X-Treme X-Men
Encyclopedia
X-Treme X-Men was a comic book
published by Marvel Comics
from 2001
through 2004
. All 46 issues of the series were written by Chris Claremont
. The first 24 issues were drawn by Salvador Larroca
, and the final 22 issues were drawn by Igor Kordey
.
line of comics in 2001
. Prior to this revamp, Claremont was writing both of the main X-Men titles (Uncanny X-Men
and X-Men, the latter of which became New X-Men
, and then X-Men: Legacy). He was removed from both core X-titles by Editor-in-Chief Joe Quesada
when his storylines fell apart due to editorial interference by the previous editor-in-chief in a failed attempt to capitalize on the first X-Men movie
. Quesada offered Claremont the opportunity to write only one of the core X-titles (while allowing new X-writer Grant Morrison
to have partial storyline input) or to write a third, new core X-Men title. Claremont chose the latter. That title was dubbed X-Treme X-Men.
In May 2004
, prompted by Grant Morrison
's departure from New X-Men, Marvel felt that another revamp of the X-Men titles was required. As part of this revamp, called X-Men ReLoad
, Chris Claremont returned to writing Uncanny X-Men. X-Treme X-Men was cancelled, with most of its cast and running plotlines being transferred to Uncanny X-Men. Joss Whedon
and John Cassaday
's Astonishing X-Men
replaced it as the third core title.
, Gambit
, Bishop
, Sage
(Tessa), Thunderbird
(Neal Shaara), Psylocke
and Beast
as original line up. Psylocke was killed and Beast departed the title in the early goings, and new recruits Lifeguard
(Heather Cameron) and Slipstream
(Davis Cameron) were eventually added. Later in the series, familiar X-Men characters Cannonball
, Lila Cheney
, Shadowcat, Magma
and Sunspot
made regular appearances, with only Cannonball officially joining the team. Evangeline Whedon
(a mutant possessing dragon transmorphic abilities) also made numerous appearances.
The title also introduced the character of Red Lotus
, who featured heavily in the Australian arc, and was included in issues of the invasion arc.
(now resurrected) in its early issues, and it showed how Beast mutated into his lion-like form.
The first arc (issues 1-4) concerns the quest on the part of Storm and a number of X-Men chosen by her to find Destiny's 13 diaries since none like the idea of having their destinies defined. The arc also introduces Vargas
(a new foe who is disturbed by the diaries' predictions of his death), who kills Psylocke
in order to test the diaries' predictions. He also heavily injured Beast, which leads to the character's transition to New X-Men
.
In the second arc (Savage Land 1-4), the team travel to the Savage Land, where they escort the Saurids to a land where they will not be persecuted. The team tangles and defeats Brainchild (who makes Storm lose control of her powers for a time, bringing out her inner warrior akin to Wolverine's berserker rage). This disturbed her for some time.
The third arc (issues 5-9) involves Gambit in Australia and the warring gangs. The leader of an Australian mafia (known as the Viceroy) dies mysteriously (as if drowning in his own room), and the team must protect his mutant children (Lifeguard
and Slipstream
who were in the dark as to their real father). The mafia and police accuse Gambit of murder of the gang leader and Bishop and Rogue take charge to clear his name. As a team learns Lady Mastermind
and Sebastian Shaw
are behind everything, the two villains capture Shaw's former assistant, Sage. Caught between the two villains and a mafia gang war, the team is able to rescue Sage, clear Gambit's name, and protect the now two newest members of the team (Lifeguard and Slipstream).
The Annual (2001) deals with Reavers, the Shadow King
, and contains a backup story featuring Kitty Pryde and the threat of Purity.
The next story arc (issues 10-18) fundamentally changes the title. The team again reunites with Gambit
in Madripoor
and deals with the invasion of the armies of Khan
, an inter-dimensional conqueror. Gambit seeks to obtain Ororo's mother’s ruby which was part of a set that, when empowered, could open a portal between dimensions. Since some gems are already missing, Gambit wants to ensure that Ororo’s ruby remains safe. However, Gambit is attacked by an other-dimensional warrior named Shaitan, capturing Gambit and stealing the ruby. Shaitan then uses the gems and Gambit’s mutant ability to empower them, thus opening the portal for his master, Khan (who, taken by Ororo’s powers and beauty, wants to make her his queen). Ororo’s X-Men oppose and defeat the invaders, but not before Ororo is seriously injured by Madripoor’s ruling crime lord Viper
(before the battle) and by Khan's harem (during the battle).
Sage activates all of the powers that Rogue has ever imprinted at once, enabling Rogue to turn the tide of the battle. During the melee, Vargas returns to kill Rogue, after the diaries predicted she'd kill him. As Rogue is attempting to save Gambit, she gets trapped by that same energy that empowers the portal. While they are trapped, Vargas impales them both with a huge broadsword
. Rogue uses the strength of Wolverine
and the Hulk
to overcome her injury, though Gambit remains close to death. Rogue finds Vargas and fights him in order to avenge Psylocke's death and his attempted murder of her and Gambit, as predicted in the diaries. The fight is filmed by a news crew and just as the camera loses power, Rogue is shown standing over Vargas with a sword, poised to strike. It is not actually shown if she kills him or not.
In the midst of the battle in Khan's invasion platform, Lifeguard's power reacts unexpectedly to conceal her identity, leaving her permanently as gold-skinned, bird-like humanoid - revealing her Shi'Ar heritage. Her brother, Slipstream, reacts badly to this and runs off to parts unknown. The team succeeds in defeating Khan as other heroes join in the relief efforts. Storm, Rogue, and Gambit, all near death, are saved with the arrival of Jean Grey
, as well as Nightcrawler
and Beast
. With the help of Beast's surgical expertise, Jean Grey telepathically pulls Storm and Rogue from the abyss of death, and helps Rogue do the same for Gambit (who views this as his one chance for salvation and pleads with Rogue to cross over with him until she pulls him back). Lifeguard and Thunderbird leave the title with this arc, going after Slipstream. Rogue and Gambit take time to recuperate.
In the next few issues (19 and X-Posé 1-2) (arcs 6 and 7), while the team is recuperating, they have dinner with their old teammates. However, it's made quite clear that Xavier's views have changed and a philosophical rift begins. The team deals with the public relations aspect of what they do. The team attempts to keep a mutant documentary on the air, despite efforts to kill it because it is not derogatory. The team succeeds, but another old team mate, Archangel
, refuses to allow them to manipulate the media that way.
Issues 20-23 (arc 8) deal with a very young mutant killer seeking asylum at Xavier's Institute. Emma Frost
promptly kicks out members Sage and Bishop when they visit because she believes that mutants should police themselves. The team breaks into the mansion to bring the boy to the proper authorities. However, a possessed Emma intercepts them. She is possessed by Elias Bogan
, an old acquaintance from the Hellfire Club
that she and Sage have met before. After an argument with Professor X
elsewhere, Ororo arrives to help her team mates. However, old emotions rise to the surface as Ororo fights Emma Frost. Emma shakes the possession outside the manison during the fight, but they continue to battle until Storm shows that she's willing to kill Emma and has the ability to do so. Elias Bogan proves to be the threat behind the murders. Storm and Emma pull it together long enough to facilitate the rest of the team's escape, who then stop Bogan, though certainly not for good. The philosophical rift between the two groups of X-Men reaches its peak here when the X-Treme X-Men promise not to return to the mansion again until the dream of peaceful coexistence is, once again, the goal the X-Men, instead of what the X-Treme X-Men believe to be isolationism and possible mutant supremacy.
Kitty Pryde's Mekanix miniseries (arc 9) deals with her college life right after she leaves the X-Men and has to face Purity as well as the Sentinels.
The return of Cannonball
takes place in issue 24 and issues 25-30 (arcs 10 & 11) contain a story line dealing with Reverend William Stryker
, a follow up to Claremont's 1982 X-Men: God Loves, Man Kills
graphic novel.
Issues 31-35 (arc 12) see the return of Rogue and Gambit. Storm offers her team's services to the United Nations as a global mutant police force, the X-Treme Sanctions Executive
(XSE), wherein mutants will continue to be bound by the human laws, but be policed by other mutants. They succeed as the government is searching for a way to contain the mutant threat. Also, the team fights against powerful mutants who have taken over a town in California and are pushing out the human inhabitants by force. This begins back and forth attacks between mutants and humans, while the team tries to establish peace and bring the aggressors to justice. Though the team doesn't discover it, it's revealed that Elias Bogan is lurking around the edges, influencing events to a degree.
Issues 36-39 (what could be considered arc 13) deal with one of Ororo’s missions as part of XSE (i.e., exposing mutant slave trading network and gladiatorial battle arena in Japan). Issues 40-45 again deal with the threat possed by Elias Bogan
trying to get his final revenge on the group. Issue 46 (the final issue) shows Kitty Pryde returning to the X-Men fold and the X-Treme team deciding what to do next: return to the Xavier Institute or find a different path.
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...
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...
from 2001
2001 in comics
-Year overall:* Marvel Comics withdraws from the Comics Code Authority and established its own rating system for its publications.- January :* January 23: Fred Ray, Superman's primary cover artist of the 1940s, passes away at age 80.- September :...
through 2004
2004 in comics
-February:*February 6: Marvel Enterprises and Electronic Arts announce a multi-year agreement in which EA will develop a new generation of fighting video games pitting Marvel superheroes against a new, original set of EA heroes....
. All 46 issues of the series were written by Chris Claremont
Chris Claremont
Chris Claremont is an award-winning American comic book writer and novelist, known for his 17-year stint on Uncanny X-Men, far longer than any other writer, during which he is credited with developing strong female characters, and with introducing complex literary themes into superhero...
. The first 24 issues were drawn by Salvador Larroca
Salvador Larroca
Salvador Larroca is a Spanish comic book artist, primarily known for his work on various X-Men titles.-Early life:Salvador Larroca was born and raised in Valencia, Spain.-Career:...
, and the final 22 issues were drawn by Igor Kordey
Igor Kordey
-Career:While his best-known work is featured in New X-Men, he has a very diverse repertoire, moving between traditional pencils and inks to fully painted panels. Because of his speed as an artist, at his peak, he was producing artwork for three or four monthly books at the same time...
.
Background history
The book originated as part of a revamp of the X-MenX-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...
line of comics in 2001
2001 in comics
-Year overall:* Marvel Comics withdraws from the Comics Code Authority and established its own rating system for its publications.- January :* January 23: Fred Ray, Superman's primary cover artist of the 1940s, passes away at age 80.- September :...
. Prior to this revamp, Claremont was writing both of the main X-Men titles (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...
and X-Men, the latter of which became New X-Men
New X-Men
New X-Men was a superhero comic book series published by Marvel Comics within the X-Men franchise. After the end of Grant Morrison's run on X-Men , titled New X-Men, the title was used for a new series, New X-Men: Academy X, serving as a continuation of the second volume of New Mutants...
, and then X-Men: Legacy). He was removed from both core X-titles by Editor-in-Chief Joe Quesada
Joe Quesada
Joseph "Joe" Quesada is an American comic book editor, writer and artist. He became known in the 1990s for his work on various Valiant Comics books, such as Ninjak and Solar, Man of the Atom...
when his storylines fell apart due to editorial interference by the previous editor-in-chief in a failed attempt to capitalize on the first X-Men movie
X-Men (film)
X-Men is a 2000 superhero film based on the fictional Marvel Comics characters of the same name. Directed by Bryan Singer, the film stars Patrick Stewart, Hugh Jackman, Ian McKellen, Anna Paquin, Famke Janssen, Bruce Davison, James Marsden, Halle Berry, Rebecca Romijn, Ray Park and Tyler Mane...
. Quesada offered Claremont the opportunity to write only one of the core X-titles (while allowing new X-writer Grant Morrison
Grant Morrison
Grant Morrison is a Scottish comic book writer, playwright and occultist. He is known for his nonlinear narratives and counter-cultural leanings, as well as his successful runs on titles like Animal Man, Doom Patrol, JLA, The Invisibles, New X-Men, Fantastic Four, All-Star Superman, and...
to have partial storyline input) or to write a third, new core X-Men title. Claremont chose the latter. That title was dubbed X-Treme X-Men.
In May 2004
2004 in comics
-February:*February 6: Marvel Enterprises and Electronic Arts announce a multi-year agreement in which EA will develop a new generation of fighting video games pitting Marvel superheroes against a new, original set of EA heroes....
, prompted by Grant Morrison
Grant Morrison
Grant Morrison is a Scottish comic book writer, playwright and occultist. He is known for his nonlinear narratives and counter-cultural leanings, as well as his successful runs on titles like Animal Man, Doom Patrol, JLA, The Invisibles, New X-Men, Fantastic Four, All-Star Superman, and...
's departure from New X-Men, Marvel felt that another revamp of the X-Men titles was required. As part of this revamp, called X-Men ReLoad
X-Men ReLoad
X-Men ReLoad was the name given by Marvel Comics to their May 2004 revamp of the X-Men titles. The revamp was prompted by Grant Morrison's departure from New X-Men....
, Chris Claremont returned to writing Uncanny X-Men. X-Treme X-Men was cancelled, with most of its cast and running plotlines being transferred to Uncanny X-Men. Joss Whedon
Joss Whedon
Joseph Hill "Joss" Whedon is an American screenwriter, executive producer, director, comic book writer, occasional composer and actor, founder of Mutant Enemy Productions and co-creator of Bellwether Pictures...
and John Cassaday
John Cassaday
John Cassaday is an American comic book artist and writer, born in Fort Worth, Texas and currently residing in New York City. He is known for having a high level of precision and realism in his work....
's Astonishing X-Men
Astonishing X-Men
Astonishing X-Men is the name of three X-Men comic book series from Marvel Comics, the first two of which were limited series. The ongoing series began in 2004, with its first run written by Joss Whedon and art by John Cassaday. It was then written by Warren Ellis with art by Phil Jimenez. Daniel...
replaced it as the third core title.
Team roster
The X-Treme X-Men contained Storm, 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...
, Bishop
Bishop (comics)
Bishop is a fictional comic book superhero, appearing in books published by Marvel Comics, in particular the X-Men family of books...
, Sage
Sage (comics)
Sage, also known as Tessa, is a fictional character in the Marvel Comics universe. She has most often been associated with the X-Men and the Hellfire Club, whom she spied upon for Professor Charles Xavier....
(Tessa), Thunderbird
Neal Shaara
Neal Shaara, also known as Thunderbird, is a Marvel Comics superhero, who was briefly a member of the X-Men. Created by writer Chris Claremont and artist Leinil Francis Yu, he first appeared in X-Men vol. 2 #100 ....
(Neal Shaara), 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...
and Beast
Beast (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...
as original line up. Psylocke was killed and Beast departed the title in the early goings, and new recruits Lifeguard
Lifeguard (comics)
Lifeguard is a comic book character, a superhero in the Marvel Comics universe, associated with the X-Men. Created by writer Chris Claremont and artist Salvador Larroca, she first appeared in X-Treme X-Men #6 ....
(Heather Cameron) and Slipstream
Slipstream (comics)
Slipstream is a fictional character in Marvel Comics universe. He is a superhero associated with the X-Men. Created by writer Chris Claremont and artist Salvador Larroca, he first appeared in X-Treme X-Men #6 ....
(Davis Cameron) were eventually added. Later in the series, familiar X-Men characters Cannonball
Cannonball (comics)
Cannonball is a fictional Marvel Comics superhero, associated with the X-Men. Created by writer Chris Claremont and artist Bob McLeod, Cannonball first appeared in Marvel Graphic Novel #4: The New Mutants ....
, Lila Cheney
Lila Cheney
Lila Cheney is a fictional character in the Marvel Universe. She is a mutant with the ability to teleport, but only over vast intergalactic distances.-Publication history:...
, Shadowcat, Magma
Magma (comics)
Magma is a fictional character in the Marvel Comics series New Mutants, also associated with various X-Men-related comics. She was created by author Chris Claremont and artist Bob McLeod, and debuted in New Mutants #8...
and Sunspot
Sunspot (comics)
Sunspot is a fictional character, a Marvel Comics superhero most commonly associated with X-Men-related groups the New Mutants and X-Force....
made regular appearances, with only Cannonball officially joining the team. Evangeline Whedon
Evangeline Whedon
Evangeline "Vange" Whedon is a fictional character, a mutant in the Marvel Comics Universe. Her first appearance was in X-Treme X-Men #21.-Fictional character biography:...
(a mutant possessing dragon transmorphic abilities) also made numerous appearances.
The title also introduced the character of Red Lotus
Red Lotus (comics)
Red Lotus is a fictional character, a mutant in the Marvel Comics Universe.-Fictional character biography:Though he has been affiliated with the X-Men, in particular the X-Treme X-Men team, Red Lotus is not an official member....
, who featured heavily in the Australian arc, and was included in issues of the invasion arc.
| Issues | Characters |
|---|---|
| #1-4 (2001) | Beast Beast (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... , Bishop Bishop (comics) Bishop is a fictional comic book superhero, appearing in books published by Marvel Comics, in particular the X-Men family of books... , 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... , 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... , Sage Sage (comics) Sage, also known as Tessa, is a fictional character in the Marvel Comics universe. She has most often been associated with the X-Men and the Hellfire Club, whom she spied upon for Professor Charles Xavier.... , Storm, Thunderbird Neal Shaara Neal Shaara, also known as Thunderbird, is a Marvel Comics superhero, who was briefly a member of the X-Men. Created by writer Chris Claremont and artist Leinil Francis Yu, he first appeared in X-Men vol. 2 #100 .... |
| #5-19 (2001–2002) | Bishop, 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... , Lifeguard Lifeguard (comics) Lifeguard is a comic book character, a superhero in the Marvel Comics universe, associated with the X-Men. Created by writer Chris Claremont and artist Salvador Larroca, she first appeared in X-Treme X-Men #6 .... , Rogue, Sage, Slipstream Slipstream (comics) Slipstream is a fictional character in Marvel Comics universe. He is a superhero associated with the X-Men. Created by writer Chris Claremont and artist Salvador Larroca, he first appeared in X-Treme X-Men #6 .... , Storm, Thunderbird |
| #20-30 (2003) | Bishop, Cannonball Cannonball (comics) Cannonball is a fictional Marvel Comics superhero, associated with the X-Men. Created by writer Chris Claremont and artist Bob McLeod, Cannonball first appeared in Marvel Graphic Novel #4: The New Mutants .... , Sage, Storm, Wolverine |
| #31-35 (2003–2004) | Bishop, Cannonball, Gambit, Rogue, Sage, Storm |
| #36-39 (2004) | Although focusing on Storm this arc also features Callisto Callisto (comics) Callisto is a Marvel Comics fictional character, associated with the X-Men. Created by writer Chris Claremont and artist Paul Smith, she first appeared in Uncanny X-Men #169 .... , Strong Guy and Yukio Yukio (comics) Yukio is a fictional character in the Marvel Universe. She is a female ninja of Japanese origin and is a supporting character of the X-Men. She first appeared in Wolverine #2 and was created by Chris Claremont and Frank Miller... |
| #40-46 (2004) | Bishop, Cannonball, Gambit, Magma Magma (comics) Magma is a fictional character in the Marvel Comics series New Mutants, also associated with various X-Men-related comics. She was created by author Chris Claremont and artist Bob McLeod, and debuted in New Mutants #8... , Rogue, Sage, Storm, Wolverine |
Story
The book picked up on many plot threads from Claremont's run on the two main X-Men books. The book is most notable for the death of the popular character PsylockePsylocke
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...
(now resurrected) in its early issues, and it showed how Beast mutated into his lion-like form.
The first arc (issues 1-4) concerns the quest on the part of Storm and a number of X-Men chosen by her to find Destiny's 13 diaries since none like the idea of having their destinies defined. The arc also introduces Vargas
Vargas (comics)
Vargas is a fictional comic book supervillain in the Marvel Universe and an enemy of the X-Treme X-Men who first appeared in X-Treme X-Men #1.- Fictional character biography:...
(a new foe who is disturbed by the diaries' predictions of his death), who kills 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...
in order to test the diaries' predictions. He also heavily injured Beast, which leads to the character's transition to New X-Men
New X-Men
New X-Men was a superhero comic book series published by Marvel Comics within the X-Men franchise. After the end of Grant Morrison's run on X-Men , titled New X-Men, the title was used for a new series, New X-Men: Academy X, serving as a continuation of the second volume of New Mutants...
.
In the second arc (Savage Land 1-4), the team travel to the Savage Land, where they escort the Saurids to a land where they will not be persecuted. The team tangles and defeats Brainchild (who makes Storm lose control of her powers for a time, bringing out her inner warrior akin to Wolverine's berserker rage). This disturbed her for some time.
Lifeguard (comics)
Lifeguard is a comic book character, a superhero in the Marvel Comics universe, associated with the X-Men. Created by writer Chris Claremont and artist Salvador Larroca, she first appeared in X-Treme X-Men #6 ....
and Slipstream
Slipstream (comics)
Slipstream is a fictional character in Marvel Comics universe. He is a superhero associated with the X-Men. Created by writer Chris Claremont and artist Salvador Larroca, he first appeared in X-Treme X-Men #6 ....
who were in the dark as to their real father). The mafia and police accuse Gambit of murder of the gang leader and Bishop and Rogue take charge to clear his name. As a team learns Lady Mastermind
Lady Mastermind
Lady Mastermind is a fictional supervillain in the Marvel Comics universe. She first appeared as Regan Wyngarde in X-Treme X-Men #6 and was created by writer Chris Claremont and artist Salvador Larroca....
and Sebastian Shaw
Sebastian Shaw (comics)
Sebastian Hiram Shaw is a fictional comic book supervillain in the Marvel Comics universe, and an adversary of the X-Men.A mutant, Shaw possesses the ability to absorb energy and transform it into raw strength...
are behind everything, the two villains capture Shaw's former assistant, Sage. Caught between the two villains and a mafia gang war, the team is able to rescue Sage, clear Gambit's name, and protect the now two newest members of the team (Lifeguard and Slipstream).
The Annual (2001) deals with Reavers, the Shadow King
Shadow King
The Shadow King, also known as Amahl Farouk, is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The Shadow King exists as an entity of pure psychic energy that feeds on the hatred of humanity...
, and contains a backup story featuring Kitty Pryde and the threat of Purity.
The next story arc (issues 10-18) fundamentally changes the title. The team again reunites with 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...
in Madripoor
Madripoor
The Principality of Madripoor is a fictional island located in Southeast Asia in the Marvel Comics universe. Based on illustrations, it is in the southern portion of the Strait of Malacca, southwest of Singapore.-Publication history:...
and deals with the invasion of the armies of Khan
Khan (comics)
Khan is a fictional villain associated with the X-Men. He first appeared in X-Treme X-Men #10 , and was created by Chris Claremont and Salvador Larroca.-Fictional character biography:...
, an inter-dimensional conqueror. Gambit seeks to obtain Ororo's mother’s ruby which was part of a set that, when empowered, could open a portal between dimensions. Since some gems are already missing, Gambit wants to ensure that Ororo’s ruby remains safe. However, Gambit is attacked by an other-dimensional warrior named Shaitan, capturing Gambit and stealing the ruby. Shaitan then uses the gems and Gambit’s mutant ability to empower them, thus opening the portal for his master, Khan (who, taken by Ororo’s powers and beauty, wants to make her his queen). Ororo’s X-Men oppose and defeat the invaders, but not before Ororo is seriously injured by Madripoor’s ruling crime lord Viper
Viper (comics)
Viper is the name of three fictional characters in the Marvel Comics universe. All three are villains.-Viper :The first known Viper was created by Steve Englehart, Steve Gerber, Sal Buscema and John Verpoorten and first appeared in Captain America #157 .-Fictional character biography:Jordan...
(before the battle) and by Khan's harem (during the battle).
Sage activates all of the powers that Rogue has ever imprinted at once, enabling Rogue to turn the tide of the battle. During the melee, Vargas returns to kill Rogue, after the diaries predicted she'd kill him. As Rogue is attempting to save Gambit, she gets trapped by that same energy that empowers the portal. While they are trapped, Vargas impales them both with a huge broadsword
Broadsword
Broadsword may refer to:*Broadsword , a military sword used by heavy cavalry during the 17th to early 19th centuriesIn more modern times, it has also been used to refer to:...
. Rogue uses the strength of 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...
and the Hulk
Hulk (comics)
The Hulk is a fictional character, a superhero in the . Created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, the character first appeared in The Incredible Hulk #1 ....
to overcome her injury, though Gambit remains close to death. Rogue finds Vargas and fights him in order to avenge Psylocke's death and his attempted murder of her and Gambit, as predicted in the diaries. The fight is filmed by a news crew and just as the camera loses power, Rogue is shown standing over Vargas with a sword, poised to strike. It is not actually shown if she kills him or not.
In the midst of the battle in Khan's invasion platform, Lifeguard's power reacts unexpectedly to conceal her identity, leaving her permanently as gold-skinned, bird-like humanoid - revealing her Shi'Ar heritage. Her brother, Slipstream, reacts badly to this and runs off to parts unknown. The team succeeds in defeating Khan as other heroes join in the relief efforts. Storm, Rogue, and Gambit, all near death, are saved with the arrival of Jean Grey
Jean Grey
Jean Grey-Summers is a fictional comic book superheroine appearing in comic books published by Marvel Comics. She has been known under the aliases Marvel Girl, Phoenix, and Dark Phoenix and is best known as one of five original members of the X-Men, for her relationship with Cyclops, and for her...
, as well as 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 Beast
Beast (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...
. With the help of Beast's surgical expertise, Jean Grey telepathically pulls Storm and Rogue from the abyss of death, and helps Rogue do the same for Gambit (who views this as his one chance for salvation and pleads with Rogue to cross over with him until she pulls him back). Lifeguard and Thunderbird leave the title with this arc, going after Slipstream. Rogue and Gambit take time to recuperate.
In the next few issues (19 and X-Posé 1-2) (arcs 6 and 7), while the team is recuperating, they have dinner with their old teammates. However, it's made quite clear that Xavier's views have changed and a philosophical rift begins. The team deals with the public relations aspect of what they do. The team attempts to keep a mutant documentary on the air, despite efforts to kill it because it is not derogatory. The team succeeds, but another old team mate, Archangel
Archangel (comics)
Warren Kenneth Worthington III is a fictional character, a comic book antihero in the Marvel Comics universe. Originally known as Angel and later Archangel, Worthington is one of the founding members of the X-Men. Created by writer Stan Lee and artist/co-creator Jack Kirby, he first appeared in...
, refuses to allow them to manipulate the media that way.
Issues 20-23 (arc 8) deal with a very young mutant killer seeking asylum at Xavier's Institute. 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....
promptly kicks out members Sage and Bishop when they visit because she believes that mutants should police themselves. The team breaks into the mansion to bring the boy to the proper authorities. However, a possessed Emma intercepts them. She is possessed by Elias Bogan
Elias Bogan
Elias Bogan is a fictional mutant character in the Marvel Comics Universe. His first appearance was in X-Treme X-Men #21 . He was created by Chris Claremont.-Fictional character biography:...
, an old acquaintance from the Hellfire Club
Hellfire Club
The Hellfire Club was a name for several exclusive clubs for high society rakes established in Britain and Ireland in the 18th century, and was more formally or cautiously known as the "Order of the Friars of St. Francis of Wycombe"...
that she and Sage have met before. After an argument with 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....
elsewhere, Ororo arrives to help her team mates. However, old emotions rise to the surface as Ororo fights Emma Frost. Emma shakes the possession outside the manison during the fight, but they continue to battle until Storm shows that she's willing to kill Emma and has the ability to do so. Elias Bogan proves to be the threat behind the murders. Storm and Emma pull it together long enough to facilitate the rest of the team's escape, who then stop Bogan, though certainly not for good. The philosophical rift between the two groups of X-Men reaches its peak here when the X-Treme X-Men promise not to return to the mansion again until the dream of peaceful coexistence is, once again, the goal the X-Men, instead of what the X-Treme X-Men believe to be isolationism and possible mutant supremacy.
Kitty Pryde's Mekanix miniseries (arc 9) deals with her college life right after she leaves the X-Men and has to face Purity as well as the Sentinels.
The return of Cannonball
Cannonball (comics)
Cannonball is a fictional Marvel Comics superhero, associated with the X-Men. Created by writer Chris Claremont and artist Bob McLeod, Cannonball first appeared in Marvel Graphic Novel #4: The New Mutants ....
takes place in issue 24 and issues 25-30 (arcs 10 & 11) contain a story line dealing with Reverend William Stryker
William Stryker
Col. William "Bill" Stryker, M.D. is a fictional comic book supervillain in the Marvel Comics universe, and enemy of the X-Men. Created by writer Chris Claremont and artist Brent Anderson, he first appeared in the 1982 graphic novel X-Men: God Loves, Man Kills.Rev...
, a follow up to Claremont's 1982 X-Men: God Loves, Man Kills
X-Men: God Loves, Man Kills
X-Men: God Loves, Man Kills is a graphic novel published in 1982 by Marvel Comics, starring their popular superhero team the X-Men...
graphic novel.
Issues 31-35 (arc 12) see the return of Rogue and Gambit. Storm offers her team's services to the United Nations as a global mutant police force, the X-Treme Sanctions Executive
X-Treme Sanctions Executive
The X-Treme Sanctions Executive is a fictional paramilitary police force charged with keeping the peace between mutants and humans. The team was first mentioned in X-Treme X-Men #40, when Storm presented her team with an offer to join a new, government-backed squad.-Creation:During the final issues...
(XSE), wherein mutants will continue to be bound by the human laws, but be policed by other mutants. They succeed as the government is searching for a way to contain the mutant threat. Also, the team fights against powerful mutants who have taken over a town in California and are pushing out the human inhabitants by force. This begins back and forth attacks between mutants and humans, while the team tries to establish peace and bring the aggressors to justice. Though the team doesn't discover it, it's revealed that Elias Bogan is lurking around the edges, influencing events to a degree.
Issues 36-39 (what could be considered arc 13) deal with one of Ororo’s missions as part of XSE (i.e., exposing mutant slave trading network and gladiatorial battle arena in Japan). Issues 40-45 again deal with the threat possed by Elias Bogan
Elias Bogan
Elias Bogan is a fictional mutant character in the Marvel Comics Universe. His first appearance was in X-Treme X-Men #21 . He was created by Chris Claremont.-Fictional character biography:...
trying to get his final revenge on the group. Issue 46 (the final issue) shows Kitty Pryde returning to the X-Men fold and the X-Treme team deciding what to do next: return to the Xavier Institute or find a different path.
Series run
- X-Treme X-Men #1-46
- X-Treme X-Men Annual 2001
- X-Treme X-Men: Savage Land #1-4
- X-Treme X-Men X-Pose #1-2
- X-Treme X-Men Mekanix (starring Shadowcat) #1-6
Trade paperbacks
| Title | Material Collected | Publication Date | ISBN |
|---|---|---|---|
| X-Treme X-Men, Volume 1: Destiny | X-Treme X-Men #1-9 | May, 2003 | ISBN 0-7851-0841-6 |
| X-Treme X-Men: Savage Land (Volume 1.5) | X-Treme X-Men: Savage Land #1-4 | April, 2002 | ISBN 0-7851-0869-6 |
| X-Treme X-Men Volume 2: Invasion | X-Treme X-Men #10-18 | December 2002 | ISBN 0-7851-1018-6 |
| X-Treme X-Men Volume 3: Schism | X-Treme X-Men #19-23, X-Pose #1-2 | July, 2003 | ISBN 0-7851-1084-4 |
| X-Treme X-Men Volume 4: Mekanix | Mekanix #1-6 Limited Series, X-Men Unlimited #36 | June, 2003 | ISBN 0-7851-1117-4 |
| X-Treme X-Men Volume 5: God Loves, Man Kills | X-Treme X-Men #25-30, plus reprints the original God Loves, Man Kills storyline by Chris Claremont | December 2003 | ISBN 0-7851-1254-5 |
| X-Treme X-Men Volume 6: Intifada | X-Treme X-Men #24, 31-35 | March, 2004 | ISBN 0-7851-1230-8 |
| X-Treme X-Men Volume 7: Storm - The Arena | X-Treme X-Men #36-39 | April, 2004 | ISBN 0-7851-0936-6 |
| X-Treme X-Men Volume 8: Prisoner Of Fire | X-Treme X-Men #40-46, Annual 2001 | August, 2004 | ISBN 0-7851-1351-7 |