Legacy Virus

The Legacy Virus is a fictional plague appearing in American comic books featuring the X-Men published by Marvel Comics. It first appeared in an eponymous storyline in Marvel Comics titles, from 1993 to 2001, during which it swept through the mutant population of the Marvel Universe, killing hundreds, as well as mutating so that it affected non-mutant humans as well.

Description

The Legacy Virus, contrary to the name, was a viroid and was released by Stryfe, a terrorist and clone of Cable from approximately 2,000 years in the future. It originally existed in two forms, Legacy-1 and Legacy-2, which specifically affected mutants. After interacting with Infectia's abilities, the virus mutated into a third form, Legacy-3, that was capable of infecting humans.^[1]

The Legacy Virus is strongly suggested to be an allegory for the AIDS epidemic.^[2][3][4][5] Although all strains of the Legacy Virus were more dangerous than HIV, they shared similar symptoms such as lesions, fever, fatigue, and coughing.^[6][7][8][9] In addition, comics featuring the Legacy Virus illustrated the similar social impact of the further isolation of a stigmatized group.

History

The Legacy Virus first appeared in X-Force #18.^[10] It was based on a virus created by Apocalypse in the distant future, which was intended to kill the remaining non-mutants. At the time that this alternate version of Apocalypse was killed, the virus had not been perfected, and much like Legacy-3, it targeted all humans indiscriminately. As a result, this virus was never deployed, until Stryfe acquired it and altered it for his own purposes.^[11]

During the X-Cutioner's Song event, Stryfe gives Mister Sinister a canister containing the Legacy Virus. Gordon Lefferts, a scientist working for Sinister, opens the canister after Stryfe is apparently killed by Cable, releasing the virus.^[10][1] The virus kills various mutants, including Magik, Mastermind, and Pyro, before Colossus sacrifices himself to cure the infected.^{[1][2][9][11][12]}

The Legacy Virus later returns in X-Force (2009), with Bastion having obtained a sample. Bastion and the Leper Queen infect Beautiful Dreamer and Fever Pitch with the virus, causing them to go berserk and kill themselves and thousands of civilians during an anti-mutant rally. Hellion and Surge are also infected, but are cured by Elixir.^[13]

In Deadpool/Wolverine (2025), Stryfe creates a new version of the Legacy Virus that enables him to control the minds of those affected.^[11][14]

Other versions

The Ultimate Marvel universe version of the Legacy Virus is created by Nick Fury in an attempt to replicate the Super Soldier experiment that created Captain America. The virus turns normal humans into super-strong beings, but is fatal to mutants, prompting Fury to hold Beast in S.H.I.E.L.D. custody to coerce him to find a cure for it, in the event that there is ever an outbreak.^{[volume & issue needed]}

In other media

Television

The Legacy Virus appears in the X-Men: The Animated Series two-part episode "Time Fugitives".^[15]

Film

The Legacy Virus appears in Logan. This version was created by Zander Rice to wipe out the world's mutant population to avenge his father's death by Wolverine during the Weapon X program.

Video games

• The Legacy Virus appears in X-Men 2: Game Master's Legacy.
• The Legacy Virus appears in Marvel: Ultimate Alliance.