SUPERHUMAN LAWS OF THE MARVEL UNIVERSE
Since the dawn of Super Heroes, the Marvel Universe's governments have sought to regulate them—sometimes with their blessing, but often without. From the relationship-shattering conflicts of CIVIL WAR to the numerous laws targeting mutant rights, superhuman laws and legislation have reshaped the Marvel Universe. Here are some of the Marvel Universe's most notable laws on superhuman activity.
Laying Down the Law
In Uncanny X-Men (1981) #141
The events of DAYS OF FUTURE PAST kick off with the Mutant Control Act. Endorsed by future President Robert Kelly, an anti-mutant politician, the Mutant Control Act was ruled unconstitutional by the Supreme Court. In response, Kelly unleashed an army of Sentinels that took over the United States under their directive to eradicate all mutants, establishing the ruthless regime of this alternate future timeline.
In Uncanny X-Men (1981) #181
Undeterred by an assassination attempt, Senator Kelly still introduced the Mutant Registation Act, which required every mutant to register with the federal government, justified several mutant-hunting Sentinel operations, and led to the imprisonment of numerous mutants.
In Fantastic Four (1961) #335
Inspired by the Mutant Registration Act, Congress briefly considered the Super Registration Act, which would have required all superhumans to register with the federal government. Here, the Fantastic Four step up to defend the superhuman community.
The Superhuman Registration Act
In Civil War (2006) #1
The U.S. government successfully ratified the Superhuman Registration Act with Iron Man's blessing after an explosive battle between the New Warriors and Nitro left hundreds dead. Subsequently, the Super Hero community went to war, with Captain America leading an anti-registration faction against Iron Man's pro-registration army. The consequences of this conflict reverberate through the Marvel Universe to this day.
In Uncanny X-Men (1981) #509
When the X-Men moved to San Francisco, Simon Trask launched a campaign for Proposition X, AKA the Mutant Breeding Act Ballot Initiative, which would ban carriers of the X-gene from having children. The fallout led to martial law and the X-Men's relocation to Utopia, an island built from the remnants of Magneto's Asteroid M base.
The Underage Superhuman Welfare Act
In Outlawed (2020) #1
Also known as Kamala's Law, the Underage Superhuman Welfare Act barred anyone under the age of 21 from operating as a vigilante without an assigned older mentor. To enforce the law, several former teen heroes and S.H.I.E.L.D. agents formed an agency called Child Hero Reconnaissance and Disruption Law Enforcement (C.R.A.D.L.E.).
In Devil's Reign (2021) #1
During his tenure as Mayor of New York City, Wilson Fisk unveiled the Powers Act, which banned unlicensed superhuman vigilantes from New York City—regardless of whether their identities were public or not. He also established his own Thunderbolts, who relentlessly pursued vigilantes in violation of the act. The law ultimately turned New York City into a police state and, later, a warzone.