Inspired by the upcoming twists on heroes and villains in AXIS: Act Two: Inversion, we’re exploring rogues who changed their ways in the Marvel Universe.
Will the X-Men actually join Apocalypse? AXIS starts in October but the mutant heroes have a history of welcoming enemies into their ranks.
After profiling Avengers, here’s the list of mutants with an infamous past who joined the X-Men (in some cases for a very brief time.)
Mystique Raven Darkholme the X-Man? The ruthless leader of the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants would be forced to join the government sponsored X-Factor, then work as a double agent for Professor X. After posing as a student named Foxx trying to seduce Gambit, Mystique was exposed and given probationary status with the team. Raven would serve on Rogue’s strike team and help the group against several enemies before betraying them. Raven is leading a new version of the Marauders and launched brutal attacks on the X-Men but her twisted endgame was to help Rogue. Currently in All-New and Uncanny X-Men, Mystique is revealed to have married Professor X before he died.
Sabretooth Victor Creed was sort of briefly part of team. After looking in Victor’s mind, Professor X believed there was hope for Victor and he became a prisoner/patient. During this incarceration, Creed helps the X-Men fight some enemies, and become somewhat gentler after Wolverine popped a claw in his brain. Creed was playing all along and nearly kills Psylocke in his escape. Creed would be forced to work along with Mystique in the government sponsored X-Factor. After a brief alliance with Rogue’s X-Men, Creed has been a killer, terrorist, been killed and resurrected. Creed is currently working with Mystique and leads The Hand. Fans can only imagine how Victor will react to the Death of Wolverine.
Warpath James Proudstar blamed Professor X for his brother’s death. Seeking revenge, Proudstar joined Emma Frost’s Hellions and went up against the X-Men. Cable recruited James to join the New Mutants which became the first incarnation of X-Force. James reconciled with Professor X and became an X-Man but would join Wolverine’s covert X-Force squad.
Gambit Remy LeBeau may be a hero but he’s been a thief and scoundrel. Raised in the Thieves Guild, Remy would grow up to be a master thief and developed many underworld contacts. Years after he became an X-Man it was revealed, Remy worked for Nathaniel Essex recruiting ruthless mercenaries and killers including Sabretooth. Remy didn’t know until it was too late, that the “Marauders” were unleashed by Essex/Mr. Sinster to a secret sect of mutants named Morlocks. Gambit would later become a Horseman of Apocalypse to help protect Rogue and the X-Men. Gambit is currently a member of X-Factor.
Rogue The power stealing mutant was adopted and raised by Mystique and went on missions against the Avengers out of loyalty to her foster mother. After stealing the power and personality of Ms. Marvel, Rogue turned to Professor X to stop the madness of her split personality. Rogue would go on to become a trusted X-Man and is currently part of the Avengers Unity team.
Emma Frost The White Queen of the Hellfire Club was a ruthless telepath who built a financial empire and founded a secret school for young mutants. After the death of her students, Emma teamed with the X-Men to save young mutants who would become known as Generation X. Emma would join and eventually be co-leader of the X-Men. Emma went back to her ruthless ways and led Norman Osborn’s evil X-Men during Dark Reign but it was all part of Cyclops’s endgame to protect the mutant race and form a new Utopia. Scott and Emma’s relationship and powers were shattered after Avengers vs. X-Men but they are working together at the New Xavier School.
Magneto Once he was Professor Xavier’s closest friend but their approach to protecting mutant rights drove them apart. Magneto’s redemption began after he attacked Kitty Pryde, learned Scarlet Witch and Quicksilver were his children and he had a granddaughter, Luna. The X-Men’s greatest enemy became their ally in the fight against the Beyonder and Magnus allowed himself to be put on trial for his crimes. The trial is interupted by an attack by the children of Wolfgang Von Strucker. Professor X is injured in the battle and he asks Magneto to come and run the school. Magneto would make alliances with the Hellfire Club and other villains to protect mutants. Magneto worked with Rogue, Nick Fury and Ka-Zar in the Savage Land. This the beginning of an attraction, distant relationship between Magnus and Rogue. A fatal fight with Zaladane, who has stolen the powers of Magneto and Polaris, was the final nail in the coffin for Eric’s first attempt to be a hero and ally of the X-Men.
Years later, after losing and gaining his power, Magneto pledged his allegiance to Cyclops, who had united the mutants on the island of Utopia. As an act of goodwill, Magneto used his powers to rescue Kitty Pryde from her imprisonment in an alien bullet speeding through space. Magnus stayed as Scott’s counselor during Avengers vs. X-Men and the forming of the Revolution team and New Xavier School after Professor X’s death.
After learning S.H.I.E.L.D. had their own Sentinels and Magneto went solo and has become a Punisher-like vigilante hunting anyone targeting mutants. Magneto is set to take on the Red Skull in March to AXIS. Magneto learns former Nazi stole Professor X’s brain and is behind a new mutant hunting operation.
Villain. Terrorist. Hero. Anti-Hero. Vigilante. Magneto wears many roles but his devotion to his face is without question.
By Editor