Asteroid M

History

Asteroid M has been destroyed and reconstructed by the Master of Magnetism many times since it was first introduced. Each iteration has had several internal levels, including an observation deck, hangar bays and medical facilities. The various facilities have had technology that keep the asteroid concealed from standard detection technology. They have all been positioned in a low geosynchronous orbit. Each asteroid was relatively small yet sufficiently large that it could not be shot down, or destroyed externally, without the risk of massive devastation to Earth.

First version

Magneto completes construction on Asteroid M just before recruiting his children, Quicksilver and the Scarlet Witch into his group, the Brotherhood of Mutants, as seen in X-Men, vol. 2 #-1 (July 1997). This first version is destroyed in a battle with the original team of X-Men in X-Men #5 (May 1964) after the Brotherhood kidnapped the Angel and held him prisoner there. The X-Men got there using a rocket that was being used to transport the Toad. This version has a device on it that can increase Magneto's magnetic powers.

Second version

Asteroid M is reconstructed just after Magneto imprisons the X-Men in his Antarctic citadel, reducing them to the level of six-month-old babies, around the time of X-Men #113 (September 1978).

The space station is severely damaged when Warlock, an alien being from a techno-organic civilization with rigid rules and regulations, is fleeing to Earth. He collides with Asteroid M, breaking it to pieces, as seen in New Mutants, vol. 1 #21 (November 1984).

Third version

During his brief association with the Hellfire Club, Magneto builds a fancier version of Asteroid M. Wanting a contingency plan if things don't work out with the Club, Magneto proceeds to rebuild his base of operations to survey the Earth from high above. From there, he hears of the troubles of his daughter, the Scarlet Witch. He descends to Earth to bring her back to his space station. This version was first seen in Avengers West Coast #57 (April 1990).

When the West Coast Avengers attack Asteroid M to free their team-mate, we learn that Magneto has service robots on the station. The service robots are instrumental in alerting Magneto to the presence of the Wasp on his base. Furthermore, we learn that the entire asteroid isn't made out of metallic objects. Quicksilver demonstrates this when he rips plastic tubing out of one the consoles.

After events involving Zaladane, in the Savage Land, Magneto returns to Asteroid M to live in peace, but his peace doesn't last very long. Acolytes, led originally by Fabian Cortez, request and are granted sanctuary by Magneto on Asteroid M, to escape American soldiers that are chasing them.

In X-Men, vol. 2 #1 (October 1991), it is stated that the asteroid is in geosynchronous orbit and 250 kilometers above the Earth. The asteroid also has selective inhibitor fields that may keep mutants or superhumans from using their powers. This version of the asteroid has medical and science facilities, an observation deck, sleeping quarters, and a swimming pool.

This third version of Asteroid M is destroyed in X-Men, vol. 2 #3 (December 1991). From an escape pod, Cortez sets off nuclear missiles that were around the asteroid. Although Magneto survives the re-entry of Asteroid M to Earth, the rest of the original Acolytes do not. The remains of this Asteroid M crash in the Middle East. Forge, Henry Peter Gyrich, and other government officials, inspect the wreckage in Uncanny X-Men #299 (April 1993).

Fourth version

During the Planet X storyline, Xorn (who is pretending to be Magneto) traps Wolverine and Jean Grey on a new version of Asteroid M, which he moves into the Sun.

Fifth version/Utopia

After the X-Men are chased out of their new base in San Francisco by Norman Osborn and the Dark Avengers, in the conclusion to the storyline "Utopia", Cyclops sets up the new headquarters and mutant sanctuary on the ruins of the original Asteroid M, which was raised from the bottom of the ocean.

Christening it "Utopia," this version is more of a haven than a base of operations, brought on not by a desire to make a place among mankind, but to simply get away from it. Although Utopia is sometimes referred to as a "mutant nation," it is as yet unclear if this is simply a figure of speech or if Utopia has literally seceded from the United States and is now a sovereign nation.

The island first appeared to be in trouble of only being a temporary home as the technology keeping it afloat was not stable and the island was starting to sink back into the ocean. However, a recently recruited Magneto was able to make a deal with Namor in which he and the Atlanteans would help construct a pillar underneath the island, connecting it to the ocean floor and keeping it afloat. This pillar would also serve as the new home to the Atlanteans, who had been scattered across the sea ever since Atlantis was destroyed.

The island underwent a dramatic transformation performed by the Phoenix Five, turning it into a virtual mutant paradise called "Pax Utopia", but also into a dystopia (they became tyrants), during Avengers vs. X-Men; until it was partially destroyed and fully abandoned after the events of the storyline were finished.

Ages of Apocalypse

In the aftermath of the gathering of the Twelve, the Asteroid M was seen in a series of reality warps where Apocalypse attempted to use the X-Men and their powers.

Marvel Zombies

In the Marvel Zombies universe, Asteroid M is in use when the zombie plague strikes that Earth. Magneto orders his acolytes to prepare it as the possible last, best hope for mankind. Despite Magneto's later death, it does eventually serve this purpose, acting as the basis for the last human colony. Its more notable residents include Fabian Cortez, Joanna Cargill, Black Panther, and Forge. Years later, the residents move back to Earth.

What If?

In an issue of What If? that asks "What If Magneto Ruled All Mutants," Magneto and the remainder of mutantkind reside and travel the universe in Asteroid M.

Television

It should be noted, in all of its appearances in animation it is destroyed soon after it appears.

Video games