X-Ray (comics)
Encyclopedia
X-Ray is a fictional character in the Marvel Comics Universe whose first appearance was in Incredible Hulk vol. 2 #254, and who was created by Bill Mantlo
and Sal Buscema
. X-Ray is a member of the villainous group, the U-Foes
. He is the brother of teammate, Vapor.
a millionaire, public official, and industrialist who wanted to simulate the crash that led to the powers of the Fantastic Four. Utrecht promised each member of the team super powers due to exposure (although intentional, not accidental) to cosmic radiation. Dr. Bruce Banner (known as the Hulk
) who was on hand at the base during the launch, believed the ship to be having problems, and guided it back to Earth. The humans changed into superhumans, and called themselves the U-Foes
(formerly the pronunciation of the term "U.F.O.s"), blaming Banner for cutting short their radiation exposure, and swearing vengeance on him while also pursuing new criminal careers. They battled the Hulk, and X-Ray fell unconscious when his powers went out of control.
They again battled the Hulk and this time defeated him. In triumph, they exhibited the captive Bruce Banner on national television. However, Banner was freed by Rick Jones
, Betty Ross
, and the alien Bereet
, and Banner transformed into the Hulk and defeated the U-Foes.
With the U-Foes, he later escaped a special government prison and was accidentally "deflected" into the "Crossroads" dimension by Vector. X-Ray battled and defeated the Hulk with the help of the alien "Puffball Collective
," but became trapped in a dimension inhabited by creatures that eat radiation. X-Ray later escaped back to the "Crossroads" dimension with the U-Foes, and escaped back to Earth through a dimensional warp unintentionally created by the mutant Charles Little Sky
. X-Ray battled the Avengers
and Puma
, and was defeated by Thor
.
With the U-Foes, X-Ray was later freed from the Vault
. They attacked the Avengers West Coast
, mistakenly believing that they had killed Vector. X-Ray battled the original Human Torch, and then escaped.
During the Civil War
storyline, X-Ray along with the other U-Foes joined the Thunderbolts Army.
On the cover of Avengers: The Initiative
#1, James was identified as one of the 142 registered superheroes who are registered.
Though a registered hero, X-Ray is later seen as part of the Hood
's criminal organization who plan to take advantage of the split in the superhero community caused by the Superhuman Registration Act.
During the Secret Invasion
storyline, he is among the many supervillains who rejoined the Hood's crime syndicate and attacked an invading Skrull
force.
While he does not make an appearance in this series per se, a Skrull booby trap goes off in Project P.E.G.A.S.U.S.
and it is mentioned that he is one of the two U-Foes that are attempting to escape and is being dealt with by Nova
.
During the Dark Reign
storyline, X-Ray and the U-Foes are revealed as members of the Initiative's North Carolina team.
pipe used by the Hulk, or the vibranium
in Captain America's shield. He can also be defeated if he is drained of his supply of radiation, as Thor
once did with Mjolnir.
Jimmy Darnell has a Master's degree in engineering.
Bill Mantlo
Bill Mantlo is an American comic-book writer, primarily at Marvel Comics, best known for his work on two licensed toy properties whose adventures occurred in the Marvel Universe: the Eagle Award-winning Micronauts and the long-running Rom. An attorney, he also worked as a public defender...
and Sal Buscema
Sal Buscema
Silvio "Sal" Buscema is an American comic book artist, primarily for Marvel Comics, where he enjoyed a ten-year run as artist of The Incredible Hulk...
. X-Ray is a member of the villainous group, the U-Foes
U-Foes
U-Foes are a fictional comic book supervillain team appearing in various series published by Marvel Comics. The group first appeared in Incredible Hulk #254...
. He is the brother of teammate, Vapor.
Fictional character biography
Jimmy Darnell was a propulsion fuel scientist who was part of a team organized by Simon UtrechtVector (comics)
Vector is a fictional character in the Marvel Comics Universe whose first appearance was in Incredible Hulk vol. 2 #254. He is the leader of the villainous group, the U-Foes...
a millionaire, public official, and industrialist who wanted to simulate the crash that led to the powers of the Fantastic Four. Utrecht promised each member of the team super powers due to exposure (although intentional, not accidental) to cosmic radiation. Dr. Bruce Banner (known as the Hulk
Hulk (comics)
The Hulk is a fictional character, a superhero in the . Created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, the character first appeared in The Incredible Hulk #1 ....
) who was on hand at the base during the launch, believed the ship to be having problems, and guided it back to Earth. The humans changed into superhumans, and called themselves the U-Foes
U-Foes
U-Foes are a fictional comic book supervillain team appearing in various series published by Marvel Comics. The group first appeared in Incredible Hulk #254...
(formerly the pronunciation of the term "U.F.O.s"), blaming Banner for cutting short their radiation exposure, and swearing vengeance on him while also pursuing new criminal careers. They battled the Hulk, and X-Ray fell unconscious when his powers went out of control.
They again battled the Hulk and this time defeated him. In triumph, they exhibited the captive Bruce Banner on national television. However, Banner was freed by Rick Jones
Rick Jones (comics)
Richard Milhouse "Rick" Jones is a fictional comic book character in the .-Publication history:Rick Jones first appeared in The Incredible Hulk #1, as a sidekick to the Incredible Hulk...
, Betty Ross
Betty Ross Banner
Betty Ross is a fictional character in the Marvel Comics universe, and love interest of Bruce Banner...
, and the alien Bereet
Bereet
Bereet is a fictional character in the Marvel Universe.-Publication history:Bereet first appeared in Rampaging Hulk #1-2 , and was created by Doug Moench and Walt Simonson. She also appeared in Rampaging Hulk #9 ....
, and Banner transformed into the Hulk and defeated the U-Foes.
With the U-Foes, he later escaped a special government prison and was accidentally "deflected" into the "Crossroads" dimension by Vector. X-Ray battled and defeated the Hulk with the help of the alien "Puffball Collective
Puffball Collective
Puffball CollectiveFirst Appearance: Incredible Hulk #301Last Appearance: Incredible Hulk # 308Origin: Shortly after the Incredible Hulk was banished to the Crossroads by Doctor Strange...
," but became trapped in a dimension inhabited by creatures that eat radiation. X-Ray later escaped back to the "Crossroads" dimension with the U-Foes, and escaped back to Earth through a dimensional warp unintentionally created by the mutant Charles Little Sky
Portal (comics)
Portal is a fictional character, a mutant superhero in the Marvel Comics Universe. He first appeared as Charles Little Sky in Avengers #304 and as Portal in Darkhawk #5 ....
. X-Ray battled the Avengers
Avengers (comics)
The Avengers is a fictional team of superheroes, appearing in magazines published by Marvel Comics. The team made its debut in The Avengers #1 The Avengers is a fictional team of superheroes, appearing in magazines published by Marvel Comics. The team made its debut in The Avengers #1 The Avengers...
and Puma
Puma (comics)
Puma is a fictional character in the Marvel Comics universe most closely associated with Spider-Man. While originally a villain, he gained a great respect for Spider-Man and became his occasional ally.-Publication history:...
, and was defeated by Thor
Thor (Marvel Comics)
Thor is a fictional superhero who appears in publications published by Marvel Comics. The character first appeared in Journey into Mystery #83 and was created by editor-plotter Stan Lee, scripter Larry Lieber, and penciller Jack Kirby....
.
With the U-Foes, X-Ray was later freed from the Vault
Vault (comics)
The Vault is the widely used nickname of a fictional defunct prison facility for technological-based superhuman criminals in Marvel Comics' Marvel Universe. The prison's full official name is the United States Maximum Security Installation for the Incarceration of Superhuman Criminals.It first...
. They attacked the Avengers West Coast
West Coast Avengers
The West Coast Avengers is a fictional group of superheroes that appear in publications published by Marvel Comics. The team first appear in The West Coast Avengers #1 and was created by Roger Stern and Bob Hall.- Publication history :...
, mistakenly believing that they had killed Vector. X-Ray battled the original Human Torch, and then escaped.
During the Civil War
Civil War (comics)
Civil War is a 2006-2007 Marvel Comics crossover storyline built around a self-titled seven-issue limited series written by Mark Millar and penciled by Steve McNiven, which ran through various other titles published by Marvel at the time...
storyline, X-Ray along with the other U-Foes joined the Thunderbolts Army.
On the cover of Avengers: The Initiative
Avengers: The Initiative
Avengers: The Initiative was a comic book series from Marvel Comics. Written by Dan Slott and Christos Gage with artwork initially by Stefano Caselli, Steve Uy and Harvey Tolibao, the series dealt with the aftermath of Marvel's Civil War crossover Avengers: The Initiative was a comic book series...
#1, James was identified as one of the 142 registered superheroes who are registered.
Though a registered hero, X-Ray is later seen as part of the Hood
Hood (comics)
The Hood is a fictional character, a supervillain, and a crime boss in the . Created by writer Brian K. Vaughan and artists Kyle Hotz and Eric Powell, the character first appeared in The Hood #1 .-Publication history:...
's criminal organization who plan to take advantage of the split in the superhero community caused by the Superhuman Registration Act.
During the Secret Invasion
Secret Invasion
"Secret Invasion" is a comic book crossover storyline that ran through a self-titled eight issue limited series and several tie-in books published by Marvel Comics from April through December 2008....
storyline, he is among the many supervillains who rejoined the Hood's crime syndicate and attacked an invading Skrull
Skrull
The Skrulls are a fictional race of extraterrestrial shapeshifters that appear in publications by Marvel Comics.-Publication history:The Skrulls first appeared in Fantastic Four #2 and were created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby....
force.
While he does not make an appearance in this series per se, a Skrull booby trap goes off in Project P.E.G.A.S.U.S.
Project Pegasus
Project Pegasus is a fictional scientific base in the Marvel Comics universe which has been the location of a variety of stories for superheroes and supervillains, most notably in the title Marvel Two-in-One...
and it is mentioned that he is one of the two U-Foes that are attempting to escape and is being dealt with by Nova
Nova (comics)
Nova is a fictional character, a comic book superhero in the Marvel Comics universe. Upon becoming a member of the galaxy's Nova Corps , the youth gained enhanced strength, flight, injury resistance, and a specialized uniform with life support.In May 2011, Nova placed 98th on IGN's Top 100 Comic...
.
During the Dark Reign
Dark Reign (comics)
"Dark Reign" is a 2008–2009 crossover comic book storyline published by Marvel Comics. It deals with the aftermath of the "Secret Invasion" storyline, which led to a shift of power in the Marvel Universe toward Norman Osborn. The title "Dark Reign" refers to Osborn's rise to national power and the...
storyline, X-Ray and the U-Foes are revealed as members of the Initiative's North Carolina team.
Powers and abilities
X-Ray's physical form has been permanently transformed into a living energy field of quasi-solid radiation as a result of exposure to cosmic radiation. In this form he can fly and emit various wavelengths of heavy radiation, including in the form of very potent concussive force blasts, shown capable of hurting even the Hulk, or 'negative gamma rays' that can transform the Hulk back into Bruce Banner, but this is only effective so long as he focuses. He also has the ability to fly by levitation, or turn invisible. Like his sister, he is intangible and mostly invulnerable to physical harm, although he can still be harmed by attacks that damage or disrupt his energy fields, such as a leadLead
Lead is a main-group element in the carbon group with the symbol Pb and atomic number 82. Lead is a soft, malleable poor metal. It is also counted as one of the heavy metals. Metallic lead has a bluish-white color after being freshly cut, but it soon tarnishes to a dull grayish color when exposed...
pipe used by the Hulk, or the vibranium
Vibranium
Vibranium is a fictional metal that appears in the Marvel Universe. It is most commonly known as one of the materials used to construct Captain America's shield, but it is also noted for its connection to the Black Panther and his native homeland of Wakanda .-Publication history:Vibranium first...
in Captain America's shield. He can also be defeated if he is drained of his supply of radiation, as Thor
Thor (Marvel Comics)
Thor is a fictional superhero who appears in publications published by Marvel Comics. The character first appeared in Journey into Mystery #83 and was created by editor-plotter Stan Lee, scripter Larry Lieber, and penciller Jack Kirby....
once did with Mjolnir.
Jimmy Darnell has a Master's degree in engineering.
Television
- X-Ray appears in The Avengers: Earth's Mightiest HeroesThe Avengers: Earth's Mightiest HeroesThe Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes is an American animated television series by Marvel Animation in cooperation with Film Roman based on the Marvel Comics superhero team the Avengers. The show debuted on Disney XD in Fall 2010 starting with a 20 part micro-series. A second season has been...
episode "Hulk vs. the World." He is shown as an inmate at the CubeCube (comics)-History:The Cube was built as a prison for irradiated supervillains. The location the Cube is unknown as only high-ranking S.H.I.E.L.D. Agents know of its existence. Its "villain rehabilitation program" brainwashes the inmates to serve S.H.I.E.L.D...
. In the episode "Gamma World" Pt. 1, he assists the U-Foes and Zzzax in attacking the Avengers when they enter the Cube.
Video games
- X-Ray (alongside the other U-Foes) appears in The Incredible HulkThe Incredible Hulk (2008 video game)The Incredible Hulk is a video game based on the Marvel superhero Hulk and the 2008 film. The console versions were released on June 5, 2008 and the PC version was released on June 10, 2008...
video game voiced by Keith FergusonKeith FergusonKeith James Ferguson is an American voice actor, well known as the voice of Blooregard Q. Kazoo on the Cartoon Network animated series Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends...
.
External links
- X-Ray at Marvel.com