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| Xorn | |
|---|---|
.png) | |
| Publication information | |
| Publisher | Marvel Comics |
| First appearance | New X-Men Annual 2001 (September 2001) |
| Created by | Grant Morrison (writer) Frank Quitely (artist) |
| In-story information | |
| Alter ego | Kuan-Yin Xorn Shen Xorn |
| Species | Human mutant |
| Team affiliations | (Kuan-Yin) X-Men Brotherhood of Mutants Xavier Institute (Shen) X-Men |
| Notable aliases | (Kuan-Yin) Magneto, The Collective,Michael Pointer |
| Abilities | (Kuan-Yin)
(Shen)
|
Xorn is the alias of two fictional characters appearing inAmerican comic books published byMarvel Comics. He first appeared inNew X-Men Annual 2001 (September 2001). He was created byGrant Morrison andFrank Quitely. He is amutant who has a miniature star residing in his head, which gives him the abilities of gravitational electromagnetism, self-sustenance, and healing. He is most commonly associated with theX-Men andBrotherhood of Mutants. Initially in the pages ofNew X-Men, he was revealed to beMagneto in disguise. However,Excalibur established him as a separate character namedKuan-Yin Xorn and his brotherShen Zorn.
Xorn first appeared inNew X-Men Annual 2001 (September 2001), Xorn was created byGrant Morrison andFrank Quitely.[1] Originally depicted as aChinesemutant with a "star for a brain," he is eventually revealed to be the X-Men's nemesisMagneto in disguise at the climax of Morrison's run. After Magneto is apparently killed during the "Planet X" story arc, he appears alive in 2004'sExcalibur (vol. 3) #1, which established that Xorn never was Magneto. Marvel has presented several partial explanations, both in the comics pages and in the press as to the true nature, identity, and motives of Xorn.
Grant Morrison intended Xorn to be Magneto from his first appearance. As Morrison stated in an interview after they leftNew X-Men, "In my opinion, there really should not have been an actual Xorn - he had to be fake, that was the cruel point of him".[2] In fact, soon after the revelation of Xorn's identity inNew X-Men #146, readers pointed out that clues that Xorn was actually Magneto had been hidden throughout Morrison's run.[3][4] According to then-X-Men writerChuck Austen, the X-Men editors liked the Xorn character and hoped Morrison would change their mind about the revelation; when Morrison did not, the editors asked Austen to bring Xorn back as a separate character. Morrison has expressed criticism of this subsequent retcon in interviews.[5][6] Marvel also wanted to continue using Magneto; Austen stated that "Marvel saw value in Magneto not being a mass-murderer of New Yorkers."[7]
The true identity of Xorn, and his relationship to Magneto, became a subject of confusion for fans. Marvel refrained from giving any complete explanation, eventually hinting the summer 2005 crossoverHouse of M would clear up the situation.[8] The Xorn entry in theOfficial Handbook of the Marvel Universe: X-Men 2005 stated that "Kuan-Yin eventually revealed himself to be aduplicate of the X-Men's nemesis Magneto, a transformation believed to have been caused by Magneto's daughter, theScarlet Witch." This explanation was based on a suggestion inHouse of M #7 whereinDoctor Strange speculates Wanda has been 'playing with the world' for far longer than even she knows, and may have been responsible for her father's puzzling rebirth. An alternative explanation has since been given in the pages ofNew Avengers since, according to Marvel editorTom Brevoort, "nobody was satisfied with that offhanded non-explanation, and it didn't make a heck of a lot of sense by itself even as a throwaway".[9]
In a 2006 interview, Marvel editor-in-chiefJoe Quesada reiterated the Shen Xorn/Kuan-Yin Xorn explanation, but added that "because Xorn's powers were psychokinetic, and his personality was so strong, it basically remained an almost disembodied sentient thing among the big ball of mutant energy. When that energy got sucked down to Earth by Michael [Pointer] and all absorbed by him, Xorn was the dominant personality in the mix, and that's what drove him towards Genosha and Magneto."[10]
Xorn is introduced as a prisoner of theChinese government, where a corrupt mutant official offers to sell him toSublime. While in the prison of Feng Tu, Xorn is forced to wear a skull-like mask designed to restrain his energy output, as he has a "sun" in place of a brain. TheX-Men and Sublime'sU-Men find Xorn just as he is attempting to commit suicide by removing his mask, which would destroy Earth.Cyclops andEmma Frost establish contact with Xorn, convincing him not to kill himself, and offer him a position among the X-Men. Xorn is next seen inNew X-Men #122, where Cyclops is informed that Xorn possesses healing abilities. Xorn heals the X-Men of a nano-Sentinel infection, restoringProfessor X's ability to walk in the process.
Despite the ordeals through which he had passed, Xorn is optimistic, open, and even somewhat naïve. Xorn keeps a diary to share his thoughts with Professor Xavier, since Xavier is "blinded by the sun beneath [his] mask" and cannot read his mind.[11] Xorn is soon put in charge of the "Special Class", a group of misfit students attending theXavier Institute.
In the storyline "Planet X", Xorn is revealed to beMagneto, who has been believed dead since the destruction ofGenosha. Magneto explains the Xorn identity was an elaborate ruse crafted with the help of Chinese supporters. Having returned Xavier to a crippled state, Magneto levels the X-Mansion and conquersNew York City, where he enslaves the human population and destroys much of the city.[12][13]
Magneto finds that many of his recruits are unresponsive to his ideas and approach, with some asking for the return of the more humane Xorn, and others doubtful that Magneto has truly returned, much to his chagrin. Magneto announces a plan to invert the planet by reversing its magnetic poles, and employs increasinglyfascistic methods, including the construction of acrematorium in which he plans to eradicate the remaining human population of the city. Magneto killsJean Grey and is killed byWolverine in response.[14]
Xavier takes the body of Magneto to Genosha, where his funeral is held. Shortly afterward, Xavier meets Magneto alive and well on Genosha. Xavier and Magneto later debate the true identity and motives of Xorn, the individual whose body was brought to Genosha. Shortly afterward, Xorn's twin brother Shen Xorn is introduced. He claims that the original Xorn (now referred to as Kuan-Yin Xorn) had impersonated Magneto while under the influence of Sublime. Not too long after, Shen disappears after he unleashes the gravitational forces of his "black hole" for a brain from his head (in direct contrast to his twin brother) while fending of theBrotherhood of Mutants.
Xorn and Magneto are among the mutants who lost their powers to theScarlet Witch during theDecimation event.[15]
Later, an Alaskan postal worker namedMichael Pointer gains the powers of the depowered mutants, in part due to unknowingly being a mutant himself. Disoriented and wielding the power of at least fifty mutants, he rampages across ruralCanada, kills nearly every member ofAlpha Flight, and destroys downtownCleveland. AfterSpider-Man andVision discover the nature of Pointer's powers, he is allowed to leave, and so travels, without causing further destruction, to Genosha.[16]
The collective of energy, now revealed to be sentient and responsible for Pointer's actions, transfers into Magneto, restoring his powers. Magneto recognizes the intelligence controlling the energy as Xorn. Xorn explains he took the image of Magneto because he knew mutants would follow him, and they needed the real Magneto again.Quake, Iron Man,Ms. Marvel, andSentry combine their powers to separate the Collective/Xorn from Magneto and send it into the sun.[17]
During the "Inhumanity" storyline, Terrigen Mist is spread across Earth, proving fatal to mutants and suppressing any new mutant manifestation. A militant band composed of Inhumans and Mutants known as theDark Riders, who long believed in "survival of the fittest", begin killing mutant healers. One of their targets is Shen Xorn, who is revealed to have been regained his powers and has now secluded himself somewhere in Tibet. He is able to kill Barrage and make quick work of the rest of the Riders.[18]
Following the consolidation of mutant peoples onKrakoa during theHouse of X storyline, Kuan-Yin Xorn is resurrected through Krakoa's resurrection protocols.[19] The Xorn brothers (now calling themselves Xorn and Zorn) remain on Krakoa and occasionally lend their powers to other mutants' causes - such asDavid Haller's work as a community healer.
In 2014,Entertainment Weekly ranked Xorn 55th in their "Let's rank every X-Man ever" list.[20]
An alternate universe version of Xorn appears in "Age of Apocalypse". This version is an identity assumed byHusk, who was believed to have been dead. Husk was manipulated byMister Sinister and assumed the identity of Xorn, infiltrating the X-Men to kill Magneto andRogue's son Charles.[21]
An alternate universe version of Xorn appears in the storylineBattle of the Atom. This version is a time-displaced counterpart ofJean Grey who requires the Xorn mask to control her powers and is an ally of the Brotherhood of Mutants.[22][23][24]
Alternate universe versions of the Xorn siblings appear in theUltimate Marvel imprint. These versions are the leaders of the People, a genetically altered species of superhumans who were created by the Southeast Asian Republic as super-soldiers, but later rebelled.[25]
Alternate universe versions of the Xorn siblings from Earth-71202 appear inNew Avengers (vol. 3) #24, where they are killed byTerrax during theCabal's attack on their universe.[26]
In one of the timelines experienced byMoira MacTaggert during thePowers of X storyline, Kuan-Yin Xorn becomes one of the finalHorsemen ofApocalypse, representing Death. His powers are reversed, sucking away life rather than restoring it, and his helmet is now a mostly-open mask from which blue flame spouts.[27] AfterRasputin IV encounters Xorn, she removes his mask at his request, which exposes thesingularity in his head and destroys the universe.[28]
Xorn appears as aDLC skin for Magneto inMarvel: Ultimate Alliance.