P!NDYR CHAMPION
Real Name: Unrevealed
Identity/Class: Extraterrestrial (P!ndyr)
Occupation: Warrior champion of his race
Group Membership: None
Affiliations: Unrevealed
Enemies: Host, the Shi'ar, especially their chosen champion (a Warskrull
posing as Charles Xavier)
Known Relatives: Unidentified lifemate
Aliases: None
Base of Operations: Epsilon Seikosha IX
First Appearance: Uncanny X-Men I#265 (Early August,
1990)
Powers/Abilities: The P!ndyr Champion possesses a
measure of superstrength (at least class 25), is an expert in a variety
of unarmed combat techniques and has leathery wings powerful enough to
achieve escape velocity without outside assistance. It is unknown if the
Champion's ability to survive in outer space is a trait shared by all the
members of his race, or a skill he cultivated. Like all P!ndyr, the
Champion values a fair, unarmed fight.
Height: 8'5" (by approximation)
Weight: 700 lbs (by approximation)
Eyes: Red
Hair: Blonde
History:
(Uncanny X-Men I#265 - BTS) - The Champion was the most powerful of the P!ndyr, a race that had gained the reputation of breeding the best natural warriors in known space. Mighty, prideful and unafraid of anything else, he reigned supreme over the P!ndyr's homeworld of Epsilon Seikhoshka IX.
(Uncanny X-Men I#265 - BTS) - A group of Warskrulls called
the Host
staged a successful coup of the upper echelons of the Shi'ar Empire. This
was made possible by replacing Empress Lilandra's consort Charles Xavier
with an equally telepathically gifted Skrull. "Xavier" started
influencing Lilandra's decisions, forcing the Shi'ar to engage in new
campaigns of conquest.
(Uncanny X-Men I#265 (fb) - BTS) - As part of their ongoing expansion drift, the Shi'ar Empire laid claim on the Epsilon Seikhoskas system and made contact with the P!ndyr. Eager to forge an alliance with the warrior race, the Shi'ar offered the P!ndyr a deal: Instead of destroying their planet outright if they refused to join their avian overlords, a duel between the Champion and the best the Shi'ar had to offer would determine whether or not they would become part of the Shi'ar star empire.
(Uncanny X-Men I#265) - The P!ndyr Champion went forth to
confront his Shi'ar opponent, but was immediately overwhelmed by a
barrage of psychic force that cracked his psi-shields like egg-shells.
Overcome by the mental onslaught, the Champion crashed on Epsilon
Seikhoskka IX where his lifemate rushed to check on him. Recounting how
he didn't even get near his enemy before succumbing to his telepathic
abilities, he resigned himself to the fact their race now belonged to
"the mad Shi'ar empress".
Comments: Created by Chris Claremont (writer), Bill Jaaska (pencils), Joseph Rubinstein (inks).
It's hard to say what happened to the P!ndryr champion and his lifemate after Warskrull Xavier defeated him. Uncanny X-Men I#276 revealed that the Shi'ar had exterminated the P!ndyr race, while an issue later two P!ndyr were seen as guards of the Warskrulls' inner sanctum. It might well be possible that following his defeat, the champion was pressed into service, along with is lifemate, appropriately mind controlled to perform their duties. However, this has not been confirmed on panel.
Also: nothing is known about the sexes among the P!ndyr in
general, or the Champion's in particular. It's a little chauvinistic to
automatically assume the Champion was male. It might well be that, just
like on Earth, the female of the species is deadlier than the male. But
the only reason to assume the Champion could be female is the fact
he/she has hair, and the lifemate doesn't. Or heck, they could both be
male. Or female. Or both.
Ever since yours truly came across the P!ndyr a good 20
years ago, I've wondered how Chris Claremont intended their name to
be pronounced. The exclamation point suggests added emphasis on
the P, but does that mean you pause before saying 'ndyr'? Or do you
simply raise your voice for the P? Also: I need to get out m!ore.
Profile by Norvo.
CLARIFICATIONS:
Character should not be confused with
The P!dyr Champion's brownskinned lifemate watched on as the battle with the Shi'ar commenced. When the Champion was trounced within seconds and fell back to Epsilon Seikhoshka IX, the lifemate rushed to his aide. Hearing the Champion tell of his defeat, the lifemate immediately suspected foul play on the part of the Shi'ar, claiming a weapon of sorts had to be involved. But the Champion insisted that the duel had gone according to the rules, which meant the P!ndyr were now part of the Shi'ar Empire. As he slipped into unconsciousness, the lifemate tended to his wounds.
--Uncanny X-Men I#265images: (without ads)
Uncanny X-Men I#265, p3, pan1 (main image)
Uncanny X-Men I#265, p4, pan1 (P!nydyr Champion--right & lifemate--left)
Appearances:
Uncanny X-Men I#265 (Early August, 1990) - Chris
Claremont (writer), Bill Jaaska (pencils), Joseph Rubinstein (inks),
Bob Harras (editor)
Uncanny X-Men I#277 (June, 1991) - Chris Claremont (writer), Jim Lee
(pencils), Scott Williams (inks), Bob Harras (editor)
Last updated: 12/09/13
Any Additions/Corrections? please let me know.
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