X-Men: The Last Stand; X-Men: First Class; X-Men: Days of Future Past; X-Men: Apocalypse; X-Men: Dark Phoenix
PLAYED BY: Rebecca Romjin (X-Men; X2; X-Men: The Last Stand; X-Men: First Class); Jennifer Lawrence (X-Men: First Class; X-Men: Days of Future Past; X-Men: Apocalypse; X-Men: Dark Phoenix)
Raven Darkhölme is first introduced as Magneto’s loyal second-in-command, using her shapeshifting abilities to infiltrate human institutions and further his cause. She abducts Senator Kelly so Magneto can test his mutation machine on him, but the plan fails, and she is defeated by Wolverine [X-Men].
Mystique later helps Magneto escape his plastic prison by seducing one of his guards and injecting him with excess iron, which Magneto uses to break free. She uncovers William Stryker’s plan to exterminate mutants and aids the X-Men in stopping him, though she remains loyal to Magneto’s more radical vision [X2].
When Magneto rallies mutants against the cure, Mystique is captured and injected with it, losing her powers. Magneto coldly abandons her, declaring that she is no longer one of them. Betrayed, Mystique later provides intelligence to the government, leading to Magneto’s downfall [X-Men: The Last Stand].
It was later revealed that a young Raven was discovered by Charles Xavier when she broke into his mansion looking for food. He took her in as a foster sister, and she grew up alongside him, struggling with her identity as a mutant. She later joined Division X, a government program for mutants, and adopted the name Mystique [X-Men: First Class].
As tensions rise, Mystique becomes disillusioned with Xavier’s peaceful approach and sides with Magneto. She assassinates Bolivar Trask, leading to the creation of the Sentinel program. However, in the revised timeline, Wolverine convinces her to spare Trask, altering history [X-Men: Days of Future Past].
In this new history, Mystique later becomes a reluctant leader of the X-Men, training young mutants and fighting against Apocalypse. She helps defeat the ancient mutant but remains conflicted about her role [X-Men: Apocalypse].
Years later, Mystique attempts to guide Jean Grey through her transformation into the Phoenix but is killed in battle, marking the end of her journey [X-Men: Dark Phoenix].
X-MEN: EVOLUTION
FIRST APPEARANCE: Strategy X
VOICED BY: Colleen Wheeler
The true leader of the Brotherhood, Mystique is ruthless, cunning, and willing to manipulate anyone to achieve her goals. She recruits young mutants into the Brotherhood, offering them a place to belong—but her loyalty is conditional, and she has no qualms about abandoning them when they fail to meet her expectations.
Her relationship with Rogue is particularly strained. Initially, Mystique tries to recruit Rogue into the Brotherhood, but Rogue ultimately defects to the X-Men, seeing through Mystique’s manipulations. This betrayal fuels Mystique’s resentment, making Rogue a frequent target of her schemes.
Mystique’s ability to infiltrate and deceive makes her one of the Brotherhood’s most dangerous assets. Whether posing as Principal Darkhölme at Bayville High or orchestrating Magneto’s plans, she remains a constant threat to the X-Men.
WOLVERINE AND THE X-MEN
FIRST APPEARANCE: Greetings from Genosha
VOICED BY: Tamara Bernier
A master of deception, Mystique operates in the shadows, manipulating events to serve her own agenda. While she aligns herself with Magneto, her true loyalties remain ambiguous, shifting as the situation demands.
Her ability to infiltrate and impersonate makes her one of the Brotherhood’s most dangerous assets. She plays a key role in sabotaging the X-Men, using her shapeshifting abilities to sow discord and confusion.
Mystique’s connection to Rogue remains a source of tension. Though she once acted as Rogue’s surrogate mother, their relationship is fractured, with Rogue rejecting Mystique’s influence in favour of the X-Men.
However, Mystique also has many secrets – this version knew Logan before he became Wolverine, and the pair were lovers. He sacrificed his freedom for her, and the two have worked together since – although he is not completely aware of their past.
As the battle between mutants and humanity intensifies, Mystique remains a wildcard – her actions unpredictable, her motives unclear, and her allegiance always in question.
– END OF ENTRY –
X-Cess Minutiae 
Leave a comment