Primal (Marvel Comics)
| Primal | |
|---|---|
 Primal as depicted in Generation Hope #8 (August 2011). Art by Salvador Espin and Jim Charalampidis. | |
| Publication information | |
| Publisher | Marvel Comics |
| First appearance | Uncanny X-Men #529 (October 2010) |
| Created by | Matt Fraction Kieron Gillen |
| In-story information | |
| Alter ego | Teon Macik |
| Species | Human mutant |
| Team affiliations | The Lights X-Men Jean Grey School for Higher Learning |
| Notable aliases | The Fourth Light, The Modern Primitive, Instinct |
| Abilities | Superhuman physical ability Hyperinstinct |
Primal (Teon Macik) is a fictional superhero appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appeared in The Uncanny X-Men #529, in the fourth chapter of the "Five Lights" storyline, and was created by Matt Fraction and Kieron Gillen.[1] He is one of the "Five Lights"—a group of mutants who manifested their abilities after the events of "Second Coming".
Publication history
[edit]Primal first appeared in Uncanny X-Men. Following his introduction, he, along with Hope Summers, Transonic, Oya, Zero, and Velocidad, began to feature in the series Generation Hope.[2] He continues to make appearances in The Uncanny X-Men as well.
Fictional character biography
[edit]After rescuing Transonic, Velocidad, and Oya, Hope brings the group to Ukraine to find the next Light in the form of Teon Macik. However, by the time they arrive, he has already moved on. The group tracks Teon through Europe and eventually find him in Miami Beach.[3] Teon imprints on Hope, following her commands.[4]
Teon accompanies the Lights to Tokyo to subdue Zero, whose powers have gone out of control.[2] Soon thereafter, Teon and the other Lights follow Hope in moving to Utopia.[5] Upon arrival, he immediately begins sparring with Wolverine, by whom he is eventually bested; Teon concedes that Wolverine is the "alpha".[6]
Like the rest of the student-aged population, Teon takes classes taught by more experienced X-Men.[7] However, he is more concerned with following Hope, and follows her after she abruptly walks out of an ethics class being taught by Emma Frost. He also trains with Hope and the rest of his new team in weapons and tactics. Kavita Rao conducts intelligence tests on Teon and comes to believe that he is of low intelligence.[3] Hope demonstrates that he has normal if not high intelligence if given the correct incentive, but simply lacks the desire to complete his tests.
When Hope and the Lights go to retrieve the Sixth Light, Teon (along with Zero) seem uniquely immune to the infant telepath's abilities, as he is able to move freely about without protection. Additionally, he is the only one able to convince the infant child, via telepathy, that it should embrace life and be born. Hope touches the newborn child and suppresses its X-Gene until it becomes older. The Lights' celebration is cut short as their liaison Shadowcat reveals that Teon's parents have sued to gain custody of him.[8]
While both Cyclops and Evangeline Whedon initially believe that Teon's case is hopeless, Teon surprises everyone by rushing the stand and giving an eloquent speech about how he has changed. He explains that the Teon his parents knew died when his X-Gene was activated, and asks his parents to find solace in the fact that he is now happier with Hope on Utopia than he would be at home. This speech wins Teon the right to stay on Utopia. Later, Zero wonders if Teon truly is happy, or if he is faking it to remain close to Hope.[3]
Powers and abilities
[edit]Teon has a primal mutation that enhances all of his physical abilities.[5] Teon also possesses a type of "hyperinstinct" which allows him to process the world in the most efficient manner.[3] He is resistant to telepathic probing or assault.[6]
Other versions
[edit]Age of Revelation
[edit]A potential future version of Primal appears in Age of Revelation as a member of the Seraphim, a group of mutants loyal to Revelation.[9]
Earth-64121
[edit]On Earth-64121, this dream prison that Primal was in had several women serving him.[10]
What If
[edit]A version of Primal appears in What If? AvX, which details alternate outcomes in the Avengers vs. X-Men storyline.[11]
References
[edit]- ^ Ching, Albert (November 3, 2010). "Kieron Gillen Introduces the Five Lights of GENERATION HOPE". Newsarama. Archived from the original on November 6, 2010.
- ^ a b Generation Hope #1 (January 2011)
- ^ a b c d Generation Hope #8 (August 2011)
- ^ Uncanny X-Men #529 (December 2010)
- ^ a b Generation Hope #4 (April 2011)
- ^ a b Generation Hope #6 (June 2011)
- ^ Generation Hope #5 (May 2011)
- ^ Generation Hope #7 (July 2011)
- ^ World of Revelation one-shot (October 2025)
- ^ Generation Hope #16 (February 2012)
- ^ What If? AvX #2 (July 2013)
