Hoggoth - Hope

For the first mutant born after the events of House of M and Decimation, see Hope Summers (comics).

Hope (Esperanza Ling) is a fictional mutant in the Marvel Comics universe. She first appeared in Warlock vol 3 #1 and was created by Louise Simonson and Pasqual Ferry.

Hope is the granddaughter of the owner of Ling Industries. The rest of her family was killed by the Phalanx while visiting Switzerland. It was initially assumed that she was protected by a mutant ability of immunity against infections. She was infected by the transmode virus and was infectious to others by touch, but did not suffer the transformation usually associated with the virus. Imprisoned and experimented on by Mainspring research facility, she was later freed by and shortly allied with Warlock.

Ultimately it was discovered that her actual mutant power was not immunity from infection, but transmutation. She could alter the molecular structure of matter she could touch by conscious thought. So she was not actually infectious with the virus (which she had transmuted into harmless matter, hence her not suffering from its effects directly), but had assumed that she was, and her abilities transformed objects she touched into transmode virus infected material. Ultimately she learned she could transmute matter into other materials (such as glass) and so would not spread the transmode infection anymore.

She also is accompanied by her pet monkey, Chi-Chee.

Hope is listed as a potential recruit for the Initiative; however, it is unclear whether she still retains her mutant powers.

• Hope (Liberty Legion)
• Horde