Sunday, November 25, 2012

Sunspot

Real Name 
Roberto da Costa

Occupation

Adventurer, businessman

Citizenship 
Brazil
 
Place of Birth
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Known Relatives

Emmanuel da Costa (father, deceased), Nina da Costa (mother) 

Group Affiliation
New Mutants; formerly Hellfire Club, X-Corporation, Mutant Liberation Front, X-Force, Fallen Angels

Education

Unrevealed
 
Height
5'8"

Weight

170 lbs.
 
Eyes
Brown

Hair

Black

Powers  

Able to absorb solar energy and metabolize it into physical strength, convert it into thrust to enable flight, or rechannel it as heat or infrared radiation. When doing so, DaCosta's features melt away into a black mass of crackling dark energy. In unlighted places, DaCosta suffers a slight drop in his power levels. 

Abilities
Business skills, proficient in English, Portuguese, and classical Latin

Other Info
Roberto "Bobby" da Costa is the son of Brazilian millionaire Emmanuel da Costa and his American wife Nina, an archaeologist. However, Bobby didn't know he mother much because she was gone on archeologist trips. Bobby was becoming a skilled soccer player. When he was fourteen years old, during a soccer match, an opponent knocked Bobby to the ground, spitting a racial slur at him. Bobby responded with a heated temper, which sparked his mutant powers for the first time--his body and clothing temporarily turned black in the process. Confused and frightened, Bobby sought help, but both the other players and most of the spectators panicked and fled. However, his girlfriend, Juliana, who had been watching the game along with Emmanuel, stood by him in his time of need. (To learn about Bobby's father, click on the highlighted name above.)

Bobby's powers attracted the attention of Donald Pierce (renegade White Bishop of the Hellfire Club). Pierce soon tried to kidnap Bobby but failed, taking Juliana instead. Charles Xavier soon learned of Pierce's plan and intervened--sending some of his New Mutants to help Bobby against Pierce. In the battle, however, Juliana took a bullet meant for Bobby. Consumed with grief and anger, Bobby helped defeat Pierce and accepted Xavier’s invitation to join the New Mutants. As part of the New Mutants team, Bobby took on the code-name, "Sunspot." As a New Mutant, Sunspot learned more about his powers, became best friends with teammate Cannonball, and participated in many adventures with them team. (To learn about the above highlighted characters and/or teams, just click on their names. Note" Beware of the revealing outfits on the Hellfire Club's bio page. Also, Sunspot in his first outfit is shown in the third picture posted.)

Later on, during a trip to Asgard, Sunspot gained a job as security in a tavern. After lifting Volstagg over his head, he befriended the Warriors Three. Sunspot seriously considered of staying in Asgard, as heroes were honored and worshiped in Asgard and he was hated and feared as a mutant on Earth. However, Sunspot decides to return to Earth. (To learn about the place, character, and/or team, click on the highlighted names above.)


At one point, during a friendly soccer game, Sunspot accidentally gave Cannonball a concussion. Believing himself to be danger to his team, Bobby ran away and left the New Mutants. He made his way to Los Angeles, followed by the Warlock, and encountered the gang called the Fallen Angels. The two stayed with the Fallen Angels for a brief time, until it was revealed they had been gathered by Ariel, who was a member of an alien race studying mutations. Ariel betrayed the Angels to her alien race, who kidnapped the team for study. However, eventually, Sunspot was able to help the Fallen Angels escape, after which he and Warlock returned to the New Mutants. (To learn about the above highlighted characters and/or team, just click on their names. Note: Beware of the revealing outfit worn by one on the Fallen Angels' bio page.)

Sunspot learned that his father had died, and he was contacted by Gideon, and old friend, to take over his father's business and the da Costa family fortune. However, in reality, Gideon was a member of the Externals (a subset of the mutant race who believed themselves immortal) and had killed Bobby's father in search for the next External. Thinking that it was Sunspot, Gideon had Bobby subjected to various experiments that increased his solar absorption capabilities by 3000%. Fortunately, Sunspot was later rescued by the New Mutants--who were now reformed by Cable as X-Force--and joined their ranks as well. In the end, Sunspot had discovered that he had the ability to fire energy blasts from his hands now.(Click on the highlighted names above to learn about the characters, race, and/or team. Note: Beware of the revealing outfit worn in the background by one on Cable's bio page. Also, Sunspot in one of his outfits we wore during his time with X-Factor is shown in the fifth picture posted above.)

Unbeknownst to Sunspot, however, one of Gideon’s experiments was to attempt to reproduce Sunspot's powers in another being. This experiment resulted in a being known as "Reignfire." Soon after, Reignfire became the leader of the Mutant Liberation Front (MLF). Then when the X-Force and MLF clashed with each other, many were confused because Reignfire claimed that he was Sunspot. However, through lots of confusion, manipulation, and eventually correction, the X-Force was able to get rid of Reignfire when the real Sunspot drained Reignfire of all of his energy, leaving their enemy powerless. (To learn more about the above highlighted character and/or team, just click on their names. Note: Beware of the revealing/form-fitting outfits worn by some on the MLF's bio page.)

Later on, Bobby was deported from the U.S. because his student visa was no longer valid since he was not a student anymore. Back in Brazil, Sunspot was eventually approached by the Hellfire Club's Black Queen, Selene. Selene put Bobby through a number of illusory situations that to force him to her side. However, Sunspot saw through all of them, so Selene and Blackheart (the new Black King) played their trump card: Juilana Sandoval--Bobby's old girlfriend. The deal was: Bobby would join the Hellfire Club, and Juliana would get a new start in a recently deceased girl's body. Feeling that he owed his life to Juliana, Bobby had no choice but to accept, and left X-Force to become the third Black Rook in the Hellfire Club. (To learn about Selene, just click on the highlighted name above.)

Presumably, many of Sunspot’s allies remain unaware of his involvement with the Hellfire Club, as Bobby also served as head of the Los Angeles branch of the X-Corporation before its dissolution. (To learn about X-Corporation, click on the name above.)

Eventually, Sebastian Shaw made his return to the Hellfire Club as Lord Imperial, but immediately lost the position to Sunspot when an attack by Donald Pierce left Shaw hospitalized. (To learn about Sebastian Shaw, click on his name above.)

After the results of M-Day, nearly all of the mutants in the entire world were stripped of their powers. However, Sunspot was one of the "198" who retained their powers. He kept his position in the Hellfire Club a manipulated a team of Young X-Men into attacking him, believing him to be an enemy. However, when they were defeated, Sunspot was asked by Cyclops to actually become a teacher to these Young X-Men. (To learn about the event, teams, and/or character above, just click on their highlighted names. Note: Beware of the revealing/form-fitting outfit worn by some one the M-Day and Cyclops' bio pages.)

Recently, Sunspot has rejoined with his former teammates and reformed the New Mutants. (Sunspot in his current New Mutants' outfit is shown in the first picture posted above.)
Eventually, Sebastian Shaw made his return to the Inner Circle as Lord Imperial, but immediately lost the position to DaCosta when an attack by Pierce resulted in his hospitalization.

More on Marvel.com: http://marvel.com/universe/Hellfire_Club#ixzz2DJ0kc5Gq

To learn more about Sunspot, click on the following link, http://marvel.com/universe/Sunspot.

In the film X2, "DaCosta, Roberto" appears on a list on William Stryker's computer files. (His name is listed on the very top of the list on the second picture posted above.)

Thursday, November 15, 2012

Lila Cheney

Real Name 
Lila Cheney

Occupation
Musician, former thief

Citizenship 
United Kingdom

Place of Birth
England

Known Relatives
None

Group Affiliation  

Former ally of the X-Men and New Mutants

Education
Unrevealed

Height
5' 8"

Weight
120 lbs.

Eyes
Blue

Hair
Black

Powers 
Able to teleport herself and others across interstellar distances. However, her powers do not allow her to teleport any distances under a light year so she must use her Dyson Sphere as a midway point on shorter travels. Apparently, she must specifically know any location to which she teleports herself in order to do so.

Abilities 
Guitarist and singer

Other Info 
Born in England, Lila Cheney grew up a natural performer. She would entertain her parents with fantastic stories of alien worlds. In actuality, Lila's stories were not made up, but were actual experiences from her using her mutant powers of teleporting across interstellar distances.

At one point, the alien Spyder (who was an entrepreneur that headed an intergalactic network called the Webb) discovered Lila’s mutant abilities. Spyder then financed Lila's kidnapping and took her from Earth and sold her into slavery. However, the beings who owned Lila later forfeited their ownership of her back to Spyder, who had financed her purchaser. Eventually, Lila escaped and ended up traveling the galaxy, making an abandoned Dyson Sphere (a colony that has been built around a star) her home.  (To learn about the above highlighted character, network, and/or place, just click on their names above.)

Over time, Lila became a master thief and a talented musician. Eventually, Lila acquired a team of supporting musicians and roadies both alien and human (employing image inducers as disguises when necessary), and soon became a famous singer on and off Earth. 

At one point, Lila planned to "sell" the Earth into slavery by sending it through a stargate. However, her plans were foiled when her drummer betrayed her to the Vrakanin Charasulla. However, their attack on Lila was foiled when the New Mutants intervened (they were at Lila's concert). In addition, the New Mutants convinced Lila to give up her thieving ways. (To learn about the New Mutants, click on the highlighted name above.)

Soon afterward, Lila became romantically involved with  the New Mutant, Sam Guthrie (aka Cannonball). The two maintained an on-again, off-again relationship. In addition, Lila found herself allying with the New Mutants on multiple occasions. On one occasion, she joined them in locating the Shadow King’s Gladiators. This trip introduced her to Alison Blaire (aka Dazzler) who at one time briefly became Lila’s keyboardist and back-up singer to Lila's band, "Cat's Laughing." (Click on the highlighted names above to learn about the different characters and/or team. Note: Beware of the revealing outfits on the Dazzler's bio page.)

Later on, Lila also helped the X-Men, the Starjammers, and Deathbird thwart a Skrull takeover of the Shi’ar government. (Click on the names above to learn about the highlighted teams, characters, and/or races. Note: Beware of the very revealing outfit on Deathbird's bio page.)

Several years later, the alien thief Jornik broke into Lila's Dsyon Sphere and looted it. So, Lila and Strong Guy (her occasional bodyguard) went in search of it. However, during their search, the two were attacked by the K'lanti race, who were looking to get back their twice-stolen harmonium. Unfortunately, this attack left Strong Guy in a coma which left Lila devastated. But, luckily, Strong Guy recovered. Soon afterward, the two resumed traveling together. (To learn about Strong Guy, click on the highlighted name above.) 

Recently, Lila was one of "198" mutants who retained their powers after the events of M-Day. Based on her abilities and background, Lila was considered a high level threat by ONE (Office of National Emergency). Therefore, Lila left Earth and returned to touring the galaxy. (Click on the highlighted names above to learn about the group, event, and/or organization. Note: Beware of the revealing outfits worn by some on the M-Day's bio page.)

To learn a little more about Lila Cheney, click on the following link, http://marvel.com/universe/Cheney,_Lila. (Note: Beware of the revealing/form-fitting outfit on Lila Cheney's bio page.)

In the film X2, "Cheney, Lila" appears on a list on William Stryker's computer files. (Her name is listed on the very top of the list--highlighted in yellow--on the second picture posted above.)

Sunday, November 11, 2012

Black Tom

Real Name 
Thomas “Tom” Samuel Eamon Cassidy

Occupation
Terrorist; former criminal, mercenary

Citizenship 
Ireland with an international criminal record

Place of Birth
Dublin, Ireland

Known Relatives
Sean Cassidy (Banshee, cousin, deceased), Maeve Rourke Cassidy (cousin by marriage, deceased), Theresa Rourke Cassidy (Siryn, first cousin once removed), Liam Cassidy (ancestor, deceased)

Group Affiliation 
Black Air; formerly Brotherhood Of Mutants, former partner of Juggernaut
 
Education
Oxford University

Height
6'0"; (plant-like being) Variable

Weight
200 lbs.; (plant-like being) Variable

Eyes
Blue

Hair
Black; (plant-like being) None

Powers 
Black Tom Cassidy originally generated blasts of concussive force or heat by using wood as the focus for his power; typically a wooden shillelagh. Following genetic engineering, Cassidy could channel the energy he generated directly through the parts of his body that were grafted to a wood-like substance. Since his transformation into a plant-like being, Cassidy can grow to immense size, thus gaining superhuman strength, and can regenerate damaged or destroyed body parts with great speed. He can also mentally control all plant life within his vicinity, and can distribute his consciousness amongst plants he controls. Cassidy can drain the life force of organic beings.

Abilities 
Black Tom is highly resistant, if not immune, to Banshee and Siryn's sonic screams, and they are similarly protected from his bio-blasts.

Other Info 
Born a mutant, Thomas Cassidy was the heir to his family’s fortune, including the estate of Cassidy Keep. Tom was a charming Oxford-educated ladies’ man. One day, Tom gambled his inheritance on a throw of dice, losing to his younger cousin Sean (aka Banshee). The two cousins also both loved the same woman, Maeve Rourke. She dated both of them for months, seemingly torn between their affections. Maeve ultimately chose Sean over Tom as her escort for the university ball; however, Sean was injured in a car accident en route and asked Tom to accompany Maeve in his stead. Unaware of Sean’s accident, Maeve was initially confused by his absence until Tom told her the truth. Tom realized that Maeve's heart belonged to Sean and gave up his pursuit, eventually even serving as the best man at their wedding. Having lost the love of his life, Tom turned to a life of crime, taking on the codename, "Black Tom."  (To learn about mutants and/or Banshee, click on the highlighted names above.)

At first, Black Tom masked his criminal activities under the guise of being a soldier of fortune, and roamed the world offering his services as a gun for hire while continuing to pursue his criminal activities. However, he was eventually caught and imprisoned. It was here that Tom met and befriended fellow mercenary, Cain Marko. (To learn about the Juggernaut, click on the highlighted name above.) 

Meanwhile, Black Tom's cousin, Sean, became an Interpol agent and was assigned to a top-secret mission that required him to stay out of contact with his family for a considerable time. As he left on his mission, Sean was unaware that Maeve was in her first month of pregnancy, and their daughter, Theresa, was born during his absence. While visiting relatives in Northern Ireland, the mother and child were caught in a terrorist bombing where Maeve was killed. The authorities could find no trace of Theresa and assumed she was also dead. Those who knew about Theresa decided to keep her existence from Sean to spare him further grief; however, Black Tom had been present at the scene of the explosion and secretly saved Theresa. After Sean returned and learned of Maeve’s death, he blamed Tom for not protecting Maeve and lashed out at his cousin with his mutant power, causing Tom to fall and break his leg. Bitter from the attack, Tom decided to keep the truth about Sean’s daughter from him and raised Theresa as his own. (Click on the highlighted name above to learn about Siryn.)

Later on, when Theresa turned 12 years old, Black Tom sent her away to boarding school to shield her from his criminal activities.

Years later, Black Tom was reunited with Cain Marko (now going by the name "Juggernaut"), Black Tom suggested they form a criminal partnership. One of their earliest employers was the Shi’ar Eric the Red, who asked them to destroy the X-Men--whom Sean had recently joined the group as "Banshee." Tom’s hatred of his cousin combined with the Juggernaut’s longstanding feud with his step-brother, Charles Xavier, made it an easy decision for the two to accept the job. The pair ambushed the X-Men at Cassidy Keep (which Sean had recently inherited), but the two were defeated due to the aid of the Keep’s resident leprechauns. (Click on the highlighted names above to learn about the race, characters, and/or team.)

After Theresa’s mutant nature manifested during adolescence, Black Tom trained her to aid him in his criminal activities as the costumed "Siryn." However, Theresa’s heart was never in a life of crime. At one point, while briefly in the custody of legal authorities, Black Tom exonerated Theresa and wrote a letter to Sean explaining who she was, after which father and daughter were joyfully reunited. 

Later on, Juggernaut presented Black Tom with the Ruby of Cyttorak as a gift. When this happened, Black Tom gained half the Juggernaut’s power. This brought them into conflict with Spider-Man and the X-Men, but Tom ultimately lost this newfound power and they escaped. (To learn about the item and/or character above, just click on their highlighted names.)

Sometime later, Black Tom came into conflict with mutant strike team X-Force (which included Siryn). When Black Tom set off explosives in a building, X-Force’s leader, Cable, shot Tom, causing him to fall. However, he was saved by Deadpool (whose was employed by arms dealer Tolliver). Black Tom was to a genetic engineering research facility outside AngĂ´uleme, France where the injured portions of Tom’s body were grafted with an experimental wood-like substance. The substance acted like a genetic virus that hindered his entire cellular structure, transforming an increased amount of his body. To help save Tom’s life, Juggernaut sought out Genetech, the company that pioneered the grafting process. Soon after, Juggernaut forced Black Tom's release from the research facility, and the two joined forces again to hunt for Tolliver’s will. (To learn about the above highlighted team, charaters, and/or company, just click on their names above. Also, the fourth picture posted is of Black Tom in his partial plant-like phase.)

After some time, the Juggernaut agreed to turn Black Tom over to the authorities in exchange for Tom receiving treatment to cure his condition. Learning of his cousin’s state, Sean arranged for geneticist Doctor Killebrew to treat him in prison. Soon after though, the Juggernaut freed Tom from prison and captured Killebrew. They learned that samples of Deadpool’s regenerating cells could cure Tom. However, when they (and their soldiers) went after him, they were caught off-guard when Banshee and Siryn showed up to aid Deadpool against them. Fortunately, one of the soldiers managed to return with Deadpool’s left hand, and, after amputating his own, Tom had Killebrew replace it with Deadpool’s. The cure initially worked; however, the new cells began taking over Tom’s entire body, endangering his life once more. Eventually, the virus began spreading, mutating Tom’s entire body into a plant-like state with vast new powers. (To learn about Dr. Killebrew, click on the highlighted name above. Also, the fifth picture posted is of Black Tom in his complete plant-like state.)

The virus that took over Black Tom was engineered from spores of the sentient island creature known as Krakoa. The residual psyche left in the spores compelled Black Tom to capture most of Banshee’s students in Generation X and imprison them underwater in an organic bio-transport at Krakoa’s original location. In the ensuing clash, Tom was sliced apart by the razor-sharp claws of Banshee’s student Penance. However, Black Tom had actually survived. (To learn about the above words, characters, and or team, just click on their highlighted names. Note: Beware of the revealing outfit on Penance's bio page.)

Later on, Black Tom returned to Cassidy Keep in his plant-like form. Tom captured the castle’s inhabitants and began draining their life force. Hoping to help his friend, Juggernaut contacted the X-Men for assistance but Tom captured them as well. With the help of their newest member, the pheromone-generating Stacy X, the X-Men freed themselves and the Juggernaut, and together they defeated Black Tom, who apparently drowned. (To learn about Stacy X, click on the highlighted name above.)

Once again, however, Black Tom survived. He was later recruited by Exodus into a new incarnation of the Brotherhood Of Mutants. Planning an assault on the Xavier Institute, the Brotherhood believed they had an ally in the Juggernaut (who was now an X-Man). Tom was convinced that Juggernaut had joined the X-Men so as to betray them. However, when Black Tom brutally slew Juggernaut’s friend, young student Squid-Boy, the Juggernaut lashed out at Tom, revealing his true colors. Seemingly unstoppable though, Black Tom rampaged through the Institute. However, when the X-Man Xorn formed a black hole, it swallowed up the Brotherhood, along with the Juggernaut and Black Tom. They had been transported to the Mojoverse. The Brotherhood sold Juggernaut and Nocturne to Mojo in exchange for their return to Earth.  (Click on the highlighted charaters, team, and/or place above to learn more about them. Note: Beware of the revealing outfits on Nocturne's bio page.)

Back on Earth, Black Tom was one of the many mutants who lost their powers due to the events of M-Day. However, it appeared that only his plant transformation disappeared, and his original powers were retained when he came in a confrontation with Excalibur he blasted Dazzler.  (To learn about M-Day, Excalibur, and/or Dazzler, click on their names aboves. Note: Beware of the revealing outfits worn by some on all the bios above.)

Recently, the organization known as Black Air hired Black Tom to attack the new incarnation Excalibur, of which Juggernaut was now a member. Though he easily defeated the others, Juggernaut confronted his former friend and convinced him to turn himself in for the death of Squid-Boy. Black Tom has shown remorse for the death of the child, and claimed to have had his mind affected by the plant mutation.

To learn more about Black Tom, click on the following link, http://marvel.com/universe/Cassidy,_Black_Tom.

In the film X2, "Cassidy (2)" (meaning two characters with Cassidy for a last name) appears on a list, and "Tom Cassidy" appears as one of the folders, on William Stryker's computer files. (His name is listed on the very top of the list on the second picture posted above.)