Real Name: Mikey Cromwell

Identity/Class: Extradimensional/Alternate Earth (Earth-93060 - Ultraverse) human mutate

Occupation: Living weapon; formerly U.S. soldier

Group Membership: None; formerly U.S. Marines

Affiliations: Cromwell

Enemies: Ultraforce (Black Knight (Dane Whitman), Prime, Prototype (Bob Campbell), Topaz) (temporary)

Known Relatives: Cromwell (brother)

Aliases: None

Base of Operations: Ultraforce headquarters, Headless Cross, Arkansas, U.S.A.
    formerly unspecified U.S. government installation for experiments
    formerly mobile with U.S. Marines

First Appearance: Ultraforce II#10/1 (August, 1996)

Powers/Abilities: Mikey Cromwell was a trained U.S. Marine until he was altered in a secret government experiment and became Specimen 13. With that, his size increased at least double and his skin turned purple. He developed fangs and immense claws at the end of each arm, plus bulging muscles and spikes along his claws, forearms and spine. His intelligence was learning impaired, although he recognized his brother and knew himself as being designated 13. His strength was Superhuman Class 10+, but his speed seemed normal. His stamina appeared to be at least enhanced human, with at least superhuman regenerative durability. However, his agility and reflexes were no more than normal. He could absorb energy from Topaz's energy staff, increasing his size. It appeared that increased pain (or rage) actually augmented Specimen 13's strength.

History:
(Ultraforce II#11/1 (fb) - BTS) - Mikey Cromwell was a gung-ho U.S. Marine who volunteered for some classified government experiments that went awry, with the mutates stashed away at Headless Cross, Arkansas (the future Ultraforce headquarters). As Cromwell was related to Specimen 13, he volunteered to be the liaison officer with Ultraforce so that he could keep watch on his brother.

(Ultraforce II#10/1) - The Black Knight inspected the deepest sub-basement of the Ultraforce HQ and discovered the Specimen containers. He wiped at Specimen 13's to see inside, but was warned away by Cromwell. However, his touch activated Specimen 13's revival (see comments).

(Ultraforce II#10/1 - BTS) - Specimen 13 was released from his stasis tube and investigated his surroundings.

(Ultraforce II#10/1) - After Cromwell was accidentally knocked out during clean up operations after damage sustained a previous battle, the Black Knight returned with Topaz to investigate. Specimen 13's shadow was seen and the two chose to investigate. Topaz was knocked out, leaving the Black Knight alone against the monstrous form of a disoriented and hungry Specimen 13.

(Ultraforce II#11/1) - The Black Knight and Specimen 13 battled, with the Black Knight seriously outclassed by Specimen 13's incredible strength and recuperative powers. The noise drew the attention of Prototype and Prime, who rushed to the sub-basement. Unfortunately, the Black Knight had been knocked out, although Topaz rejoined the fight, but found that Specimen 13, although pained by her energy staff, absorbed the power and grew larger. Prime and Prototype also failed to subdue the hulking brute, until Prototype grabbed Specimen 13 by a claw and blasted his way through several floors to the outside. The three other Ultraforce heroes recovered and followed Prototype. However, all four were still no match for the raw power of Specimen 13.

    Meanwhile, a revived Cromwell discovered the damage in the sub-basement and rushed outside to stop the fight. Cromwell stood before Specimen 13 and calmed his rage by emphasizing the love between the brothers. The family connection shocked the Ultraforce heroes. Cromwell then convinced his brother that he had to return to his stasis tube until the day that a cure could be found for his condition. The Black Knight, Prime and Topaz then expressed their sympathy to Cromwell and told him that he was no longer alone in his concern for his brother.

Comments: Created by Len Wein (writer) & Deodata Studios (Carlos Mota & René Michelleti) (art).

    I'd attribute his skin color change from red to purple between issues as his skin cooling, or healing from its raw state after being resuscitated. Or different color light globes.

    There were other specimen holding containers, presumably containing the other mutated specimens, with Specimens 12, 14 and 15 identified on individual screens.

    It's not actually specified that Black Knight's touch activated the revival sequence and it may have been started by someone unknown or the damage sustained to the HQ previously.

    He could win a Pitt lookalike competition. If there was such a competition.

Profile by Grendel Prime

Clarifications:

Specimen 13 has no known connections to:

• Agent 13 (Sharon Carter), S.H.I.E.L.D. agent and Captain America ally @ Tales of Suspense I#75
• Agent 13 - trusted HYDRA agent of Baron Strucker, killed and replaced by Alan Desmond killed him and took his place @ Namor Annual#4
• Thirteen 2099 - Controller @ X-Men 2099#3
• Thirteenth Dimension, another term for the Ankh Dimension @ Avengers III#59
• Weapon XIII (Fantomex) - debonair international thief/hero, product of Weapon X program @ X-Men II#128
• Any other "Specimen" or "13" characters

images:
Ultraforce II#10/1, p16, pan3 (red body)
Ultraforce II#11/1, p14, pan5 (head)