Morlocks are a group of mutant characters appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The characters are usually depicted as being associated with the X-Men in the Marvel Universe. Created by writer Chris Claremont and artist Paul Smith, they were named after the subterranean race of the same name in H. G. Wells' novel The Time Machine, but unlike in the Wells book, they are not a faceless, threatening mass of villains. They first appeared as a group in The Uncanny X-Men #169 (May 1983). Caliban appeared prior to that, but he was not yet a member of the Morlocks.
The Morlocks were depicted as an underground society (both literally and figuratively) of outcast mutants living as tunnel dwellers in the sewers, abandoned tunnels, and abandoned subway lines beneath New York City. The Morlocks were composed of mutant misfits, especially those mutants who, because of physical mutations or other conspicuous manifestations of their mutant genetics, were unable to pass as human in normal society. Subjected to hate, fear, and disgust from human society due to their "deformed" appearances, dangerous mutations, or otherwise outcast or misfit statuses, most of the Morlocks viewed humans (and even other more mainstream mutants such as the X-Men) with distrust and anger, and they occasionally committed criminal or antisocial acts upon the above-ground human society.
Due to a series of tragedies, the original Morlocks no longer resided in subterranean New York City (except Marrow, who was one of the original Morlocks as a child). However, a violent splinter cell, Gene Nation, and a comparable group, called Those Who Live in Darkness, emerged in their absence. Similar groups, referred to as Morlocks by both readers and the X-Men, have appeared beneath Chicago and London. In the post-Krakoan Age, the Morlocks have returned to New York City, reclaiming their place in the underground tunnels.
Fictional group history According to Callisto, she formed the Morlocks by first recruiting Caliban. She then used his power to track down other mutants who were unable to integrate into normal society. The Morlocks initially squatted in a network of abandoned, interconnected tunnels beneath Manhattan, which had originally been built as Cold War bomb shelters and then forgotten, before expanding into sewers and abandoned subways. The Morlocks occasionally emerged to rob humans in Manhattan and would sometimes kidnap certain mutant children.Uncanny X-Men #170 (June 1983)
The X-Men were alerted to the existence of the Morlocks when their leader Callisto kidnapped Angel and intended to make him her mate.Uncanny X-Men #169 (May 1983) This brought Storm to challenge Callisto to a duel for leadership of the Morlocks. Victorious, Storm orders an end to their attacks on normal humans,Uncanny X-Men #171 (July 1983) but she does not assume leadership of the Morlocks full-time. Against her wishes, several Morlocks later kidnap the child superheroes Power Pack so that they could be raised by the Morlock Annalee, who had lost her own children. When Callisto discovers what was going on, she forces Annalee to let them go. They promise to return in the future to keep her company.Uncanny X-Men #195 (July 1985)
A majority of the Morlocks are killed by Mister Sinister's Marauders in the "Mutant Massacre". Most of the survivors join Gene Nation, having lived in a pocket dimension led by Mikhail Rasputin. Leech instead becomes a ward of Generation X. Other survivors include Erg and Beautiful Dreamer (whose whereabouts were unknown until "Decimation"), Thornn (who would join X-Corporation), and Caliban.
It is later revealed that many of the Morlocks were actually failed experiments of Dark Beast, although he made certain that they did not remember being tampered with, which is why Mister Sinister sought to destroy them.
A new group called the Tunnel Rats which also calls itself "Those Who Live in Darkness" have inhabited the sewer tunnels just below the surface of Mutant Town/District X. District X writer David Hine claims to never have intended this group to have any ties to the original Morlocks.District X #8-12 (February - June 2005)
During the "Decimation" storyline, some of the remaining powered Morlocks seek asylum at the X-Mansion.Generation M #4 (April 2006) Some Morlocks remain underground under Marrow's protection.X-Men: The 198 #1 (March 2006)
After Terrigen Mist is released across Earth and threatens the mutant population, many mutants seek refuge underground. In addition to these mutants, Callisto shows sympathy towards humans who sought refuge from the global landscape. This unified society of humans and mutants forms the New Morlocks.Uncanny X-Men (vol. 4) #7 (July 2016)
When Krakoa is established as a mutant nation, several of the Morlocks begin living there, including Callisto,Marauders #17 (March 2021) Caliban,X-Force (vol. 6) #1 (January 2020) Cybelle,Hellions #1 (May 2020) Erg, a revived Healer, Leech,Cable (vol. 4) #1 (May 2020) Masque,House of X #5 (November 2019) Marrow, Mole,Sabretooth (vol. 4) #1 (April 2022) a revived Piper, Skids,S.W.O.R.D. (vol. 2) #1 (February 2021) and a revived Tommy.
During the "Dawn of X" and "Reign of X" storylines, instead of relocating to Krakoa, some Morlocks went to a retirement and golf community in Rio Verde, Arizona (paid for by the Hellfire Trading Company) while others went to Lowtown in Madripoor. At one point in Madripoor, the Morlocks Bliss, a revived Brute, Hump, Masque, and Marrow fought the Reavers.Marauders #19 (April 2021)
During the "Fall of X" storyline, following the "global attack on Krakoa" by Orchis, "the X-Men used the Morlock Tunnels as a temporary base".
In the post-Krakoan Age, the Morlocks have returned to New York City and maintain many Krakoan cultural practices while incorporating new practices, such as funerals. In the series NYX, Caliban attempts to persuade Anole to join the Morlocks.
Membership Founding members Debuting along with the rest of the Morlocks (with the exception of Caliban)Uncanny X-Men #148 (August 1981) it was revealed that Masque, Caliban, Callisto and Sunder founded the Morlocks under the streets of Manhattan.Uncanny X-Men #176 (December 1983)
Caliban - Caliban became Death,X-Factor #50 (January 1990) and later PestilenceCable (vol. 2) #73 (November 1999) - Served on X-Force for a time. Joined the X-Men after "Decimation". He was killed by the Purifiers saving James Proudstar, but later resurrected on Krakoa. Callisto - The former leader of the Morlocks.X-Treme X-Men #36 (February 2004) She was depowered on M-Day, but regained her powers through The Crucible and Krakoan resurrection protocols. Dark BeastX-Men: Prime one-shot (July 1995) - An alternate universe version of Beast from the "Age of Apocalypse" timeline. Although not classed as a Morlock, he sees himself as their creator and has been called the "first one" by members of Gene Nation. He was recruited by Norman Osborn as scientist and member of Dark X-Men. Dark Beast later gains control over Clan Akkaba and returns to his own dimension. Masque - The former leader of the Morlocks following the "Mutant Massacre", Masque possesses the ability to transform others via physical contact. For a time, he led a splinter group called the Tunnelers. Sunder - Joined the impromptu Muir Island "X-Men" team. Killed by Pretty Boy of the Reavers.Uncanny X-Men #254 (December 1989)
Pre-Mutant Massacre AnnaleeUncanny X-Men #193 (May 1985) - A Morlock and Leech's adoptive mother who can manipulate emotions.Power Pack #19 (February 1986) She is killed by Scalphunter in "Mutant Massacre". Ape - A Morlock who possesses an ape-like appearance and shapeshifting abilities. In Weapon X, Ape is captured and killed by Weapon X.Weapon X (vol. 2) #5 (March 2003) Ape returned in Wolverine (2026). Beautiful Dreamer - Altered memories of those "recruited" as Morlocks. She was believed killed in "Mutant Massacre", but listed as alive and powered after "M-Day". Healer - A mutant whose healing powers only work on mutants. He burned himself out to heal and restore Callisto.Uncanny X-Men #291 (August 1992) Healer was later revived when Krakoa was established as a mutant nation. ErgPower Pack #12 (July 1985) - A Morlock who can absorb and redirect energy. Erg was a painter before becoming a Morlock. He was one of the 198.X-Men: The 198 Files He later resurfaced as part of the mutant community on the living island Krakoa. JoUncanny X-Men #179 (March 1984) - Only appearance as a Morlock was her debut issue as Kitty Pryde's bridesmaid. Current whereabouts unknown. Leech - A young Morlock who can negate superpowers. He is currently a member of Future Foundation. PiperPower Pack #11 (June 1985) - Controlled animals using music. Killed by the Marauders. Years later, Piper is resurrected and becomes a resident of Krakoa. Plague - Became Pestilence, one of the Horsemen of Apocalypse. Died after falling off her flying horse.X-Factor #25 (February 1988) SkidsX-Factor #7 (August 1986) - Resented because she was seen as the prettiest of the Morlocks (her force field protected her from scars and Masque's powers). She left them and became a ward of X-Factor.X-Factor #15 (April 1987) After "M-Day", she became a follower of Apocalypse and is friends with Scalphunter. Was part of Masque's new group of Morlock Extremists, as a spy for S.H.I.E.L.D. Storm - X-Man who defeated Callisto in a duel to become the Morlocks' leader, although not classified as a Morlock. Former Fantastic Four member and former Queen of Wakanda. Currently a member of the X-Men. Tar Baby - A Morlock who can generate a tar-like adhesive. In Weapon X, Tar Baby is captured and executed by Weapon X. Annalee's four children - Shot by Scalphunter.Uncanny X-Men #211 (November 1986)
Mutant Massacre The "Mutant Massacre" was one of Marvel's annual crossover events, centering on the Morlocks. The event resulted in the Marauders killing many of the Morlocks under orders of Mister Sinister. Only a few survived, with the protection of the X-Men, X-Factor, Power Pack, and Thor. Many new Morlocks debuted, although many were killed in their first appearance.
Berzerker - An mutant with electric abilities who was formerly part of Masque's splinter group, The Tunnelers. He was killed after accidentally electrocuting himself with his own powers. Blowhard - A wind-exhaling mutant who was formerly part of Masque's splinter group The Tunnelers. Shot by the Savage Wolf Gang leader. Cybelle - Acid-secreting Tunneler. Killed by Harpoon. Years later, Cybelle is resurrected on Krakoa. ScalefaceX-Factor #11 (December 1986) - A former member of the Tunnelers who can transform into a reptilian creature. She was killed by the police. TommyUncanny X-Men #210 (October 1986) - A young girl capable of adopting a two-dimensional form. She is killed by Scalphunter after accidentally leading the Marauders to the entrance to the Morlocks' home. Tommy resurfaced years later as one of the many resurrected mutants on Krakoa. ZeekX-Factor #10 (November 1986) - Killed by Harpoon.
Post-Mutant Massacre Most of the surviving Morlocks relocated themselves throughout New York City after the massacre. Few, however, returned to the Alley, their original home. There, Masque assumed leadership. Many new surviving Morlocks were introduced when Sabretooth decided to finish his original task.X-Factor #51 (February 1990) He is stopped by a newly "upgraded" Caliban.The New Mutants #91 (July 1990) Later, a splinter group of the Morlocks is introduced. This group, led by Pixie, attempts to escape Masque.Ghost Rider (vol. 3) #9 (January 1991)
Alex - Alex is an amorphous, blob-like creature, able to engulf and smother others. Current whereabouts and status unknown. Bertram - Current whereabouts and status unknown. BlissUncanny X-Men #261 (May 1990) - Has the power of a poisonous bite. Was a part of Masque's new group of Morlock Extremists.