| Longshot | |
 Cover of Exiles #74. |
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| Publication information | |
|---|---|
| Publisher | Marvel Comics |
| First appearance | Longshot #1 (September, 1985) |
| Created by | Ann Nocenti Art Adams |
| In story information | |
| Alter ego | unknown, even to himself due to amnesia |
| Species | Mojoverse slave race (Freemen), mutant |
| Team affiliations | New Excalibur Exiles X-Men Wildways Rebellion X-Factor Investigations |
| Abilities | Psychometry Probability manipulation Superhuman agility Healing factor |
Longshot is a fictional Marvel Comics superhero best known as a member of the X-Men. Marvel Comics is an American comic book company owned by Marvel Publishing Inc In Comic books and other stories with a long history first appearance refers to the first occurrence to feature a Fictional character. Ann Nocenti is an American Journalist, Writer and editor known for her work on Comic books and Magazines Biography Arthur "Art" Adams, (b 1963 is an American Writer and Comic book Illustrator. A mutant within the Marvel Comic books particularly those of the X-Men mythos is an individual who possesses a genetic trait called an Excalibur is a Marvel Comics Superhero group an offshoot of the X-Men, usually based in the United Kingdom. This article is about the Marvel Comics series for other uses in comics see Exiles (comics The Exiles are a group of Fictional characters The X-Men is a team of fictional Superhero characters in Comic books published by Marvel Comics. X-Factor Investigations is a fictional detective agency created by writer Peter David for the Marvel Comics Comic book series ''X-Factor'' (volume Psychometry ( Greek: ψυχή psukhē, "spirit soul" + μέτρον metron, "measure" is a form of Extra-sensory perception Marvel Comics is an American comic book company owned by Marvel Publishing Inc A superhero (sometimes rendered super-hero or super hero) is a Fictional character "of unprecedented physical prowess dedicated to acts of derring-do The X-Men is a team of fictional Superhero characters in Comic books published by Marvel Comics. He was created by writer Ann Nocenti and artist Art Adams. Ann Nocenti is an American Journalist, Writer and editor known for her work on Comic books and Magazines Biography Arthur "Art" Adams, (b 1963 is an American Writer and Comic book Illustrator.
Longshot debuted in a six-part, eponymous 1985-1986 mini-series that parodied television. Year 1985 ( MCMLXXXV) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link displays 1985 Gregorian calendar) Year 1986 ( MCMLXXXVI) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link displays 1986 Gregorian calendar) A limited series is a term originated by Marvel Comics referring to a Comic book series with a set number of issues Television ( TV) is a widely used Telecommunication medium for sending ( Broadcasting) and receiving moving Images, either monochromatic The series featured the "Mojoverse," an alien dimension whose residents are addicted to gladiator-like entertainment and ruled by the tyrant network head Mojo. Gladiators (gladiatores "swordsmen" or "one who uses a sword" from la ''gladius'' "sword" were professional fighters in Ancient Rome who fought Mojo is a Marvel Comics Supervillain, primarily an enemy of the X-Men and one of its members Longshot. Longshot, who possesses probability altering or "luck" powers, is an action star who escapes enslavement by Mojo. Probability is the likelihood or chance that something is the case or will happen Luck (also called fortunity) is a chance happening, or that which happens beyond a person's control. The series became a cult classic. A cult film is a Film that has acquired a highly devoted but relatively small group of fans.
After the series, Longshot briefly joined the X-Men. He has appeared in Marvel comic books occasionally since. A comic book (often shortened to simply comic and sometimes called a comic paper or comic magazine) is a Magazine or Book of narrative He currently appears in the series Exiles. This article is about the Marvel Comics series for other uses in comics see Exiles (comics The Exiles are a group of Fictional characters
He is one of the few X-Men (along with Wolverine, Cable, and Banshee) to have a relatively well defined archenemy separate from Magneto. The X-Men is a team of fictional Superhero characters in Comic books published by Marvel Comics. Cable is a Fictional character that appears in Comic books published by Marvel Comics. Banshee ( Sean Cassidy) was a Marvel Comics Superhero, a member of the X-Men. An archenemy, archfoe, archvillain or archnemesis (sometimes spelled arch-enemy, arch-foe, arch-villain or Magneto (alias Erik Magnus Lehnsherr, born Max Eisenhardt) is a Fictional character that appears in Comic books published by Marvel
Contents |
Publication history
His original six issue series features an early example of Art Adams' detailed art and Ann Nocenti's slightly trippy dialogue and ideas.
Longshot appeared in various X-Men titles beginning in the late 1980s. The 1980s was the decade spanning from January 1 1980 to December 31 1989.
The 1997 one-shot Fools has Longshot restlessly searching the Mojoverse for "something" he feels he has lost. Events January Avengers ( 1996 series #3 - Marvel Comics Captain America ( In the American Comic book industry the term one-shot is used to denote a pilot comic or a stand-alone story created to last as one issue
Fictional character biography
Longshot is an artificially created humanoid life-form, with the ability to defy probability. He is from an alternate dimension known as "Mojoworld" or the "Mojoverse". He is one of many slaves created by genetic engineers in the employ of Mojoworld's masters, the grossly obese, virtually immobile Spineless Ones, who are ruled by the media-obsessed delusional maniac named Mojo. Mojo is a Marvel Comics Supervillain, primarily an enemy of the X-Men and one of its members Longshot. The head geneticist, Arize, gave Longshot and his other creations (such as the ram-headed Quark) free will and a conscience, hoping that one day they would rise up against their masters.
Longshot and many of his fellow slaves rebel against the slave-masters. They undergo a mystical ritual that gives them the power to create good luck for themselves. Despite this power, their masters win the war due to their superior weaponry and the limits of the slaves' luck. Longshot is rendered amnesiac by the Spineless Ones, but he manages to flee from Mojoworld to Earth. A number of Mojo's servants, led by the hound-like Gog and Magog, pursue him, but get stuck between Longshot's world and Earth. Unable to remember his real name, Longshot becomes an adventurer and takes the name "Longshot" after several humans call him that due to his incredible good luck. While recovering, Longshot befriends the human stunt-woman named Ricochet Rita and works as a movie stuntman himself. He also adopts the docile Magog, who he renames "Pup". Finally, Mojo and his assistant, the six-armed sword-wielding assassin named Spiral, follow Longshot to Earth. Spiral ( Rita Wayword) is a Fictional character, a Supervillainess in the Marvel Comics universe. Longshot battles Spiral, and defeats Mojo with the aid of Ricochet Rita, Quark, and Doctor Strange, who then send Mojo and his minions back to the Mojoverse. Doctor Strange is a Fictional character, a Comic book sorcerer and Superhero in the. Longshot, Quark and Rita return to the Mojoverse to free the other slaves. [1]
A once-again amnesiace Longshot is sent back to Earth by Mojo, where he joins the X-Men. The X-Men is a team of fictional Superhero characters in Comic books published by Marvel Comics. [2] With the X-Men, he battles the Juggernaut[3] and the Marauders. The Juggernaut is a Fictional character that appears in Comic books published by Marvel Comics. The Marauders are a Fictional group of Supervillains that appear in Comic books published by Marvel Comics. [4] Longshot dies while defeating the Adversary, but is then restored to life by Roma. The Adversary is a Fictional character, a demonic Supervillain in the Marvel Comics universe. Roma is a Fictional character featured in numerous Marvel Comics titles [5] Longshot and the X-Men fight the Reavers in Australia for the first time. In the Fictional Marvel Comics universe the Reavers are a Team of criminal Cyborgs The most significant team of Reavers were dedicated to the [6] He battles the Brood. The Brood are a race of Insect -like parasitic, extraterrestrial beings that appear in the Comic books published by Marvel Comics, [7] With the X-Men, he next invades Genosha. Genosha is a Fictional country that has appeared in numerous Comic book series published by Marvel Comics. [8] He soon becomes Dazzler's lover. Dazzler ( Alison Blaire) is a Marvel Comics superheroine, associated with the X-Men. [9] However, he suffers a severe identity crisis, and eventually leaves the X-Men. [10]
Before long, Longshot is reunited with Dazzler, and is teleported with her to Mojoworld. For a short time, they live in Mojoworld, until they are captured by Mojo. [11] They, with the X-Men and Mojo's temporary successor, "Mojo II: The Sequel", lead a revolt against Mojo. Longshot and Dazzler also learn that they are expectant parents. [12] The pair also care for the X-Babies, a group of Mojo-manufactured child clones of the X-Men. The X-Babies are a group of Mojo -manufactured child clones of the X-Men. One of the many X-Babies created is a young version of Longshot himself. Dazzler's pregnancy has not been mentioned since; the child may have been born and never seen by the readers, although evidence suggests that Dazzler may have had a miscarriage. Both Longshot and Dazzler have since returned to Earth separately from one another with Dazzler believing that Longshot has been killed.
Longshot: Fools
After being "killed" by the Thingy and denied entrance into Heaven, Longshot realizes he has lost his innocence, the main source of his luck power. Ejected from Heaven and Mojoverse, Longshot finds himself stranded between Baum and Barrie, Kansas, pursued by the vengeful Thingy. When a child who has befriended the broken hero is damaged by the monster, Longshot, helped by a group of mental patients, rediscovers his faith in himself and his own purity despite the suffering of his life to restore her to health. In the end, the unlikely group sets out for the big city, searching for adventure, secure in their luck and their innocence.
Exiles
Longshot is recruited for the Exiles by Heather Hudson to help against Proteus. This article is about the Marvel Comics series for other uses in comics see Exiles (comics The Exiles are a group of Fictional characters Heather Hudson is a Fictional character created by Marvel Comics for their series called Exiles. Kevin MacTaggert best known as Proteus and also called Mutant X is a Marvel Comics character, associated with the X-Men. Mojo claims[13][14] that he and all the other inhabitants of Mojoworld are "unique" in that there is no parallel counterpart to his realm. Mojo is a Marvel Comics Supervillain, primarily an enemy of the X-Men and one of its members Longshot. This would extend to Longshot, though what impact this will have on his membership in the Exiles is unknown. Morph reveals that Longshot's abilities cancel Proteus' reality warping powers, making him a perfect candidate for the team. He is brought aboard to replace the dead Mimic. Mimic ( Calvin Montgomery Rankin) is a Marvel Comics Fictional character who was briefly a member of the X-Men in the 1960s Longshot saves Blink from Proteus in 2099, and saves Blink, Morph, Sabretooth, Star Brand, Lenore Fenzl, and Nightmask from Proteus in the New Universe Approximation. Blink ( Clarice Ferguson) is Fictional character, a Marvel Comics Superheroine featured in various X-Men -related series Marvel 2099 is a Marvel Comics imprint begun in 1993, that explores one possible future of the Marvel Universe. Kevin Sydney is a Fictional character that has been a member of the X-Men in Comic book stories published by Marvel Comics. Sabretooth is a Fictional character, a Marvel Comics Supervillain created by writer Chris Claremont and artist/co-writer John The Star Brand is the name of a number of similar Fictional Comic book objects of power all of which exist in the multiverse created by the Shared universes During the visit to the Squadron Supreme universe, he is easily defeated, has no role in saving the day or helping, and only speaks once. The Squadron Supreme is a team of Fictional characters and superheroes that appear in Comic books published by Marvel Comics. When the Exiles visit Future Imperfect, Longshot tries to stop Maestro's rampage and stop Proteus from taking over Maestro's body. In addition to his mainstream incarnation Hulk has also been depicted in other Fictional universes. The Exiles finally corner Proteus at the "Heroes Reborn" world, and trap Proteus in Morph's body. With the hunt for Proteus at an end, Longshot remains an Exile to continue fixing damaged realities. During their last mission, Longshot is seemingly brainwashed into attacking Blink by Madame Hydra and the Hand. Madame Hydra, also known as Viper, is a Fictional character in the Marvel Comics universe who is a foe of the Avengers and the Afterwards, Longshot leaves the Exiles to be with Dazzler[15].
X-Factor
Longshot will be joining X-Factor in issue #33. X-Factor Investigations is a fictional detective agency created by writer Peter David for the Marvel Comics Comic book series ''X-Factor'' (volume [16]
Powers, abilities, and equipment
Longshot was created through genetic engineering by Arize. Longshot has only three fingers and an opposable thumb on each hand. He also has leather-like skin, hollow bones and two hearts, giving him superhuman speed, agility, endurance, and reflexes. He has exhibited advanced healing abilities as well.
He has a star shaped scar on his left eye from being branded. The scar is only visible (glowing brightly) when Longshot uses his superhuman powers. He was genetically engineered and augmented by magical means to have certain superhuman abilities. The mystical augmentation gave him the ability to affect probability fields through psionic means in order to give himself "good luck" in his activities. This allows incredibly unlikely events to happen in Longshot's favor. This power operates even when Longshot does not consciously will it to do so. This ability is tied into the positive aspects of his personality: should he attempt to use his powers for a selfish or evil act, or should he give up hope, his powers will fail to function or even backfire, giving him bad luck. By creating "good luck" for himself psionically, Longshot creates an equal and opposite effect elsewhere, thereby creating "bad luck" that may affect someone else or even Longshot himself.
Longshot has demonstrated some degree of supernatural attractiveness which tends to compel women to fall in love with him upon first sight, most notably the X-Men's Rogue and Dazzler[17] as well as Kitty Pryde. Rogue ( Anna Marie) is a Fictional character, part of the Marvel Comics mutant super-team the X-Men. Katherine "Kitty" Pryde is a Fictional character that appears in Comic books published by Marvel Comics.
Longshot can also telepathically "read" the recent memories of a person by making physical contact with him or her. He also is sensitive to "hearing" the voices of spirits of the dead. Moreover, Longshot can read "psychic imprints" that people leave on objects that they have handled, and thereby learn the thoughts that an individual had while handling the object, otherwise known as psychometric powers. Psychometry ( Greek: ψυχή psukhē, "spirit soul" + μέτρον metron, "measure" is a form of Extra-sensory perception Longshot, in the present, can sometimes can even look into the future of the person or object he touches, and can read the thoughts that that person will have when handling it in that future time.
Longshot carries cleaver-like blades, stored in a bandoleer, which he hurls with inhuman accuracy. Initially and most often depicted as skien style shuriken (straight edged blades with a trailing balance pinion), some artists have depicted the blades as much larger, and a recent Exiles artist has depicted them more akin to tapering spikes more resembling bo-shuriken. Shuriken (手裏剣 lit "sword hidden in the hand" is a traditional Japanese Concealed weapon that were generally used by shinobi no mono (or ninja as During his original incarnation, until his return to the X-Men in the early 90's, Longshot carried a long dagger in a sheath strapped to his right thigh, and a small knife in a sheath on his right boot. Longshot has always carried a shoulder bag and large belt pouches, in which he has kept many collected objects that have caught his fancy. Originally, his belt held three pouches (two on the right, one on the left side where he normally wears his shoulder bag), though four pouches were much more regularly depicted thereafter. Small pouches were seen on his boot until the early 90s, but disappeared along with his dagger and knife. A larger pouch strapped to his right thigh has been depicted in all appearances of Longshot since the dagger ceased to be used. During his X-Men years, Longshot also carried a folding grappling hook and rope either carried looped around one shoulder or stored in his shoulder bag, and a set of throwing spikes which produced net-like wires between them to restrain a target.
Longshot is proficient in the use of jetpacks for flight, and in the use of beam weapon side-arms.
Longshot is an extraordinary acrobat, and has superhuman agility due to having hollow bones but musculature like an Earthman's.
Influences
The character of Longshot was created by a desire from Ann Nocenti to portray a perfect being in an imperfect world. Ann Nocenti is an American Journalist, Writer and editor known for her work on Comic books and Magazines Biography It was her opinion that this would necessitate that Longshot be a "tabula rasa" or blank slate consisting of no memories of his own. Tabula rasa ( Latin: blank slate) refers to the epistemological thesis that individual human beings are born with no built-in mental content The limitation on Longshot's powers that he must always do what he believes is right and his confusion regarding these complex issues fill the bulk of this work.
Focus on media in the identities of Mojo and Major Domo were likely inspired by the works of Marshall McLuhan and other media theorists which Nocenti credited on a similar work of hers on the title New Mutants. The New Mutants is the name of two defunct Marvel Comics Superhero teams as well as the title of two series featuring those teams
Not long after Longshot left the X-Men, the team received a new member in Gambit. Gambit ( Remy LeBeau) is a Fictional character, a Marvel Comics Superhero that has been a member of the X-Men. The two characters have personalities as distinct as night and day, however they share long hair, agility, thrown weapons, stunningly good looks, a mysterious history and a love interest in Rogue. In one issue, Wolverine even says sparring with Gambit is like sparring with Longshot. They're also the same height, 6' 2‘‘, and have generally been drawn at a similar build, though Longshot's hollow bones make him 100 pounds lighter than Gambit; the former weighing in at 80 lbs. and the latter at 180.
Longshot also inspired Shatterstar, a character written for Rob Liefeld's X-Force series, and Domino, another X-Force character with similar powers as Longshot. Shatterstar (aka Gaveedra-Seven and Benjamin Russell) is a Fictional character, a Superhero in the Marvel Comics universe Rob Liefeld, (born October 3 1967) is an American Comic book writer illustrator and publisher X-Force is a Fictional Marvel Comics Superhero team one of several Spin-offs of the popular X-Men franchise Domino ( Neena Thurman) is a Marvel Comics character, best known as a member of the X-Men offshoot X-Force. At times it was hinted that Shatterstar might be Longshot's son, but this idea seems to have been dropped.
Other versions
Ultimate Longshot
Ultimate Longshot first appeared in Ultimate X-Men #54, written by Brian K. Vaughan. Ultimate X-Men is a Superhero Comic book series published by Marvel Comics. Brian Keller Vaughan (born 1976, Cleveland Ohio) is an American Comic book and Television Writer. In the Ultimate Universe, Longshot is not an alien but an ordinary mutant named Arthur Centino. A mutant within the Marvel Comic books particularly those of the X-Men mythos is an individual who possesses a genetic trait called an His name is a tribute to creators Art Adams and Ann Nocenti. Arthur "Art" Adams, (b 1963 is an American Writer and Comic book Illustrator. Ann Nocenti is an American Journalist, Writer and editor known for her work on Comic books and Magazines Biography
Centino is accused of murdering a Genoshan politician. Genosha is a Fictional country that has appeared in numerous Comic book series published by Marvel Comics. The show is run by Mojo Adams, the Ultimate version of Mojo (whose last name is also a tribute to Art Adams), who in this universe is a morbidly obese, albino human with dreadlocks. Mojo is a Marvel Comics Supervillain, primarily an enemy of the X-Men and one of its members Longshot. Mojo is a Marvel Comics Supervillain, primarily an enemy of the X-Men and one of its members Longshot. Arthur "Art" Adams, (b 1963 is an American Writer and Comic book Illustrator. Albinism (from Latin albus, "white" see extended etymology) is a form of hypopigmentary Congenital disorder, Dreadlocks, also called locks or dreads, are interlocked coils of Hair which form by themselves in all hair types if the hair is allowed to grow naturally One of the opponents Longshot faces is a tall, fit, red-haired hunter, the Ultimate version of Arcade. Arcade is a Fictional character and Supervillain in the Marvel Comics universe.
The X-Men journey to the island Longshot is on, assuming he is innocent and was framed and thus offer to help him. During the course of their time together, Longshot spends time flirting with Colossus, implying that he is either bisexual or very good at reading and thus manipulating people. It is later discovered that he is guilty; he had stumbled upon his girlfriend Spiral with the politician and killed him in a fit of rage. Spiral ( Rita Wayword) is a Fictional character, a Supervillainess in the Marvel Comics universe. Later, Longshot is in the Savage Land foraging for food when he runs into the Ultimates' Scarlet Witch, who captures him and has him imprisoned in their Triskelion base. The Savage Land is a hidden prehistoric land within the fictional Marvel Comics Universe. The Ultimates are a fictional group of Superheroes that appear in Comic books published by Marvel Comics. The Scarlet Witch ( Wanda Maximoff) is a Fictional character that appears in Comic books published by Marvel Comics. The Ultimates are a fictional group of Superheroes that appear in Comic books published by Marvel Comics. Longshot later successfully escapes from the Triskelion. During the escape, he seemingly kills Lady Deathstrike, saving the lives of two of the X-Men who had freed him before. Lady Deathstrike ( Yuriko Oyama) occasionally spelled "Deathstryke" is a Marvel Comics Supervillain, a foe of the X-Men, especially One of the others who escaped is Magneto; it was him who had tipped the authorities onto Longshot's location in the first place. Magneto (alias Erik Magnus Lehnsherr, born Max Eisenhardt) is a Fictional character that appears in Comic books published by Marvel
Ultimate Longshot has only three fingers (plus one thumb), like the original character he was based on.
This version of Longshot despises normal human beings; he regularly uses the epithet "flatscan" when referring to them, introducing the term to the Ultimate universe. Flatscan is a Pejorative used by certain mutants in Marvel Comics to describe humans It is used primarily by mutant-supremacists such as the
When Longshot is last seen, the death of Charles Xavier is announced[18], the news reaches "Somewhere Else," apparently Magneto's latest stronghold. Charles Xavier may refer to Professor X, aka Professor Charles Xavier leader of the Marvel Comics superhero team the X-Men Charles Xavier fictional Longshot is seen, still bearded from his time on the run, seated on his own low stool at Magneto's right hand side, suggesting that the sociopathic young mutant holds special favor with the Master of Magnetism. Sociopathy is a loosely-defined term that may be used to refer to Psychopathy Antisocial personality disorder Dissocial This story by Robert Kirkman is entitled Aftermath: Part 1, the multi-issue arc seemingly guaranteeing that Longshot will feature prominently in Magneto's plans to capitalize on his old adversary's death.
Shattershot
In the alternate reality future seen at the end of the "Shattershot" series (which ran through the 1992 annuals of the X-Men-related titles), a mysterious hooded figure appears in the background when the former slaves and the Spineless Ones finally make peace. Events January February March April May Namor the Sub-Mariner, issue 26 (May cover date - An annual publication, more often called simply an annual, is a book or a Magazine, Comic book or Comic strip published yearly The hooded figure throws back his hood, revealing himself to be an aged Longshot. He makes a philosophical pronouncement, then says "Gotcha!" as he did while he was with the X-Men. Longshot is very old in this universe, likely having spent a great deal of time after coming back to Mojoworld hiding from its rulers. Shatterstar came from 100 years into Longshot's future, and ruled for 10 years during this series. Longshot is likely well over 150 at the end of this series.
In other media
Television
- Longshot guest starred in the X-Men animated series episodes "Mojovision" and "Longshot". For the newer X-Men animated series see X-Men Evolution. For other uses see the X-Men (disambiguation page In the animated series it seemed to indicate that he might have a relationship with Spiral. Spiral ( Rita Wayword) is a Fictional character, a Supervillainess in the Marvel Comics universe.
Video games
- Longshot is a playable character in the DOS video-game called "X-Men II: The Fall of the Mutants". X-Men 2 Fall of the Mutants is a role-playing DOS game for the PC The storyline is based on the Fall of the Mutants crossover from the X-Men comics. The Fall of the Mutants was a crossover event by Marvel Comics, during the fall of 1987
- An item called "The Luck of The Longshot" is available in X-Men Legends
- Longshot was intended for inclusion in the PlayStation Portable version of Marvel: Ultimate Alliance, but was removed prior to its release. X-Men Legends is an action role-playing game released on several consoles in 2004. The PlayStation Portable (officially abbreviated PSP) is a Handheld game console manufactured and marketed by Sony Computer Entertainment. Marvel Ultimate Alliance is an Action role-playing game released in 2006
References
- ^ Longshot #1-6
- ^ Uncanny X-Men Annual #10
- ^ Uncanny X-Men #218
- ^ Uncanny X-Men #221-222
- ^ Uncanny X-Men #225-227
- ^ Uncanny X-Men #229
- ^ Uncanny X-Men #232-234
- ^ Uncanny X-Men #238
- ^ Uncanny X-Men #242
- ^ Uncanny X-Men #248
- ^ X-Men Vol. 2 #5-7
- ^ X-Men Vol. 2 #10-11
- ^ Exiles #18
- ^ Exiles #19
- ^ X-Men: Die by the Sword
- ^ X-Factor Week: Enter Longshot & Darwin - Marvel.com News
- ^ Uncanny X-Men #216
- ^ Ultimate X-Men #79
- Longshot at the Grand Comic-Book Database
- Longshot at the Comic Book DB
External links
- UncannyXmen.net, Spotlight feature on Longshot
- Longshot on the Marvel Universe Character Bio Wiki
- Ultimate Longshot on the Marvel Universe Character Bio Wiki
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