Real Name: Blimp
Identity/Class: Extraterrestrial (unnamed Shi'ar galaxy species)
Occupation: Superguardian
Group Membership: Imperial Superguardian Elite
Affiliations: Arc,
Cosmo,
Gladiator, Manta,
Monstra,
Oracle,
Schism,
Squorm,
Stuff;
Enemies: Cassandra Nova;
Known Relatives: None
Aliases: None
Base of Operations: Shi'ar Galactic Empire;
First Appearance: New X-Men I#124 (May, 2002)
Powers/Abilities: Blimp was surrounded by a gray flexible rubbery
containment suit. This suit contained his bio-helium that formed part
of his internal organs. This gas also served to keep him aloft. His
suit also helped him to move about at, at minimum, directed motion
hovering speed, probably faster. However, once breached, the suit and
head became floppy. It may be that the suit did not match his cherubim
features.
Height: 5'9"
Weight: Indeterminate
History:
(New X-Men I#124 - BTS) - The Shi'ar Empress, Lilandra, her mind
controlled by the villainous Cassandra Nova, who inhabited Charles
Xavier's body, arrived in lower Earth orbit with a team of
Superguardians, including Blimp, under the leadership of Gladiator.
Cassandra Nova used Lilandra to enforce the power of the Imperial
Superguardian Elite to attack the X-Men, using a lie that the mutants
were infected and had to be exterminated.
(New X-Men I#124) - Blimp patrolled the outside of the Xavier Institute alongside Gladiator and Schism, and met up with Oracle, Arc and Manta. Together with Schism and Arc, Blimp entered the Mansion and watched as Arc electrocuted Beast.
Wolverine, wearing an Imperial Flight Patch that he had taken from Neosaurus, smashed through an upper window, slashing at Blimp and Schism, severely rupturing Blimp's suit. This caused the Superguardian to shoot around the large room like a balloon. As Wolverine tackled Monstra, Beast grabbed Blimp and used the Shi'ar's increasingly flexible body (due to gas loss) to bind up Arc, who had successfully alerted Gladiator in the meantime. Blimp vomited repeatedly onto Arc's face while this happened. Gladiator melted the wall and stepped through the rubble. Quickly assessing the situation, Gladiator commented that Blimp and Monstra had been maimed.
(New X-Men I#133 - BTS) - Blimp left Earth space along with the rest of Lilandra's Superguardians bound for Shi'ar space after the increasing and repeated manifestation of the Phoenix force in Jean Grey.
Comments: Created by Grant Morrison (writer) and Igor Kordey (artist).
What a bizarre character to be written as a Superguardian, as he had no discernible offensive/defensive capabilities. He might've been just an observer. At best, Blimp appeared to be a trainee Guardsman, as he displayed little fighting skills against the X-Men.
As the Imperial Guard was originally
a pastiche of the Legion of Super-Heroes, perhaps Blimp was intended as
a parody of Bouncing Boy.
---Dale Roberts
It is possible that Blimp's vented helium caused Wolverine's voice to go higher, so that he sounded less like a wolverine and more like a mouse when he confronted Gladiator in the Mansion.
Profile by Grendel Prime.
Clarifications:
Blimp has no known connections to:
images:
New X-Men I#124 ,
p16, panel 1 (main);
Appearances:
New X-Men I#124 (May, 2002) - Grant Morrison (writer), Igor Kordey
(artist), Mark Powers (editor)
New X-Men I#133 (December, 2002) - Grant Morrison (writer), Ethan van
Sciver (pencils), Norm Rapmund (inks), Mike Marts (editor)
Last updated: 01/27/06
Any Additions/Corrections? please let me know.
Non-Marvel
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