Do we like them?

Do we like Mystique?

A character from X-Men (Marvel Comics) (1978–present)

Our score: 3 out of 10. Fiercely loyal to her own family and cause, but she lies, kills and manipulates anyone in her way. We'd admire her skills and still never trust her with a spare key.

Mystique first appeared in Ms. Marvel in 1978, created by Chris Claremont and Dave Cockrum. She can take on the look and voice of almost anyone. That makes her an ideal spy, thief and assassin, and one of the X-Men's most persistent enemies.

She founded a Brotherhood of mutants, a team that fights the X-Men and the human world, and she works alongside her partner Destiny. She treats mutant freedom as a cause worth any cost. She also takes on jobs for money or leverage, and she changes sides whenever that suits her.

Her family life is complicated. She is the mother of Nightcrawler and Graydon Creed and the adoptive mother of Rogue. She really does care about her children, but she often hurts them while chasing her goals. That mix of devotion and ruthlessness earns her a low score. We'd back her cause sometimes, but not her methods.