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The island underwent a dramatic transformation performed by the [[Phoenix Force (comics)#Avengers vs. X-Men|Phoenix Five]], turning it into a virtual mutant paradise called "Pax Utopia", but also into a ''dystopia'' (they became tyrants), during ''Avengers vs. X-Men''; until it was partially destroyed and fully abandoned after the events of the storyline were finished.<ref>''Avengers vs. X-Men'' #6-12</ref> | The island underwent a dramatic transformation performed by the [[Phoenix Force (comics)#Avengers vs. X-Men|Phoenix Five]], turning it into a virtual mutant paradise called "Pax Utopia", but also into a ''dystopia'' (they became tyrants), during ''Avengers vs. X-Men''; until it was partially destroyed and fully abandoned after the events of the storyline were finished.<ref>''Avengers vs. X-Men'' #6-12</ref> | ||
===Sixth version=== | |||
For a brief time, Magneto tried to help protect mutantkind with more compassionate methods, namely by mentoring the time-displaced young X-Men.<ref>''X-Men: Blue'' #1</ref> Following a global crisis caused by the release of the power-bestowing virus Mothervine, Magneto was pushed to his emotional brink<ref>''X-Men: Blue'' #28</ref> and vowed to once again advance his mutant agenda by any means necessary.<ref>''X-Men: Blue'' #30</ref> After abandoning the young X-Men, Magneto set up a new Asteroid M which became a sanctuary for the mutants that emerged from Mothervine and established a new incarnation of the Brotherhood of Mutants.<ref>''X-Men: Blue'' #34</ref> | |||
==Other versions== | ==Other versions== | ||
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| Asteroid M | |
|---|---|
| First appearance | X-Men #5 (May 1964) |
| Characters | Magneto Acolytes X-Men Mutantkind |
| Publisher | Marvel Comics |
Asteroid M is the name of severalfictional settings appearing inAmerican comic books published byMarvel Comics. They are each depicted as anasteroid converted by themutantMagneto into his home/orbiting base. Asteroid M was created byStan Lee andJack Kirby, inX-Men #5 (May 1964). TheX-Men converted the remains of the first version of Asteroid M intoUtopia, a separatist mutant homeland.
Asteroid M has been destroyed and reconstructed by the Master of Magnetism many times since it was first introduced. Each iteration has had several internal levels, including an observation deck, hangar bays and medical facilities. The various facilities have had technology that keep the asteroid concealed from standard detection technology. They have all been positioned in a lowgeosynchronous orbit. Each asteroid was relatively small yet sufficiently large that it could not be shot down, or destroyed externally, without the risk of massive devastation toEarth.
Magneto completes construction on Asteroid M just before recruiting his children,Quicksilver and theScarlet Witch into his group, theBrotherhood of Mutants, as seen inX-Men, vol. 2 #-1 (July 1997). This first version is destroyed in a battle with the original team of X-Men inX-Men #5 (May 1964) after the Brotherhood kidnapped the Angel and held him prisoner there. The X-Men got there using a rocket that was being used to transport theToad. This version has a device on it that can increase Magneto's magnetic powers.
Asteroid M is reconstructed just after Magneto imprisons the X-Men in hisAntarctic citadel, reducing them to the level of six-month-old babies, around the time ofX-Men #113 (September 1978).
The space station is severely damaged whenWarlock, an alien being from a techno-organic civilization with rigid rules and regulations, is fleeing to Earth. He collides with Asteroid M, breaking it to pieces, as seen inNew Mutants, vol. 1 #21 (November 1984).
During his brief association with theHellfire Club, Magneto builds a fancier version of Asteroid M. Wanting a contingency plan if things don't work out with the Club, Magneto proceeds to rebuild his base of operations to survey the Earth from high above. From there, he hears of the troubles of his daughter, theScarlet Witch. He descends to Earth to bring her back to his space station. This version was first seen inAvengers West Coast #57 (April 1990).
When theWest Coast Avengers attack Asteroid M to free their team-mate, we learn that Magneto has service robots on the station. The service robots are instrumental in alerting Magneto to the presence of theWasp on his base. Furthermore, we learn that the entire asteroid isn't made out of metallic objects.Quicksilver demonstrates this when he rips plastic tubing out of one the consoles.
After events involvingZaladane, in theSavage Land, Magneto returns to Asteroid M to live in peace, but his peace doesn't last very long.Acolytes, led originally byFabian Cortez, request and are granted sanctuary by Magneto on Asteroid M, to escape American soldiers that are chasing them.
InX-Men, vol. 2 #1 (October 1991), it is stated that the asteroid is ingeosynchronous orbit and 250 kilometers above the Earth. The asteroid also has selective inhibitor fields that may keep mutants or superhumans from using their powers. This version of the asteroid has medical and science facilities, an observation deck, sleeping quarters, and a swimming pool.
This third version of Asteroid M is destroyed inX-Men, vol. 2 #3 (December 1991). From an escape pod, Cortez sets off nuclear missiles that were around the asteroid. Although Magneto survives the re-entry of Asteroid M to Earth, the rest of the original Acolytes do not. The remains of this Asteroid M crash in theMiddle East.Forge,Henry Peter Gyrich, and other government officials, inspect the wreckage inUncanny X-Men #299 (April 1993).
During thePlanet X storyline,Xorn (who is pretending to beMagneto) trapsWolverine andJean Grey on a new version of Asteroid M, which he moves into theSun.
| Utopia | |
|---|---|
| File:XMEN-Utopia.jpg Utopia Art byNiko Henrichon | |
| First appearance | Dark Avengers #8 |
| Characters | X-Men Mutants Atlanteans |
| Publisher | Marvel Comics |
After the X-Men are chased out of their new base in San Francisco byNorman Osborn and theDark Avengers, in the conclusion to the storyline "Utopia", Cyclops sets up the new headquarters and mutant sanctuary on the ruins of the original Asteroid M, which was raised from the bottom of the ocean.
Christening it "Utopia," this version is more of a haven than a base of operations, brought on not by a desire to make a place among mankind, but to simply get away from it.[1] Although Utopia is sometimes referred to as a "mutant nation," it is as yet unclear if this is simply a figure of speech or if Utopia hasliterallyseceded from the United States and is now a sovereign nation.
The island first appeared to be in trouble of only being a temporary home as the technology keeping it afloat was not stable and the island was starting to sink back into the ocean. However, a recently recruitedMagneto was able to make a deal withNamor in which he and the Atlanteans would help construct a pillar underneath the island, connecting it to the ocean floor and keeping it afloat. This pillar would also serve as the new home to the Atlanteans, who had been scattered across the sea ever since Atlantis was destroyed.
The island underwent a dramatic transformation performed by thePhoenix Five, turning it into a virtual mutant paradise called "Pax Utopia", but also into adystopia (they became tyrants), duringAvengers vs. X-Men; until it was partially destroyed and fully abandoned after the events of the storyline were finished.[2]
For a brief time, Magneto tried to help protect mutantkind with more compassionate methods, namely by mentoring the time-displaced young X-Men.[3] Following a global crisis caused by the release of the power-bestowing virus Mothervine, Magneto was pushed to his emotional brink[4] and vowed to once again advance his mutant agenda by any means necessary.[5] After abandoning the young X-Men, Magneto set up a new Asteroid M which became a sanctuary for the mutants that emerged from Mothervine and established a new incarnation of the Brotherhood of Mutants.[6]
In the aftermath of the gathering of the Twelve, the Asteroid M was seen in a series of reality warps where Apocalypse attempted to use the X-Men and their powers.
In theMarvel Zombies universe, Asteroid M is in use when the zombie plague strikes that Earth. Magneto orders his acolytes to prepare it as the possible last, best hope for mankind.[7] Despite Magneto's later death, it does eventually serve this purpose, acting as the basis for the last human colony. Its more notable residents includeFabian Cortez, Joanna Cargill,Black Panther, andForge. Years later, the residents move back to Earth.[8]
In an issue ofWhat If? that asks "What If Magneto Ruled All Mutants," Magneto and the remainder of mutantkind reside and travel the universe in Asteroid M.[9]
It should be noted, in all of its appearances inanimation it is destroyed soon after it appears.
