Externals
Encyclopedia
The Externals were a fictional group of X-Men
antagonist
s and subspecies of mutants
.
and important, playing an extremely major role in the future and Apocalypse
's rise to power (as expressed by Cable
), but eventually most were killed off. Only Selene
, a previously established character, was spared from the purge. Saul, Absalom, Gideon, Nicodemus, Burke, and Crule (to a lesser extent) formed the self-fashioned "High Lords", bent on playing power games and manipulating events behind the scenes. Crule was employed as an enforcer and assassin for the other High Lords, while Candra and Selene preferred to play their own schemes separately and didn't take any part on the High Lords gatherings.
At one point, X-Men regular and former New Mutant
Cannonball
was declared an External by Cable, although Selene denies this, suggesting it was just a ploy by Cable. More recently however, Cannonball was shot three times through the chest by Reverend Stryker's
Purifiers, and was back up and around in a matter of hours. When asked about it, Hank McCoy mentioned Sam’s status as an immortal again, though it’s not sure if he was joking or not.
Apocalypse
has also been referred to as an External on several occasions; his longevity
is believed by Selene to be mostly due to technological means, although Apocalypse was already many centuries old before his first encounter with the technology he would later integrate himself with. To note, Selene herself needs to maintain her supply of life force that she drains from human victims.
Each External was claimed to represent an intangible concept:
Although their status as an External is still unclear, Apocalypse and Cannonball are currently the only living Externals left.
X-Men
The X-Men are a superhero team in the . They were created by writer Stan Lee and artist Jack Kirby, and first appeared in The X-Men #1...
antagonist
Antagonist
An antagonist is a character, group of characters, or institution, that represents the opposition against which the protagonist must contend...
s and subspecies of mutants
Mutant (Marvel Comics)
In comic books published by Marvel Comics, a mutant is an organism who possesses a genetic trait called an X-gene that allows the mutant to naturally develop superhuman powers and abilities...
.
Background
All of the Externals were originally portrayed as immortalImmortality
Immortality is the ability to live forever. It is unknown whether human physical immortality is an achievable condition. Biological forms have inherent limitations which may or may not be able to be overcome through medical interventions or engineering...
and important, playing an extremely major role in the future and Apocalypse
Apocalypse (comics)
Apocalypse is a fictional character who is an ancient mutant that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appeared in X-Factor #5 , created by writer Louise Simonson and designed by artist Walter Simonson...
's rise to power (as expressed by Cable
Cable (comics)
Cable is a fictional character appearing in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appeared as an infant in Uncanny X-Men #201...
), but eventually most were killed off. Only Selene
Selene (comics)
Selene Gallio is a fictional character, a comic book supervillainess from the Marvel Comics universe. She is a mutant, and an enemy of the X-Men often associated with the Hellfire Club's Inner Circle.-Publication history:...
, a previously established character, was spared from the purge. Saul, Absalom, Gideon, Nicodemus, Burke, and Crule (to a lesser extent) formed the self-fashioned "High Lords", bent on playing power games and manipulating events behind the scenes. Crule was employed as an enforcer and assassin for the other High Lords, while Candra and Selene preferred to play their own schemes separately and didn't take any part on the High Lords gatherings.
At one point, X-Men regular and former New Mutant
New Mutants
The New Mutants are a group of teenaged mutant superheroes-in-training published by Marvel Comics. They have been the main characters of three successive comic book series, which were spin-offs of the popular X-Men franchise....
Cannonball
Cannonball (comics)
Cannonball is a fictional Marvel Comics superhero, associated with the X-Men. Created by writer Chris Claremont and artist Bob McLeod, Cannonball first appeared in Marvel Graphic Novel #4: The New Mutants ....
was declared an External by Cable, although Selene denies this, suggesting it was just a ploy by Cable. More recently however, Cannonball was shot three times through the chest by Reverend Stryker's
William Stryker
Col. William "Bill" Stryker, M.D. is a fictional comic book supervillain in the Marvel Comics universe, and enemy of the X-Men. Created by writer Chris Claremont and artist Brent Anderson, he first appeared in the 1982 graphic novel X-Men: God Loves, Man Kills.Rev...
Purifiers, and was back up and around in a matter of hours. When asked about it, Hank McCoy mentioned Sam’s status as an immortal again, though it’s not sure if he was joking or not.
Apocalypse
Apocalypse (comics)
Apocalypse is a fictional character who is an ancient mutant that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appeared in X-Factor #5 , created by writer Louise Simonson and designed by artist Walter Simonson...
has also been referred to as an External on several occasions; his longevity
Longevity
The word "longevity" is sometimes used as a synonym for "life expectancy" in demography or known as "long life", especially when it concerns someone or something lasting longer than expected ....
is believed by Selene to be mostly due to technological means, although Apocalypse was already many centuries old before his first encounter with the technology he would later integrate himself with. To note, Selene herself needs to maintain her supply of life force that she drains from human victims.
Each External was claimed to represent an intangible concept:
- Absalom - despair (killed by Selene after she drained his life force)
- Burke - fortitudeCourageCourage is the ability to confront fear, pain, danger, uncertainty, or intimidation...
(mentioned to have been killed by the Legacy VirusLegacy VirusIn the fictional Marvel Universe, the Legacy Virus was a devastating plague that ripped through the mutant population, killing hundreds and mutating so that it affected baseline humans as well....
) - Candra - guile (killed when the gem that housed her life-essence was destroyed by CyclopsCyclops (comics)Cyclops is a fictional character, the leader of the X-Men superhero team in the . A mutant, Cyclops emits a powerful energy beam from his eyes...
) - Cannonball - hopeHopeHope is the emotional state which promotes the belief in a positive outcome related to events and circumstances in one's life. It is the "feeling that what is wanted can be had or that events will turn out for the best" or the act of "look[ing] forward to with desire and reasonable confidence" or...
- Crule - ferocityViolenceViolence is the use of physical force to apply a state to others contrary to their wishes. violence, while often a stand-alone issue, is often the culmination of other kinds of conflict, e.g...
(killed when his life force was drained by Selene) - Gideon - opportunity (killed when his life force was drained by Selene)
- Nicodemus - wisdomWisdomWisdom is a deep understanding and realization of people, things, events or situations, resulting in the ability to apply perceptions, judgements and actions in keeping with this understanding. It often requires control of one's emotional reactions so that universal principles, reason and...
(killed by the Legacy VirusLegacy VirusIn the fictional Marvel Universe, the Legacy Virus was a devastating plague that ripped through the mutant population, killing hundreds and mutating so that it affected baseline humans as well....
) - Saul - patiencePatiencePatience is the state of endurance under difficult circumstances, which can mean persevering in the face of delay or provocation without acting on annoyance/anger in a negative way; or exhibiting forbearance when under strain, especially when faced with longer-term difficulties. Patience is the...
(killed when Selene drained his life force) - Selene - corruption (apparently killed at the end of NecroshaNecroshaNecrosha is a comic book crossover story arc published by Marvel Comics. The crossover takes place in Marvel's main shared universe, the Marvel Universe.-Publication history:Necrosha had been slowly building in the pages of X-Force...
when X-Force prevented her from attaining godhood) - Apocalypse - destruction
Although their status as an External is still unclear, Apocalypse and Cannonball are currently the only living Externals left.
Askani
In (Earth-4935), the Externals were all killed by Apocalypse who ascended to power and gained control of the entire planet up till the 39th century.Age of Apocalypse
In the alternate reality created when the time traveling Legion killed his own father, it's unknown what happened with the Externals as only a few had made their presence known as soldiers of Apocalypse. Candra, Selene and Gideon were recruited as Horsemen of Apocalypse, Cannonball was a member of Sinister's Elite Mutant Force and there is some speculation that Crule was the mutant known in this reality as Wolverine. Absalom, Burke, Nicodemus and Saul did not make an appearance nor were mentioned, so it is possible that they were killed during Apocalypse's ascension.X-Men: The Animated Series
- In the episode "Sanctuary Part 2", Saul and Gideon are seen watching Fabian CortezFabian CortezFabian Cortez is a fictional character, a mutant comic book supervillain from the Marvel Comics universe and an adversary of the X-Men. Created by writer Chris Claremont and writer/illustrator Jim Lee, he first appeared in X-Men #1 ....
announce his scheme to the Earth. - In the episode "Externally Yours", GambitGambit (comics)Gambit is a fictional character, a Marvel Comics superhero that has been a member of the X-Men. Created by writer Chris Claremont and artist Jim Lee, the character first appeared briefly in Uncanny X-Men Annual #14 , weeks before a more comprehensive appearance in Uncanny X-Men #266...
's past involvement with the respective guilds of Thieves and Assassins, as well as with the External Candra (depicted here as an African-American "spirit lady", as opposed to a Caucasian telekinetic, and merely known as "The External") are detailed.