Utopia (comics)
Encyclopedia
"Utopia" is a 2009 comic book
crossover
story arc
written by Matt Fraction
and published by Marvel Comics
, starring the X-Men
and the Dark Avengers
. The first issue of the crossover was released in June 2009.
After a mutant
riot and an anti-mutant riot in San Francisco, Norman Osborn
tries to enforce peace by creating his own team of Dark X-Men
to serve in much the same way the Dark Avengers
did, and using both his teams to bring down the real X-Men
.
and Uncanny X-Men
titles, starting and ending with bookend one-shots titled Utopia and Exodus, respectively, and is written by Matt Fraction with Brian Michael Bendis
consulting. The read order for the main act is:
Also produced as part of the storyline was a three-issue anthology limited series titled Dark X-Men: The Beginning, similar in style to limited series X-Men: Divided We Stand
and X-Men: Manifest Destiny
, which were written by Paul Cornell
and James Asmus
. Some of the stories featured describe the reasons for each of the individual members of the Dark X-Men
joining the team.
Another set of are X-Men: Legacy #226-227, written by Mike Carey, which describes the battle between the X-Men and Dark Avengers from the outsider's point of view, in particular Rogue
and Gambit
. This begins a new direction for the series which began in X-Men: Legacy Annual.
The main storyline leads into Dark Reign: The List - Uncanny X-Men, also written by Matt Fraction, which then follows into the next Uncanny X-Men arc. The Dark X-Men: The Confession one-shot is written by Chris Yost
and Craig Kyle
of X-Force
. The second arc of the current New Mutants
volume deals with the outcome of Utopia on that team.
" storyline, Cyclops
ordered Wolverine
to form a new X-Force
team to act as his own covert black-ops squad, something Cyclops himself told no one outside the team, in particular the co-leader of the X-Men and his lover, Emma Frost
. Also, in the Secret Invasion: Dark Reign one-shot, at the first meeting of the Cabal
, Norman Osborn
promised Emma Frost
to leave the mutant community in San Francisco alone, provided she kept them under control. Emma kept the fact that she belonged to the Cabal from Cyclops. These secrets almost caused a split in their relationship, but both Cyclops and Emma eventually told each other the truth, promising to keep no more secrets.
Another event of note happened at the start of Messiah Complex, when at the place of birth of the new mutant child
in Cooperstown, Alaska, a battle took place between the Marauders
and the Purifiers
, resulting in the town being completely razed. After that, Simon Trask, the brother of the original Sentinel
s' creator, Bolivar Trask
, a fierce political anti-mutant activist himself, has called for legislating mutant reproductive rights
. Trask's influence resulted in many states supporting the anti-mutant legislation, which in turn began to cause turmoil in the mutant community.
is taken into custody. As X-Men try to quell the fighting all over San Francisco, Norman Osborn shows up, holding an impromptu press conference. He calls for a stop to the rioting, and has Professor X
at his side to back him up. Both ask for Scott Summers
to turn himself in and relinquish his leadership role within the mutant community, but he refuses. Osborn releases the Dark Avengers
into the city, who hunt down X-Men. At the jail, Beast begins to hear voices in his head, and it is revealed that the real Charles Xavier is a few cells over, bleeding and injured, claiming that Osborn has done something to him that is impeding his powers.
, Gambit
and Danger decide to go to San Francisco in order to regroup with the other X-Men. On the way there, they are intercepted by Pixie, who teleports them into the city, which is in a state of chaos due to the anti-mutant and pro-mutant movements. Cyclops sends all three out in order to locate several missing students and bring them home. During their mission, Rogue faces off against the new Ms. Marvel
; finding that she cannot touch her opponent, Rogue resorts to a trick and flees the site.
Later on, she joins Gambit, who has been injured by Ares
, along with Danger. Ares does not take her seriously and dismisses her both as an opponent and her attempts to calm things down. Rogue grabs Ares and absorbs his powers. Ares is dismissive of her attempt and claims that she cannot absorb him, a boast that proves wrong as she weakens him enough for Gambit to blast him bloody and stunned. Having absorbed some of Ares' power, she easily dispatches a small group of H.A.M.M.E.R.
agents with superhuman strength and proceeds to steal their tank, along with Gambit and Danger, in order to find the rest of the students.
Rogue finally catches up with Trance
, a student who has troubles coping to control her powers. Rogue calms her down. Together, they defeat Ms. Marvel.
as the leader. The team is joined by Namor at Frost's request. Frost confirms that Osborn has a shapeshifter posing as Xavier. Osborn confirms that Mystique
is working for him. Emma Frost holds a public meeting introducing the H.A.M.M.E.R.-sanctioned team (Dark X-Men
). They impose a curfew on the city, which is shut down by a group of mutants led by Hellion
, who are attacked by the Dark X-Men. Scott and the rest of the X-Men watch the events on television, debating about what to do next. Meanwhile, Dark Beast
has set up a machine to experiment on mutants in Alcatraz for H.A.M.M.E.R. and starts testing on Beast.
, but Emma stops him in time, reprimanding him that there is no usage of force. While this is all going on, Cyclops secretly meets with Osborn and demands he takes his men out of San Francisco and go bother someone else. Osborn is furious with this demand and threatens to kill Cyclops. The Dark X-Men return to their homebase where Emma (still upset over Daken's actions) demands that Osborn and Dark Beast show her around the facility to make sure that all the captured mutants are being treated fairly. While Emma is being shown around, Xavier speaks to her telepathically unbeknownst to Osborn and Dark Beast. Emma tries to find Xavier, but his cell is rigged with a hologram that shows just an empty storage cell. However, due to Emma's telepathic link to Xavier, she tells him not to worry and she will take care of things. Meanwhile, both the Dark X-Men and Dark Avengers begin to bicker and fight. Back in San Francisco, Simon Trask gathers a group of Human Sentinels who are ready to destroy all mutants, good or evil.
, Domino
, Mindee Cuckoo
, and Psylocke
) different tasks, as well as having them observe Emma's team, who is called out to deal with the Bio-Sentinels attacking San Francisco. Emma discovers that whatever Trask has infected his people with has killed them and they are no longer human. Dani Moonstar goes to Vegas in the hope of approaching someone with a deal. Osborn then sends Emma's team to St. Francis Hospital to deal with Simon Trask. Magik
meets up with X-Force
to retrieve the imprisoned mutants while Psylocke, Kavita Rao
, Madison Jeffries
and Dr. Nemesis
are just off the Pacific coast, reactivating a ship.
, asking for a new ride home and a big sword, implying that she wishes to regain her Valkyrie powers which she once held during her days with the New Mutants. Emma's team successfully disables all the Bio-Sentinels and takes down Trask. The week passes and the Dark X-Men stop several minor crimes. They later watch the Omega Machine in action and Cloak and Dagger
have doubts about this team. Meanwhile, Madison Jeffries
and Psylocke have finished the final installations to the ship. Back at Alcatraz, Hank McCoy is being drained of power, looking even weaker. Dark Beast goes to look for more subjects, but finds that Magik and X-Force have teleported them out, as Mindee warned him would happen. X-Force faces off against Weapon Omega and Dark Beast. Cyclops has Nightcrawler
and Pixie gather all their forces in the chapel and Magik and Pixie teleport them all away, group by group, saying it's "time to go home." The Dark X-Men face off against X-Force, with Emma Frost and Namor revealing themselves as still being a part of the good guy's team by taking out Daken and Mimic
. Cloak and Dagger flee with Namor, Frost, and X-Force after Magik evacuates all the prisoners. The remaining Dark X-Men head back to talk to Osborn. The "ship" the X-Club has reactivated rises up out of the water and is revealed to be an island built onto Asteroid M
. Several mutants gather around Cyclops as he declares, via a televised speech, that the island is outside of Osborn and H.A.M.M.E.R.'s jurisdiction. Cyclops further declares the X-Men's stand against Osborn. Osborn then gathers the Dark Avengers and the remaining Dark X-Men, ordering them to bring him Namor's head and Emma Frost's heart and that Summers sees them do it.
Now: Cyclops and the rest of the X-Men prepare for the Dark Avengers and Dark X-Men's assault on Utopia. The Dark X-Men attack. Warren takes Bullseye out of the equation. Bling, Nekra and Frenzy attack Ms. Marvel. Colossus
goes after Venom. Wolverine and X-23 go after Weapon Omega and Daken. The X-Club go after Dark Beast in retribution for their Beast. Namor takes on The Sentry
, but is defeated. Iron Patriot and Cyclops finally go at it. Mirage, now empowered by Hela, takes on Ares. Iceman
takes on Mimic. Emma goes to Charles to help her to get inside Sentry's head to calm him down. They succeed, but Emma must remain in her diamond state as part of the Void is now inside her. After realizing what he has done, the Sentry leaves the battlefield. Mirage takes down Ares. Osborn is not happy as others of his team fall: Weapon Omega falls to Wolverine. Daken is taken down by Armor
, Pixie and X-23. Mimic is overpowered by the sheer amount of powers. Osborn stands over Cyclops, beaten. Ms. Marvel informs him that they would have to kill them all in order to win this. Osborn tells her to go ahead, but then realizes the sheer amount of mutants as Pixie puts it, all of them X-Men, and in front of the camera. The Dark X-Men retreat. Cyclops goes on national TV to inform the world of Utopia, a place where mutants will be safe from harm and from persecution. Norman also holds a press conference in which he presents himself, his Avengers and his X-Men as the victorious side that managed to drive the mutants away. Osborn also declares the war against the mutants to be over and that Utopia is now their prison.
The X-Men start to rebuild Utopia and make it into more of a safe haven. Emma wonders if the end result will be like Genosha
. Cyclops says no. He will win the same way he beat Norman. Faith. And he is not alone.
After deciding that he wanted to help people, Deadpool makes his way to San Francisco to start a new life. Dressing to 'fit in' (Deadpool wears a set of flamboyantly pink shorts and shirt), Wade is nearly provoked into killing a group of a hecklers, until two teens tell him that no matter what, he's beautiful. Content by the compliment, Wade lets the hecklers live and heads to a local bar where he still manages to beat up (and possibly kill) a group of sailors and the bartender. Again feeling dejected, Wade watches the news during which he sees Cyclops address the world about the new island Utopia that the X-Men have created. Seeing Cyclops urging all mutants to join them, Deadpool comes to the shocked and overjoyed conclusion that Cyclops is speaking to him specifically and decides to join the X-Men.
Meanwhile in New York, the New Avengers watch the news in which Norman Osborn has labeled the X-Men and all mutants on Utopia as traitors to the United States, and designates Utopia a prison colony. Ronin
, upon hearing this, becomes furious that the X-Men are being mistreated this way. Mockingbird and Ms. Marvel suggest that the team should go to Utopia and help their friends, but Ronin doesn't think that will solve much in the bigger picture and attempts to urge the other New Avengers to join him in killing Norman Osborn.
- June 2009 -
- July 2009 -
- August 2009 -
- September 2009 -
Comic book
A comic book or comicbook is a magazine made up of comics, narrative artwork in the form of separate panels that represent individual scenes, often accompanied by dialog as well as including...
crossover
Fictional crossover
A fictional crossover is the placement of two or more otherwise discrete fictional characters, settings, or universes into the context of a single story. They can arise from legal agreements between the relevant copyright holders, or because of unauthorized efforts by fans, or even amid common...
story arc
Story arc
A story arc is an extended or continuing storyline in episodic storytelling media such as television, comic books, comic strips, boardgames, video games, and in some cases, films. On a television program, for example, the story would unfold over many episodes. In television, the use of the story...
written by Matt Fraction
Matt Fraction
Matt Fritchman, better known by the pen name Matt Fraction, is an Eisner Award-winning American comic book writer, known for his work as the writer of The Invincible Iron Man, The Immortal Iron Fist and Uncanny X-Men for Marvel Comics and Casanova for Image Comics.-Career:Fraction wrote two...
and published by Marvel Comics
Marvel Comics
Marvel Worldwide, Inc., commonly referred to as Marvel Comics and formerly Marvel Publishing, Inc. and Marvel Comics Group, is an American company that publishes comic books and related media...
, starring the X-Men
X-Men
The X-Men are a superhero team in the . They were created by writer Stan Lee and artist Jack Kirby, and first appeared in The X-Men #1...
and the Dark Avengers
Dark Avengers
Dark Avengers was an American comic book series published by Marvel Comics. It is part of a series of titles that have featured various iterations of the superhero team the Avengers...
. The first issue of the crossover was released in June 2009.
After a mutant
Mutant (Marvel Comics)
In comic books published by Marvel Comics, a mutant is an organism who possesses a genetic trait called an X-gene that allows the mutant to naturally develop superhuman powers and abilities...
riot and an anti-mutant riot in San Francisco, Norman Osborn
Green Goblin
The Green Goblin is a fictional character, a supervillain who appears in the comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character was created by writer Stan Lee and artist Steve Ditko, and first appeared in The Amazing Spider-Man #14 ....
tries to enforce peace by creating his own team of Dark X-Men
Dark X-Men
The Dark X-Men are a Marvel Comics comic-book team. 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. Each member but Namor has been handpicked by then–H.A.M.M.E.R...
to serve in much the same way the Dark Avengers
Dark Avengers
Dark Avengers was an American comic book series published by Marvel Comics. It is part of a series of titles that have featured various iterations of the superhero team the Avengers...
did, and using both his teams to bring down the real X-Men
X-Men
The X-Men are a superhero team in the . They were created by writer Stan Lee and artist Jack Kirby, and first appeared in The X-Men #1...
.
Publication history
The core storyline runs through the Dark AvengersDark Avengers
Dark Avengers was an American comic book series published by Marvel Comics. It is part of a series of titles that have featured various iterations of the superhero team the Avengers...
and Uncanny X-Men
Uncanny X-Men
Uncanny X-Men, first published as The X-Men, is the flagship Marvel Comics comic book series for the X-Men franchise. It is the mainstream continuity featuring the adventures of the eponymous group of mutant superheroes...
titles, starting and ending with bookend one-shots titled Utopia and Exodus, respectively, and is written by Matt Fraction with Brian Michael Bendis
Brian Michael Bendis
Brian Michael Bendis is an American comic book writer and erstwhile artist. He has won critical acclaim for his self-published, Image Comics and Marvel Comics work, and is one of the most successful writers working in mainstream comics, with his books selling consistently highly for over a...
consulting. The read order for the main act is:
- Chapter 1: Dark Avengers/Uncanny X-Men: Utopia #1 (one-shot)
- Chapter 2: Uncanny X-Men #513
- Chapter 3: Dark Avengers #7
- Chapter 4: Uncanny X-Men #514
- Chapter 5: Dark Avengers #8
- Chapter 6: Dark Avengers/Uncanny X-Men: Exodus #1 (one-shot)
- Epilogue: Dark X-Men: The Confession #1 (one-shot)
- Aftermath: Dark Reign: The List - Uncanny X-Men #1 (one-shot)
Also produced as part of the storyline was a three-issue anthology limited series titled Dark X-Men: The Beginning, similar in style to limited series X-Men: Divided We Stand
X-Men: Divided We Stand
"X-Men: Divided We Stand" is a 2008 comic book storyline published by Marvel Comics as a follow-up storyline to the "Messiah Complex" story arc. The story started with the issues of the X-Men-related titles cover dated April 2008. This included: The Uncanny X-Men; Wolverine vol. 3; X-Factor vol. 3;...
and X-Men: Manifest Destiny
X-Men: Manifest Destiny
"Manifest Destiny" is an American comic book storyline published by Marvel Comics through the X-Men related titles and a number of limited series, including a self titled one...
, which were written by Paul Cornell
Paul Cornell
Paul Cornell is a British writer best known for his work in television drama as well as Doctor Who fiction, and as the creator of one of the Doctor's spin-off companions, Bernice Summerfield....
and James Asmus
James Asmus
James Asmus is a writer, actor and comedian originally from Cleveland Ohio. He has been affiliated with such theaters as "The Annoyance" and the sketch group Hey You Millionaires.-Playwright:...
. Some of the stories featured describe the reasons for each of the individual members of the Dark X-Men
Dark X-Men
The Dark X-Men are a Marvel Comics comic-book team. 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. Each member but Namor has been handpicked by then–H.A.M.M.E.R...
joining the team.
Another set of are X-Men: Legacy #226-227, written by Mike Carey, which describes the battle between the X-Men and Dark Avengers from the outsider's point of view, in particular Rogue
Rogue (comics)
Rogue was first slated to appear in Ms. Marvel #25 , but the book's abrupt cancellation left her original introduction story unpublished for over a decade, before seeing print in Marvel Super Heroes #11 in 1992. Rogue's first published appearance was in Avengers Annual #10...
and Gambit
Gambit (comics)
Gambit is a fictional character, a Marvel Comics superhero that has been a member of the X-Men. Created by writer Chris Claremont and artist Jim Lee, the character first appeared briefly in Uncanny X-Men Annual #14 , weeks before a more comprehensive appearance in Uncanny X-Men #266...
. This begins a new direction for the series which began in X-Men: Legacy Annual.
The main storyline leads into Dark Reign: The List - Uncanny X-Men, also written by Matt Fraction, which then follows into the next Uncanny X-Men arc. The Dark X-Men: The Confession one-shot is written by Chris Yost
Chris Yost
Christopher Yost is a film, animation and comic book writer best known as the head writer of the Marvel animated series The Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes and co-writer of the comic book series New X-Men and X-Force.-Career:Yost began his career in 2002 as an intern in Marvel Comics' west...
and Craig Kyle
Craig Kyle
Craig Kyle is an American writer for Marvel Comics. He has also produced several of Marvel's Direct to DVD animated films and co-produced Thor.-Biography:...
of X-Force
X-Force
X-Force is a fictional Marvel Comics superhero team, one of several spin-offs of the popular X-Men franchise. Conceived by writer/illustrator Rob Liefeld, the team was formed in New Mutants, vol. 1 #100 and soon afterwards was featured in its own series.The group was a new incarnation of the 1980s...
. The second arc of the current New Mutants
New Mutants
The New Mutants are a group of teenaged mutant superheroes-in-training published by Marvel Comics. They have been the main characters of three successive comic book series, which were spin-offs of the popular X-Men franchise....
volume deals with the outcome of Utopia on that team.
Build-up
After the events of the "Messiah ComplexX-Men: Messiah Complex
"Messiah Complex" is a comic book crossover storyline published by Marvel Comics from October 2007 to January 2008, which ran through the various X-Men books....
" storyline, Cyclops
Cyclops (comics)
Cyclops is a fictional character, the leader of the X-Men superhero team in the . A mutant, Cyclops emits a powerful energy beam from his eyes...
ordered Wolverine
Wolverine (comics)
Wolverine is a fictional character, a superhero that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. Born as James Howlett and commonly known as Logan, Wolverine is a mutant, possessing animal-keen senses, enhanced physical capabilities, three retracting bone claws on each hand and a healing...
to form a new X-Force
X-Force
X-Force is a fictional Marvel Comics superhero team, one of several spin-offs of the popular X-Men franchise. Conceived by writer/illustrator Rob Liefeld, the team was formed in New Mutants, vol. 1 #100 and soon afterwards was featured in its own series.The group was a new incarnation of the 1980s...
team to act as his own covert black-ops squad, something Cyclops himself told no one outside the team, in particular the co-leader of the X-Men and his lover, Emma Frost
Emma Frost
Emma Grace Frost is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appeared in Uncanny X-Men #129 , and was created by writer Chris Claremont and artist/co-writer John Byrne....
. Also, in the Secret Invasion: Dark Reign one-shot, at the first meeting of the Cabal
Cabal (comics)
The Cabal is a comic book secret society of supervillains and antiheroes in Marvel Comics' main shared universe. The group was formed in the Dark Reign storyline very shortly after the Secret Invasion event.- History :...
, Norman Osborn
Green Goblin
The Green Goblin is a fictional character, a supervillain who appears in the comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character was created by writer Stan Lee and artist Steve Ditko, and first appeared in The Amazing Spider-Man #14 ....
promised Emma Frost
Emma Frost
Emma Grace Frost is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appeared in Uncanny X-Men #129 , and was created by writer Chris Claremont and artist/co-writer John Byrne....
to leave the mutant community in San Francisco alone, provided she kept them under control. Emma kept the fact that she belonged to the Cabal from Cyclops. These secrets almost caused a split in their relationship, but both Cyclops and Emma eventually told each other the truth, promising to keep no more secrets.
Another event of note happened at the start of Messiah Complex, when at the place of birth of the new mutant child
Hope Summers (comics)
Hope Summers is a fictional comic book superhero appearing in books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appeared in X-Men #205 in 2007 , and was created by writers Mike Carey and artist Chris Bachalo during the "X-Men: Messiah Complex" event...
in Cooperstown, Alaska, a battle took place between the Marauders
Marauders (comics)
The Marauders is a team of fictional supervillain characters in comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by writer Chris Claremont and artist John Romita, Jr., the team first appear in Uncanny X-Men #210 The Marauders is a team of fictional supervillain characters in comic books published by...
and the Purifiers
Purifiers
The Purifiers, also known as the Stryker Crusade, are a fictional paramilitary/terrorist organization in the Marvel Comics universe and enemies of the X-Men...
, resulting in the town being completely razed. After that, Simon Trask, the brother of the original Sentinel
Sentinel (comics)
Sentinels are a fictional variety of mutant-hunting robots, appearing in the Marvel Comics Universe. They are usually portrayed as antagonists to the X-Men. Created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, they first appeared in The X-Men #14 .According to Marvel canon, Sentinels are programmed to locate...
s' creator, Bolivar Trask
Bolivar Trask
Bolivar Trask is a fictional character and a military scientist in the Marvel Comics universe. He first appeared in Uncanny X-Men #14 . He is the creator of the Sentinels.-Fictional character biography:...
, a fierce political anti-mutant activist himself, has called for legislating mutant reproductive rights
Reproductive rights
Reproductive rights are legal rights and freedoms relating to reproduction and reproductive health. The World Health Organization defines reproductive rights as follows:...
. Trask's influence resulted in many states supporting the anti-mutant legislation, which in turn began to cause turmoil in the mutant community.
Chapter I
The tension comes to a head when Trask's anti-mutant group called Humanity Now, marches through San Francisco. On the way to City Hall, they are stopped by several members of the X-Men and riots begin to break out. Eventually, the police intercede and Hank McCoyBeast (comics)
Beast , Dr. Henry Philip "Hank" McCoy, is a comic book character, a Marvel Comics superhero and a member of the mutant team of superheroes known as the X-Men...
is taken into custody. As X-Men try to quell the fighting all over San Francisco, Norman Osborn shows up, holding an impromptu press conference. He calls for a stop to the rioting, and has Professor X
Professor X
Professor Charles Francis Xavier, also known as Professor X, is a fictional character, a Marvel Comics superhero known as the leader and founder of the X-Men....
at his side to back him up. Both ask for Scott Summers
Cyclops (comics)
Cyclops is a fictional character, the leader of the X-Men superhero team in the . A mutant, Cyclops emits a powerful energy beam from his eyes...
to turn himself in and relinquish his leadership role within the mutant community, but he refuses. Osborn releases the Dark Avengers
Dark Avengers
Dark Avengers was an American comic book series published by Marvel Comics. It is part of a series of titles that have featured various iterations of the superhero team the Avengers...
into the city, who hunt down X-Men. At the jail, Beast begins to hear voices in his head, and it is revealed that the real Charles Xavier is a few cells over, bleeding and injured, claiming that Osborn has done something to him that is impeding his powers.
Meanwhile in X-Men: Legacy
During Utopia, RogueRogue (comics)
Rogue was first slated to appear in Ms. Marvel #25 , but the book's abrupt cancellation left her original introduction story unpublished for over a decade, before seeing print in Marvel Super Heroes #11 in 1992. Rogue's first published appearance was in Avengers Annual #10...
, Gambit
Gambit (comics)
Gambit is a fictional character, a Marvel Comics superhero that has been a member of the X-Men. Created by writer Chris Claremont and artist Jim Lee, the character first appeared briefly in Uncanny X-Men Annual #14 , weeks before a more comprehensive appearance in Uncanny X-Men #266...
and Danger decide to go to San Francisco in order to regroup with the other X-Men. On the way there, they are intercepted by Pixie, who teleports them into the city, which is in a state of chaos due to the anti-mutant and pro-mutant movements. Cyclops sends all three out in order to locate several missing students and bring them home. During their mission, Rogue faces off against the new Ms. Marvel
Moonstone (comics)
Moonstone is a fictional character, both a supervillain and superheroine in Marvel Comics' Marvel Universe.-Publication history:...
; finding that she cannot touch her opponent, Rogue resorts to a trick and flees the site.
Later on, she joins Gambit, who has been injured by Ares
Ares (Marvel Comics)
Ares is a fictional character, a deity in the Marvel Comics Universe based on the Greek god of the same name. He first appears in Thor #129 and was created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby....
, along with Danger. Ares does not take her seriously and dismisses her both as an opponent and her attempts to calm things down. Rogue grabs Ares and absorbs his powers. Ares is dismissive of her attempt and claims that she cannot absorb him, a boast that proves wrong as she weakens him enough for Gambit to blast him bloody and stunned. Having absorbed some of Ares' power, she easily dispatches a small group of H.A.M.M.E.R.
H.A.M.M.E.R.
H.A.M.M.E.R. is a fictional espionage and law-enforcement agency in the Marvel Comics Universe led by Norman Osborn. The organization is formed in Secret Invasion #8 to replace S.H.I.E.L.D.. The organization plays a large part in Marvel's "Dark Reign" and Siege events.What H.A.M.M.E.R. stands for,...
agents with superhuman strength and proceeds to steal their tank, along with Gambit and Danger, in order to find the rest of the students.
Rogue finally catches up with Trance
Trance (comics)
Trance is a fictional character appearing in comic books published by the Marvel Comics. A mutant, Hope attended the Xavier Institute before its closing. She retained her powers after M-Day and is a member of the X-Men's training squad....
, a student who has troubles coping to control her powers. Rogue calms her down. Together, they defeat Ms. Marvel.
Chapter II
Osborn creates his official X-Men team with Emma FrostEmma Frost
Emma Grace Frost is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appeared in Uncanny X-Men #129 , and was created by writer Chris Claremont and artist/co-writer John Byrne....
as the leader. The team is joined by Namor at Frost's request. Frost confirms that Osborn has a shapeshifter posing as Xavier. Osborn confirms that Mystique
Mystique (comics)
Mystique is a fictional character associated with the Marvel Comics' franchise X-Men. Originally created by artist David Cockrum and writer Chris Claremont, she first appeared in Ms...
is working for him. Emma Frost holds a public meeting introducing the H.A.M.M.E.R.-sanctioned team (Dark X-Men
Dark X-Men
The Dark X-Men are a Marvel Comics comic-book team. 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. Each member but Namor has been handpicked by then–H.A.M.M.E.R...
). They impose a curfew on the city, which is shut down by a group of mutants led by Hellion
Hellion
Hellion is a fictional character, a mutant appearing in comic books published by Marvel Comics. He was a member of the student body of the Xavier Institute before its closing and is a member of the X-Men's training squad. He first appeared in New Mutants, vol. 2 #2.-New Mutants, vol...
, who are attacked by the Dark X-Men. Scott and the rest of the X-Men watch the events on television, debating about what to do next. Meanwhile, Dark Beast
Dark Beast
Dark Beast , sometimes known as the Black Beast, is a Marvel Comics supervillain, an alternate reality evil version of the X-Men’s Beast...
has set up a machine to experiment on mutants in Alcatraz for H.A.M.M.E.R. and starts testing on Beast.
Chapter III
The "Omega Machine" that Dark Beast is using on Hank McCoy is slowly eating him away, causing him great pain and torment. In another cell, Xavier tries to console McCoy and give him words of hope. Meanwhile, Osborn is not impressed with the test results of the Omega Machine and wants Dark Beast to make sure the machine works in removing powers from mutants, not kill them. Elsewhere, Emma and the Dark X-Men are finishing up quelling the riots in San Francisco and capture the team led by Hellion. During the skirmish, Daken almost kills AvalancheAvalanche (comics)
Avalanche is a Marvel Comics supervillain and an enemy of the X-Men. Created by writer Chris Claremont and artist/co-writer John Byrne, he first appeared in Uncanny X-Men #141 ....
, but Emma stops him in time, reprimanding him that there is no usage of force. While this is all going on, Cyclops secretly meets with Osborn and demands he takes his men out of San Francisco and go bother someone else. Osborn is furious with this demand and threatens to kill Cyclops. The Dark X-Men return to their homebase where Emma (still upset over Daken's actions) demands that Osborn and Dark Beast show her around the facility to make sure that all the captured mutants are being treated fairly. While Emma is being shown around, Xavier speaks to her telepathically unbeknownst to Osborn and Dark Beast. Emma tries to find Xavier, but his cell is rigged with a hologram that shows just an empty storage cell. However, due to Emma's telepathic link to Xavier, she tells him not to worry and she will take care of things. Meanwhile, both the Dark X-Men and Dark Avengers begin to bicker and fight. Back in San Francisco, Simon Trask gathers a group of Human Sentinels who are ready to destroy all mutants, good or evil.
Chapter IV
Scott assigns his X-Men (such as MirageDanielle Moonstar
Danielle "Dani" Moonstar, originally codenamed Psyche and later Mirage, is a fictional Marvel Comics superheroine associated with the X-Men....
, Domino
Domino (comics)
Domino is a Marvel Comics character, best known as a member of the X-Men offshoot X-Force. Created by writer Fabian Nicieza and artist/co-writer Rob Liefeld, she first fully appeared in X-Force, vol...
, Mindee Cuckoo
Stepford Cuckoos
The Stepford Cuckoos are a set of fictional mutant psychically linked quintuplets . They are students at the Xavier Institute for Higher Learning and appear in comic books published by Marvel Comics...
, and Psylocke
Psylocke
Psylocke is a fictional character depicted in comic books published by Marvel Comics, most notably those comics featuring the superhero team the X-Men. The character has also appeared in licensed adaptations. Created by writer Chris Claremont and artist Herb Trimpe, she first appeared in the UK...
) different tasks, as well as having them observe Emma's team, who is called out to deal with the Bio-Sentinels attacking San Francisco. Emma discovers that whatever Trask has infected his people with has killed them and they are no longer human. Dani Moonstar goes to Vegas in the hope of approaching someone with a deal. Osborn then sends Emma's team to St. Francis Hospital to deal with Simon Trask. Magik
Magik (comics)
Magik is a Marvel Comics character, associated with the X-Men. She is the younger sister of the Russian X-Man Colossus.-Publication history:...
meets up with X-Force
X-Force
X-Force is a fictional Marvel Comics superhero team, one of several spin-offs of the popular X-Men franchise. Conceived by writer/illustrator Rob Liefeld, the team was formed in New Mutants, vol. 1 #100 and soon afterwards was featured in its own series.The group was a new incarnation of the 1980s...
to retrieve the imprisoned mutants while Psylocke, Kavita Rao
Kavita Rao
Dr. Kavita "Vita" Rao is a fictional character, a geneticist in the Marvel Comics universe of the X-Men. She first appeared and featured prominently in the first story arc of the monthly series Astonishing X-Men in 2004.-Hope:Dr...
, Madison Jeffries
Madison Jeffries
Madison Jeffries is a fictional character, a mutant superhero in the . He first appears in Alpha Flight #16 and was created by John Byrne.- Publication history :...
and Dr. Nemesis
Doctor Nemesis
Doctor Nemesis is the alias of James Nicola Bradley, a fictional comic book superhero appearing in books published by Marvel Comics. He was a derivative version of the eponymous Golden Age character that originally appeared in Ace Magazines' Lightning Comics. He is a co-creator of the original...
are just off the Pacific coast, reactivating a ship.
Chapter V
It is revealed that Dani Moonstar went to Vegas to make a deal with HelaHela (comics)
Hela is a fictional character, the Asgardian goddess of death in the Marvel Comics universe, based on the Norse goddess, Hel. The ruler of Hel and Niffleheim, the character has been a frequent foe of Thor...
, asking for a new ride home and a big sword, implying that she wishes to regain her Valkyrie powers which she once held during her days with the New Mutants. Emma's team successfully disables all the Bio-Sentinels and takes down Trask. The week passes and the Dark X-Men stop several minor crimes. They later watch the Omega Machine in action and Cloak and Dagger
Cloak and Dagger (comics)
Cloak and Dagger are a fictional comic book superhero duo in the . They were created by writer William "Bill" Mantlo and designed by artist Edward Hannigan.-Publication history:...
have doubts about this team. Meanwhile, Madison Jeffries
Madison Jeffries
Madison Jeffries is a fictional character, a mutant superhero in the . He first appears in Alpha Flight #16 and was created by John Byrne.- Publication history :...
and Psylocke have finished the final installations to the ship. Back at Alcatraz, Hank McCoy is being drained of power, looking even weaker. Dark Beast goes to look for more subjects, but finds that Magik and X-Force have teleported them out, as Mindee warned him would happen. X-Force faces off against Weapon Omega and Dark Beast. Cyclops has Nightcrawler
Nightcrawler (comics)
Nightcrawler is a fictional character, a comic book superhero in the Marvel Universe. He has been associated with both the X-Men and Excalibur, originally appearing in comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by writer Len Wein and artist Dave Cockrum, he debuted in Giant-Size X-Men #1...
and Pixie gather all their forces in the chapel and Magik and Pixie teleport them all away, group by group, saying it's "time to go home." The Dark X-Men face off against X-Force, with Emma Frost and Namor revealing themselves as still being a part of the good guy's team by taking out Daken and Mimic
Mimic (comics)
Mimic is a Marvel Comics fictional character who was briefly a member of the X-Men in the 1960s. He was then the first character to be added to the team after the original line-up and the first X-Man who was not a mutant....
. Cloak and Dagger flee with Namor, Frost, and X-Force after Magik evacuates all the prisoners. The remaining Dark X-Men head back to talk to Osborn. The "ship" the X-Club has reactivated rises up out of the water and is revealed to be an island built onto Asteroid M
Asteroid M
Utopia is the name of the sepratist mutant homeland created by the X-Men from the remains of Asteroid M which is the name of several fictional settings, each an asteroid converted by the mutant Magneto into his home/orbiting base, in the Marvel Comics Universe...
. Several mutants gather around Cyclops as he declares, via a televised speech, that the island is outside of Osborn and H.A.M.M.E.R.'s jurisdiction. Cyclops further declares the X-Men's stand against Osborn. Osborn then gathers the Dark Avengers and the remaining Dark X-Men, ordering them to bring him Namor's head and Emma Frost's heart and that Summers sees them do it.
Chapter VI
7 days ago: Hank walks in on Scott & Emma in bed. He tells them he will be leaving with the X-Club and will be gone for some time, but when he gets back, they will be having a very long conversation. Emma jokes about him leaving, but Scott is distraught. Emma attempts to console him, but he feels that he can't accept her until they talk.Now: Cyclops and the rest of the X-Men prepare for the Dark Avengers and Dark X-Men's assault on Utopia. The Dark X-Men attack. Warren takes Bullseye out of the equation. Bling, Nekra and Frenzy attack Ms. Marvel. Colossus
Colossus (comics)
Colossus is a fictional character, a superhero in the Marvel Comics universe. Created by writer Len Wein and illustrator Dave Cockrum, he first appeared in Giant-Size X-Men #1...
goes after Venom. Wolverine and X-23 go after Weapon Omega and Daken. The X-Club go after Dark Beast in retribution for their Beast. Namor takes on The Sentry
Sentry (Robert Reynolds)
The Sentry is a fictional character in the . The character first appears in The Sentry #1 and was created by Paul Jenkins and Jae Lee, with uncredited conceptual contributions by Rick Veitch.-Creation:...
, but is defeated. Iron Patriot and Cyclops finally go at it. Mirage, now empowered by Hela, takes on Ares. Iceman
Iceman (comics)
Iceman is a fictional Marvel Comics superhero, a member of the X-Men. Created by writer Stan Lee and artist/co-writer Jack Kirby, he first appeared in X-Men vol. 1 #1, ....
takes on Mimic. Emma goes to Charles to help her to get inside Sentry's head to calm him down. They succeed, but Emma must remain in her diamond state as part of the Void is now inside her. After realizing what he has done, the Sentry leaves the battlefield. Mirage takes down Ares. Osborn is not happy as others of his team fall: Weapon Omega falls to Wolverine. Daken is taken down by Armor
Armor (comics)
Armor is a fictional character who exists in Marvel Comics' shared universe, the Marvel Universe. She is a mutant Japanese teenager who is enrolled at the Xavier Institute who retains her powers after the events of Decimation. She first appeared in Astonishing X-Men, vol...
, Pixie and X-23. Mimic is overpowered by the sheer amount of powers. Osborn stands over Cyclops, beaten. Ms. Marvel informs him that they would have to kill them all in order to win this. Osborn tells her to go ahead, but then realizes the sheer amount of mutants as Pixie puts it, all of them X-Men, and in front of the camera. The Dark X-Men retreat. Cyclops goes on national TV to inform the world of Utopia, a place where mutants will be safe from harm and from persecution. Norman also holds a press conference in which he presents himself, his Avengers and his X-Men as the victorious side that managed to drive the mutants away. Osborn also declares the war against the mutants to be over and that Utopia is now their prison.
The X-Men start to rebuild Utopia and make it into more of a safe haven. Emma wonders if the end result will be like Genosha
Genosha
Genosha is a fictional country that has appeared in numerous comic book series published by Marvel Comics. It is an island nation that exists in Marvel's main shared universe, known as "Earth 616" in the Marvel Universe. The fictional nation served as an allegory for slavery and later for South...
. Cyclops says no. He will win the same way he beat Norman. Faith. And he is not alone.
Post Utopia
The aftermath of Utopia has been seen in the Deadpool and New Avengers books:After deciding that he wanted to help people, Deadpool makes his way to San Francisco to start a new life. Dressing to 'fit in' (Deadpool wears a set of flamboyantly pink shorts and shirt), Wade is nearly provoked into killing a group of a hecklers, until two teens tell him that no matter what, he's beautiful. Content by the compliment, Wade lets the hecklers live and heads to a local bar where he still manages to beat up (and possibly kill) a group of sailors and the bartender. Again feeling dejected, Wade watches the news during which he sees Cyclops address the world about the new island Utopia that the X-Men have created. Seeing Cyclops urging all mutants to join them, Deadpool comes to the shocked and overjoyed conclusion that Cyclops is speaking to him specifically and decides to join the X-Men.
Meanwhile in New York, the New Avengers watch the news in which Norman Osborn has labeled the X-Men and all mutants on Utopia as traitors to the United States, and designates Utopia a prison colony. Ronin
Hawkeye (comics)
Hawkeye , also known as Goliath and Ronin, is a fictional character that appears in the comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appeared in Tales of Suspense #57 and was created by writer Stan Lee and artist Don Heck. Hawkeye joined the Avengers in Avengers Vol. 1 #16 Hawkeye...
, upon hearing this, becomes furious that the X-Men are being mistreated this way. Mockingbird and Ms. Marvel suggest that the team should go to Utopia and help their friends, but Ronin doesn't think that will solve much in the bigger picture and attempts to urge the other New Avengers to join him in killing Norman Osborn.
Reading order
The following is based on the release dates of the issues.- June 2009 -
- Dark Avengers/Uncanny X-Men: Utopia
- July 2009 -
- The Uncanny X-Men #513
- Dark X-Men: The Beginning #1
- X-Men Legacy #226
- Dark Avengers #7
- Dark X-Men: The Beginning #2
- August 2009 -
- The Uncanny X-Men #514
- X-Men Legacy #227
- Dark Avengers #8
- Dark X-Men: The Beginning #3
- September 2009 -
- Dark Avengers/Uncanny X-Men: Exodus
- Dark X-Men: Confession #1
- Dark Region: The List-Uncanny X-Men
Hardcovers
| Title | Material collected | Date Released | ISBN |
|---|---|---|---|
External links
- "IRON PATRIOTISM: Norman Osborn". Comic Book ResourcesComic Book ResourcesComic Book Resources, also known as CBR is a website dedicated to the coverage of comic book-related news and discussion.-History:Comic Book Resources was founded by Jonah Weiland in 1996 as a development of the Kingdom Come Message Board, a message forum that Weiland had created to discuss DC...
. May 1, 2009 - "IRON PATRIOTISM: Venom". Comic Book Resources. May 8, 2009
- "IRON PATRIOTISM: Bullseye". Comic Book Resources. May 15, 2009