X THE MARVEL

Real Name: Willie Dance

Identity/Class: Human

Occupation: Wrestler

Group Membership: None

Affiliations: Bernie Steinsinger

Enemies: Mole, Monocle, Weasel, Luke Cage

Known Relatives: None

Aliases: The Flying Boy; X da Marvel

Base of Operations: A wrestling-school on the 42^th Avenue

First Appearance: Power Man#27 (October, 1975)
    {Per i lettori Italiani: Capitan America Editoriale Corno#105/2 (20 aprile 1977)}

Powers/Abilities: Mastering in catch and wrestling techniques. Enhanced strength and durability (at the same level of Captain America/Steve Rogers).

History: (Power Man#27 (fb)) - Willie Dance was a champion of wrestling. He fought the best wrestlers, such as Mole, Monocle, and Weasel, but a clot of blood in his brain made him dull and obliged him to abandon the professional career. Bernie Steinsinger, his manager and probably his only friend, took care of him.

(Power Man#27) - Months after his retirement, he was training in a wrestling-school, and involuntarily broke down the wall between the wrestling-school and Luke Cage's office. Angered by his own problems, Luke started a fight with Willie. Willie responded with an "ape move," but Luke was beating him when they was interrupted by Bernie Steinsinger. Bernie promised to pay for the damages and went away with Willie.

Later, Willie, angered by the laughs of his "colleagues" about him, decided to do a "return" as X the Marvel; he bickered with Bernie and sent him away. In his wardrobe Willie found a cylinder that was hidden there by Bruno Murphy while he was running away from the police. The Box contained the Super-Soldier serum, synthesized by Dr. Klemph, and stolen by Murphy. Neither Bruno nor Willie knew what was in the box. Willie, thinking it was a milky energetic drink, drank the serum and... changed. All the fat disappeared and the muscles grew, though his mind remained as slow as ever.

    X the Marvel then ran back to Luke Cage's office, seeking revenge for the beating in the morning, and attacked the hero. After a double flying kick, some furniture throws, an acrobatic jump, and an angel flight, X the Marvel threw Luke and himself out of the window in the middle of the 42^th Avenue. Luke retaliated, but X' superiority in wrestling was clear: a crossed legs strike and an arm lock put the hero in difficulty. Power Man's steel skin helped him, and when X the Marvel threw a piece of wall on Luke, a brick ricocheted and hit Bernie Steinsinger, who was running there to help Willie. Willie immediately stopped the fighting, understanding his error.

    The ambulance arrived, but Bernie's conditions were very serious. The serum effects faded, and Willie decided to follow Bernie in the ambulance, well knowing that the doctors, recognizing his dull status, probably would never let him come out the hospital.

Comments: Created by Bill Mantlo, George Pérez and A. McWilliams.

    Maybe Dr. Klemph Super-Soldier serum wasn't equal to Dr. Reinstein's serum (If anything, it probably made its recipient even stronger). Or it was strictly linked to (and had effects only in the presence of) rage and anger, and when Willie became meek, the serum effects faded. If so, I suggest you to not have Willie get angry. 

For further discussion on the Super-Solder serum, etc., see Nuke.

Profile by Spidermay

Clarifications:

X the Marvel has no known connections to

• X of the Thanosi @ Infinity Abyss#1,2

• X ( ) - Brotherhood, title for its leader, formerly held by Hoffman and Marshal--Brotherhood#1, 7

• X, the THING That LIVED - --Tales to Astonish I#20; Fear#2
• X, the UNKNOWABLE - giant monster from the sea, transform atomic structure into any form or shape--Alpha Flight II#17
• Mister X, another wrestler @ Captain America I#271
• or to any other "X" or "Marvel" characters