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Mystique Reading Order (X-Men)

Some mutants are older than they look. We all know that Wolverine‘s healing factor slowed down the effects of aging granting him an extended lifespan. But he is not the only Marvel mutant to have quite a long life. This is also the case of the mysterious and dangerous Mystique.

Mostly known as Raven Darkhölme, Mystique has hidden behind many aliases, such as Sherlock Holmes, Foxx, Surge, Raven Wagner, and more. Her true identity is still a mystery, despite having made her first appearance in Ms. Marvel #16 (January 1978), more than 47 years ago.

This unknown past fit quite well with the shapeshifting mutant terrorist who found her way to the Marvel Comics page by accident. Artist Dave Cockrum simply drew a beautiful woman who was colored by Paty Greer (the future Mrs. Cockrum) and Marvel colorist Andy Yanchus. When Claremont saw the design, he asked for information about her and if he could use her. He came up with the name Mystique and included her in Ms. Marvel.

Since her debut, Mystique has proved herself to be quite the femme fatale, one of the most lethal characters, as intelligent as she is cunning. She has been the leader of the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants, known for her attempt on Senator Robert Kelly’s life, and has been part of X-Factor, the Marauders, and even the X-Men. She is also the foster mother of Rogue and the mother of Kurt Wagner, two of the most celebrated X-Men heroes!

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Where to start reading Mystique?

Mystique is one of the most recognizable X-Men characters, thanks to her appearances on the small and big screen. There have been two incarnations of the character in the Twentieth Century Fox’s X-Men film series, first portrayed by Rebecca Romijn, then by Jennifer Lawrence who played a younger version. The mutant also made a name for herself with her appearances on X-Men: The Animated Series in the nineties and X-Men: Evolution in the noughties. And of course, the character is present in many video games. 

If you want to read some Mystique comics without diving completely into the reading order, we recommend starting with her own comic title written by Brian K. Vaughan and Sean McKeever and published from 2003 to 2005, collected in Mystique By Brian K. Vaughan Ultimate Collection and Mystique By Sean McKeever Ultimate Collection

There are other famous Mystique stories to check out, such as her classic role in Days of Future Past, her violent face-to-face with Logan in Wolverine: Get Mystique or her role and evolution in X-Factor.

Mystique Comics Reading Order

Mystique and the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants (1978-1993)

After her debut in Ms. Marvel, Mystique doesn’t waste time and leads the new version of the Brotherhood of Mutants to attempt to assassinate Senator Robert Kelly. This action creates the Days of Future Past timeline. It doesn’t take long after that for the group (which will later become the Freedom Force) to become a recurring antagonist to the X-Men. Mystique’s foster daughter, Rogue, is also introduced in Avengers Annual #10 who first fight alongside her mother before joining the X-Men

Also, Nightcrawler learns that Mystique is his mother in X-Men Unlimited #4 (1994), collected in X-Men: Legionquest or Excalibur Omnibus Vol. 3

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Mystique, part of X-Factor (1994-2002)

During the 90s run of X-Factor, Mystique found herself forced to join the team after having been posed as a potential adversary for the group. She is part of a new line-up lead by Forge in which Sabretooth is also part of as a captive member. Sharing a past with both of them, X-Factor shines as exploring their relationship dynamics. During this time, Mystique is investigating an anti-mutant conspiracy, and this will lead her to losing her mind at the futility of her mission.

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Mystique Solo and the X-Men (2003-2012)

While it was once unimaginable for Mystique to work for Charles Xavier become a reality in her first own series! Recent events have inspired the former mutant-rights terrorist to reevaluate her place and beliefs and found herself reluctantly agreeing to work for Xavier in covert, politically sensitive operations. She will even eventually join the X-Men for a short time! 

House of M Reading Order

This is a turbulent and eventful period with the X-Men starting with the altering event of House of M, introducing us to a world where Magneto is king! As for Mystique, she takes center stage in the Wolverine story, collected in House of M: World of M

Mystique then finds herself joining the X-Men to have a better relationship with her foster daughter. Or so she claimed, as Mystique’s true motives remained hidden for a time. As the future of the Homo Superior has never looked so bleak, the Marvel Universe is also put upside! During this time, Mystique’s relationship with Rogue is once again put in the spotlight, joins the Dark X-Men during Norman Osborn’s Dark Reign, plays a role in sending Wolverine to Hell, and more!

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Mystique Marvel Now! (2013-2015)

After the conclusion of Avengers vs. X-Men, Mystique chose to reform the Brotherhood of Evil with Sabretooth and Lady Mastermind to commit heists before being recruited by Magneto to help fight Red Onslaught in Genosha. However, in this Marvel era, Mystique has a more prominent role in the Wolverines comic series from Charles Soule, set in the aftermath of Wolverine’s death.

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All-New, All-Different Mystique (2016-2018)

In a post-Secret Wars Marvel World, things haven’t changed that much for Mystique as she is still using her talent for infiltration and shape-shifting to attain her goals. She is first recruited by Magneto to be part of his special team in Uncanny X-Men, before joining Psylocke’s team to take down her old enemy, the Shadow King in a new volume of Astonishing X-Men.

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Mystique in the Krakoa Era, Reading Order (2018-2024)

Professor X and Magneto established a new mutant nation on Krakoa, with Mystique becoming a member of their Quiet Council as part of the Winter Section. She also participates in several missions and works on a plan to ensure the return of Irene Adler. As this era came to a close, Kurt Wagner’s origins were revisited (reuniting Mystique with her son for the occasion) and Mystique tied the knot!

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Mystique From The Ashes (2024-)

The Krakoan era comes to a conclusion with the events of Fall of the House of X / Rise of the Powers of X. Back From the Ashes, Mystique get her own series (twenty years after the previous one!) where the shape-shifting mutant returns to remind the world exactly who she is!

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Complete X-Men Comics Guide

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