Blackbird (comics)

The Blackbird (also known as the X-Jet) is a fictional jet aircraft appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by writer Chris Claremont and artist Dave Cockrum, the aircraft first appeared in X-Men #94 (August 1975). The Blackbird concept has survived multiple redesigns over the years. It is used primarily by the X-Men as a personal transport vehicle.

Publication history
The Blackbird debuted in X-Men #94 (August 1975), created by Chris Claremont and Dave Cockrum. It appeared in the 2020 X-Men / Fantastic Four series.

Fictional history
When the X-Men were introduced, they traveled in Professor Xavier's Lambert private jet and helicopter: advanced but fairly conventional aircraft with remote autopilots (i.e. the Professor flew them from home). When the series resumed in 1975, the X-Men flew a strato-jet that resembled a larger version of the Lockheed SR-71 "Blackbird" spy plane (hence the name), modified to carry several passengers and for Vertical Take-Off and Landing (VTOL). Some writers have referred to this design as the "SR-73", "SR-77", or the "SR-70"; it is canon in most plotlines of the Marvel Universe, including X-Men: Evolution, whose first episode sees Scott call it the SR-77. 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 weapons, holographic active camouflage, and engines capable of hypersonic speeds. One version of the Blackbird had an experimental cockpit windshield infused with traces of the same ruby quartz material used in Cyclops' visor, allowing him to project and amplify his optic blasts.

Critical response
Jamie Lovett of ComicBook.com referred to the Blackbird as one of "Mavel's most iconic vehicles." Brad Hill of Sportskeeda included the Blackbird in their "10 Best Vehicles in Comic Books" list. Comic Book Resources ranked the Blackbird 1st in their "10 Best Vehicles In The Marvel Universe" list, 8th in their "10 Coolest Vehicles In Marvel Comics" list, and 10th in their "10 Most Important Vehicles In The Marvel Universe" list. Casey Haney of Screen Rant ranked the Blackbird 5th in their "16 Best Superhero Vehicles" list.

Other versions
Alternate versions of the Blackbird appear in the Ultimate X-Men series. The X-Men have several aircraft, including one that resembles a B-2 Spirit stealth bomber. It is also referred to as the "X-Wing." One of the airplanes has been referred to casually as the "Blackbird" owing to its resemblance to the SR-71.

Television

 * The Blackbird appears in X-Men: Pryde of the X-Men.
 * The Blackbird appears in X-Men: The Animated Series.
 * The X-Jet appears in X-Men: Evolution.
 * The Blackbird appears in Wolverine and the X-Men.
 * The Blackbird appears in Marvel Anime.

Video games

 * The Blackbird appears in the arcade and console-imported game X-Men: Children of the Atom. It is the setting of Storm's stage. The player fight on top of the Blackbird, which is parked on top of an aircraft carrier itself.
 * The Blackbird appears in the arcade and console-imported game X-Men vs. Street Fighter. The player must once again fight on top of the Blackbird. This time it is not on top of an aircraft carrier but rather getting prepared for lift-off.
 * The Blackbird appears in Marvel Super Heroes vs. Street Fighter. The player must once again fight on top of the Blackbird. This time it is not ready for takeoff but rather having recently landed.
 * The Blackbird appears in X-Men Legends. It serves the purpose of taking the characters to their next location. This version is based on the X-Jet's look from the Ultimate X-Men.
 * The Blackbird appears in X-Men Legends II: Rise of Apocalypse. It serves the purpose of taking the characters to their next location. This version is based on the X-Jet's look from the Ultimate X-Men.
 * The Blackbird is mentioned by Wolverine at the beginning of Deadpool. Wolverine is heard at the call-answerer saying "NO! You can't take our Blackbird for a joy ride!." The X-Men later reluctantly let Deadpool pilot the Blackbird to take them and himself to Genosha. Deadpool crashes it and knocks the X-Men out during landing.

Film

 * The Blackbird appears in X-Men. It is used to bring the X-Men to the final battle on Liberty Island.
 * The Blackbird appears in the sequel, X2. It is first used by Jean Grey and Storm to locate Nightcrawler. It is later used to rescue Wolverine, Rogue, Pyro, and Iceman, and is then flown to Alkali Lake's dam to save captured Xavier Lambert Institute students and to foil William Stryker's plan. When they were asked to stay, Rogue and Iceman waited in the X-Jet while Pyro abandoned them to join the Brotherhood of Mutants. Rogue and Iceman fly the X-Jet to save the X-Men and the captured mutants. Jean Grey stays behind to counter the flood and sends the X-Jet to safety from the incoming wave from the broken dam.
 * The Blackbird appears in X-Men: The Last Stand. The X-Jet now employs stealth technology that renders it invisible. It is used to return to Alkali Lake to investigate Jean Grey's "resurrection". It is later used to carry the X-Men to the final battle on Alcatraz Island, where it is disintegrated by Phoenix.
 * A SR-71 Blackbird schematic layout can be seen in Tony Stark's computer screen in Iron Man.
 * The Blackbird appears in X-Men: First Class. It (which Hank McCoy/Beast states that he designed) is almost externally identical to the SR-71, though its internal layout is very different. It is destroyed in the film's climax when a whirlwind created by Riptide causes it to crash.
 * The Blackbird appears in X-Men: Days of Future Past. In the future scenes of the film, set in 2023, the rebuilt X-Jet contains a compact version of the future Cerebro for Professor X's use, and is kept hidden in a Chinese monastery from the mutant-hunting Sentinels using Storm's fog ability. Upon their discovery, Magneto and Storm later catapult the X-Jet toward the approaching Sentinels and cause its tokamak reactor to explode, wiping many of them out. During the 1970s era of the film, no version of the Blackbird or X-Jet is seen and the group transports aboard the Professor's private jet, similar to the early comics.
 * The Blackbird appears in X-Men: Apocalypse. While Charles Xavier is being taken away by Apocalypse, Havok tries to stop him and his horsemen with his powers. However, he missies and instead hits one of the Blackbird's engines, causing the jet to explode and the entire school with it.
 * The Blackbird appears in Deadpool. It is utilized by Colossus when he and his partner, Negasonic Teenage Warhead, go to try once again to convince Deadpool to join the X-Men.
 * The Blackbird appears in Deadpool 2. After Deadpool agrees to join the X-Men, he, Colossus, and Negasonic Teenage Warhead use the X-Jet to intervene in a police standoff with a young mutant named Russell "Rusty" Collins.
 * The Blackbird appears in Dark Phoenix. The X-Jet is shown to go into space to rescue the Space Shuttle Endeavor, which results in Jean Grey becoming a host for the Phoenix Force. After the death of Raven, Hank steals the X-Jet to search for Magneto on his island.

Merchandise

 * In 2016, Funko released a Blackbird Funko Pop figure. In 2017, another Funko Pop figure was released.
 * In 2023, Hasbro released a Blackbird / X-Jet figurine.