X-Mansion
X-Mansion | |
---|---|
The Xavier Institute for Higher Learning | |
Notable locations | Salem Center, New York |
Notable characters |
X-Men Xavier Institute's Students & Faculties |
First appearance | The X-Men #1 |
Publisher | Marvel Comics |
The X-Mansion is the common name for a fictional location appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The mansion is depicted as Professor Xavier's private estate, a character in X-men comics. It is the base of operations and training site of the X-Men and the location of a school for mutant teenagers, and sometimes older aged mutants, the Xavier Institute for Higher Learning, formerly Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters.[1] It is also the worldwide headquarters of the X-Corporation. Its address is 1407 Graymalkin Lane, Salem Center (part of the town of North Salem), located in the very northeast corner of Westchester County, New York.[2] The school's motto is "mutatis mutandis." Recently, Wolverine re-opened the school, at the same address, under the name of the Jean Grey School for Higher Learning.[3]
History
The X-Mansion is the inherited property of Charles Xavier (Professor X) and has been in the Xavier family for ten generations including two known mutants in the lineage, both becoming detached from the family. Little else is known about them or their mutations.
As Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters, the X-Mansion was the training site of the first two generations of teenage X-Men:
- The original X-Men — Cyclops, Iceman, Angel, Beast, Jean Grey (Marvel Girl), and later, Mimic (briefly), Havok, and Lorna Dane
- The original New Mutants — Cannonball, Wolfsbane, Mirage, Karma, Sunspot, Cypher, Magma, Magik, and Warlock, along with Shadowcat, a contemporary of the original New Mutants who was their classmate but was a member of the adult X-Men team instead.
In X-Men vol. 2 #38 (November 1994), the X-Mansion was renamed from Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters to the Xavier Institute for Higher Learning, as most of the X-Men were adults rather than teenagers by this time. Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters was relocated to the Massachusetts Academy in Western Massachusetts (a Marvel created town or region called Snow Valley somewhere in The Berkshires), which served as the training site of the third generation of teenage X-Men beginning in Generation X #1 (November 1994).
The Massachusetts Academy closes permanently in Generation X #75 (June 2001). Shortly thereafter, the school for young mutants is reopened at the X-Mansion, but the name remains "The Xavier Institute for Higher Learning" despite the younger student body. The fourth generation of mutant teenagers, featured in Grant Morrison's New X-Men (2001–2004) and in New Mutants (2003–2004; relaunched as New X-Men: Academy X, July 2004–February 2008), study at the mansion until it is destroyed during the 2007–2008 story "Messiah Complex" and the X-Men subsequently disband and close the Institute.
Though protected by high-tech defenses, the X-Mansion has often been breached by the supervillains and evil mutants faced by the X-Men. Indeed, the X-Mansion has been destroyed and rebuilt several times. It was demolished in a battle with the Sidri in Uncanny X-Men #154 (February 1982) and atomized by Mister Sinister in Uncanny X-Men #243 (April 1989). It was rebuilt by a future Franklin Richards in moments but reverted to its destroyed state after the time-traveler became confused.[4]
Certain portions of the mansion, such as extensive sub-basements, survived both demolitions. When Onslaught revealed himself and fought the X-Men (X-Men v2 #54 (June 1996) and Onslaught: X-Men), the mansion took heavy damage, though was quickly repaired in-between issues after the "Onslaught" storyline. In Operation: Zero Tolerance, Bastion forced Jubilee to reveal the mansion's defenses. He then stripped down the mansion, having everything inside the mansion removed, even down to the paint on the walls. After defeating Bastion, the X-Men moved back into the mansion, as detailed in X-Men v2 #70 (November 1997). The X-Mansion survived an assault by the Shi'ar Imperial Guard in New X-Men #122-126 (March–July 2002) as well as a riot by students led by Quentin Quire in New X-Men #134-138 (January–May 2003). In the Planet X storyline of New X-Men #146-150, however, the X-Mansion was destroyed; the rebuilding process could be seen in New X-Men #155-156 (June 2004). In the wake of M-Day the mansion was infiltrated by followers of the Reverend William Stryker in an attempt to wipe out the students, resulting in some structural damage and several casualties. Then the mansion was severely damaged when the Danger Room became sentient and summoned local machinery to attack the structure. The mansion was also damaged when Mr. Sinister's new team of Marauders attacked the mansion. A fight between the Hulk and several mutants heavily damaged the mansion. In the Messiah Complex storyline, the mansion was completely destroyed by attacking Sentinels.
Unlike past times, the mansion was not rebuilt for a considerable length of time. Rather, the X-Men and their students relocated to a new base of operations in San Francisco. Under the name Graymalkin Industries, the new X-base is not run as a school, but rather as a sort of community center for mutants who wish to develop their powers.
Faculty (pre-"Messiah Complex")
- Shadowcat teaches computer science classes and, in addition to being a member of the senior staff, acts as a student advisor and liaison for the senior staff.
- Karma teaches French and is in charge of those students who are too young to join the training squads. She also oversees the library.
- Nightcrawler teaches music, art, life sciences, and drama.
- Beast teaches science and mathematics and is part of the senior staff, presumably overseeing the curriculum.
- Emma Frost, besides being the headmistress of the Xavier Institute, also teaches English, business, and ethics, much to the horror of Kitty Pryde. She also presides over the new team of X-Men, teaching them to work as a team, with some assistance from the senior staff, such as Colossus.
- Wolverine teaches close quarters combat.
- Cyclops, besides being the headmaster of the Xavier Institute, also teaches the elective leadership and tactics.
- Northstar, before his death (and later resurrection), taught business and consumer law classes, as well as a flying class for those students with flight powers. He also mentored the Alpha Squadron training squad.
- Iceman, being a Certified Public Accountant, teaches classes in mathematics, finance, and accounting.
- Gambit teaches a target practice class for students with projectile-based powers. He also mentors the Chevaliers training squad.
- Wolfsbane, in addition to mentoring the Paragons, is a teaching assistant in Beast's science class.
Post X-Men: Schism
After the events of X-Men: Schism, Wolverine and half of the X-Men return to Westchester, New York and the X-Mansion. The name of the school is now the "Jean Grey School for Higher Learning." Its grounds are in fact a spawn of Krakoa the Living Island. In the first issue of Wolverine and the X-Men an entirely new school is built on the grounds. It is funded mainly with scientific advancements by the students. [5]
- Storm - Headmistress
- Beast - Vice Principal
- Rogue - Senior Staff
- Iceman - Senior Staff
- Rachel Grey - Senior Staff
- Northstar - Senior Staff
- Firestar - Senior Staff
- Chamber - Junior Staff
- Frenzy - Junior Staff
- Karma - Junior Staff
- Husk - Junior Staff
- Warbird - Junior Staff
- Deathlok - Adjunct Staff/Campus Guard
- Doop - Adjunct Staff
- Spider-Man - Adjunct Staff/Guidance Counselor
- Angel - Graduate Assistant/Recruiter
- Dr. Cecilia Reyes - Resident Physician
- Kavita Rao - Resident Doctor
- Jubilee - Resident/Member
- Armor - Member
- Pixie - Member
- Kid Omega - Member
- Nightcrawler - Member
- Colossus - Member
Layout
In the middle of the main courtyard is the Phoenix Memorial Statue, dedicated to the memory of Jean Grey. Notable rooms include the Danger Room and a room containing Cerebro. The Headmasters Office of Cyclops and Emma Frost is on the top floor. The basketball court is a popular hang-out; it was the site of a basketball game in X-Men v2 #4 (January 1992) in which the X-Men used their mutant powers. Directly below the basketball court is the hangar, which houses many transportation vehicles, as well as aircraft such as the X-Men Blackbird.
Other versions
Age of Apocalypse
The remains of the X-Mansion were the headquarters for a mutant resistance cell against Apocalypse - a mutant that had conquered North America. The Mansion survives, and many new mutants come to the School in hope of shelter.[6]
Mutant X
In the darker continuity of Mutant X, the X-Mansion is run by Magneto, who had long ago taken up Charles Xavier's dream. The mansion is vaporized in a nuclear explosion.
Prelude to Deadpool Corps
In issue #2, the X-Mansion is shown to be an orphanage for troubled kids that is run by Prof. X and the teachers include Storm and Beast. Some of the orphans include kid versions of Deadpool, Scott Summers, Wolverine, Angel and Colossus.[7]
Ultimate Marvel
In the Ultimate universe, the X-Mansion does not differ much; however, it is not entirely funded by inheritance. Though the school originally was funded from Magneto's inheritance, allowing them to neither accept nor seek out donations. Its policies have since changed after Magneto's departure and Xavier's subsequent control over the facility. Later, the students question and ridicule the unlikeliness of the facility simply being funded by inheritance. It is then revealed that numerous donors fund Xavier's projects and remain anonymous due to heavy anti-mutant sentiments present in public opinion. One of the biggest donors was the Hellfire Club, who were revealed to have an ulterior motive for doing so. In Xavier's conversation with Lilandra Neramani it's discovered that S.H.I.E.L.D. were former financiers before their falling out with Xavier; it is unknown what their intentions were. The Church of the Shi'ar have become major investors.
The school's location is concealed by a projected image of a Jehovah's Witness chapter, as revealed in Ultimate X-Men #1.
The mansion is purposely demolished by Iceman in "Ultimate Requiem". This is because the team had been devastated by Magneto's attack and the survivors were going on the run.
In other media
Television
- Xavier's mansion makes its first of three televised appearances in Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends. In "The Origin of Iceman," a flashback showed that Iceman traveled there after being invited by Professor X to join the X-Men. In "A Firestar is Born," Iceman and Firestar return to the X-Mansion for a reunion party where they meet Storm and Wolverine. Spider-Man even arrived when Juggernaut attacks the X-Mansion to target Professor X. In "The Education of a Superhero," the X-Mansion is seen when Spider-Man, Iceman, and Firestar enlist the X-Men to continue Videoman's training.
- The X-Mansion appeared in the X-Men television series.
- The X-Mansion appears in the two-part Spider-Man episode "The Mutant Agenda." Spider-Man travels there to see Professor X in hopes that he can help figure out what he is changing into.
- The X-Mansion appears in X-Men: Evolution with the same address, but in Bayville, New York.[8]
- The X-Mansion appears in the animated series Wolverine and the X-Men. It is destroyed by a massive explosion (which was later revealed to have been caused by the Phoenix Force). With the help of Forge and the money of Angel, it was rebuilt just in time for the X-Men to save the world.
- The X-Mansion appears in The Super Hero Squad Show. It is shown as part of Super Hero City and is depicted as a white circular building with a X-Logo on top. In "Mysterious Mayhem at Mutant Academy," the interior of the X-Mansion is shown as a normal school with the Danger Room also serving as a detention hall and a cafeteria.
- The X-Mansion is mentioned to in The Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes episode "Masters of Evil." A newspaper has a photo of it with the cover story "Secret School for Mutants?".
Film
- The X-Mansion was featured in Generation X (live action made for television movie that came out on FOX in 1996), X-Men, X2: X-Men United, X-Men: The Last Stand, X-Men: First Class, X-Men: Days of Future Past and Deadpool.
- In Bryan Singer's 2000 superhero film X-Men, the exterior of the X-Mansion was filmed at the Casa Loma, Toronto, and the Parkwood Estate at Oshawa, Ontario, Canada.[9]
- In the superhero films X2: X-Men United (2003), and X-Men: The Last Stand (2006) the exterior of the X-Mansion were filmed at Hatley Castle on the grounds of Hatley Park and Royal Roads University in Victoria, Vancouver Island, British Columbia.[10][11][12]
- In X-Men: First Class (2011), the role of the X-Mansion is played by the Englefield House, an Elizabethan manor in Berkshire, England.
Video games
- In the fighting game, X-Men: Next Dimension, the X-Mansion served as one of the arenas to fight within, as well as on the foregrounds.
- The X-Mansion appears in X-Men Legends. It serves as a hub for the X-Men.
- In X-Men Legends II: Rise of Apocalypse, Beast was at the Mansion trying to locate Apocalypse. Instead, the villain invaded, took Beast, and destroyed the entire building. The remains serve as a Hub during Apocalypse's invasion on New York.
- The X-Mansion appears in Marvel: Ultimate Alliance. When Weasel is looking for somewhere to hide from S.H.I.E.L.D., Professor X mentions to the player that having S.H.I.E.L.D. Soldiers within his home would not sit well with his fellow X-Men. This causes Weasel to choose the X-Mansion as a hide-out. During that time, Weasel was also a pest to the X-Men because he repeatedly activated different vehicles and equipment without authorization.
- The X-Mansion appears in Marvel Heroes. It serves as a hub for the players.
- The X-Mansion appears in Lego Marvel Super Heroes. It is located in Inwood, Manhattan. During the game, Magneto leads his Brotherhood of Mutants and his Acolyte soldiers into raiding the X-Mansion to steal back the Tesseract for Doctor Doom. The X-Men had to fight the Brotherhood of Mutants members and the Acolyte soldiers while getting the X-Mansions' students to safety.
Books
- The X-Mansion appears at the end of the X-Men/Star Trek crossover novel Planet X. Q and Watcher have a discussion while observing the X-Men on its lawn.
- X-Men: Survival Guide to the Mansion Vol 1 No 1; is a comic book written as if the reader is a new student attending the X-Mansion. It gives helpful advice on how to survive living with the X-Men and fellow mutant students.
See also
References
- ↑ Gina Misiroglu (2004). The Superhero Book. Visible Ink Press. p. 507. ISBN 1-57859-154-6.
Few heroes enjoy such elaborate bases of operations as Batman and Superman, although the X-Men headquarters is a site to be reckoned with. Marvel Comic's mutant band of superheroes spend most of their time at their mentor Professor X's mansion, located in Westchester County, New York. Xavier's estate houses the X-Men's training facility, which fronts as an Ivy League-like school.
- ↑ Sanderson, Peter (2007). The Marvel Comics Guide to New York City. New York City: Pocket Books. p. 214. ISBN 1-4165-3141-6.
- ↑ Wolverine and the X-Men #1, 2011
- ↑ "The New Mutants" Annual #6 (1990)
- ↑ Wolverine and the X-Men #20 (2012)
- ↑ "Astonishing X-Men" vol 1 #1-4 (1995-1996)
- ↑ "Prelude To Deadpool Corps" #2 (May, 2010)
- ↑ Episode 18 "Beast of Bayville" Season 2
- ↑ http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0120903/locations
- ↑ http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0290334/locations
- ↑ http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0376994/locations
- ↑ http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1270798/locations
External links
- Xavier Institute at UncannyXmen.net
- Hatley Castle — The actual house used in the X-Men movies.
- Xavier Mansion Tour: Join Storm For A Tour Of The Mansion!