Summary
Superhero teams can be challenging to manage. Members can swap in and out as the writers see fit in the comics. Movies have to struggle against everything from casting decisions to story structure. TheX-Menhave appeared on the big screen several times, often adding details to characters that improve on the source material. They rarely ruin their heroes, but if there’s one mutant they did wrong, it would be Armando “Darwin” Muñoz.
Most of theX-Menmovies have been mixed bags. The first two outings were engaging, even as they distanced themselves from the color and fun of the comics. The less said aboutThe Last StandandOrigins: Wolverine,thebetter.ApocalypseandDark Phoenixwere messy and ill-conceived as well.X-Men: First Classtook place between the two main trilogies and delivered much of what fans wanted from the franchise. Unfortunately, one terrible creative choice stood out.
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Who is Darwin inX-Mencomics?
Darwin is a recent addition to the X-Men. Ed Brubaker and Pete Woods created the character forX-Men: Deadly Genesisin 2006. Armando Muñoz wasborn in New York Cityto a Hispanic father and an African-American mother. He was noticeably different from birth. By four, his mutations became obvious. His father abandoned him, and his mother grew to hate him. Armando did everything he could to earn his mother’s love. During an IQ test, his mutation subconsciously activated, giving him superhuman intelligence and securing him a ticket to a prestigious prep school. Bullies tormented him regularly. When they forced his head into a toilet, his body developed gills. He fought back, discovering his arms would become as hard as cement. Armando’s mom accidentally burned their home with a cigarette. When Armando walked out unscathed, scientists scooped him up.
Scientists discovered that Armando’s body could innately adapt to survive any scenario. They nicknamed him Darwin, the Evolving Boy. They published an extensive report about Darwin, catching the attention of Moira MacTaggert. He was recruited as one of Moira’s “fosters.” He served as amember of various teamsfor years. Darwin’s feats are patently absurd. He does more than adapt to survive. Darwin is functionally immortal. He will develop superhuman traits to fit any scenario. He’s received a few significant power boosts. His body transformed into pure energy or raw data to escape apocalypse events. Once, when fighting the Hulk, his mutation decided that teleportation would be the safest solution. Darwin once foughtHela, the Goddess of Death. His body stole her powers to use them against her, killing a physical embodiment of death. Darwin cannot die. His gifts are entirely circumstantial, but they could make him a god at a moment’s notice.
When does Darwin appear in theX-Menmovies?
Darwin appears inX-Men: First Class. Edi Gathegi plays the character. He’s one of the young mutants Charles Xavier and Eric Lehnsherr pick up for their team. Darwin drives a cab in New York City. He joins the team, forming a questionablebond with Alex Summersand becoming one of the most likable young mutants. He demonstrates his adaptation powers by growing gills and withstanding huge impacts. He isn’t in the film long. Sebastian Shaw, the film’s villain, arrives at the compound. He and his hired muscle defeat the young mutants. Shaw offers to take them with him on his quest to conquer the world. Darwin valiantly puts himself in harm’s way, keeping Shaw talking so Alex Summers can attack. Shaw absorbs Havoc’s lasers and turns them into a white-hot ball. He force-feeds the ball to Darwin. Darwin shifts through multiple states, innately struggling to survive, and then dies.
Darwin’s fate makes no sense
Yes,X-Men: First Classkilled off thecharacter who can’t be killed. There were a thousand ways he could’ve survived the attack, from absorbing the energy just as Shaw had done to becoming intangible. He’s shrugged off assaults just like Shaw’s in the comics. There are a few reasons why they’d kill him off. They wanted a death near the turn of the second act, but Mystique, Havoc, and Beast couldn’t be sacrificed. There’s also the possibility that they didn’t want Darwin around for the final act. His power can be an instant win against almost any foe, and killing him off leaves everyone else feeling useful. Many have pointed out that Darwin is the only man of color on the team. His nonsensical death plays into the trope that black men always die first. That rule apparently still applies to those who are immortal. Whatever their reasoning, Darwin’s death is one of the most obvious oversightsin comic book movie history, and the world has been robbed of seeing the character again.
At the risk of damning with faint praise,First Classhas dominatedthe conversation around Darwin. A cursory Google search reveals that articles and social media posts about Darwin’s death are the main results. The character is best known for being the immortal that was killed off. That may be the most tragic aspect of his fate. Armando Muñoz deserves better. His story and powers should see him brought back to the big screen. Hopefully, Darwin’s mutation can adapt him into a better script.
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