Fictional virus
Thetechno-organic virus is a fictionalvirus appearing inAmerican comic books published byMarvel Comics. In the comics, the techno-organic virus transformsorganic material into techno-organic material, which resembles both machinery and living tissue. All techno-organic cells function like independent machines, and carry both the virus and all information on their carriers. This includes memories and appearance, allowing a damaged techno-organic being to rebuild itself from a single cell.
Variants of the virus include theTransmode Virus carried by theTechnarchy, andApocalypse's variant, which was created byMister Sinister and used byApocalypse.
The Transmode virus is used by members of the Technarchy to turn other beings into techno-organic beings. The Technarchy can then feed upon the infected beings and drain their energy. Once the energy has been drained, all that remains of their prey are brittle statues. If an infected creature is not drained of its energy, it becomes aPhalanx. Transmode-infected creatures are usually black and yellow, although they can change their color.
The fictional Transmode Virus is highlyvirulent. It can transmit via skin contact (though a Technarch can prevent transmission) and will transform a creature into a techno-organic creature within seconds. Onlymutants have some resistance to the virus. For instance,Doug Ramsey was infected with the virus after repeatedly fusing his body and genetic code with that of the TechnarchWarlock, but his infection progressed slowly and he was unaware he had been infected.
The Transmode virus gives the host the ability toshapeshift, regenerate their body, absorb matter, and interface with machinery. The Phalanx also experience a loss ofindividuality, forming a hive mind with other Phalanx and the need to contact other techno-organic life.
Known carriers in the fiction
[edit]- Every member of theTechnarchy, includingWarlock and his fatherMagus.
- Every member of thePhalanx, includingSteven Lang andCameron Hodge.
- Many demons ofLimbo includingS'ym andN'Astirh. The infection was started by Magus, who was hunting his son.
- Hope, a young girl who is friends with Warlock. While the techno-organic virus did not affect her, she had no control over the virus and would infect others by touch.
- Paradigm, a mutant with technokinesis who was infected by the Phalanx. He is a member of the third group ofHellions.
- Donald Pierce,Leper Queen, Cameron Hodge, Steven Lang,Bolivar Trask,Graydon Creed, andWilliam Stryker were infected by an offspring of Magus whose programming was rewritten byBastion.
- Eli Bard, an immortalvampire-like mutate who absorbed the virus from an offspring of Magus.
- Thunderbird and hisApache tribe were resurrected and infected by Eli Bard.
- Caliban was resurrected and infected by Eli Bard and used to detect and locate other deceased mutants to resurrect.
- Pyro, Thunderbird,Shinobi Shaw,Destiny, the original Hellions,Berzerker,Stonewall,Hemingway,Banshee,Cypher,Darkstar,Rusty Collins,Risque,Super Sabre,Tower,Hurricane,Spyne,Deadbolt,Feral,Spoor,Katu,Rem-Ram,Unus the Untouchable,Static,Barnacle,Fabian Cortez,Marco Delgado,Mellencamp,Siena Blaze,Skin,Synch,Bolt,Negasonic Teenage Warhead, and the population ofGenosha were resurrected and infected bySelene during the "Necrosha" storyline.
- X-MenMirage,Magik,Wolfsbane,Karma, andStrong Guy, who were partially infected in a 'considerate' way when Warlock spread his lifeforce over five of his friends.[1] The infection from the first four was eliminated by transferring the virus to a dupe ofMultiple Man, known as "Warlox".[2]
Apocalypse's variant
[edit]It was believed that this strain of techno-organic virus was either created byApocalypse or discovered by Apocalypse on board theShip. This virus was actually created byMister Sinister as a means of killing Apocalypse. This attempt failed due to Apocalypse's immense powers, and the virus fell into Apocalypse's hands. Apocalypse later used the virus to infect the infantCable.
This strain of virus is less virulent than its counterpart, needing blood contact to transmit, and usually taking a longer time to infect a person, although it can have sudden short bursts of activity.
Known carriers in the fiction
[edit]- Apocalypse, who was infected with the techno-organic blood of a time-traveling Cable.
- Gaunt, a warlord from the future. He carried a less virulent version of the techno-organic virus, but Cable infected him with the more powerful strain, paralyzing him with pain. Gaunt was killed shortly afterwards.
- Post, who received ablood transfusion from Cable.
- Cable was infected with the techno-organic virus as an infant. He possesses vast psychic abilities, but largely uses them to keep the virus in check, thus limiting his powers.
- Metus, a childhood friend of Cable, who is accidentally infected by Cable. He was later purged of the virus and taken to be raised at theX-Mansion by Cable, with Metus revealed to not have aged since he was infected.
- InExiles #20-22, the Exiles visit an alternate Earth that had been overrun with a new type of techno-organic virus. In this reality, Doug Ramsey had fallen ill with theLegacy Virus, and his friend Warlock was endeavoring to help him. In trying to heal Doug, Warlock infected him with the techno-organic virus, but the two viruses combined and formed a new and deadly disease. This version is capable of infecting mutants and the world's hero population was quickly subsumed by the new race of Vi-locks, led byForge.Blink, the team's leader, was also infected, but the timely arrival ofOdin and the Aesir saved the day. A group of scientists derive aserum from the blood of theNorse gods to treat the virus.
- InAge of Apocalypse, Apocalypse created a techno-organic virus capable of assimilating both organic and technological materials, going as far as merging two separate beings into one body. This virus was used to empowerDonald Pierce'sReavers, a group of techno-organic infected humans serving Apocalypse's regime.
The techno-organic virus appears inX-Men '97.Mister Sinister first uses the virus to infectNathan Summers under the belief that it will make him invincible. TheX-Men rescue Nathan, but are unable to save him from the virus, so they send Nathan withBishop to the future to find a cure.Bastion next uses the virus on a larger scale to turn humans intoPrime Sentinel cyborgs.
- ^New Mutants: Dead Souls #6 (2018)
- ^Uncanny X-Men vol. 5 #15 (2019)
The Techno-Organic FAQ by Soleil Lapierre
