Episode 122: Born with Powers (Strange Tales #120 - Part 1) -- April 1962

In this episode:

Mike and Ed discuss the revelation that the term “mutant” only refers to superpowered individuals born with their powers. Why have so many mutants appeared recently? Is the emergence of mutants at all tied to the arrival of the Fantastic Four? Or have mutants always been with us, but in hiding? Do mutant abilities run in families, or is mutation random? Is Thor a mutant? What about Spider-Man? And if mutant is the term for someone born with powers, what do we call people who obtain their powers during their life? Alterants?

In this issue:

Johnny “the Human Torch” Storm is jealous of the attention the X-Men are getting lately. As luck would have it, he runs into one of them, Bobby “Iceman” Drake, on a cruise. Some unfortunate criminals decide to rob the cruise ship, led by a man calling himself the Barracuda, and the Human Torch and Iceman team up to take them down.

This episode takes place:

After the Torch and Iceman take the Barracuda down.

Assumed before the next episode:

People are wondering if the Fantastic Four and the X-Men are going to team up.