| Dark X-Men | |
|---|---|
 The Dark X-Men Art bySimone Bianchi | |
| Group publication information | |
| Publisher | Marvel Comics |
| First appearance | Uncanny X-Men #513 (September2009) |
| Created by | Matt Fraction Terry Dodson |
| In-story information | |
| Type of organization | Team |
| Leader(s) | Norman Osborn |
| Dark X-Men | |
| Series publication information | |
| Publisher | Marvel Comics |
| Schedule | Monthly |
| Format | Limited series |
| Genre | |
| Publication date | (Dark X-Men: The Beginning) September – October2009 (Dark X-Men) January – May2010 |
| Number of issues | Dark X-Men: The Beginning 3 Dark X-Men 5 |
| Creative team | |
| Writer(s) | Dark X-Men: The Beginning Paul Cornell James Asmus Shane McCarthy Marc Bernardin Adam Freeman Rob Williams Jason Aaron Simon Spurrier Dark X-Men Paul Cornell |
| Artist(s) | Dark X-Men: The Beginning Ibraim Roberson Michel LaCombe Paco Diaz Jock Paul Davidson |
| Penciller(s) | Dark X-Men: The Beginning Leonard Kirk Jesse Delperdang Dark X-Men Leonard Kirk |
| Inker(s) | Dark X-Men: The Beginning Jay Leisten Andy Lanning Dark X-Men Jay Leisten |
| Letterer(s) | Rob Steen |
| Colorist(s) | Dark X-Men: The Beginning Brian Reber Ranier Beredo Matt Milla John Rauch Edgar Delgado Dave Stewart Dark X-Men Brian Reber |
| Creator(s) | Matt Fraction Terry Dodson |
| Editor(s) | Daniel Ketchum Nick Lowe Joe Quesada |
TheDark X-Men are a fictional team appearing inAmerican comic books published byMarvel Comics. They made their debut during thecrossover betweenDark Avengers andUncanny X-Men written byMatt Fraction, as part of the broaderDark Reign storyline.[1] Each member but Namor has been handpicked by then–H.A.M.M.E.R. directorNorman Osborn for his own criminal agenda.
In-universe, the team was never officially called the "Dark X-Men" (which was the name of the comics series, not the team). Instead, they were simply called the "X-Men" and were a government-sponsored team trying to take advantage of the name recognition ofCharles Xavier's X-Men, to which they had no official connection (much like Osborn'sAvengers team was pretending to be the realAvengers).
At the 2009Emerald City ComiCon, writer Matt Fraction confirmed that the Dark X-Men would not be featured in a title of their own, but would rather be featured inUncanny X-Men during the crossover withDark Avengers.[2]
In an April 16, 2009 interview withComic Book Resources, Fraction explained the whole idea behind the Dark X-Men was to create three teams;Norman Osborn'sDark Avengers,Scott Summers's X-Men, and Emma Frost's new "Dark" X-Men.[1]
Comic book writerJason Aaron stated in March 2009 thatMystique would have a short story in theDark X-Men: The Beginning mini-series, but did not confirm whether or not she would join the team;[3] it was later shown that Mystique was impersonatingProfessor X to make the media believe Charles Xavier supported Norman Osborn's decisions. Similarly,Dark Beast was mentioned as featured in the first two issues ofDark X-Men: The Beginning, but was not confirmed as member of the Dark X-Men.[4] However, both of them were actually revealed as members of the team (with Mystique impersonating Professor X) in Uncanny X-Men #513, released on July 1, 2009.
Other members of the team Fraction chose include Cloak and Dagger, neither of which have had strong ties to any of theX-Men books. "They're here presented with a chance to have their reputations exonerated and their records sealed [if they join the Dark X-Men]," explains Fraction in an interview with Marvel.com. "Osborn presents it to them as the ultimate public service, [where] they can work off their past indiscretions—[such as] Cloak's dealings with the Avengers during the [Skrull] invasion."[5] Fraction reveals the more appealing part of Dark X-Men was to see how Cloak and Dagger react in a real superhero team scenario.[5] Cloak and Dagger's involvement with the Dark X-Men has put their proposed miniseries on hold.[6]
Another team member worthy of note is Mimic, who sees joining this team as a chance to do some good. Writer James Asmus explained: "To actually be invited onto a team—and one working for the government, no less—gives him a vote of confidence that was sorely needed in his life. Unfortunately for Cal, he doesn't realize he didn't sign up with the good guys."[7] The first issue ofDark X-Men: The Beginning will feature stories about Namor, Mimic and Dark Beast. The second featured stories about Cloak & Dagger, Weapon Omega and Daken. The third featured stories about Emma Frost & Namor, Mystique & Norman trying to recruitAurora.
Following the conclusion ofUtopia a 5-issue mini-series titledDark X-Men, written by Paul Cornell and illustrated by Leonard Kirk, was published. The team roster consisted of Dark Beast, Mimic, Mystique (no longer impersonating Charles Xavier), and Weapon Omega, and showed the re-emergence ofNate Grey.
In 2009, a team of X-Men assembled byNorman Osborn during the "Utopia" storyline as part of the overarching "Dark Reign" event.[8]
| Character | Real name |
|---|---|
| Mystique | Unrevealed (alias: Raven Darkhölme) |
| White Queen | Emma Frost |
| Sub-Mariner | Namor McKenzie |
| Wolverine | Daken Akihiro |
| Mimic | Calvin Montgomery Rankin |
| Omega | Michael Pointer |
| Cloak | Tyrone Johnson |
| Dagger | Tandy Bowen |
| Dark Beast (Earth-295) | Henry Philip McCoy |
A new Dark X-Men team is forged by Madelyne Pryor in 2023 in light ofOrchis attacking theHellfire Gala.[9]
| Character | Name |
|---|---|
| Goblin Queen | Madelyne Pryor |
| Havok | Alexander Summers |
| Gimmick / Feint | Carmen Maria Cruz |
| Gambit | Remy Etienne LeBeau |
| Archangel | Warren Worthington III |
| Maggott | Japheth |
| Emplate | Marius St. Croix |
| Azazel | |
| Zero | Kenji Uedo |
| Albert | |
| Title | Material collected | Published date | ISBN |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dark X-Men: The Beginning | Dark X-Men: The Beginning #1-3,X-Men Legacy #226-227 | December 2009 | 978-0785142300 |
| Avengers/X-Men: Utopia | Uncanny X-Men #513-514,X-Men: Legacy #226-227,Dark Avengers/Uncanny X-Men: Exodus,Dark Avengers/Uncanny X-Men: Utopia;Dark Avengers #7-8,Dark X-Men: The Beginning #1-3,Dark X-Men: The Confession | November 2009 | 978-0785142331 |
| Dark X-Men | Dark X-Men #1-5 | May 2010 | 978-0785145264 |