X-Babies
The X-Babies are a group of fictional characters appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. They are depicted as being Mojo-manufactured child clones of the X-Men.[1][2][3][4][5] They first appeared in Uncanny X-Men Annual #12 and were created by Chris Claremont and Arthur Adams.
In line with Mojo being a parody of network executives, the X-Babies parody the modern trend of creating younger and junior versions of cartoon characters, which began in the 1980s with Muppet Babies.[6]
Appearances
[edit]In Uncanny X-Men Annual #10 (also by Claremont and Adams), Mojo de-aged the X-Men (Nightcrawler, Shadowcat, Wolverine, Rogue, Magneto, Psylocke, Colossus, Storm and Longshot) into children; this is what most likely inspired the creation of the X-Babies.[7]
In Uncanny X-Men Annual #12, the X-Men are assumed to be dead (having died in Dallas, only to be resurrected by the goddess Roma). Mojo, missing his greatest rating generators, had his people try to recreate his own version of the X-Men. After many unsuccessful attempts, the X-Babies were created. They soon rebel against Mojo. Mojo was about to kill them when he was told that their ratings were the highest ever recorded.
There have been several incarnations of the X-Babies over the years, usually resembling the current team of X-Men. There has also been a similar team instead based on the Avengers, called the Mitey 'Vengers, who appeared in the X-Babies Reborn one-shot. There have also been several X-Babies villain teams including the "Brotherhood of Bullies" based on the Brotherhood of Mutants (X-Babies Murderama, 1998).
In Excalibur: Mojo Mayhem (1989), Kitty Pryde, interrupted on a train trip, helps a team of X-Babies flee from a Mojo enforcer who is intent on getting them back by tricking them into signing contracts. In this incarnation, the children's childlike faults and crushes on each other are cruelly exploited by their adversary. Kitty, with backup, ends up saving the day.
Several incarnations of the X-Babies are friendly with Ricochet Rita, the good past-self of the villain Spiral. Due to Spiral's time travel abilities, Rita, the babies, and Spiral can all exist at the same period simultaneously.
In X-Men #46-47 (1995), an X-Babies team is on the run from Mojo's hunters. Gambit and Bishop try to keep them alive.
In Exiles #8, it is shown that the reality-hopping Exiles encountered a version of the X-Babies. It is not stated whether these X-Babies are the creation of Mojo or the X-Men of the reality in question. In fact, no further details are given except for the narrative commentary "The less said about this, the better". The X-Baby Wolvie would then become a permanent member.
Dazzler would encounter juvenile versions of the four main villains from the "Age of Apocalypse" timelines. These entities would cause major death and destruction throughout Mojoworld.
The X-Men were once again reduced to infancy by Mojo during Uncanny X-Men #461 (2005). As kids, they were able to defeat the villains, parody lawyer-versions of the Exiles and restore their rightful ages. Juggernaut had second thoughts about returning to adulthood but was convinced to go through with it.
In the X-Babies four issue limited series (2009/2010) the X-Babies discover their position as Mojo's number one rating grabber had been usurped by the newer, cuter, but more shallow in personality 'Adorable X-Babies'. This version had a much more expansive roster, including members of the New Mutants, X-Force, X-Factor, Generation X, Excalibur, the Xavier Institute student body, X-Statix, and the Chicago Morlocks.
In 2012, a spoof comic called A-Babies Vs. X-Babies was released as a tie-in to the Avengers vs. X-Men event.[8]
In the Krakoan Age, the X-Men work to rescue the X-Babies from Mojo's control and bring them to Krakoa.[9]
Members
[edit]Bibliography
[edit]- Uncanny X-Men Annual #10 (1986) - Note: This is the X-Men team reduced to children.
- Uncanny X-Men Annual #12 (1988)
- Excalibur: Mojo Mayhem (1989)
- Uncanny X-Men Annual #17 (1993)
- X-Men #46-47 (1995)
- Wolverine Special Vol. 1 #102.5 (1996)
- X-Babies: Murderama (1998)
- X-Babies: Reborn (2000)
- Uncanny X-Men #393 (2001)
- X-Men Unlimited #32 (2001)
- X-Men Unlimited #37 (2002)
- Exiles #8 (2002)
- X-Men Unlimited #50 (2003)
- Uncanny X-Men #461 (2005) - Note: This is the X-Men team reduced to children.
- X-Babies #1 - #4 (2009)
- A-Babies Vs. X-Babies #1 (2012)
- Spider-Man and the X-Men #3 (2015)
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ Whitbrook, James (October 30, 2024). "The X-Men Are X-Babies All Over Again In Jeffrey Brown's Latest Pop Culture Kids Book". Gizmodo. Retrieved February 26, 2025.
- ^ Cronin, Brian (August 30, 2024). "The X-Men Love to Break Through a Hole in the Cover". Comic Book Resources. Retrieved February 26, 2025.
- ^ Johnston, Rich (December 21, 2022). "Marvel Comics Introducing X-Babies Zombies In Today's X-Men Annual". Bleeding Cool. Retrieved February 26, 2025.
- ^ Harn, Darby (April 21, 2020). "X-Men: 10 Things Marvel Fans Never Knew About Mojoworld". Comic Book Resources. Retrieved February 26, 2025.
- ^ Schlesinger, Alex (January 2, 2023). "The X-Men Were Just Forced To Kill Themselves As Babies". Screen Rant. Retrieved February 26, 2025.
- ^ Baron, Reuben (July 26, 2017). "Baby Drivers: 15 Times Superheroes Became Babies (For Reasons)". Comic Book Resources. Retrieved February 26, 2025.
- ^ Schedeen, Jesse (October 8, 2009). "X-Babies #1 Review". IGN. Retrieved February 26, 2025.
- ^ Yehl, Joshua (October 17, 2012). "A-Babies vs. X-Babies #1 Review". IGN. Retrieved February 26, 2025.
- ^ Schlesinger, Alex (November 27, 2022). "X-Men Teases Its Surreal X-Babies Team Is Returning to Marvel Canon". Screen Rant. Retrieved February 26, 2025.
