# Xorn

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Not to be confused with [Zorn (disambiguation)](/source/Zorn_(disambiguation)).

This article is about the [X-Men](/source/X-Men) characters. For the Dungeons & Dragons creature, see [Xorn (Dungeons & Dragons)](/source/Xorn_(Dungeons_%26_Dragons)). For the metalcore band, see [Chronic Xorn](/source/Chronic_Xorn).

**Xorn** is the alias of two fictional characters appearing in [American comic books](/source/American_comic_book) published by [Marvel Comics](/source/Marvel_Comics). He first appeared in *[New X-Men Annual 2001](/source/New_X-Men_(2001_series))* (September 2001). He was created by [Grant Morrison](/source/Grant_Morrison) and [Frank Quitely](/source/Frank_Quitely). He is a [mutant](/source/Mutant_(Marvel_Comics)) who has a miniature star residing in his head, which gives him the abilities of gravitational electromagnetism, self-sustenance, and healing. He is most commonly associated with the [X-Men](/source/X-Men) and [Brotherhood of Mutants](/source/Brotherhood_of_Mutants). Initially in the pages of [New X-Men](/source/New_X-Men_(2001_series)), he was revealed to be [Magneto](/source/Magneto_(Marvel_Comics)) in disguise. However, *[Excalibur](/source/Excalibur_(comic_book))* established him as a separate character named **Kuan-Yin Xorn** and his brother **Shen Xorn**.

## Publication history

Xorn first appeared in *[New X-Men Annual 2001](/source/New_X-Men_(2001_series))* (September 2001), Xorn was created by [Grant Morrison](/source/Grant_Morrison) and [Frank Quitely](/source/Frank_Quitely).[1] Originally depicted as a [Chinese](/source/China) [mutant](/source/Mutant_(Marvel_Comics)) with a "star for a brain," he is eventually revealed to be the X-Men's nemesis [Magneto](/source/Magneto_(Marvel_Comics)) in disguise at the climax of Morrison's run. After Magneto is apparently killed during the "[Planet X](/source/Planet_X_(comics))" story arc, he appears alive in 2004's *[Excalibur](/source/Excalibur_(comic_book))* (vol. 3) #1, which established that Xorn never was Magneto. Marvel has presented several partial explanations, both in the comics pages and in the press as to the true nature, identity, and motives of Xorn.

Grant Morrison intended Xorn to be Magneto from his first appearance. As Morrison stated in an interview after they left *New X-Men*, "In my opinion, there really should not have been an actual Xorn - he had to be fake, that was the cruel point of him".[2] In fact, soon after the revelation of Xorn's identity in *New X-Men* #146, readers pointed out that clues that Xorn was actually Magneto had been hidden throughout Morrison's run.[3][4] According to then-*X-Men* writer [Chuck Austen](/source/Chuck_Austen), the X-Men editors liked the Xorn character and hoped Morrison would change their mind about the revelation; when Morrison did not, the editors asked Austen to bring Xorn back as a separate character. Morrison has expressed criticism of this subsequent retcon in interviews.[5][6] Marvel also wanted to continue using Magneto; Austen stated that "Marvel saw value in Magneto not being a mass-murderer of New Yorkers."[7]

The true identity of Xorn, and his relationship to Magneto, became a subject of confusion for fans. Marvel refrained from giving any complete explanation, eventually hinting the summer 2005 crossover *House of M* would clear up the situation.[8] The Xorn entry in the *[Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe: X-Men 2005](/source/Official_Handbook_of_the_Marvel_Universe)* stated that "Kuan-Yin eventually revealed himself to be a *duplicate* of the X-Men's nemesis Magneto, a transformation believed to have been caused by Magneto's daughter, the [Scarlet Witch](/source/Scarlet_Witch)." This explanation was based on a suggestion in *House of M* #7 wherein [Doctor Strange](/source/Doctor_Strange) speculates Wanda has been 'playing with the world' for far longer than even she knows, and may have been responsible for her father's puzzling rebirth. An alternative explanation has since been given in the pages of *[New Avengers](/source/New_Avengers)* since, according to Marvel editor [Tom Brevoort](/source/Tom_Brevoort), "nobody was satisfied with that offhanded non-explanation, and it didn't make a heck of a lot of sense by itself even as a throwaway".[9]

In a 2006 interview, Marvel editor-in-chief [Joe Quesada](/source/Joe_Quesada) reiterated the Shen Xorn/Kuan-Yin Xorn explanation, but added that "because Xorn's powers were psychokinetic, and his personality was so strong, it basically remained an almost disembodied sentient thing among the big ball of mutant energy. When that energy got sucked down to Earth by Michael [Pointer] and all absorbed by him, Xorn was the dominant personality in the mix, and that's what drove him towards Genosha and Magneto."[10]

## Fictional character biography

### *New X-Men*

Xorn is introduced as a prisoner of the [Chinese government](/source/Chinese_government), where a corrupt mutant official offers to sell him to [Sublime](/source/Sublime_(Marvel_Comics)). While in the prison of Feng Tu, Xorn is forced to wear a skull-like mask designed to restrain his energy output, as he has a "sun" in place of a brain. The [X-Men](/source/X-Men) and Sublime's [U-Men](/source/U-Men_(comics)) find Xorn just as he is attempting to commit suicide by removing his mask, which would destroy Earth. [Cyclops](/source/Cyclops_(Marvel_Comics)) and [Emma Frost](/source/Emma_Frost) establish contact with Xorn, convincing him not to kill himself, and offer him a position among the X-Men. Xorn is next seen in *New X-Men* #122, where Cyclops is informed that Xorn possesses healing abilities. Xorn heals the X-Men of a nano-[Sentinel](/source/Sentinel_(comics)) infection, restoring [Professor X](/source/Professor_X)'s ability to walk in the process.

Despite the ordeals through which he had passed, Xorn is optimistic, open, and even somewhat naïve. Xorn keeps a diary to share his thoughts with Professor Xavier, since Xavier is "blinded by the sun beneath [his] mask" and cannot read his mind.[11] Xorn is soon put in charge of the "Special Class", a group of misfit students attending the [Xavier Institute](/source/X-Mansion).

In the storyline "[Planet X](/source/X-Men:_Planet_X)", Xorn is revealed to be [Magneto](/source/Magneto_(Marvel_Comics)), who has been believed dead since the destruction of [Genosha](/source/Genosha). Magneto explains the Xorn identity was an elaborate ruse crafted with the help of Chinese supporters. Having returned Xavier to a crippled state, Magneto levels the X-Mansion and conquers [New York City](/source/New_York_City), where he enslaves the human population and destroys much of the city.[12][13]

Magneto finds that many of his recruits are unresponsive to his ideas and approach, with some asking for the return of the more humane Xorn, and others doubtful that Magneto has truly returned, much to his chagrin. Magneto announces a plan to invert the planet by reversing its magnetic poles, and employs increasingly [fascistic](/source/Fascism) methods, including the construction of a [crematorium](/source/Cremation) in which he plans to eradicate the remaining human population of the city. Magneto kills [Jean Grey](/source/Jean_Grey) and is killed by [Wolverine](/source/Wolverine_(character)) in response.[14]

### The return of Magneto and the second Xorn

Xavier takes the body of Magneto to Genosha, where his funeral is held. Shortly afterward, Xavier meets Magneto alive and well on Genosha. Xavier and Magneto later debate the true identity and motives of Xorn, the individual whose body was brought to Genosha. Shortly afterward, Xorn's twin brother Shen Xorn is introduced. He claims that the original Xorn (now referred to as Kuan-Yin Xorn) had impersonated Magneto while under the influence of Sublime. Not too long after, Shen disappears after he unleashes the gravitational forces of his "black hole" for a brain from his head (in direct contrast to his twin brother) while fending off the [Brotherhood of Mutants](/source/Brotherhood_of_Mutants).

Xorn and Magneto are among the mutants who lost their powers to the [Scarlet Witch](/source/Scarlet_Witch) during the *[Decimation](/source/Decimation_(comics))* event.[15]

### The Collective

Later, an Alaskan postal worker named [Michael Pointer](/source/Michael_Pointer_(character)) gains the powers of the depowered mutants, in part due to unknowingly being a mutant himself. Disoriented and wielding the power of at least fifty mutants, he rampages across rural [Canada](/source/Canada), kills nearly every member of [Alpha Flight](/source/Alpha_Flight), and destroys downtown [Cleveland](/source/Cleveland). After [Spider-Man](/source/Spider-Man) and [Vision](/source/Vision_(Jonas)) discover the nature of Pointer's powers, he is allowed to leave, and so travels, without causing further destruction, to Genosha.[16]

The collective of energy, now revealed to be sentient and responsible for Pointer's actions, transfers into Magneto, restoring his powers. Magneto recognizes the intelligence controlling the energy as Xorn. Xorn explains he took the image of Magneto because he knew mutants would follow him, and they needed the real Magneto again. [Quake](/source/Daisy_Johnson), Iron Man, [Ms. Marvel](/source/Carol_Danvers), and [Sentry](/source/Sentry_(Robert_Reynolds)) combine their powers to separate the Collective/Xorn from Magneto and send it into the sun.[17]

### All-New, All-Different Marvel

During the "Inhumanity" storyline, Terrigen Mist is spread across Earth, proving fatal to mutants and suppressing any new mutant manifestation. A militant band composed of Inhumans and Mutants known as the [Dark Riders](/source/Dark_Riders_(comics)), who long believed in "survival of the fittest", begin killing mutant healers. One of their targets is Shen Xorn, who is revealed to have been regained his powers and has now secluded himself somewhere in Tibet. He is able to kill Barrage and make quick work of the rest of the Riders.[18]

### House of X

Following the consolidation of mutant peoples on [Krakoa](/source/Krakoa) during the *[House of X](/source/House_of_X_and_Powers_of_X)* storyline, Kuan-Yin Xorn is resurrected through Krakoa's resurrection protocols.[19] The Xorn brothers (now calling themselves Xorn and Zorn) remain on Krakoa and occasionally lend their powers to other mutants' causes - such as [David Haller](/source/Legion_(Marvel_Comics))'s work as a community healer.

## Reception

In 2014, *[Entertainment Weekly](/source/Entertainment_Weekly)* ranked Xorn 55th in their "Let's rank every X-Man ever" list.[20]

## Other versions

### Age of Apocalypse

An alternate universe version of Xorn appears in "[Age of Apocalypse](/source/Age_of_Apocalypse_(limited_series))". This version is an identity assumed by [Husk](/source/Husk_(comics)), who was believed to have been dead. Husk was manipulated by [Mister Sinister](/source/Mister_Sinister) and assumed the identity of Xorn, infiltrating the X-Men to kill Magneto and [Rogue](/source/Rogue_(Marvel_Comics))'s son Charles.[21]

### Battle of the Atom

An alternate universe version of Xorn appears in the storyline *[Battle of the Atom](/source/Battle_of_the_Atom)*. This version is a time-displaced counterpart of [Jean Grey](/source/Jean_Grey) who requires the Xorn mask to control her powers and is an ally of the Brotherhood of Mutants.[22][23][24]

### Ultimate Marvel

Alternate universe versions of the Xorn siblings appear in the [Ultimate Marvel](/source/Ultimate_Marvel) imprint. These versions are the leaders of the People, a genetically altered species of superhumans who were created by the Southeast Asian Republic as super-soldiers, but later rebelled.[25]

### Earth-71202

Alternate universe versions of the Xorn siblings from Earth-71202 appear in *[New Avengers](/source/New_Avengers)* (vol. 3) #24, where they are killed by [Terrax](/source/Terrax) during the [Cabal](/source/Cabal_(comics))'s attack on their universe.[26]

### Powers of X

In one of the timelines experienced by [Moira MacTaggert](/source/Moira_MacTaggert) during the *[Powers of X](/source/House_of_X_and_Powers_of_X)* storyline, Kuan-Yin Xorn becomes one of the final [Horsemen](/source/Horsemen_of_Apocalypse) of [Apocalypse](/source/Apocalypse_(character)), representing Death. His powers are reversed, sucking away life rather than restoring it, and his helmet is now a mostly-open mask from which blue flame spouts.[27] After [Rasputin IV](/source/Rasputin_IV) encounters Xorn, she removes his mask at his request, which exposes the [singularity](/source/Black_hole) in his head and destroys the universe.[28]

## In other media

Xorn appears as a [DLC](/source/DLC_(video_gaming)) skin for Magneto in *[Marvel: Ultimate Alliance](/source/Marvel:_Ultimate_Alliance)*.

## References

1. DeFalco, Tom; Sanderson, Peter; Brevoort, Tom; Teitelbaum, Michael; Wallace, Daniel; Darling, Andrew; Forbeck, Matt; Cowsill, Alan; Bray, Adam (2019). *The Marvel Encyclopedia*. DK Publishing. p. 431. ISBN 978-1-4654-7890-0.

1. Ellis, Jonathan (2004). ["Grant Morrison: Master & Commander"](https://web.archive.org/web/20131203064013/http://www.popimage.com/content/grant20044.html). Pop Image.com. Archived from [the original](http://www.popimage.com/content/grant20044.html) on December 3, 2013. Retrieved September 16, 2006.

1. Baker, Jesse (2003). ["Words Of Questionable Wisdom: We Hardly Knew You"](https://archive.today/20120708211359/http://comicsnexus.com/2003/10/24/7561/). Comics Nexus.com. Archived from [the original](http://comicsnexus.com/2003/10/24/7561/) on July 8, 2012. Retrieved July 1, 2008.

1. O'Brien, Paul (2003). ["Review of *New X-Men* #146"](https://web.archive.org/web/20061214130431/http://www.thexaxis.com/newxmen/newxmen146.htm). The X-Axis.com. Archived from [the original](http://www.thexaxis.com/newxmen/newxmen146.htm) on December 14, 2006. Retrieved September 16, 2006.

1. ["SDCC '06: Wildstorm Panel"](https://web.archive.org/web/20071012213849/http://newsarama.com/SDCC06/DC/Wildstorm/panel.html). [Newsarama](/source/Newsarama). 2006. Archived from [the original](http://newsarama.com/SDCC06/DC/Wildstorm/panel.html) on October 12, 2007. Retrieved June 10, 2019.

1. [Pop Thought – Alex Ness](http://www.popthought.com/display_column.asp?DAID=861) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20150912014557/http://www.popthought.com/display_column.asp?DAID=861) September 12, 2015 at the Wayback Machine

1. Contino, Jennifer M. (2004). ["Chuck Austen X-Men Writer"](https://web.archive.org/web/20070929102746/http://www.comicon.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=print_topic%3Bf%3D36%3Bt%3D002359). Comicon.com. Archived from [the original](http://www.comicon.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=print_topic;f=36;t=002359) on September 29, 2007. Retrieved September 17, 2006.

1. ["Chris Claremont on New Excalibur"](https://web.archive.org/web/20071012213854/http://newsarama.com/marvelnew/Excalibur/NewExcalibur.htm). [Newsarama](/source/Newsarama). 2005. Archived from [the original](http://newsarama.com/marvelnew/Excalibur/NewExcalibur.htm) on October 12, 2007. Retrieved June 10, 2019.

1. ["New Joe Fridays: Week 8"](https://web.archive.org/web/20071012213844/http://newsarama.com/NewJoeFridays/NewJoeFridays08.html). [Newsarama](/source/Newsarama). 2006. Archived from [the original](http://newsarama.com/NewJoeFridays/NewJoeFridays08.html) on October 12, 2007. Retrieved June 10, 2019.

1. ["New Joe Fridays: Week 3"](https://web.archive.org/web/20060720131757/http://www.newsarama.com/NewJoeFridays/NewJoeFridays03.html). [Newsarama](/source/Newsarama). 2006. Archived from [the original](http://www.newsarama.com/NewJoeFridays/NewJoeFridays03.html) on July 20, 2006. Retrieved September 16, 2006.

1. *[New X-Men](/source/New_X-Men_(2001_series))* #127 (August 2002)

1. *New X-Men* #146 (November 2003)

1. *New X-Men* #147 (November 2003)

1. *New X-Men* #150 (February 2004)

1. *[New Avengers](/source/New_Avengers)* #19 (July 2006)

1. *New Avengers* #16 (April 2006)

1. *New Avengers* #20 (August 2006)

1. *[Uncanny X-Men](/source/Uncanny_X-Men)* (vol. 4) #3 (April 2016)

1. *[House of X](/source/House_of_X)* #1 (September 2019)

1. Franich, Darren (June 9, 2022). ["Let's rank every X-Man ever"](https://ew.com/article/2014/05/21/x-men-best-worst/). *[Entertainment Weekly](/source/Entertainment_Weekly)*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20260109012804/https://ew.com/article/2014/05/21/x-men-best-worst/) January 9, 2026 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved January 26, 2023.

1. *[X-Men: Age of Apocalypse](/source/X-Men:_Age_of_Apocalypse)* #4 (March 2005)

1. *[X-Men: Battle of the Atom](/source/X-Men:_Battle_of_the_Atom)* #1 (November 2013)

1. *X-Men: Battle of the Atom* #2 (December 2013)

1. *[All-New X-Men](/source/All-New_X-Men)* #16 (November 2013)

1. *Ultimate Comics: Hawkeye* #3 (December 2011)

1. *New Avengers* (vol. 3) #24 (November 2014)

1. *[Powers of X](/source/Powers_of_X)* #2 (October 2019)

1. *Powers of X* #3 (October 2019)

## External links

- [AlphaFlight.net - Alphanex entry on The Collective](https://web.archive.org/web/20110716101231/http://www.alphaflight.net/alphanex/index.php?title=Collective)

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Xorn](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xorn) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xorn?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.