Supervillain Origins: Mr Sinister

Supervillain Origins: Mister Sinister

During the dark Age of Apocalypse, evil went by a new name. Welcome to WatchMojo.com and today we will explore the comic book origin of Mister Sinister, otherwise known as Nathaniel Essex.

As with most comic book characters, there are often re-imaginations and different versions to a character’s past. We have chosen to primarily follow the storyline which unfolded in 1987’s “Uncanny X-Men” issue # and was expanded on in 1996's “Further Adventures of Cyclops and Phoenix” #1-4

In Mister Sinister's debut comic appearance, he was introduced as an all powerful mutant who commanded the forces of the assassin mutant group, the Marauders.

Sinister sends the special task force on a crucial mission to kill Madelyne Pryor, a clone of Jean Grey. It is later revealed that the villain created this copy in hopes that Scott Summers would breed with Madelyne, enacting his plot to bring forth the existence of a genetically superior mutant.

Outfitting the genetic clone with Jean Grey's memories and abilities, it was trusted that Summers would naturally be drawn to his deceased lover's likeness. While the plan concluded in Sinister's favor, he would fail to account for Madelyne's ability to tap into the full extent of her Dark Phoenix powers. Upon her baby's birth, she would escape capture and carry her son to exist in a future era.

It was discovered that the heinous plot had been in the works for a number of years, dating back to when Summers was only a child. Sinister would periodically perform seemingly obsessive check-ups and experiments on the young Cyclops, all in preparation for the day he could utilize his genes.
As fate would have it, Sinister's plan would soon come into fruition with the birth of Nathan Summers aka Cable, offspring of both Scott Summers and Madelyne Pryor. Much later in Nathan's adult life, Sinister would reveal to him that his birth was of his workings, and his purpose would be to rival against the mutant that would see out the end of the world, Apocalypse.

This immortal mutant would also later be discovered to have bestowed Sinister with his mutant abilities, as Essex was born a regular human in the 19th century. Regarded as one of the most brilliant minds of his time, Essex took a strong stance on the theory of Darwinism, believing that all humans were fated to mutate over time.
The obsession with his underground experiments and the recent death of his infant son would soon drive the scientist to a very dark place, subsequently pushing his wife away, and attracting the attention of the almighty mutant Apocalypse.

Sharing his vision in evolution, Apocalypse offered the battered Essex a position as his disciple. For the use of his expansive intellect on genetics and mutation, Apocalypse would grant Essex inconceivable powers and immortality.

Having nothing to lose, Essex immersed himself in his lifelong study. Apocalypse, using his ancient technology, transformed the scientist into the mutant we know today.

Adopting the name his wife used to describe him in her final moments, Sinister would now use his superior form to delve even further into the science of genetics, cloning, and overall mutant biology.

Over the years, Mister Sinister has appeared in various X-Men titles, spinoffs and media. He's a villain that is more than often seen working behind the scenes, although with his telekinetic abilities, superhuman strength, and energy projection power, he is considered well more than just a formidable opponent.

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