Muir Island
Encyclopedia
Muir Island is a small, fictional island off the northern coast of Scotland
in the Marvel Comics
universe
. It plays a prominent role in the X-Men
comics and its related series.
's largest and most comprehensive mutant
research complex, located to the north of Scotland, founded by Dr. Moira MacTaggert
. Originally, she created the facility to help her son, Kevin (a.k.a. Proteus
), an extremely powerful and destructive mutant.
Muir Island's facility holds a wealth of knowledge on various mutants, their abilities, and other mutant-related issues and concerns (such as the Legacy Virus
). It was also once the home base of the X-Men
's spin-off
superhero
team Excalibur
. It was used by Professor X
to store information on how to kill various X-Men if need be.
The island has sometimes been used to imprison mutants for various reasons, notably Spoor
and Magneto
.
The staff has included, at times, Rahne Sinclaire AKA Wolfsbane
, Rory Campbell
, Tom Corsi
, Sharon Friedlander
, Jamie Madrox and, seen in various comics, several un-named scientists.
The island and its research center have come under attack by many villains, including Magneto
, the Acolytes
, the Shadow King
, Galactus
, Phalanx
, Reavers
, Black Air
, the Mutant Liberation Front
, Spiral
, Legion
, Bastion
and Proteus
. The island's facilities were destroyed by Legion (who was, at the time, possessed by the Shadow King) during the Muir Island Saga
. Although rebuilt, the Muir Island Genetic Research Center was partly destroyed again in an attack by Mystique
and Sabretooth
.
Several functioning buildings are seen in the X-Men: Deadly Genesis
storyline. The X-Man Banshee
retrieves several needed files from Muir and it is later revealed to be where Professor X
avier had been living after the events of House of M
.
It was later refurbished for the Marauders to use during X-Men: Messiah Complex
. Various X-Men invade and confront the Marauders. The complex appears to be now fully abandoned.
universe, Muir Island's location remains the same, but the nature of the complex located on it is different; it is instead a hospital for sick mutants run by Moira MacTaggert. It was predominanatly featured early on, when the Ultimate incarnation of Proteus escaped the facility and the X-Men consequently travelled there to investigate.
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
in the Marvel Comics
Marvel Comics
Marvel Worldwide, Inc., commonly referred to as Marvel Comics and formerly Marvel Publishing, Inc. and Marvel Comics Group, is an American company that publishes comic books and related media...
universe
Marvel Universe
The Marvel Universe is the shared fictional universe where most comic book titles and other media published by Marvel Entertainment take place, including those featuring Marvel's most familiar characters, such as Spider-Man, the Hulk, the X-Men, and the Avengers.The Marvel Universe is further...
. It plays a prominent role in the X-Men
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...
comics and its related series.
History
Muir Island's significance stems from the fact that it is the home of EarthEarth-616
In the fictional Marvel Comics multiverse, Earth-616 or Earth 616 is the name used to identify the primary continuity in which most Marvel Comics titles take place.-Origin of Earth-616:...
's largest and most comprehensive mutant
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...
research complex, located to the north of Scotland, founded by Dr. Moira MacTaggert
Moira MacTaggert
Dr. Moira Kinross MacTaggert is a fictional character appearing in X-Men stories in the Marvel Comics universe. She works as a geneticist and is an expert in mutant affairs. Olivia Williams played a minor role of Dr. Moira MacTaggert in X-Men: The Last Stand...
. Originally, she created the facility to help her son, Kevin (a.k.a. Proteus
Proteus (comics)
Kevin MacTaggert, best known as Proteus and also called Mutant X, is a Marvel Comics character, associated with the X-Men.Kevin was the mutant son of Scottish genetic researcher Moira MacTaggert and politician Joseph MacTaggert...
), an extremely powerful and destructive mutant.
Muir Island's facility holds a wealth of knowledge on various mutants, their abilities, and other mutant-related issues and concerns (such as the Legacy Virus
Legacy Virus
In 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....
). It was also once the home base of the X-Men
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...
's spin-off
Spin-off (media)
In media, a spin-off is a radio program, television program, video game, or any narrative work, derived from one or more already existing works, that focuses, in particular, in more detail on one aspect of that original work...
superhero
Superhero
A superhero is a type of stock character, possessing "extraordinary or superhuman powers", dedicated to protecting the public. Since the debut of the prototypical superhero Superman in 1938, stories of superheroes — ranging from brief episodic adventures to continuing years-long sagas —...
team Excalibur
Excalibur (comics)
Excalibur is a Marvel Comics superhero group, an off-shoot of the X-Men, usually based in the United Kingdom. Conceived by writer Chris Claremont and artist/co-writer Alan Davis, the original Excalibur first appeared in Excalibur Special Edition , also known as Excalibur: The Sword is Drawn.The...
. It was used by Professor X
Professor X
Professor Charles Francis Xavier, also known as Professor X, is a fictional character, a Marvel Comics superhero known as the leader and founder of the X-Men....
to store information on how to kill various X-Men if need be.
The island has sometimes been used to imprison mutants for various reasons, notably Spoor
Spoor (comics)
Spoor is a fictional comic book character appearing in Marvel Comics. He first appeared in Uncanny X-Men #300 and was a member of the Acolytes. His real name was established in Excalibur #89...
and Magneto
Magneto (comics)
Magneto is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. He is the central villain of the X-Men comic, as well as the TV show and the films. The character first appears in X-Men #1 , and was created by writer Stan Lee and artist Jack Kirby...
.
The staff has included, at times, Rahne Sinclaire AKA Wolfsbane
Wolfsbane (comics)
Wolfsbane is a Marvel Comics superheroine, associated with the X-Men.A Scottish mutant, Wolfsbane possesses the ability to transform into a wolf or into a transitional state somewhere between human and wolf...
, Rory Campbell
Ahab (comics)
Ahab , a fictional character who is a cyborg supervillain from the future in the Marvel Comics universe. He is a native of the "Days of Future Past" timeline that first appeared in Uncanny X-Men #141...
, Tom Corsi
Tom Corsi
Thomas "Tom" Corsi is a fictional character most often appearing in X-Men stories in Marvel Comics' shared universe, the Marvel Universe. Tom first appeared in New Mutants vol. 1 #19 and was created by Chris Claremont and Bill Sienkiewicz....
, Sharon Friedlander
Sharon Friedlander
Sharon Friedlander is a fictional character most often appearing in X-Men stories in the Marvel Comics universe. Sharon first appeared in New Mutants vol. 1 #19 . She was created by Chris Claremont and Bill Sienkiewicz...
, Jamie Madrox and, seen in various comics, several un-named scientists.
The island and its research center have come under attack by many villains, including Magneto
Magneto (comics)
Magneto is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. He is the central villain of the X-Men comic, as well as the TV show and the films. The character first appears in X-Men #1 , and was created by writer Stan Lee and artist Jack Kirby...
, the Acolytes
Acolytes (comics)
The Acolytes is a team of comic book mutant supervillains in the Marvel Comics universe. The Acolytes followed the principles of the mutant Magneto, particularly the mutant right of superiority over normal humans. Some members of the Acolytes even worshipped him with a religious fervor and regarded...
, the Shadow King
Shadow King
The Shadow King, also known as Amahl Farouk, is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The Shadow King exists as an entity of pure psychic energy that feeds on the hatred of humanity...
, Galactus
Galactus
Galactus is a fictional character appearing in comic books and other publications published by Marvel Comics. Created by writer-editor Stan Lee and artist and co-plotter Jack Kirby, the character debuted in Fantastic Four #48 , the first of a three-issue story later known as "The Galactus...
, Phalanx
Phalanx (comics)
The Phalanx are a fictional cybernetic species in the Marvel Comics universe. They have come in conflict with the X-Men and related groups on several occasions. They form a hive mind, linking each member by a telepathy-like system....
, Reavers
Reavers (comics)
In the fictional Marvel Comics universe the Reavers are a team of criminal cyborgs. The most significant team of Reavers were dedicated to the destruction of the mutant X-Men, and a number of them especially wanted to take revenge on one particular X-Man, Wolverine. The name was originally used by...
, Black Air
Black Air
Black Air is a fictional former Governmental Intelligence department founded and operating primarily within the United Kingdom in the Marvel Universe, initially as an adjunct to the Ministry of Defence...
, the Mutant Liberation Front
Mutant Liberation Front
The Mutant Liberation Front, or MLF, is a Marvel Comics supervillain group, primarily enemies of X-Force. Created by writer Louise Simonson and artist/co-writer Rob Liefeld, the original MLF first fully appeared in The New Mutants #87 ....
, Spiral
Spiral (comics)
Spiral is a fictional character, a supervillainess in the Marvel Comics universe. She first appeared in the Longshot miniseries by Ann Nocenti and Art Adams.-Fictional character biography:...
, Legion
Legion (Marvel Comics)
Legion is a Marvel Comics character, created by writer Chris Claremont and artist Bill Sienkiewicz.David is the mutant son of Charles Xavier and Israeli Holocaust survivor Gabrielle Haller...
, Bastion
Bastion (comics)
Bastion is a supervillain that appears in the fictional Marvel Universe. The character was created by Scott Lobdell and Pascual Ferry and first made a cameo appearance in X-Men #52 . His first full appearance was Uncanny X-Men #333...
and Proteus
Proteus (comics)
Kevin MacTaggert, best known as Proteus and also called Mutant X, is a Marvel Comics character, associated with the X-Men.Kevin was the mutant son of Scottish genetic researcher Moira MacTaggert and politician Joseph MacTaggert...
. The island's facilities were destroyed by Legion (who was, at the time, possessed by the Shadow King) during the Muir Island Saga
Muir Island Saga
The "Muir Island Saga" is a five-part Marvel Comics crossover event involving the X-Men and X-Factor, published in 1991. It was written by Chris Claremont and Fabian Nicieza.-Plot:...
. Although rebuilt, the Muir Island Genetic Research Center was partly destroyed again in an attack by Mystique
Mystique (comics)
Mystique is a fictional character associated with the Marvel Comics' franchise X-Men. Originally created by artist David Cockrum and writer Chris Claremont, she first appeared in Ms...
and Sabretooth
Sabretooth (comics)
Sabretooth is a fictional character, a Marvel Comics supervillain created by writer Chris Claremont and artist/co-writer John Byrne. The character first appeared in Iron Fist #14...
.
Several functioning buildings are seen in the X-Men: Deadly Genesis
X-Men: Deadly Genesis
X-Men: Deadly Genesis is a comic book limited series published by Marvel Comics in late 2005 and early 2006. The series was written by Ed Brubaker with interior art by Trevor Hairsine and covers by Marc Silvestri. Starring the X-Men, this series celebrates the 30th anniversary of Giant-Size X-Men #1...
storyline. The X-Man Banshee
Banshee (comics)
Banshee is a fictional character, a Marvel Comics superhero who operates as a member of the X-Men. Created by writer Roy Thomas and artist Werner Roth, Banshee first appeared in X-Men #28 ....
retrieves several needed files from Muir and it is later revealed to be where Professor X
Professor X
Professor Charles Francis Xavier, also known as Professor X, is a fictional character, a Marvel Comics superhero known as the leader and founder of the X-Men....
avier had been living after the events of House of M
House of M
House of M is an eight-issue comic book limited series and crossover storyline published by Marvel Comics in 2005. Written by Brian Michael Bendis and illustrated by Olivier Coipel, its first issue debuted in June 2005 as a follow-up to the events of the Planet X and Avengers Disassembled...
.
It was later refurbished for the Marauders to use during X-Men: Messiah Complex
X-Men: Messiah Complex
"Messiah Complex" is a comic book crossover storyline published by Marvel Comics from October 2007 to January 2008, which ran through the various X-Men books....
. Various X-Men invade and confront the Marauders. The complex appears to be now fully abandoned.
The Age of Apocalypse
Muir Island's location on Earth-295 remains the same, but the nature of the complex located on it is different. Apocalypse had taken over the entirety of North America. As part of the opposition against him, Muir Island is turned into the Sentinel Processing Plants.Ultimate Muir Island
In the Ultimate MarvelUltimate Marvel
Ultimate Marvel is an imprint of comic books published by Marvel Comics, featuring reimagined and updated versions of the company's superhero characters, including Spider-Man, the X-Men, the Avengers, and the Fantastic Four. The imprint was launched in 2000 with the publication of the series...
universe, Muir Island's location remains the same, but the nature of the complex located on it is different; it is instead a hospital for sick mutants run by Moira MacTaggert. It was predominanatly featured early on, when the Ultimate incarnation of Proteus escaped the facility and the X-Men consequently travelled there to investigate.
Television
- Muir Island has made appearances in several episodes of X-Men: The Animated Series.
Film
- In the second X-Men movie, X2X2 (film)X2 is a 2003 superhero film based on the fictional characters the X-Men. Directed by Bryan Singer, it is the second film in the X-Men film series...
, Stryker's computer displays a desktop folder labeled "Muir Island". - In a scene of the third X-Men movie, X-Men: The Last StandX-Men: The Last StandX-Men: The Last Stand is a 2006 superhero film and the third in the X-Men series. It was directed by Brett Ratner and stars an ensemble cast including Hugh Jackman, Halle Berry, Patrick Stewart, Ian McKellen, Famke Janssen, Kelsey Grammer, Anna Paquin, Shawn Ashmore, Aaron Stanford, Vinnie Jones,...
, Professor XProfessor XProfessor Charles Francis Xavier, also known as Professor X, is a fictional character, a Marvel Comics superhero known as the leader and founder of the X-Men....
shows a video of Moira MacTaggert on Muir Island. A scene after the credits also takes place on the island.
Video Games
- Muir Island appears in the X-Men LegendsX-Men LegendsX-Men Legends is an action role-playing video game developed by Raven Software and published by Activision. It was released on the GameCube, PlayStation 2 and Xbox consoles in the fall of . Barking Lizards Technologies developed the N-Gage port of the game, which was released in early...
role playing game as a level map. - In Marvel: Ultimate AllianceMarvel: Ultimate AllianceMarvel: Ultimate Alliance is an action role-playing game developed for PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, Xbox and Xbox 360 by Raven Software and published by Activision. The game was simultaneously ported to the PlayStation Portable and Wii by Vicarious Visions, and to Microsoft Windows by Beenox...
, after arriving in AttilanAttilanAttilan is a fictional city in the that houses the Inhumans. It first appeared in Fantastic Four #47 . It has also been known as the Great Refuge and New Attilan.-Fictional history:...
, the team is asked by CrystalCrystal (comics)Crystal is a fictional character, a superhero in the . She is a member of the Inhumans and the younger sister of Medusa....
where her sisterMedusa (comics)Medusa is a fictional superhero that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics.-Publication history:Medusa first appeared in Fantastic Four #36 , and was created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby.-Fictional character biography:...
might have gone to pick up the Ultimate Nullifier. The team asks around and then tells her that it's on Muir Island. When the team returns from the next level, they learn that Doctor Doom was waiting for her at Muir Island and used the powers he stole from Odin to corrupt her into an evil version of herself.