Puck (Marvel Comics)
Puck is the codename of two fictional characters appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The two characters are a father and daughter pair, who are both members of Alpha Flight, in the Marvel Universe.
Publication history
The first Puck debuted in
The second Puck debuted in Alpha Flight vol. 3 #1 and was created by Scott Lobdell and Clayton Henry.
Fictional character biography
Puck (Eugene Judd)
Puck | |
---|---|
Publication information | |
Publisher | Marvel Comics |
First appearance | Alpha Flight #1 (August 1983) |
Created by | John Byrne |
In-story information | |
Alter ego | Eugene Milton Judd |
Species | Altered Human |
Team affiliations | Alpha Flight Beta Flight Gamma Flight X-Force |
Notable aliases | Geno |
Abilities | Superhuman strength, agility, reflexes, durability Superhuman longevity Skilled fighter |
The first character to use the codename is a man whose real name is Eugene Milton Judd. He was born in 1914 in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. He spent years traveling the world as a soldier of fortune, working as an intelligence agent and bouncer, before becoming a professional adventurer and joining Alpha Flight.[4]
Early in his career, Judd was hired to steal the Black Blade of
Some details of his past remain unknown, hinted at in dialogue: the affair of the Brass Bishop, and some murders.[6]
Puck was wounded by teammate
Puck later journeyed to the realm of the
During his time with Alpha Flight, he encountered a new city deep in the Arctic Circle. There his team and the X-Men discovered a mystical wellspring. Several humans associated with the X-Men had gained vast powers via the wellspring. Puck was cured of his dwarfism by the well-intentioned Madelyne Pryor. He discovered a problem with walking because his center of balance was off. Later, the group discovered that the powers came at a price too high to bear, such as the loss of all creativity among all affected and the deaths of all mystics. This includes Puck's friend Shaman. The group splits along ideological lines, and both groups battle for some time before turning on the main threat. This turns out to be the trickster god Loki, who was eventually persuaded to remove all effects of the well, which unfortunately included Puck's new height. A thought balloon indicated that the pain associated with his dwarfism was now worse than ever.[15]
Soon after, Puck's
When Northstar and Aurora both fell deathly ill (him physically and her mentally), Alpha Flight took them to the site of the Firefountain that Loki previously used to grant powers and wishes. Loki led them to a dark fountain instead (emanating from a deep pit), and sent dark elves to attack them. During the resulting fight, Puck is knocked into the fountain. Raazer was freed from Puck's body, returning Puck to his normal size and actual age even as he fell to what should have been his death. Loki instead teleported Puck to Tibet, and decided to abandon his previous life.
Later, during the events of the Infinity Crusade, Puck was brainwashed and taken by the cosmic powered villain the Goddess. He was paired up with the affected Spider-Man when an invasion force of free-minded superheroes plan to attack the Goddess' fortress. This specific pairing was intended to teach Spider-Man brutality in the face of his 'former' friends. Puck was swiftly taken out of the fight, defeated by Firestar. Due to the effects of the resulting clash, all brainwashed heroes were later freed.[21]
Puck was brainwashed again by members of his own government, who desired to have an Alpha Flight completely under their control.[22] Puck fought with this new team for a while and was one of the few to be relatively successful against the mental mind games.
Along with
]When Wolverine has been trapped in Hell by unknown forces, Puck and an unknown person are seen there, with the unknown person claiming to just want to talk to Wolverine, but Puck planning on finding a way to get both Wolverine and himself out of hell.[24] Puck tells Wolverine to fight through the pain he feels while being tortured, implying that it will make the devil look weak and cause an uprising in hell, thus giving them a chance to escape.[25] After the Devil is beaten, Puck attempts to escape along with Wolverine, but falls from the walls of hell which he was scaling when another condemned one grabs his foot and yanks him off and back into the pit. Though he remains in Hell, he wins the scrum for the Devil's sword, thus making him the ruler of Hell, at least for the time being.[26]
During the
It has been announced that Puck will be a member of the relaunched
When Elizabeth Twoyoungmen was introduced to Alpha Flight, Puck became her physics instructor.[29] Much later at the time of a mass Wendigo outbreak, the two have become lovers.[30]
As part of the All-New, All-Different Marvel event, Puck appears as a member of the Alpha Flight space program.[31]
Puck (Zuzha Yu)
Puck | |
---|---|
Publication information | |
Publisher | Marvel Comics |
First appearance | Alpha Flight #1 (May 2004) |
Created by | Scott Lobdell Clayton Henry |
In-story information | |
Alter ego | Zuzha Yu |
Species | Human Mutant |
Team affiliations | Alpha Flight |
Abilities | Superhuman strength, speed, reflexes, agility, coordination, endurance Ability to redirect kinetic energy Skilled fighter |
Zuzha Yu was a mutant who worked at a bar near McGill University in Montreal and was supposedly the daughter of the original Puck. She agreed to join the reformed Alpha Flight after losing an arm-wrestling match with Walter Langkowski, alias Sasquatch.[32]
At the end of the series it shows that she and
She was one of the members of Alpha Flight apparently killed by The Collective.[34]
Powers and abilities
Originally, Puck had no superhuman powers, relying on his exceptional training and his amassed worldly knowledge. He was a formidable hand-to-hand combatant, capable of a mixture of various martial arts, street-fighting techniques, acrobatics and gymnastics. After a run-in with The Master of the World his body was subject to genetic manipulation of his cellular structure. His body tissues were condensed at a molecular level, causing his body to become akin to compressed rubber. His trademark attack is a cartwheeling motion. Spinning on his hands and feet at great speeds, he is able to slam into and knock down human-sized enemies with ease. He is also skilled in bullfighting. He has some knowledge of mysticism, enough to once trap
Zuzha had superhuman strength, speed, reflexes, agility, coordination, endurance, and could redirect kinetic energy. She was an excellent hand-to-hand combatant.
Other versions
Earth X
In this alternate future, Puck is seen as one of the many heroes in the afterlife. They all rally to fight the forces of
Marvel Zombies
In the
Marvel Noir
Puck (Eugene Judd) is Captain Logan's first mate in
In other media
Television
- The original Puck appears in the X-Men: The Animated Series episode "Repo Man", voiced by Don Francks.[citation needed]
Merchandise
- In 1999, Toy Biz released an action figure of Puck in its Snowbird/Puck two-pack.[37]
- In 2013, Hasbro released an action figure of Puck in its Marvel Universe line (Wave 21).[citation needed]
- In 2013, Puck was the BAF (Build a Figure) in a Wolverine Legends wave which was exclusive to Diamond.[citation needed]
- In 2019, Puck was shown as part of a Marvel Legends Alpha Flight set, an Amazon exclusive, which also includes Vindicator, Shaman, Northstar, Aurora, and Snowbird.[citation needed] This figure is the complete version of the Build A Figure from 2013.[38]
Video games
- Puck appears as enemy in Marvel Super Heroes: War of the Gems.
- Puck appears as a playable character in Marvel Puzzle Quest.[39]
Name
- A letters page in Alpha Flight seemed to confirm that Judd is named after the Shakespearean character.[40][41] However, in a FAQ dated 5/30/2006, John Byrne has stated that he is named after a hockey puck.[42]
References
- ISBN 978-1-4654-7890-0.
- ^ "Byrne Robotics: FAQ".
- ^ "Byrne Robotics: Battle Royal, eh? - 04.13.07".
- ^ Alpha Flight #1
- ^ a b Alpha Flight #32
- ^ a b Alpha Flight #12
- ^ Alpha Flight #2
- ^ Alpha Flight #5
- ^ Alpha Flight #13-14
- ^ Alpha Flight #15
- ^ Alpha Flight #16
- ^ Alpha Flight #24
- ^ Alpha Flight #28
- ^ Alpha Flight #29
- ^ X-Men and Alpha Flight #1-2 (December 1985 & January 1986)
- ^ Alpha Flight #33
- ^ Alpha Flight #39
- ^ Alpha Flight #50
- ^ Alpha Flight #59-60
- ^ Alpha Flight #87-90
- ^ Infinity Crusade #6
- ^ Alpha Flight vol. 2 #1
- ^ The New Avengers #16
- ^ Wolverine vol. 4 #2
- ^ Wolverine vol. 4 #3
- ^ Wolverine vol. 4 #4
- ^ Alpha Flight vol. 4 #2-4
- ^ Sunu, Steve (September 17, 2012). "Humphries & Garney Take On "Uncanny X-Force"". Comic Book Resources. Retrieved September 17, 2012.
- ^ Alpha Flight #23
- ^ Amazing X-Men #9
- ^ Captain Marvel vol. 9 #1
- ^ Alpha Flight vol. 3 #1 (2004)
- ^ Alpha Flight vol. 3 #12 (2004)
- ^ The New Avengers #16; confirmed in The New Avengers #20
- ^ Marvel Zombies: Dead Days one-shot (July 2007)
- ^ X-Men Noir #3
- ^ "Snowbird / Puck - Alpha Flight".
- ^ Hasbro Toys - Domestic. "Marvel Classic Hasbro Legends Series Toys 6" Collectible Action 6 Pack Alpha Flight 6 Pack, 6 Figures with Premium Design, for Kids Ages 4 & Up (Amazon Exclusive) : Toys & Games". Amazon. Retrieved 2022-08-07.
- ^ "Puck (Eugene Judd) - Marvel Puzzle Quest New Character". 16 May 2022.
- ^ Alpha Flight #22 letters page
- ^ Alpha Flight Annual #2
- ^ Questions about Comic Book Projects