History of the MC2: The X-Men

I was inspired recently to make a timeline of events covering the history of the MC2, spanning the nebulous 15 year stretch of time after the Main Marvel Universe (or Universe-616) split off and became the MC2 (or Universe-982) and before the next-generation of heroes began to debut starting with J2 #1, A-Next #1 and What If #105.

The X-Men of the MC2. Colour artwork by Erundel.

Given that X-Men: Dark Phoenix is hitting cinemas, for the sixth installment of this series I've chosen to examine the history of the oft-forgotten team of mutants, the MC2's X-Men. Following a few references to the original mutant team in the series, we get our first glimpse of the X-Men in J2 #7 via a flashback to 'The Last Days of the Original Juggernaut'. It's here we learn Cain Marko aka the Juggernaut reformed and joined the X-Men, eventually being lost on a mission while at the Crossroads of Infinity though some details would remain unrevealed.

We get hints of the Juggernaut's final mission as early as J2 #1 with mentions of him being lost in a 'weird alien dimension' when Cain's son -Zane- has a recurring nightmare about his father. It's also in this issue we first learn that Cain met, fell in love with and married Sachi Yama a few years prior to his disappearance. Zane also mentions his parents were married 'a few years' before his disappearance and recalls his father taking him to Central Park or the movies when he was 'only a kid' which gives us a vague order of events.

We get hints and mentions throughout the J2 series until #12 reveals that Cain's final mission with the X-Men was to save the Earth from the Overlords Eight. While on their way back from the Crossroads of Infinity, the X-Men ran into an army of creatures called Darklings and Cain was imprisoned and tortured by one of the Overlords Eight, Nemesus. Cain would spend many years trapped in Nemesus' dimension, eventually inadvertantly transferring much of his powers as Juggernaut to his son, Zane.

The X-Men team that Cain Marko joins is led by Wolverine and other teammates included Wolfsbane (Rahne Sinclair), Synch (Everett Thomas), Siryn (Theresa Cassidy) and 'Hopper' (J2 #7, J2 #12 and Wild Thing #5). Notably, Cyclops mentions he was on a sabbatical at the time the Juggernaut joined the X-Men (J2 #7) and the latter made peace with his stepbrother, Charles Xavier (Wild Thing #5).

In addition to the mystery of original Juggernaut, we have a few other bits and pieces of information which help us assemble a very loose order of events surrounding the X-Men. At some point in the past, Wolverine regained his adamantium which at the time the issue was published, had not occurred in the Main Marvel Universe (J2 #10). Cain Marko's and his former partner in crime, Black Tom Cassidy, had a falling out, possibly as a result of Cain dating Sachi Yama (J2 #7).  Cassidy Keep, the ancestrial home of Black Tom has been seemingly uninhabitated following Tom's disappearance 'years ago' (J2 #9).

Wild Thing aka Rina Logan mentions growing up in a super hero team (Spider-Girl #½), and learning how to manifest her psi-claws from her 'Godmother' (J2 #5), most certainly a reference to the X-Men and Psylocke respectively.

In Wild Thing #3 we learn that Mr Woodhill, the social studies teacher at Upper Saddle River High was involved in a crash ten years prior, spending a year in the hospital as a result. While there Woodhill was transformed into a Sleeper Sentinel, including suppression implants to ensure he remained unaware he was a cyborg. Jubilee explains that the X-Men had years ago attempted to find all the Sleeper Sentinels but some -such as Mr Woodhill- had gone undetected. Using a program devised by Dr McCoy and Forge, the Sleeper Sentinels would have their Sentinel activation nullified, allowing them to continue on believing they were ordinary humans (Wild Thing #3).

As noted in my History of the MC2: The Avengers post, Jubilee was active as a member of the Avengers interim team that formed following several losses during a mission to an alternate world (What If #105, A-Next #1 and #7 and Spider-Girl #32). Based on that information, we know this was around 10-11 years prior to the present-day in the MC2 seen in What If #105. 

Zane notes that thanks to the efforts and sacrifices of the X-Men, anti-mutant sentiment has been on the down-swing for the past few years and that the X-People currently operate from a mansion in Saddle River, New Jersey (J2 #2). Additionally, Rina seems to imply that both the X-Men and X-People teams currently exist (J2 # 10). The continued existence of the X-Men team is confirmed by Mainframe in Spider-Girl #92, in which we also learn Magneto hasn't been seen in years and is believed by some to be dead. 

With all that covered, we can piece together a very rough outline of events for Marvel's Merry Mutants, the X-Men during the approximately 15-year span prior to present-day events in the MC2 starting with What If #105:

• Cain Marko falls in love with Sachi Yama and reforms

• Cain has a falling out with Black Tom Cassidy, possibly over Sachi

• At some point Black Tom Cassidy disappears

• Wolverine regains his adamantium under unrevealed circumstances

• Cain joins the X-Men led by Wolverine. Cyclops is on a sabbatical around this time.

• Sachi and Cain are married and their son, Zane Marko is born.

• A few years later, Cain is lost on a mission with the X-Men and is imprisoned and tortured by Nemesus of the Overlords Eight
• Jubilee joins the Avengers following the loss of many of their members. 

• Several people are transformed into Sleep Sentinels including Mr Woodhill. 

• Dr Hank McCoy and Forge devise a method of neutralizing the Sentinel programming, allowing the Sleepers to lead normal lives unaware they are cyborgs. However Woodhill and others remain undetected.

• Following several sacrifices by the X-Men, anti-mutant sentiment is reduced. 

• At some point, Magneto disappears and is thought dead by some.

• Working from a mansion in Saddle River, New Jersey, the X-People team is formed and named by Jubilee. 

• The X-Men team continues to operate and oversee the newer team in some capacity.

While much of the dating of events remains extremely unclear, and certain events (such as Zane's birth or characters disappearances) could easily be placed elsewhere, I believe this is a pretty good summation of the available information. As there are still several plot threads left unresolved and more than a few X-Men teammates' whereabouts unaccounted for, I'd sincerely love the X-Men of the MC2 to get some more page time one day. Perhaps in an X-People mini series?

Until I develop mutant powers, don a yellow a blue skin-tight outfit and fight for equality in world that fears and hates me, I remain

frogoat

Sachi Yama in the 616

A quick little entry today and a slightly different slant of a series I've been doing for sometime now. Today, I'll be looking at a native MC2 character who was integrated (albeit briefly) into Earth-616, better known as the Main Marvel Universe: Sachi Yama, the mother of Zane Yama aka the heroic J2.

A little bit of history first: During the late 90's and early 2000's through several appearances it looked as though the Juggernaut aka Cain Marko was being transitioned into a less villainous character. While it wasn't always consistent (and continues to be inconsistent) the push to make him more likeable was evident.


A salient example of this, the mini-series X-Men Forever from writer Fabian Nicieza and artist Kevin Maguire. A primary character through the time-jumping events of the series, Juggernaut comes to realize he had wasted his life. By the conclusion of X-Men Forever #6 Cain is returned to jail but is soon released, having made an agreement with the Commission on Superhuman Activity to work as a bounty hunter in exchange for a reduction of his sentence. One of the conditions of his work furlough release states he must report to a Ms. Yama.

This is a nice nod to the established history of Sachi Yama in the MC2. Sachi first appears in J2 #1 where we learn that she fell in love with and eventually married Cain Marko. This is further elaborated on in J2 #7:

Sadly, this new direction for the Juggernaut was dropped almost immediately and to my knowledge we haven't seen Sachi Yama appear in the Main Marvel Universe since. It'd be interesting to hear what Mr Nicieza had planned for Sachi and ol' Juggy.

Until I decide to reform and join the X-Men, I remain

frogoat

X-People: Blue (Concept)

As you may recall, I discussed Blue Kelso aka Bluestreak, in particular pondering what her codename was -if any-before joining Clint Barton's group of special students later known as the Dream Team. Prior to this, Blue was a member of the X-People led by Jubilee. While we know nothing about this point in Ms. Kelso's life, it's fun to imagine her in a trainee X-Costume. With that said, here's my cruddy first attempt at photoshop:

Please be kind. Apologies to Ron Frenz.




Until I get better with Photoshop, I remain




frogoat

Before Bluestreak

Here's an MC2-related question I would never have thought to ask before:

What was Bluestreak's codename when she was a member of the X-People?

Confused? Let me explain. When we are first formerly introduced to Blue Kelso aka Bluestreak in A-Next #4, we learn that she was formerly a member of the X-People before joining the next generation Avengers alongside her fellow Dream Team members.

Yes, I had to include the previous panel. Obviously. Anyway, Blue mentions it again in A-Next #6...

Bluestreak spent some time working in 'the X-People's Danger Room with Jubilee.' Flash forward (or backwards?) to the American Dream mini series where we learn not only the titular character's origin but we see Blue's time under Clint Barton's tutelage (American Dream #3).

Here's where it get's interesting. We see Clint not only giving the team their costumes but also their codenames.

Finally, in American Dream #4 we see the formation of the Dream Team, which seems to take place soon after the events of A-Next #1.

 So, for those not paying attention, it might appear as though there is a continuity error regarding Blue's time with the X-People. However, I think there is a simple explanation: Blue Kelso had another codename when she was a member of the X-People. If I may slip into the realm of wild speculation, perhaps Blue was merely a trainee ala Nancy Lu as Push in Spider-Girl #92, which could also explain why she only ever mentions Jubilee and her hours of training.

Perhaps there is more to the story than we know? Maybe we'll never find out. Just something to think about. Let me know your thoughts or yell at me for making a rookie mistake!

Until I figure out how to switch off my fan-brain, I remain

frogoat

In lieu of actual content

Due to a laptop hardware issue, I am unable to post with any reliability. Because of the limitations (and constant crashes) of the app, I've unfortunately had no success posting anything at all this past few weeks, despite my frequent attempts. So apologies for that. Here's something to tide you over until I can once again type on a real keyboard.

MC2 Family Trees Master Post

My own self-imposed rule of posting at least once a week hasn't gone to plan due to very limited free time. I'd prefer to put out something rather than nothing but with no time to spare, I figure a full list of my MC2 Family Trees would have to suffice for now. There will be more of these family trees in future, including a few updates to previous entries.

The Yama Family Tree

The Mansfield Family Tree

The Kirby Family Tree

The Hardy/Thompson Family Tree

The Xavier-Marko Family Tree

The Duran Family Tree

The DeSantos Family Tree

The Crazy/Face Family Tree

The Jameson Family Tree

The Carter Family Tree

The Masterson Family Tree

The Lang Family Tree

The Drew Family Tree

The Morgan Family Tree

The Robertson Family Tree

The Dillon Family Tree

The Logan Family Tree

The Forest Family Tree

The Wyngarde Family Tree

The Wakandan Royal Family Tree

The Lang Family Tree *Updated*

The Bryce-Jones Family Tree

The Rambeau-Freeman Family Tree

The Harkness Family Tree

The Brady Family Tree

The Lu Family Tree

That's all of the Family Trees to date. If there are any specific MC2 Family Tree's you'd like to see, please don't hesitate to ask. I'd love some feedback. Even if you think I've got something wrong, tell me!

Until I find more time to put out something more consequential, I remain

frogoat

The Lu Family Tree

For this MC2 Family Tree, we'll be coving May 'Mayday' Parker's former rival on the basketball court, Nancy 'Lucky' Lu and her family.

Nancy Meeko Lu first appears in Spider-Girl #23 as Central High's star basketball player. Demonstrating why she had earned the nickname 'Lucky' with her uncanny fortune on the court, May became suspicious (and perhaps a little jealous) when she and the rest of Midtown's team were beaten.

As Spider-Girl, May followed Nancy home, hoping to uncover something sinister, only to discover Nancy and her family appeared to be the very definition of an all-American family, complete with annoying brother and adorable sister. Eventually, Spider-Girl observes Nancy using her powers to prevent a child from being hit by a car. Confronted, Nancy admits she's a mutant with low-level telekinetic abilities and that she has no interest in being a super hero. We also learn that Nancy was approached by the X-People but turned them down as she wishes to lead a normal life and become a doctor.

Spider-Girl's parting words about not using her powers for anything foolish causes Nancy to quit her basketball team. This news has the unintended consequence of leaving May feeling guilty and contemplating the unfair advantage her naturally super-human power's may give her when competing.

But that's not the last we'd see of Nancy Lu, oh no! After spotting Jack Jameson with Nancy Lu in Spider-Girl #29 May learns that Nancy may be transferring to Midtown High's school district as a result of Mr. Lu changing jobs.

 In Spider-Girl #30 May runs into Nancy with JJ at the Daily Bugle and later Coach Thompson asks Davida and May to convince Nancy to join Midtown's basketball team. Again in Spider-Girl #31, we see JJ and Nancy out together but it's seems Nancy doesn't start at Midtown High until Spider-Girl #32 when we see her and JJ heading to lunch. Nancy makes friends with Davida and May even enjoys a one-on-one game of basketball with her in Spider-Girl #33. May realizes she genuinely likes Nancy despite her previous misgivings. The three girls discuss shoes in Spider-Girl #34 and Nancy joins May's friends for an outing in Spider-Girl #35. Everything is going very well.  So naturally, it won't last.

Nancy learns of Coach Thompson's plan to use May and Davida to recruit her to the school team. When May attempts to explain things to Nancy lashes out with her powers, knocking May into a locker and storming off.

After a failed attempt and a heated encounter with JJ, Nancy apologizes to May in Spider-Girl #43 and we don't see her again for a while.

Spider-Girl #61 is the beginning of a major turning point when Coach Thompson takes Davida off the basketball team's starting line-up in favour of Nancy Lu.

Things only get worse from here on out. During an altercation with Davida in Spider-Girl #64, Nancy instinctively uses her powers to defend herself, exposing herself as a mutant to the school.

Things reach a head in Spider-Girl #67 when Nancy's locker is vandalised and graffitied with anti-mutant messages. At home, Nancy's parents argue over their daughters situation and Nancy's siblings are ostracised at school. Later while attempting to get some air, Nancy is accosted by several hooded figures.

The group attacking Nancy Lu are revealed to be fellow students from Midtown High. When The Buzz (aka JJ) and Spider-Girl intervene, Nancy reveals she's more afraid of hurting others due to a lack of control of her abilities than being hurt herself. Afterwards, Nancy makes the decision to go with the X-People to better master her powers.

And for a while, it seemed like we would never see Ms Lu again. That is until she reappeared in Spider-Girl #92 in a very different role, that of the mutant hero in training: Push. May briefly runs into Nancy Lu before the two both run off to switch into their hero attire in order to stop a imposter-Magneto.

I love how Nancy's X-People costume resembles the original X-Men's first costumes as a nod to her status as a novice hero. Unfortunately Nancy has only appeared in one further story to-date. In a plot-line that references Nancy's own outing as a mutant, student Sara Hingle's story takes a turn for the worse when she ends up recruited and manipulated by Magneta and her Sisterhood of Mutants (Amazing Spider-Girl #22-24).

Unfortunately that's the last we see of Nancy Lu to date. Another nice touch with Nancy's costume now more in keeping with the rest of X-People. From one-off rival to supporting character to full-fledged super heroine, Nancy is a wonderful example of how the MC2 takes small roles and makes them into something truly inspiring. Nancy never stops striving to be a good person and still aims to be a doctor regardless of how others wish to pigeon-hole her into a single category.

A few little tidbits before I wrap this up. Nancy's middle name -Meeko- is given in Spider-Girl #67. Push doesn't appear in Last Planet Standing, which came out within months of her super heroic debut in Spider-Girl #92. If you look closely in Spider-Girl #23, you'll notice Nancy has a cat. I wonder if they accompanied her to the X-Mansion?

I think the idea of the Lu family as 'The All-American Family' is a nice statement in and of itself, while also reflecting aspects of May's own home life. Nancy could have very easily been written as a one-dimensional rival character instead of the nuanced individual we saw develop over time. For that, I'm grateful.

Until I figure out a blogging schedule that includes sleep, I remain

frogoat