Blackbird (comics)

The Blackbird (also known as the X-Jet) is a fictional jet aircraft appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by writer Chris Claremont and artist Dave Cockrum, the aircraft first appeared in X-Men #94 (August 1975).[1] The Blackbird concept has survived multiple redesigns over the years. It is used primarily by the X-Men as a personal transport vehicle.[2][3]

For the real-world aircraft called Blackbird, see Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird.
Blackbird
Publication information
PublisherMarvel Comics
First appearanceX-Men #94
(August 1975)
Created byChris Claremont
Dave Cockrum
In story information
TypeJet aircraft
Element of stories featuringX-Men

Publication history

The Blackbird debuted in X-Men #94 (August 1975), created by Chris Claremont and Dave Cockrum. It appeared in the 2020 X-Men / Fantastic Four series.[4][5]

Fictional history

When the X-Men were introduced, they traveled in Professor Xavier's private jet and helicopter: advanced but fairly conventional aircraft with remote autopilots (i.e. the Professor flew them from home). When the series resumed in 1975, the X-Men flew a strato-jet that resembled a larger version of the Lockheed SR-71 "Blackbird" spy plane (hence the name), modified to carry several passengers and for Vertical Take-Off and Landing (VTOL). Some writers have referred to this design as the "SR-73", "SR-77", or the "SR-70";[6] it is canon in most plotlines of the Marvel Universe, including X-Men: Evolution, whose first episode sees Scott call it the SR-77. The original X-Men Blackbird has been destroyed and rebuilt numerous times in the course of the team's many adventures. The later versions incorporated technology created by the mutant inventor Forge, as well as alien (Shi'ar) technology, including weapons, holographic active camouflage, and engines capable of hypersonic speeds. One version of the Blackbird had an experimental cockpit windshield infused with traces of the same ruby quartz material used in Cyclops' visor, allowing him to project and amplify his optic blasts.[7]

Reception

Critical response

Jamie Lovett of ComicBook.com referred to the Blackbird as one of "Mavel's most iconic vehicles."[8] Brad Hill of Sportskeeda included the Blackbird in their "10 Best Vehicles in Comic Books" list.[9] Comic Book Resources ranked the Blackbird 1st in their "10 Best Vehicles In The Marvel Universe" list,[10] 8th in their "10 Coolest Vehicles In Marvel Comics" list,[11] and 10th in their "10 Most Important Vehicles In The Marvel Universe" list.[12] Casey Haney of Screen Rant ranked the Blackbird 5th in their "16 Best Superhero Vehicles" list.[13]

Other versions
The Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird

Alternate versions of the Blackbird appear in the Ultimate X-Men series. The X-Men have several aircraft, including one that resembles a B-2 Spirit stealth bomber.[14] It is also referred to as the "X-Wing."[15] One of the airplanes has been referred to casually as the "Blackbird" owing to its resemblance to the SR-71.

In other media

Television

Video games
  • The Blackbird appears in the arcade and console-imported game X-Men: Children of the Atom. It is the setting of Storm's stage. The player fight on top of the Blackbird, which is parked on top of an aircraft carrier itself.
  • The Blackbird appears in the arcade and console-imported game X-Men vs. Street Fighter. The player must once again fight on top of the Blackbird. This time it is not on top of an aircraft carrier but rather getting prepared for lift-off.
  • The Blackbird appears in Marvel Super Heroes vs. Street Fighter. The player must once again fight on top of the Blackbird. This time it is not ready for takeoff but rather having recently landed.
  • The Blackbird appears in X-Men Legends. It serves the purpose of taking the characters to their next location. This version is based on the X-Jet's look from the Ultimate X-Men.
  • The Blackbird appears in X-Men Legends II: Rise of Apocalypse. It serves the purpose of taking the characters to their next location. This version is based on the X-Jet's look from the Ultimate X-Men.
  • The Blackbird is mentioned by Wolverine at the beginning of Deadpool. Wolverine is heard at the call-answerer saying "NO! You can't take our Blackbird for a joy ride!." The X-Men later reluctantly let Deadpool pilot the Blackbird to take them and himself to Genosha. Deadpool crashes it and knocks the X-Men out during landing.

Film
  • The Blackbird appears in X-Men. It is used to bring the X-Men to Liberty Island. It played a larger role in the sequel, X2. It is first used by Jean Grey and Storm to locate Nightcrawler. It is later used to rescue Wolverine, Rogue, Pyro, and Iceman, and is then flown to Alkali Lake's dam to save captured Xavier Institute students and to foil William Stryker's plan. When they were asked to stay, Rogue and Iceman waited in the X-Jet while Pyro abandoned them to join the Brotherhood of Mutants. Rogue and Iceman fly the X-Jet to save the X-Men and the captured mutants. Jean Grey stays behind to counter the flood and sends the X-Jet to safety from the incoming wave from the broken dam.
  • The Blackbird appears in X-Men: The Last Stand. The X-jet employs stealth technology that renders it invisible. It is used to return to Alkali Lake to investigate Jean Grey's "resurrection." It is later used to carry the X-Men to the final battle on Alcatraz Island, where is disintegrated by Phoenix.
  • A SR-71 Blackbird schematic layout can be seen in Tony Stark's computer screen in Iron Man.[21][22]
  • The Blackbird appears in X-Men: First Class.[23] It (which Hank McCoy/Beast states that he designed) is almost externally identical to the SR-71, though its internal layout is very different. It is destroyed in the film's climax when a whirlwind created by Riptide causes it to crash.
  • The Blackbird appears in X-Men: Days of Future Past. In the future scenes of the film, set in 2023, the future X-Jet contains a compact version of the future Cerebro for Professor X's use,[24] and was kept hidden in a Chinese monastery from the mutant-hunting Sentinels using Storm's fog ability. Upon their discovery, Magneto and Storm would later catapult the future X-Jet to explode on the approaching Sentinels.[25] During the 1970s era of the film no version of the Blackbird or X-Jet is seen and the group transports aboard the Professor's private Jet, similar to the early comics.
  • The Blackbird appears in X-Men: Apocalypse.[26] While Charles Xavier is being taken away by Apocalypse, Havoc tries to stop him and his horsemen with his powers. However, he missies and instead hits one of the Blackbird's engines, causing the jet to explode and the entire school with it.
  • The Blackbird appears in Deadpool.
  • The Blackbird appears in Deadpool 2.[27][28] It is utilized by Colossus.
  • The Blackbird appears in Dark Phoenix. The X-Jet is shown to go into space to rescue the Space Shuttle Endeavor which results in Jean Grey becoming a host for the Phoenix Force. After the death of Raven, Hank steals the X-Jet to search for Magneto on his island.

Merchandise

See also

References
  1. Cronin, Brian (February 7, 2018). "The Real Life Origins of the X-Men's Blackbird Jet". Comic Book Resources. Retrieved 2023-08-08.
  2. Hood, Cooper (May 2, 2023). "11 Biggest MCU Teases From Iron Man 1". Screen Rant. Retrieved 2023-08-08.
  3. Chrysostomou, George (November 1, 2019). "The 10 Fastest Spaceships In The Marvel Universe, Ranked". Comic Book Resources. Retrieved 2023-08-08.
  4. Terror, Jude (April 6, 2020). "X-Men/Fantastic Four #3 Recap: The Failure of Krakoan Diplomacy". Bleeding Cool. Retrieved 2023-08-08.
  5. Lovett, Jamie (March 22, 2020). "Marvel's X-Men: Cyclops Can Fire Optic Blasts Through the Blackbird Now". ComicBook.com. Retrieved 2023-08-08.
  6. X-Men '92 #1 (May 2015, Infinite Comic)
  7. Uncanny X-Men #154 (February 1982)
  8. Lovett, Jamie (October 29, 2014). "Marvel Vehicles: Owner's Workshop Manual Exclusive Quinjet Excerpt". ComicBook.com. Retrieved 2023-08-08.
  9. Hill, Brad (May 7, 2022). "From Batmobile to Thanos Copter: Exploring 10 best vehicles in comic books". Sportskeeda. Retrieved 2023-08-08.
  10. Harth, David (August 3, 2022). "10 Best Vehicles In The Marvel Universe". Comic Book Resources. Retrieved 2023-08-08.
  11. Allan, Scoot (2022-10-29). "10 Coolest Vehicles In Marvel Comics, Ranked". Comic Book Resources. Retrieved 2022-11-25.
  12. Jackson, Carl (2021-01-10). "10 Most Important Vehicles In The Marvel Universe, Ranked". Comic Book Resources. Retrieved 2023-01-09.
  13. Haney, Casey (December 20, 2015). "The 16 Best Superhero Vehicles". Screen Rant. Retrieved 2023-08-08.
  14. Harn, Darby (August 17, 2020). "X-Men: 10 Things Fans Should Know About The Blackbird". Comic Book Resources. Retrieved 2023-08-08.
  15. Striga, Danijel (October 31, 2016). "X-Men: 15 Things You Need To Know About The Blackbird Jet". Screen Rant. Retrieved 2023-08-08.
  16. "X-Men: Pryde of the X-Men Screen Grabs". Toonzone. September 8, 2010. Retrieved 2010-09-17.
  17. Allan, Scoot (May 29, 2020). "X-Men: Forge's 5 Best Inventions (& 5 That Went Bad)". Comic Book Resources. Retrieved 2023-08-08.
  18. Mohan, Ishvar (2020-08-27). "10 Things You Need to Know About the X-Men's Blackbird - Animated Times". AnimatedTimes.com. Retrieved 2023-08-08.
  19. Thapa, Shaurya (February 24, 2021). "X-Men: Evolution: 5 Characters From The Comics The Show Improved On (& 5 It Worsened)". Screen Rant. Retrieved 2023-08-08.
  20. Allan, Scoot (September 22, 2019). "Blackbird: The Secrets of the X-Men's Comic Book X-Jet". Comic Book Resources. Retrieved 2023-08-08.
  21. Bacon, Thomas (January 18, 2019). "Iron Man Had The MCU's First X-Men Easter Egg". Screen Rant. Retrieved 2023-08-08.
  22. Jackson, Matthew (October 18, 2018). "The Best MCU Easter Eggs You Missed So Far". Looper. Retrieved 2023-08-08.
  23. Bettinger, Brendan (December 24, 2010). "X-MEN: FIRST CLASS Set Photos". Collider. Retrieved 2023-08-08.
  24. "Michael Fassbender and James McAvoy for X-Men: Days of Future Past". AMFM Magazine. May 23, 2014. Retrieved May 27, 2014.
  25. Failes, Ian (May 27, 2014). "Future threat – X-Men: Days of Future Past". Fxguide. Retrieved May 27, 2014.
  26. Gallagher, Brian (April 27, 2015). "X-Men: Apocalypse Art Shows Cerebro, Blackbird & Egypt". MovieWeb. Retrieved 2023-08-08.
  27. Francisco, Eric (April 19, 2018). "'Deadpool 2' Trailer Has 10 Easter Eggs Worth Spotting". Inverse. Retrieved 2023-08-08.
  28. Shepherd, Jack (January 25, 2016). "New Deadpool clip teases further X-Men tie-ins". The Independent. Retrieved 2023-08-08.
  29. Collins, Elle (October 25, 2016). "Cable And The '90s X-Men Get The Full Funko Treatment". ComicsAlliance. Retrieved 2023-08-08.
  30. White, Brett (October 25, 2016). "Funko Launches X-Tensive Line Of '90s X-Men Figures". Comic Book Resources. Retrieved 2023-08-08.
  31. Anderson, Ashley (June 20, 2017). "COMING SOON: WALMART EXCLUSIVE DORBZ RIDE!". Funko.
  32. Anderson, Jenna (June 20, 2017). "Funko Announces Exclusive Storm with Blackbird Dorbz Ride". ComicBook.com. Retrieved 2023-08-08.
  33. Roberts, Tyler (July 17, 2023). "The X-Jet Takes Flight with Hasbro's New X-Men 97' Epic Hero Series". Bleeding Cool. Retrieved 2023-08-08.
  34. Will, Malory Noreen (July 19, 2023). "X-Men '97 Toy Reveals First Look At Two Iconic Team Members". Game Rant. Retrieved 2023-08-08.
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