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The Morlocks were a group of Marvel Comics mutants associated with the X-Men. Created by writer Chris Claremont and artist Paul Smith, they first appeared in Uncanny X-Men #169 (May 1983).
Unable to pass as normal due to the external physical changes their mutations caused, the Morlocks squatted in a network of abandoned, interconnected tunnels beneath Manhattan. The Morlocks were largely a peaceful group but misguided attempts to gain something from the surface world occasionally brought them into conflicts. The most famous incident ended with Morlock leader Callisto losing a duel to Storm, who then was made their honorary leader.
Due to a series of tragedies, the original Morlocks no longer reside in subterranean New York (except Marrow who was one of the originals as a child), although a violent splinter cell Gene Nation and a comparable group called Those Who Live in Darkness have emerged. Similar groups, called Morlocks by readers and/or the X-Men themselves, have appeared under Chicago and London.
They were named after the the subterranean race in H.G. Wells's novel The Time Machine.
The Morlocks appeared occasionally in the 1990s X-Men animated series and its successor Evolution.
History
The X-Men were alerted to the existence of the Morlocks after Callisto, their leader, kidnapped the X-Man Angel and intended to make him her mate. The X-Men realised they could not rescue Angel without ruling over the numerous Morlocks. This brought Nightcrawler to challenge Callisto to a duel. The prize of the duel was to become the leader of the Morlocks.
Storm, feeling that she should be the one to duel Callisto (as leader of the X-Men) defeated her in hand-to-hand combat. She rescued Angel and became the de facto leader of the Morlocks. Against her wishes, the Morlocks later kidnapped the child superheroes Power Pack so that they could be raised by the Morlock Annalee, who had lost her own children. When Power Pack confronted Annalee, she let them go willingly. They promised to return in the future to keep her company.
A majority of the Morlocks were slaughtered by Mister Sinister's Marauders in the Mutant Massacre (or Morlock Massacre). Most of the few survivors moved to Gene Nation in a parallel dimension. Some of the survivors of the massacre who didn't move to Gene Nation include Leech, Artie, Erg, Beautifulldreamer and Caliban. A later retcon explained that many of the Morlocks were failed experiments of the Dark Beast, which is why Mr Sinister sought to destroy them, seeing his handiwork in them.
Recently, a new group who call themselves "Those Who Live in Darkness" have been inhabiting the sewer tunnels just below the surface of Mutant Town/District X. District X writer David Hine claims to never have intended this group to have any ties to the original Morlocks.
Membership
Founding Members
Debuting along with the rest of the Morlocks in Uncanny X-Men #169 (with the exception of Caliban, whose first appearance was in Uncanny X-Men #148) it was revealed in issue #176 that Masque, Caliban, Callisto and Sunder founded the Morlocks under the streets of Manhattan.| Character | Joined in | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Dark Beast/Henry McCoy | X-Men: Prime | Creator of the Morlocks. Formerly from the Age of Apocalypse and the Brotherhood. Infiltrated the X-Men for a time posing as the original Beast. Although not classed as a Morlock, he sees himself as their creator and has been called the "first one" by members of Gene Nation. |
| Masque | Uncanny X-Men #169 | Former leader after the Mutant Massacre. Led a splinter group for a time called the Tunnelers. Impaled by Shatterstar's sword in X-Force vol. 1 #9 but was revealed alive in X-Treme X-Men #38 |
| Callisto | Uncanny X-Men #169 | Former leader of the Morlocks. Arms were turned into tentacles by Masque in the "Arena" storyline in X-Treme X-Men. Aided Magneto and Professor X in Genosha. |
| Caliban | Uncanny X-Men #169 | Caliban became Death in X-Factor vol. 1 #50, and Pestilence in Cable vol. 2 #73. Served on the X-Force for a time. |
| Sunder | Uncanny X-Men #169 | Joined the impromptu Muir Island "X-Men" team. Shot by Pretty Boy of the Reavers in Uncanny X-Men #254 |
Pre-Mutant Massacre
| Character | Joined in | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Plague | Uncanny X-Men #169 | Became Pestilence, one of the Four Horsemen of Apocalypse. Died in X-Factor vol. 1 #25 after falling off her flying horse. |
| Storm/Ororo Monroe | Uncanny X-Men #171 | Defeated Callisto in a duel to become the Morlocks' leader. Not classed as a Morlock. |
| Jo | Uncanny X-Men #179 | Only appearance as a Morlock was her debut issue as Kitty's bridesmaid. Fate unknown. |
| Leech | Uncanny X-Men #179 | Has been in the first few incarnations of the Morlocks. Adopted son of Annalee. Formerly of X-Terminators and Generation X. Captured by the Weapon X program and used as the Neverland power dampener, He is assumed to be one of the 198 who retain their mutant powers after the House of M storyline. |
| Healer | Uncanny X-Men #170 (mentioned) 179 (seen) | He burned himself out in Uncanny X-Men #291 to heal and restore Callisto. |
| Annalee's four children | Uncanny X-Men #193 (mentioned) | Shot by Scalphunter in Uncanny X-Men #193. Only revealed in Uncanny X-Men #211 that Scalphunter was the one who killed the four children. |
| Erg | Power Pack #12 | Electrical blaster. Erg was a painter before becoming a Morlock. He is one of the 198, per The 198 Files. |
| Ape | Power Pack #12 | Shapeshifter. Captured by the Weapon X program and sent to the Neverland concentration camp. Killed in Weapon X vol. 2 #5 |
| Piper | Power Pack #11 | Former member of the Savage Land Mutates who followed Magneto to the USA. Controlled animals using music. Killed by the Marauders in Uncanny X-Men #211 |
| Tarbaby | Power Pack #12 | Secretes adhesive. Captured by the Weapon X program and sent to the Neverland concentration camp. Killed in Weapon X vol. 2 #5 |
| Annalee | Uncanny X-Men #193 (mentioned), Power Pack vol. 1 #12 (seen) | Emotion projector. Adopts Leech in Power Pack vol. 1 #19. Shot by Scalphunter in the Mutant Massacre in Uncanny X-Men #211. |
| Beautiful Dreamer | Power Pack vol. 1 #12 | Altered memories of those "recruited" as Morlocks. Believed killed in the Mutant Massacre, but listed as alive and powered post-M-Day. |
| Skids/Sally Blevins | X-Factor vol. 1 #7 | Resented because she was seen as the prettiest of the Morlocks (her forcefield protected her from scars and Masque's powers). She left them and became a ward of X-Factor in X-Factor vol. 1 #15 |
Mutant Massacre
One of Marvel's annual crossover events. The Morlocks were at the centre of the Mutant Massacre. The event resulted in the Marauders killing many of the Morlocks under orders of Mr. Sinister. Protected by the X-Men, X-Factor, Power Pack and Thor, only few survived. The event spanned Uncanny X-Men #210-212, X-Factor vol. 1 #9-11, New Mutants vol. 1 #46, Thor vol. 1 #373-374 and Power Pack vol. 1 #27. Many new Morlocks were also debuted, although many were killed in their first appearance.| Character | Joined in | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Tommy | Uncanny X-Men #210 | Shot by Scalphunter in Uncanny X-Men #210, after she accidentally led the Marauders to the entrance to the Morlocks' home. (This was later retconned into Gambit's doing.) |
| Cybelle | Uncanny X-Men #211 | Adic-secreting tunneler killed by Harpoon in Uncanny X-Men #211. |
| Zeek | X-Factor vol. 1 #10 | Killed by Harpoon in X-Factor vol. 1 #10. |
| Scaleface | X-Factor vol. 1 #11 | Formerly part of Masque's splinter group, the Tunnelers. Shot by the police in her reptile-form in X-Factor vol. 1 #11 |
| Berzerker | X-Factor vol. 1 #11 | Formerly part of Masque's splinter group, the Tunnelers. Killed by electrocuting himself with his own powers in X-Factor vol. 1 #11 |
| Blowhard | X-Factor vol. 1 #11 | Formerly part of Masque's splinter group, the Tunnelers. Shot by a local gang in X-Factor vol. 1 #11. |
Post-Mutant Massacre
Most of the surviving Morlocks relocated themselves throughout New York City after the massacre. Few, however, returned to the Alley, their original home. There, Masque assumed leadership. In X-Factor vol. 1 #51 many new surviving Morlocks were introduced when Sabretooth decided to finish his original task. He is stopped by a newly "upgraded" Caliban in New Mutants vol. 1 #91. In Ghost Rider vol. 3 #9 a splinter group of the Morlocks is introduced. This group, led by Pixie, is attempting to escape Masque.| Character | Joined in | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Lightning Bug | Marvel Comics Presents #15 | Killed in the Mutant Massacre. Astral essence survived and search out a new form to inhabit. Her essence perished in Marvel Comics Presents #15 |
| Chickenwings | X-Factor vol. 1 #51 | Killed by Sabretooth in X-Factor vol. 1 #51 |
| Mole | X-Factor vol. 1 #51 | Could tunnel through solid matter. It is strongly implied that Mole was indeed killed by Sabretooth off-panel in X-Factor vol. 1 #53 |
| Bliss | Uncanny X-Men #261 | Has the power of a poisonous bite. |
| Bouncer | Uncanny X-Men #261 (only his/her(?) teleporting signature) | mass teleporter |
| Samson | New Mutants vol. 1 #90 | Killed by Sabretooth in New Mutants vol. 1 #90 |
| Brute | New Mutants vol. 1 #91 | Shot by Cable in New Mutants vol. 1 #100 |
| Hump | New Mutants vol. 1 #91 | Brute's brother. |
| Pixie | Ghost Rider vol. 3 #9 | Led a splinter group of Morlocks on the run from Masque. Murdered by Blackout in Ghost Rider vol. 3 #9 |
| Bertram | Ghost Rider vol. 3 #9 | |
| Feral/Maria Callasantos | New Mutants vol. 1 #99 | Left the Morlocks after X-Force vol. 1 #41. Currently depowered as a result of Decimation. |
| Pester | Web of Spider-Man #77 | Daughter of Mother Inferior. |
| Ent | Web of Spider-Man #77 | |
| Mother Inferior | Web of Spider-Man #77 | Crushed by falling debris in Web of Spider-Man #78 |
| Thornn/Lucia Callasantos | X-Force vol. 1 #6 | Left the Morlocks after the Great Flood in Cable vol. 2 #42. Currently depowered as a result of Decimation. |
The Hill
With Masque presumed killed, an insane Mikhail Rasputin takes over as leader of the Morlocks in Uncanny X-Men #293. As leader, he then floods the tunnels in order to destroy remaining Morlocks. It is revealed later that he actually transported the Morlocks to another dimension dubbed the Hill, whose timeline moved faster than the main Marvel Universe. There, he set himself up as their king and forced them to fight for the right to live.| Character | Joined in | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Mikhail Rasputin | Uncanny X-Men #291 | Former leader of the Morlocks. Transported them to the Hill dimension. |
| MeMe | Uncanny X-Men #292 | Mind shut down by Jean Grey in Uncanny X-Men #292 to rescue humans he absorbed. |
| Monte | Uncanny X-Men #292 | |
| Brain Cell | Uncanny X-Men #292 | |
| Marrow/Sarah | Cable vol. 2 #15 (as Sarah); X-Men Prime (as Marrow) | One of the Morlocks that were transported to the Hill dimension by Mikhail Rasputin. Returned to lead a terrorist faction known as Gene Nation. Seemingly killed by Storm in Uncanny X-Men #325. Revealed to have survive with the help of a second heart in Storm #4. Formerly of the X-Men, SHIELD and Weapon X Program. Only Gene Nation member who was a real Morlock (not being born in The Hill). |
| Marilou | Storm #1 | Killed by Mikhail Rasputin in Storm #1 |
Africa/Gene Nation
With the Morlocks presumed dead by the floods caused by Mikhail Rasputin, some of the remaining Morlocks were relocated to Selima Oasis in North Africa. When attacked by Humanity's Last Stand, an emotional backlash caused D'Gard to assume control over Storm, who relinquished her leadership role. In X-Men: Prime many of the Hill Morlocks returned to found Gene Nation. As the new group, they attacked the human oppressors of the past Morlocks under the leadership of Marrow. It is unknown whether the remaining Morlocks of Africa stayed there or relocated to New York. A few have been seen there since, as well as a few Morlocks who chose to remain in New York despite previous attempts on their lives.| Character | Joined in | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Boost | Uncanny X-Men Annual '97 | One of the many surviving Morlocks. Relocated to North Africa but defected to the Brotherhood by the end of Uncanny X-Men Annual '97 |
| Tether | Uncanny X-Men Annual '97 | One of the many surviving Morlocks relocated to North Africa. Defected to the Brotherhood by the end of Uncanny X-Men Annual '97 |
| D'Gard | Uncanny X-Men Annual '97 | Became leader of the Morlocks while in North Africa when he made Storm relinquish her leadership. Killed by Marrow as a sign of loyalty to the new Weapon X program in Weapon X: The Draft - Marrow |
| Revelation | Wolverine/Punisher Revelation #1 | Revealed to have been in suspended animation around the time of Storm's becoming the Morlock leader as a result of her death-powers. Died in the Punisher's arms in Wolverine/Punisher Revelation #4 |
| Soteira | Wolverine/Punisher Revelation #2 (hologram) | Revealed to be around at the time Storm. Became Morlock leader. Was the scientist that put Revelation in suspended animation. Appeared as a hologram in Wolverine/Punisher Revelation #2 telling Wolverine and the Punisher she will die as a result of prolonged exposure to Revelation's powers |
| Carver | Wolverine vol. 2 #157 | Leader of a splinter group of five Morlocks who survived the Massacres and the Flood and who still followed the old Morlock rules. |
| Fugue | Wolverine vol. 2 #157 | Member of the splinter group of five who still follow the old Morlocks rule. |
After House of M
In one of Generation Ms "Ex-Mutants diary" Sally is interviewing Marrow about the Morlocks. Marrow reports that 80% of the remaining morlocks (which was most likely already very small) are depowered now looking like humans. She states that most of them are still afraid about going out of the tunnels. Currently Marrow works as some kind of watchmen of the Morlocks as she seems to be called by the remaining ones every time there is a problem. This was stated when she talks about how 13 depowered Morlocks where killed by Ghoul. A sarcastic comment says that the chance of meeting a Morlock in the tunnels under New York is now harder than meeting an alligator in the Floridan sewers.Erg, Dreamer, and Litterbug are all still powered and part of The 198.
Other Groups
Chicago Morlocks
In June of 2002, Marvel released a four-part limited series entitled Morlocks. In it, a small group of mutants living in the sewers of Chicago help each other to fulfill their one last wish on the surface while trying to escape the mutant-hunting Sentinels.| Character | Joined in | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Angel Dust/Christine | Morlocks #1 (June 2002) | She ran away from home upon discovering she was a mutant, to protect her family from possible Sentinel attacks. Adrenaline gives her bursts of super-strength. Confirmed to be depowered as of New Avengers #18. |
| Cell | Morlocks #1 (June 2002) | Robber and gang member whose body transformed into a giant, single-celled body capable of extending pseudopods and engulfing objects which then are digested. Executed by the Sentinels in Morlocks #4. |
| Electric Eve/Eve | Morlocks #1 (June 2002) | Former heroin addict and prostitute whose body produces massive amounts of electrical energy that can be extended outward in bolts of electricity. As a side-effect of her powers, the synapses in her brain short-out from time to time, incapacitating her for several minutes. |
| Litterbug | Morlocks #1 (June 2002) | Former soldier who went AWOL upon his transformation into a giant, cockroach-like creature with massive strength, invulnerability, and a keen burrowing ability. He has difficulty speaking in this form. |
| Postman | Morlocks #1 (June 2002) | Leader of the Chicago Morlocks. Can telepathically erase specific memories from targets (such as an event) or complex and deeply rooted facts or knowledge (such as gender). |
| Shatter | Morlocks #1 (June 2002) | His body is composed of a hard crystalline material that can regenerate lost body parts over time, and also can crystallize liquids upon contact. |
| Trader | Morlocks #1 (June 2002) | Former stock broker who has a chameleon-like ability to camouflage into his surroundings. Killed taking a bullet meant for Electric Eve in Morlocks #3. |
London Tunnel Dwellers
In Uncanny X-Men #397-398, parts 3 and 4 of the Poptopia story, a group of Morlocks living in the underground tunnels of London are introduced. They were being pursued by an agent of the Church of Humanity named Mr. Clean --a genetically engineered human who was stalking and killing mutants. This was their first and last appearance. It is unknown whether or not they survived the persecution of the Church of Humanity.| Character | Joined in | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Burning Puddle | Uncanny X-Men #395 | Son of Miss Saccharine. Sweats acid. |
| Carla | Uncanny X-Men #395 | Mole-like woman. |
| Double Helix | Uncanny X-Men #395 | Two-headed man. |
| Harmony | Uncanny X-Men #395 | Mother of Hope. Has gills. |
| Hope | Uncanny X-Men #396 | Harmony's newborn baby. |
| Miss Saccharine | Uncanny X-Men #395 | Elderly woman and mother of Burning Puddle whose sweat is a sugar-like substance. |
In other media
- In X-Men: The Animated Series they captured Cyclops and Jean Grey. The X-Men led by Storm then came to get Jean and Cyclops back. In the end after a duel between Storm and Callisto not only did the X-Men get Cyclops and Jean back, Storm also got leadership of the Morlocks.
- The Morlocks have appeared in the Evolution episode "X-Treme Measures." The members of the Morlocks represented include Callisto, Caliban, Cybelle, and Scaleface. The series also invented the Morlocks Facade, Lucid, and Torpid. They attacked a beverage factory because something in the drinks is poisonous to mutants. It leaked into the tunnels, causing some of the unnamed members to fall ill. Spyke later joined them to protect the weaker Morlocks. 'The Uprising', an episode in the fourth season, shows Spyke protecting the Morlocks and convincing them not to stay hidden.
- Un the video game X-Men Legends. Marrow is the leader of the militant Gene Nation. It is represented as a faction of Morlocks. Healer also plays an important part in the game as he sells health and energy potions to the player.
- Some Morlocks may be in The Last Stand, due to the appearance of their leader, Callisto, although this has yet to be confirmed. It is untrue that the group is called "Omega Muties" and features various X-Men villains from all over the X universe.
List of appearances
- Cable vol. 2 #15, 17, 42
- Excalibur vol. 1 #4, 6, 9-11
- Ghost Rider vol. 3 #9
- Marvel Comics Presents #15, 20-24
- Morlocks #1-4 (June-September 2002) - Chicago Morlocks
- New Mutants vol. 1 #20, 46, 90-91, 99-100
- Power Pack vol. 1 #11-12, 19, 27
- Storm #1-4
- Thor vol. 1 #364-365, 373-374
- Uncanny X-Men #169-171, 176, 178-179, 190-193, 195, 210-217, 219, 253-254, 259-264, 291-293, 325, 346-347, 350, 373-374, 397-398
- Uncanny X-Men Annual #18
- Uncanny X-Men Annual '97
- Weapon X: The Draft - Marrow
- Web of Spider-Man #77-78
- Wolverine vol. 2 #41-43, 45-46, 51, 157
- Wolverine/Punisher Revelation #1-4
- X-Factor vol. 1 #7-17, 25, 51-53
- X-Force vol. 1 #6-7, 9, 11, 40-41
- X-Men vol. 2 #44, 58, 67, 72, 74, 79
- X-Men Prime
- X-Men Unlimited #18
External links
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"Morlocks (comics)"