The Dark X-Men are a fictional team appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. They made their debut during the crossover between Dark Avengers and Uncanny X-Men written by Matt Fraction, as part of the broader Dark Reign storyline.[1] Each member but Namor has been handpicked by then–H.A.M.M.E.R. director Norman Osborn for his own criminal agenda.

Dark X-Men
The Dark X-Men
Art by Simone Bianchi
Group publication information
PublisherMarvel Comics
First appearanceUncanny X-Men #513 (September 2009)
Created byMatt Fraction
Terry Dodson
In-story information
Type of organizationTeam
Leader(s)Norman Osborn
Dark X-Men
Series publication information
PublisherMarvel Comics
ScheduleMonthly
FormatLimited series
Genre
Publication date(Dark X-Men: The Beginning)
September – October 2009
(Dark X-Men)
January – May 2010
Number of issuesDark 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

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 of Charles Xavier's X-Men, to which they had no official connection (much like Osborn's Avengers team was pretending to be the real Avengers).

Publication history

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At the 2009 Emerald 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 in Uncanny X-Men during the crossover with Dark Avengers.[2]

In an April 16, 2009 interview with Comic Book Resources, Fraction explained the whole idea behind the Dark X-Men was to create three teams; Norman Osborn's Dark Avengers, Scott Summers's X-Men, and Emma Frost's new "Dark" X-Men.[1]

Comic book writer Jason Aaron stated in March 2009 that Mystique would have a short story in the Dark 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 impersonating Professor 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 of Dark 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 the X-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 of Dark 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 recruit Aurora.

Following the conclusion of Utopia a 5-issue mini-series titled Dark 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 of Nate Grey.

Norman Osborn's X-Men

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In 2009, a team of X-Men assembled by Norman Osborn during the "Utopia" storyline as part of the overarching "Dark Reign" event.[8]

Members
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

Dark X-Men 2023

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A new Dark X-Men team is forged by Madelyne Pryor in 2023 in light of Orchis attacking the Hellfire Gala.[9]

Members
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

Collected editions

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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

References

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  1. ^ a b Richards, Dave (2009-04-16). "Matt Fraction Talks Uncanny X-Men". Comic Book Resources. Retrieved 2009-04-17.
  2. ^ "ECCC: Pint O' C.B." Comic Book Resources. April 6, 2009.
  3. ^ "X-Position: Jason Aaron". Comic Book Resources. 2009-05-12. Retrieved 2009-05-12.
  4. ^ "Marvel Comics Solicitations, July 2009". Comic Book Resources. 2009-04-21. Retrieved 2009-05-28.
  5. ^ a b Strom, Marc (2009-05-27). "Our Dark X-Men Week continues with an in-depth look at Cloak and Dagger". Marvel.com. Retrieved 2009-05-28.
  6. ^ "My Cup o' Joe". MySpace Comic Books. 2009-05-01. Archived from the original on 2009-05-05. Retrieved 2009-05-01.
  7. ^ "Dark X-Men: Deadly Genesis". Marvel.com. 2009-06-11. Retrieved 2009-06-11.
  8. ^ Murray, Kirsten (May 8, 2019). "All Of The Dark X-Men, Ranked". Retrieved October 19, 2020.
  9. ^ Foxe, Steve (August 16, 2023). "Dark X-Men (2023) #1". Retrieved August 24, 2023.
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