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Professor X

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For other uses, see Professor X (disambiguation).
Professor X
File:Xav-lopr.png
Professor Charles Xavier.
Art by Aaron Lopresti
Publication information
PublisherMarvel Comics
First appearanceX-Men #1 (Sep. 1963)
Created byStan Lee
Jack Kirby
In-story information
Alter egoCharles Francis Xavier
SpeciesHuman Mutant
Team affiliationsX-Men
Illuminati
Genoshan Excalibur
Cadre K
Brotherhood of Mutants
Shi'ar Imperium
Starjammers
The Twelve
Defenders
Notable aliasesOnslaught, Consort-Royal, Founder, X, Warlord, Entity
Abilities
  • Genius-level intellect
  • Telepathy
  • Mind reading and control
  • Memory alteration
  • Mental bolts
  • Induced paralysis
  • Illusion casting
  • Astral projection

Professor Charles Francis Xavier (also known as Professor X) is a fictional character, a superhero who appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. He is known as the leader and founder of the X-Men.

Throughout most of his comic book history, Xavier is paraplegic, although his body houses one of the world's most powerful mutant minds. As a high-level telepath, Xavier can read, control, and influence human minds. A scientific genius, he is also a leading authority on genetics, mutation, and psionic powers.

Sir Patrick Stewart has portrayed Professor X throughout the X-Men films, and the X-Men Legends games. James McAvoy portrays a younger version of the character in the 2011 prequel film X-Men: First Class. His character has often been compared with Martin Luther King, Jr. during the civil rights struggle.[1]

Publication history

Created by writer Stan Lee and artist/co-writer Jack Kirby, the Professor first appeared in X-Men #1 (September 1963).

Inspirations

Professor Xavier's character development has been inspired by Martin Luther King, Jr.[2] Writer Scott Lobdell established Xavier's middle name to be Francis in Uncanny X-Men #328 (January 1996).

Stan Lee has stated that the physical inspiration of Professor Xavier was from Academy Award–winning actor Yul Brynner.[3]

Character

Xavier’s goals are to promote the peaceful affirmation of mutant rights, to mediate the co-existence of mutants and humans, to protect mutants from militant humans and to protect society from antagonistic mutants, including his old friend, the militant Magneto. To achieve these aims, he founded Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters (later named the Xavier Institute) to teach mutants to explore and control their powers. Its first group of students were the original X-Men. Xavier's students consider him a visionary and often refer to their mission as "Xavier's dream". He is highly regarded by others in the Marvel universe, respected by various governments and trusted by several other superhero teams, including the Avengers and the Fantastic Four. However, he also has a manipulative streak which has resulted in several significant fallings-out with allies and students.

He often acts as a public advocate for mutant rights and is the authority most of the Marvel superhero community turns to for advice on mutants. Despite this, his status as a mutant himself and leader of the X-Men only became public during the 2001 story "E Is for Extinction".

In the comics' history, the X-Men rarely operate without Xavier. He also appears in almost all of the X-Men animated series and in many video games, although usually as a non-playable character because of his disability. Patrick Stewart plays him in the 2000s film series, as well as providing his voice in some of the X-Men videogames (including some not connected to the film series).

According to BusinessWeek, Charles Xavier is listed as one of the top ten most intelligent fictional characters in American comics.[4]

Dark Xavier

File:Darkxavier18.jpg
The Dark side of Xavier emerging.
Art by Bob Brown & Dave Cockrum.

In a number of comics, Xavier is shown to have a dark side, a part of himself that he struggles to suppress. Perhaps the most notable appearance of this character element is in the Onslaught storyline, in which the crossover event's antagonist is a physical manifestation of that dark side. Also, Onslaught is created in the most violent act Xavier claims to have done: erasing the mind of Magneto. In X-Men #106 (August 1977), the new X-Men fight images of the original team, which have been created by what Xavier says is his "evil self ... who would use his powers for personal gain and conquest," which he says he is normally able to keep in check. In the 1984 four-part series titled The X-Men and the Micronauts, Xavier's dark desires manifest themselves as the Entity and threaten to destroy the Micronauts' universe.

In other instances, Xavier is shown to be secretive and manipulative. During the Onslaught storyline, the X-Men find Xavier's files, the "Xavier Protocols", which detail how to kill many of the characters, including Xavier himself, should the need ever arise, such as if they went rogue.[5] Astonishing X-Men vol. 3, #12 (August 2005) reveals that when Xavier realizes that the Danger Room has become sentient, he keeps it trapped and experiments on it for years, an act that Cyclops calls "the oppression of a new life" and equates to humanity's treatment of mutants (however, X-Men Legacy #220 - 224 reveals that Xavier did not intend for the Danger Room to become sentient: it was an accident, and Xavier sought a way to free Danger, but was unable to find a way to accomplish this without deleting her sentience as well).

Fictional character biography

A young Charles Xavier. Art by Jack Kirby.

Charles Francis Xavier was born in New York City to the wealthy Brian Xavier, a well-respected nuclear scientist, and Sharon Xavier. After Brian dies in an accident, his science partner Kurt Marko comforts and marries the grieving Sharon. When Xavier's telepathic mutant powers emerge, he discovers Kurt cares only about his mother's money.[volume & issue needed]

With help from his powers and his natural genius, Xavier becomes an excellent student and athlete, though he gives up the latter, believing his powers give him an unfair advantage. Due to his powers, by the time he graduates from high school, Charles loses all of his hair. He graduates with honors at the age of 16 from Harvard University.[6] In graduate studies he receives Ph.D.s in Genetics, Biophysics, and Psychology[7] with a two year residence at Pembroke College,[8] Oxford University.[9] He is later appointed Adjunct Professor at Columbia University.[10]

Over the years, Charles makes a name for himself as geneticist and psychologist, apparently renowned enough that the Greys were referred to him when no other expert could help their catatonic daughter, Jean. Xavier trains her in the use of her telekinesis, while inhibiting her telepathic abilities until she matures.[11] Around this time, he also starts working with fellow mutation expert, Karl Lykos, as well as Moira MacTaggert again, who built a mutant research station on Muir Island.

Xavier founded Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters, which provides a safe haven for mutants and teaches them to master their abilities. In addition, he seeks to foster mutant-human relations by providing his superhero team, the X-Men, as an example of mutants acting in good faith, as he told FBI agent Fred Duncan.[12] With his inherited fortune, Xavier is a billionaire with a net worth of 3.5 billion dollars.[13]

Once outed as a mutant, Xavier makes speeches to the public about mutant tolerance.[volume & issue needed] He also founds the X-Corporation, or X-Corp (not to be confused with the X-Corps), with offices all over the world. The purpose of the X-Corp is to watch over mutant rights and help mutants in need.[volume & issue needed] As a result of being outed, the school no longer hides the fact that it is a school for mutants and it opens its doors for more mutant (and even human) students to come in. A student named Quentin Quire and members of his gang start a riot at the Xavier Institute during an open house at the school. As a result, Quire and two other students are killed.[volume & issue needed] Uncertain about his dream's validity, Xavier announces that he will step down as headmaster and be succeeded by Jean Grey.[volume & issue needed] Afterwards, having apparently not died in the Sentinel raid on Genosha, Magneto undoes the restoration of Xavier's ability to walk, kidnaps him, and destroys the X-Mansion (killing several of the students). Then Xorn/Magneto assaults New York, where Cyclops, Fantomex and a few students confront him. After the rest of the X-Men arrive, Xorn/Magneto kills Jean Grey with an electromagnetically induced stroke, and Wolverine decapitates him.[volume & issue needed] With Jean dead, Xavier leaves the school to Cyclops and Emma Frost.[volume & issue needed]

Powers and abilities

Cerebro, as seen in the X-Men films.

Professor X is a mutant who possesses vast telepathic powers, and is among the most powerful Earth-born telepaths in the Marvel Universe.

  • Telepathy: Xavier can read the minds of others within a 250 mile radius.
    • Telepathic Illusion: the ability to cause others to see or experience events which are not actually occurring.
    • Telepathic Cloak: the ability to hide one's presence from others by making oneself invisible by clouding the minds of others.
    • Psi Link: Xavier can create psychic links with others.
    • Telepathic Camouflage: Xavier can make others see him as someone else by manipulating the minds of others to make them see him with another appearance.
    • Mind Blast: Xavier is able to place massive amounts of information inside the mind of others to cause extreme mental pain on them.
    • Mind Control: Xavier can also manipulate the minds of others.
    • Mind Possession: the ability to possess the minds of others, controlling someone's mind for oneself.
    • Mind Alteration: the ability to alter the minds of others.
    • Mental Amnesia: Xavier can cause people to forget certain memories. He can cause large groups of people to forget things.
    • Psionic Shield: the ability to erect a shield that is used to protect one's mind.
    • Psionic Blasts: the ability to emit blasts of psionic energy which don't harm its victims physically but mentally instead.
    • Astral Projection: the ability to control one's astral self.
    • Mental Detection: Xavier can detect nearby mutants.
    • Mind Transferral: If Xavier were to die, he could transfer his mind and powers to a host body.
    • Information Absorption: He is able to quickly absorb and store information.
  • Telekinesis: He possesses minor telekinetic abilities.

Professor X is able to perceive the thoughts of others or project his own thoughts within a radius of approximately 250 miles (400 km). Xavier's telepathy once covered the entire world but Magneto altered the Earth's electromagnetic field to restrict Xavier's telepathic range.[14] While not on Earth, Xavier's natural telepathic abilities have reached across space to make universal mental contact with multiple alien races.[15] With extreme effort, he can greatly extend the range of his telepathy. He can learn foreign languages by reading the language centers of the brain of someone adept, and alternately "teach" languages to others in the same manner; Xavier once trained a new group of mutants mentally, subjectively making them experience months of training together, while only hours passed in the real world.[16]

Xavier's vast psionic powers enable him to manipulate the minds of others, warp perceptions to make himself seem invisible, project mental illusions, cause loss of particular memories or total amnesia, and induce pain or temporary mental and/or physical paralysis in others. Within close range, he can manipulate almost any number of minds for such simple feats. However, he can only take full possession of one other mind at a time, and must strictly be within that person's physical presence. He is one of the few telepaths skilled enough to communicate with animals and even share their perceptions.[17] He can also telepathically take away or control people's natural bodily functions and senses, such as sight, hearing, smell, taste, or even mutant powers. A side effect of his telepathy is that he is gifted with an eidetic memory. He has displayed telepathic prowess sufficient to confront Ego the Living Planet, while aided by Cadre K[18] as well as narrowly defeat Exodus.[19] However, he cannot permanently 'reprogram' human minds to believe what he might want them to believe even if he wanted to do so, explaining that the mind is an organism that would always recall the steps necessary for it to reach the present and thus 'rewrite' itself to its original setting if he tried to change it.[20] However, his initial reprogramming of Wolverine lasted several years, despite how Wolverine's healing factor works around such a reprogramming much faster than an ordinary human mind.[21]

He is able to project from his mind 'bolts' composed of psychic energy, enabling him to stun the mind of another person into unconsciousness, inflict mental trauma, or even cause death. These 'bolts' inflict damage only upon other minds, having a negligible effect on non-mental beings, if any. The manner in which Xavier's powers function indicates that his telepathy is physical in some way, as it can be enhanced by physical means (for example, Cerebro) and can be disrupted by physical means (for example, Magneto's alteration of the Earth's magnetic field).

Xavier can perceive the distinct mental presence/brain waves of other superhuman mutants within a small radius of himself. To detect mutants to a wider area beyond this radius, he must amplify his powers through Cerebro and subsequently Cerebra, computer devices of his own design which are sensitive to the psychic/physical energies produced by the mind.

Professor X can project his astral form into a psychic dimension known as the astral plane. There, he can use his powers to create objects, control his surroundings, and even control and destroy the astral forms of others. He cannot project this form over long distances.

Uncanny X-Men writer Ed Brubaker has claimed that, after being de-powered by the Scarlet Witch,[22][23] and then re-powered by the M'Kraan Crystal, Charles' telepathy is more powerful than was previously known. However, the extent of this enhancement is unknown.[24]

Charles is a genius with multiple doctorates. He is a world-renowned geneticist, a leading expert in mutation, possesses considerable knowledge of various life sciences, and is the inventor of Cerebro.[7] He possesses a Ph.D. in genetics, biophysics, and psychology. He is highly talented in devising equipment for utilizing and enhancing psionic powers.

During his travels in Asia, Xavier learned martial arts, acquiring "refined combat skills" according to Magneto. When these skills are coordinated in tandem with his telepathic abilities, Xavier is a dangerous unarmed combatant, capable of sensing the intentions of others and countering them with superhuman efficiency. He also has extensive knowledge of pressure points.[25]

Charles Xavier was also given possession of the Mind Infinity Gem.[26] It allows the user to boost mental power and access the thoughts and dreams of other beings. Backed by the Power Gem, it is possible to access all minds in existence simultaneously. Like all other former Illuminati members, Xavier has sworn to never use the gem and to keep its location hidden.

Xavier Protocols

The Xavier Protocols are a set of doomsday plans created by Professor X. The Protocols detail the best way to kill many powerful mutant characters, including the X-Men and Xavier himself, should they become too large a danger. The Xavier Protocols are first mentioned during the "Onslaught" crossover and first seen in Excalibur #100 in Moira MacTaggert's lab. Charles Xavier compiled a list of the Earth's most powerful mutants and plans on how to defeat them if they become a threat to the world.[27] They are first used after Onslaught grows too powerful. Only parts of the actual Protocols are ever shown. In the "Operation: Zero Tolerance" crossover Bastion obtains an encrypted copy of the Protocols, intending to use them against the X-Men.[28] However, Cable infiltrates the X-Mansion and secures all encrypted files before Bastion has a chance to decrypt them.[29] Due to the tampering of Bastion and his Sentinels, the X-Mansion computer system Cerebro gains autonomy and seeks to destroy the X-Men by employing its knowledge of the Xavier Protocols. In a virtual environment created by Professor X Cerebro executes the Xavier Protocols against the X-Men.[30]

Each Protocol is activated by the presence of a different combination of X-Men and were written by Xavier himself:[27]

  • Code 0-0-0 (Charles Xavier): This file is both an entry on Charles Xavier, as well as an introduction to the Xavier Protocols. It contained a holographic image of Charles Xavier, reading the following message: "Moira, Scott, Jean; if you three are seeing these images, then I have become a mortal threat to my X-Men. In this instance, I must be stopped by any means necessary. Some years ago, I made a study of various forms of possible defense against my own psychic abilities. The image next to me is that of an anti-psionic armor. The wearer should be protected from my talent. When I finish speaking, a blueprint for this armor will be downloaded." (Activated by Moira MacTaggert, Cyclops, and Jean Grey)
  • Code 0-2-1 (Wolverine): Activated by Archangel, Cyclops, and Jean Grey
  • Code 1-3-9 (Cable): Activated by Cyclops, Jean Grey, and Cannonball

Other X-Men who face their Xavier Protocols are Colossus, Rogue, Shadowcat, Nightcrawler, Storm, and Gambit.[30]

Other versions

Main article: Alternative versions of Professor X

In other media

Main article: Professor X in other media

References

  1. ^ Professor X And Magneto: Allegories For Martin Luther King, Jr. And Malcolm X, Andrew Godoski, Screened magazine, June 1, 2011
  2. ^ DeCandido, Keith R.A., Haber, Karen, Wein, Len (2006). The Unauthorized X-Men: SF and Comic Writers on Mutants, Prejudice, and Adamantium (p. 142). Benbella Books. ISBN 1-932100-74-1. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  3. ^ Stan Lee: Conversations Lee, Stan, McLaughlin, Jeff (2007). Stan Lee: Conversations (p. 170). University Press of Mississippi. ISBN 978-1-57806-984-2.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  4. ^ Pisani, Joseph (2006). "The Smartest Superheroes". www.businessweek.com. Retrieved 2007-11-25.
  5. ^ Scott Lobdell (w), Joe Madureira (p), Tim Townsend (i). "Onslaught, Phase 1: Apocalypse Lives" Uncanny X-Men, no. 335 (August 1996). Marvel Comics.
  6. ^ Excalibur: Prelude to the House of M #11-14
  7. ^ a b Yaco, Linc, Haber, Karen (2004). The Science of the X-Men. I Books/Marvel. p. 24. ISBN 0-7434-8725-7. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  8. ^ Uncanny X-Men #389; graphic of Pembroke College's Old Quad
  9. ^ [Uncanny] X-Men #117
  10. ^ Uncanny X-Men #192-193
  11. ^ Bizarre Adventures #27
  12. ^ [Uncanny] X-Men #38
  13. ^ New X-Men #129
  14. ^ Uncanny X-Men #145
  15. ^ Maximum Security: Dangerous Planet
  16. ^ X-Men: Deadly Genesis
  17. ^ X-Men Legacy #211
  18. ^ Maximum Security: Dangerous Planet
  19. ^ X-Men: Legacy #210
  20. ^ New Avengers: Illuminati #4
  21. ^ House of M #1
  22. ^ House of M
  23. ^ Decimation
  24. ^ World War Hulk: X-Men #1
  25. ^ Uncanny X-Men #321
  26. ^ New Avengers: Illuminati #2
  27. ^ a b Excalibur #100
  28. ^ X-Men vol. 2 #65
  29. ^ Cable vol. 2 #46-47
  30. ^ a b X-Men vol. 2 #84

Sources

  • Sanderson, Peter ( April 17, 2006). X-Men: The Ultimate Guide. DK CHILDREN (3rd ed.). ISBN 0-7566-2005-8.
  • Barney-Hawke, Syd, Moreels, Eric J. ( April 1, 2003). Marvel Encyclopedia Volume 2: X-Men. Marvel Comics. ISBN 0-7851-1199-9.
  • Yaco, Linc, Haber, Karen (February 2004). The Science of the X-Men. I Books/Marvel. ISBN 0-7434-8725-7.
  • Marvel Entertainment ( May 7, 2003). The Marvel Universe Roleplaying Game. Marvel Comics. ISBN 0-7851-1028-3.

External links

Professor X at the Marvel Universe wiki

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