Providence (comics)
Encyclopedia
Providence is a fictional island featured in comic books published by Marvel Comics
. Providence, located in the South Pacific Ocean, southwest of Hawaii
at 20°N 165°W, is an artificial island made of parts from Cable’s
old space station Graymalkin. It first appeared in Cable & Deadpool
#6.
It was later self-destructed by Cable himself to keep the future evidence of Hope Summers
birth away from the Marauders
.
which allowed him to teleport or "bodyslide" as Cable called it as well as a timecore that allowed for time travel. An interesting part of Graymalkin's construction was its Professor
(not to be confused with Professor X
).
X-Force
was forced to destroy Graymalkin when S.H.I.E.L.D.
tried to take it over, however the destruction was a faked one as the station dumped parts of itself in the ocean and in X-Force's base, but the remaining parts, including its core remained, now using cloaking
to hide itself.
inhabited by the Acolytes
, a cult
devoted to Magneto
and his views on human-mutant
relations. The space station was made of pieces from Graymalkin and Magneto's older space station, Asteroid M
. It first appeared in the Fatal Attractions
storyline in Marvel Comics
's X-Men
books.
Magneto discovered the abandoned space-station, deactivated the Professor and used Shi'ar
technology to expand it, turning it into his new base and sending out his new servant Exodus
to bring worthy mutants to it. His first choice were several members of X-Force
, who had been students of Magneto when they were part of the New Mutants
. X-Force leader, Cable, followed them and managed to disable Avalon's teleportation system and copy the Professor from the core of the station into his own techno-organic bodyparts. Cable and his team escaped, but former New Mutants Rusty Collins
and Skids
remained on Avalon with Magneto.
Shortly afterwards, Magneto sent Exodus to bring his followers, the Acolytes, to Avalon as well. He declared that Avalon would be a safe haven for all mutants
, away from humanity. The X-Men
battled Magneto and he was put into a coma. Exodus took over the leadership of the Acolytes and Avalon. The Acolyte Milan
repaired the teleportation systems of Avalon.
Avalon was destroyed during a battle between reality jumper, Holocaust
, and Exodus
, after Holocaust arrived in mainstream reality and assumed that Exodus was the same Exodus from Holocaust's timeline
, leading the space station to crash landing into unknown parts of Australia. Many members of the Acolytes died, but several--including Exodus, Scanner
, Frenzy, the Kleinstock brothers
, Unuscione
and Holocaust himself were able to survive. Exodus tried to gather the pieces of Avalon to rebuild it shortly afterwards, but halted his plans when Joseph
turned up, thinking that Joseph was Magneto. Pieces of Avalon and Graymalkin were later gathered by Cable to build the island of Providence, his former base of operations.
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...
. Providence, located in the South Pacific Ocean, southwest of Hawaii
Hawaii
Hawaii is the newest of the 50 U.S. states , and is the only U.S. state made up entirely of islands. It is the northernmost island group in Polynesia, occupying most of an archipelago in the central Pacific Ocean, southwest of the continental United States, southeast of Japan, and northeast of...
at 20°N 165°W, is an artificial island made of parts from Cable’s
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...
old space station Graymalkin. It first appeared in Cable & Deadpool
Cable & Deadpool
Cable & Deadpool was a comic book series published by Marvel Comics beginning in 2004. The title characters, Cable and Deadpool, shared the focus of the book. The series was launched following the cancellation of the characters' previous ongoing solo series. The book's mix of humor, action, and...
#6.
Inhabitants
Providence was intended to be a place where the best minds on Earth could gather, live, and find new ways of doing everything in hopes of giving the world a peaceful future. Providence is open to all who wish to immigrate there, though all residents must undergo various psychological and skills tests.Staff
- “Owner” – CableCable (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...
- Chief of Staff – Irene MerryweatherIrene MerryweatherIrene Merryweather, also known as the Chronicler, is a fictional character appearing in the Marvel Comics universe. A former reporter, she now acts as a friend and confidante of Cable and was formerly his Chief of Staff at Providence before its destruction.-Fictional character biography:Irene...
- Chief of Security – Johann Kriek
- Head of Multi-Religious Studies – Prester JohnPrester John (comics)Prester John is a fictional character appearing in the Marvel Comics universe, based loosely on the mythical Christian king Prester John.Prester John first appeared in Fantastic Four Vol.1 #54...
Notable Residents
- Haji Bin Barat – One of the world’s most wanted terrorists, likely a reference to Osama Bin Ladin. Barat became the first murder victim of Providence.
- Roger Stevens – Captain AmericaCaptain AmericaCaptain America is a fictional character, a superhero that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appeared in Captain America Comics #1 , from Marvel Comics' 1940s predecessor, Timely Comics, and was created by Joe Simon and Jack Kirby...
's alias during his brief stay on Providence.
Technology
Since Providence is built out of a space station from the future, it has an abundance of advanced technology. Most of this technology Cable allows to be freely given out to the world.- Teleportation Matrix – Providence is equipped with a teleportation matrix that responds to the verbal commands of both CableCable (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...
and DeadpoolDeadpool (comics)Deadpool is a fictional character, a mercenary and anti-hero appearing in comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by artist Rob Liefeld and writer Fabian Nicieza, Deadpool first appeared in The New Mutants #98 Deadpool (Wade Winston Wilson) is a fictional character, a mercenary and...
. It allows them to be teleported anywhere on Earth, and was once modified to teleport between dimensions as well.Cable generally uses the command Bodyslide by one or Bodyslide by two or more to activate the transportation. It is similar to the Star TrekStar TrekStar Trek is an American science fiction entertainment franchise created by Gene Roddenberry. The core of Star Trek is its six television series: The Original Series, The Animated Series, The Next Generation, Deep Space Nine, Voyager, and Enterprise...
saying "Four to beam up". - Skimmer Jets – solar-powered vehicles requiring no fuel, used by Cable when he no longer had the ability to fly of his own accord.
- Fission Waste Processor – Used for processing waste, and presumably an energy supply, this device was shared with Tony StarkIron ManIron Man is a fictional character, a superhero in the . The character was created by writer-editor Stan Lee, developed by scripter Larry Lieber, and designed by artists Don Heck and Jack Kirby, first appearing in Tales of Suspense #39 .A billionaire playboy, industrialist and ingenious engineer,...
.
It was later self-destructed by Cable himself to keep the future evidence of Hope Summers
Hope Summers (comics)
Hope Summers is a fictional comic book superhero appearing in books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appeared in X-Men #205 in 2007 , and was created by writers Mike Carey and artist Chris Bachalo during the "X-Men: Messiah Complex" event...
birth away from the Marauders
Marauders (comics)
The Marauders is a team of fictional supervillain characters in comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by writer Chris Claremont and artist John Romita, Jr., the team first appear in Uncanny X-Men #210 The Marauders is a team of fictional supervillain characters in comic books published by...
.
Graymalkin: Cable's space station
Providence was originally named Graymalkin, a space station made with technology from 2000 years in the future and equipped with a time-displacement core and a teleportation unit and property of CableCable (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...
which allowed him to teleport or "bodyslide" as Cable called it as well as a timecore that allowed for time travel. An interesting part of Graymalkin's construction was its Professor
Ship (comics)
The fictional A.I. entity originally known as Ship has appeared in several incarnations in the Marvel Universe. At times controlled by both the X-Men and their enemies, the sentient Ship A.I. has been at the core of a Celestial starship, two space stations, and a techno-organic being.-Ancient...
(not to be confused with 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....
).
X-Force
X-Force
X-Force is a fictional Marvel Comics superhero team, one of several spin-offs of the popular X-Men franchise. Conceived by writer/illustrator Rob Liefeld, the team was formed in New Mutants, vol. 1 #100 and soon afterwards was featured in its own series.The group was a new incarnation of the 1980s...
was forced to destroy Graymalkin when S.H.I.E.L.D.
S.H.I.E.L.D.
S.H.I.E.L.D. is a fictional espionage and a secret military law-enforcement agency in the Marvel Comics Universe. Created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby in Strange Tales #135 , it often deals with superhuman threats....
tried to take it over, however the destruction was a faked one as the station dumped parts of itself in the ocean and in X-Force's base, but the remaining parts, including its core remained, now using cloaking
Invisibility
Invisibility is the state of an object that cannot be seen. An object in this state is said to be invisible . The term is usually used as a fantasy/science fiction term, where objects are literally made unseeable by magical or technological means; however, its effects can also be seen in the real...
to hide itself.
Avalon: Magneto's Acolytes' space station
Avalon was a fictional space stationSpace station
A space station is a spacecraft capable of supporting a crew which is designed to remain in space for an extended period of time, and to which other spacecraft can dock. A space station is distinguished from other spacecraft used for human spaceflight by its lack of major propulsion or landing...
inhabited by 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...
, a cult
Cult
The word cult in current popular usage usually refers to a group whose beliefs or practices are considered abnormal or bizarre. The word originally denoted a system of ritual practices...
devoted to 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...
and his views on human-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...
relations. The space station was made of pieces from Graymalkin and Magneto's older space station, Asteroid M
Asteroid M
Utopia is the name of the sepratist mutant homeland created by the X-Men from the remains of Asteroid M which is the name of several fictional settings, each an asteroid converted by the mutant Magneto into his home/orbiting base, in the Marvel Comics Universe...
. It first appeared in the Fatal Attractions
Fatal Attractions
"Fatal Attractions" is a major X-Men crossover written by Fabian Nicieza and Scott Lobdell, published by Marvel Comics in 1993. Spanning the entire line of books, it served to commemorate the 30th anniversary of Marvel's X-Men....
storyline in 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...
's 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...
books.
Magneto discovered the abandoned space-station, deactivated the Professor and used Shi'ar
Shi'ar
The Shi'ar are a fictional species of aliens in the Marvel Comics universe. The Shi'ar Empire also called the Aerie, is a vast collection of alien species, cultures and worlds situated close to the Skrull and Kree Empires, and alongside them, is one of the three main alien empires...
technology to expand it, turning it into his new base and sending out his new servant Exodus
Exodus (comics)
Exodus is a fictional character, a comic book supervillain in the Marvel Comics universe. Created by writer Scott Lobdell and artist Joe Quesada, he first appeared in X-Factor #92...
to bring worthy mutants to it. His first choice were several members of X-Force
X-Force
X-Force is a fictional Marvel Comics superhero team, one of several spin-offs of the popular X-Men franchise. Conceived by writer/illustrator Rob Liefeld, the team was formed in New Mutants, vol. 1 #100 and soon afterwards was featured in its own series.The group was a new incarnation of the 1980s...
, who had been students of Magneto when they were part of the New Mutants
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....
. X-Force leader, Cable, followed them and managed to disable Avalon's teleportation system and copy the Professor from the core of the station into his own techno-organic bodyparts. Cable and his team escaped, but former New Mutants Rusty Collins
Rusty Collins
Russell "Rusty" Collins, formerly known as Firefist, is a fictional character, a superhero from Marvel Comics.-Publication history:Created by Bob Layton and Jackson Guice, Rusty Collins first appeared in X-Factor #1 ....
and Skids
Skids (comics)
Skids is a Marvel Comics mutant. Created by writer Louise Simonson and artist Jackson Guice, she first appeared in X-Factor vol. 1 #7 .-Morlocks:...
remained on Avalon with Magneto.
Shortly afterwards, Magneto sent Exodus to bring his followers, the Acolytes, to Avalon as well. He declared that Avalon would be a safe haven for all 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...
, away from humanity. 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...
battled Magneto and he was put into a coma. Exodus took over the leadership of the Acolytes and Avalon. The Acolyte Milan
Milan (comics)
Francisco Milan was a fictional member of the Acolytes in Marvel Comics. He first appeared in Uncanny X-Men #300.-Fictional character biography:...
repaired the teleportation systems of Avalon.
Avalon was destroyed during a battle between reality jumper, Holocaust
Holocaust (comics)
Holocaust is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appeared in X-Men Alpha , and was created by Scott Lobdell and Roger Cruz.-Fictional character biography:...
, and Exodus
Exodus (comics)
Exodus is a fictional character, a comic book supervillain in the Marvel Comics universe. Created by writer Scott Lobdell and artist Joe Quesada, he first appeared in X-Factor #92...
, after Holocaust arrived in mainstream reality and assumed that Exodus was the same Exodus from Holocaust's timeline
Age of Apocalypse
"Age of Apocalypse" is a 1995 - 1996 comic book crossover storyline published in the X-Men franchise of books by Marvel Comics. The Age of Apocalypse briefly replaced the universe of Earth-616, although it was later retconned as having occurred in the alternate universe of Earth-295, it had...
, leading the space station to crash landing into unknown parts of Australia. Many members of the Acolytes died, but several--including Exodus, Scanner
Scanner (comics)
Scanner , otherwise known as Screener, is a mutant in the Marvel Comics universe-Fictional character biography:As a member of the Acolytes, Scanner served as a scout that would survey the area before the others arrived, using her mutant ability to project an astral form to travel great distances...
, Frenzy, the Kleinstock brothers
Kleinstocks
The Kleinstocks were a set of triplets that are comic book fictional characters, and are mutant supervillains, in the Marvel Comics universe. The three brothers names are Harlan, Sven and Eric, they were created by Scott Lobdell and Brandon Peterson and first appeared in Uncanny X-Men #298...
, Unuscione
Unuscione
Carmella Unuscione, commonly known simply as Unuscione, is a fictional character, a mutant supervillain in the Marvel Universe.-Fictional character biography:Carmella Unuscione first appears as a member of the second intake of Magneto's Acolytes...
and Holocaust himself were able to survive. Exodus tried to gather the pieces of Avalon to rebuild it shortly afterwards, but halted his plans when Joseph
Joseph (comics)
Joseph was a Marvel Comics character who was briefly a member of the X-Men. Created by writer Scott Lobdell and artist Roger Cruz, he first appeared in Uncanny X-Men #327 ....
turned up, thinking that Joseph was Magneto. Pieces of Avalon and Graymalkin were later gathered by Cable to build the island of Providence, his former base of operations.
Video games
- Avalon also appears as the last level in X-Men: Children of the AtomX-Men: Children of the Atom (arcade game)is an arcade game that was produced by Capcom and released on the CPS-2 arcade system in 1994. It is the first fighting game produced by Capcom using characters under license from Marvel Comics, widely praised for its faithfulness in capturing the spirit of its namesake comics, by using colorful...
where the player must face Magneto. - Avalon is also shown and is a level on the SNESSuper Nintendo Entertainment SystemThe Super Nintendo Entertainment System is a 16-bit video game console that was released by Nintendo in North America, Europe, Australasia , and South America between 1990 and 1993. In Japan and Southeast Asia, the system is called the , or SFC for short...
game X-Men: Mutant Apocalypse and on the Sega Genesis game X-Men 2: Clone WarsX-Men 2: Clone WarsX-Men 2: Clone Wars is the title of a video game released in 1995 by Sega of America for the Mega Drive/Genesis. The game is a sequel to its 1993 side-scrolling video game titled X-Men. Oddly enough, the European release of the game reused the same cover art of X-Men 2: Game Master's Legacy for the...
. - In Magneto's ending in Marvel Super HeroesMarvel Super Heroes (arcade game)is a fighting game developed by Capcom. Originally released in the arcade in 1995 on the CPS-2 arcade system, it was later ported to the Sega Saturn and PlayStation in late 1997...
, he uses the Infinity GauntletInfinity GemsInfinity Gems, sometimes referred to as the Soul Gems, are six immensely powerful gems featured in the fictional Marvel Universe. Whoever holds all six gems in the Infinity Gauntlet gains omnipotence, omniscience, omnipresence, and God-like power, and has absolute dominion over the universe...
to create a new Avalon, an entire moon to serve as a homeworld for Mutantkind. - In the video game X-Men Legends II: Rise of ApocalypseX-Men Legends II: Rise of ApocalypseX-Men Legends II: Rise of Apocalypse is an action role-playing game released in 2005 for the Xbox, PlayStation 2, N-Gage, PlayStation Portable, and GameCube video game consoles as well as the PC...
Avalon is Magneto's base in the Savage LandSavage LandThe Savage Land is a hidden prehistoric land within the fictional Marvel Comics Universe. It is a tropical preserve hidden in Antarctica. It was created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby in X-Men #10...
. The X-Men and Brotherhood use Avalon as their headquarters during their stay in the Savage Land.