Actually, IIRC, it just disappeared. He didn’t moult. So possibly his claws would have just…vanished. Yay science!
The most reasonable-sounding fanwank I’ve encountered on this is that the X-factor doesn’t actually vary significantly from mutant to mutant. The manifestation of it is different due to environmental (and possibly psychological) factors. Basically, the idea is that the X-factor enables each mutant to subconsciously manipulate his or her body in a way that manifests a power. Once the manipulation is complete, the power is set permanently (or at least until some writer changes it). Sometimes, the power is appropriate to the mutant’s current needs, and sometimes it’s almost random.
It doesn’t explain things like why related mutants sometimes have closely related powers (like Cyclops and Havok). Presumably, there must be a predisposition to certain manifestations–possibly influenced by genes other than the X-gene itself.
I don’t think you have to worry about small particles of adamantium breaking off. The stuff can survive a direct hit from a nuclear bomb; I don’t think it’s going to erode off from a little elbow friction. For that matter, “adamantium poisoning” doesn’t make much sense either, for the same reason.
I guess you’d have to assume some kind of catalytic effect. The adamantium doesn’t break down, but it triggers some kind of detrimental reaction in blood and/or tissue exposed to it. (At this point, I think we’ve put more thought into this than everyone at Marvel combined.)
As to what would happen with Wolvie’s claws if his mutations were shut down…
The bone claws and related musculature would disappear (using the precedent of Beast, instantaneously), leaving him with unattached, very heavy, razor-sharp blades of adamantium nestled in his arms.
In the movie, he’s shown as having guides for the claws in his forearms, which would at least keep them from ripping out the top or bottom of his forearms. But, without the musculature to control it, they’d be loose, so when he rested his arms facing downward at all, once gravity gets working - ‘snikt’.
IF he’s lucky, the guides won’t also stop the blades, so they’ll just fall out of his hands when this happens. Result - some surgery, and he’ll be fine, if scarred, and not as dexterous as he used to be.
If, on the other hand, the guides do stop the claws…then we have the issue of the claws popping in and out whenever he moves his arms - and they and the guides are made of adamantium…good luck removing them.
So would Angel’s wings just disappear, then reappear?
I guess I can sort of buy that. Most mutants seem to “psionically” control their powers so maybe physical mutations are simply a subconscious manipulation of the matter in their own bodies.
In that case though, when Angel lost his wings in the comics, he should probably have been able to regenerate them, unless he had some sort of mental block.
I don’t understand the problem. Why would it be difficult to remove the whole mass of adamantium from his arm(s)? The trouble is only when you’re trying to alter the adamantium; taking it out should be no biggie.
You’re assuming that the guides aren’t anchored to the adamantium sheaths on his arm bones. Logically, they should be anchored that way to keep them from moving around or even tearing out of his arms under extreme strain. If so, they’d have to find a way to remove the adamantium sheathing the bones in order to remove the guides.
It’s not just bolted to his bones - or even wrapped around it - it’s permanently bonded to them. And if it was just wrapped around it, that still would prevent its easy removal - adamantium is not malleable, ductile, or brittle.
Removing the adamantium - even the guides for the claws - would mean removing the bones entirely, which presents its own problems.
Well, there’s one other possible option - Magneto could rip it out, like he did at least once in the comics. Not exactly a likely option, in this case.
Oh, yeah, I forgot about that. Even though I discussed it upthread! :o
Didn’t Bullseye get the adamantium skeleton treatment, and survive without benefit of a healing factor?