- Blackbird (comics)
Infobox comics elements
name = Blackbird
imagesize =
caption =
publisher =Marvel Comics
debut =
creators =
type =
plane=y
supports =X-Men
subcat=Marvel ComicsThe Blackbird (also nicknamed X-Jet) is the aircraft used by the fictional superhero team theX-Men . There have been several incarnations of this craft over the years with Cyclops and Storm as the main pilots.History
When the X-Men were first introduced, they were portrayed as travelling in
Professor X avier's private jet and helicopter, advanced but fairly conventional aircraft with remote autopilots (i.e., the Professor flew them from home). The Blackbird was introduced with the "All-New, All-Different" X-Men Team in 1975. The original X-Men Blackbird was visually based on a modified, scaled-up version of theLockheed SR-71 "Blackbird" spy plane (hence the name) but was modified to carry several passengers, as well as for Vertical Take-Off and Landing (VTOL). Some writers have referred to this design as the "SR-73", but it is not known if that designation is canon in theMarvel Universe . The original X-Men Blackbird has been destroyed and rebuilt numerous times in the course of the team's many adventures. The later versions incorporated technology created by the mutant inventor Forge, as well as alien (Shi'ar ) technology, including weapon systems, holographicactive camouflage , and engines capable ofhypersonic speeds. One version of the Blackbird possessed an experimental cockpit windshield that was infused with traces of the same rubyquartz material used in Cyclops' visor, allowing him to project and amplify his optic blasts through the windshield. ["Uncanny X-Men" #154]Ultimate X-Jet
In the "
Ultimate X-Men " series, the X-Men seemingly have several aircraft, including one that resembles aB-2 Spirit stealth bomber (this craft is referred to in issue #70 as the "X-Wing"). One of the airplanes has been referred to casually as the "Blackbird", but it bears no visible relationship to theSR-71 .In other media
Television
The Blackbird appeared frequently in the X-Men TV series [http://marvel.toonzone.net/xmen/pryde/62.jpg] [http://marvel.toonzone.net/xmen/episode/reunion/29.jpg] [http://marvel.toonzone.net/xmen/episode/reunion/30.jpg] [http://marvel.toonzone.net/xmen/episode/reunion/34.jpg] .
The X-Jet (along with a helicopter) appeared in the more recent cartoon "".
Video games
The Blackbird is Storm's stage in the arcade and console-imported game "". The players fight on top of the Blackbird, which is parked on top of an
aircraft carrier itself. It also appears again in the arcade and console-imported game "X-Men vs. Street Fighter ". The players must once again fight on top of the Blackbird, but this time it is not on top of an aircraft carrier but it is getting prepared for lift-off.The X-Jet had a different look from the ones in the comics from the games "
X-Men Legends " and "". It served the purpose of taking the characters to their next location.Film
In the first X-Men film, the X-Men utilized a jet named the "X-Jet" rather than the Blackbird. In an attempt to tie the comics to the films, the comics X-Men replaced their Blackbird with the X-Jet, which is still used to this day.
See also
*
List of vehicles in Marvel Comics References
Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.