Harpoon (comics)

Publication history

Harpoon first appeared in Uncanny X-Men #210 (October 1986), and was created by Chris Claremont, John Romita Jr. and Dan Green.

The character subsequently appears in Thor #373-374 (November–December 1986), X-Factor #10 (November 1986), Power Pack #27 (December 1986), Uncanny X-Men #213 (January 1987), 221-222 (September–October 1987), 240-241 (January–February 1989), X-Factor #38 (March 1989), Wolverine (vol. 2) #10 (August 1989), X-Man #18 (August 1996), Cable & Machine Man Annual 1999, Gambit #9 (October 1999), Weapon X #26 (September 2004), X-Men and Power Pack #4 (March 2006), New Avengers #18 (June 2006), X-Men (vol. 2) #200-201 (August–September 2007), New X-Men #44-46 (January–March 2008), X-Factor #27 (March 2008), X-Men (vol. 2) #207 (March 2008), and Uncanny X-Men (vol. 5) #18 (July 2019).

Harpoon received an entry in the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe Update '89 #3.

Fictional character biography

The Morlock Massacre

Harpoon is a founding member of the Marauders, which were assembled by Gambit. The team ambush a Morlock girl named Tommy and a human Hellfire Club soldier named Richard in Los Angeles. The Marauders kill Richard and let Tommy escape to the Morlocks' Alley.

In the first encounter with the X-Men during the Morlock Massacre, Harpoon hurls a harpoon at Rogue while she is vulnerable after having her powers neutralized by the Marauder Scrambler. Kitty Pryde phases Rogue, hoping Harpoon's weapon will pass harmlessly through her, but the spear is in an energy state and strikes them anyway, trapping Kitty in her intangible state.

Harpoon crosses paths with Cyclops, Beast, and Iceman and tries to kill the Morlock Plague with Sabretooth, but they are stopped by Apocalypse, who recruits Plague into his Horsemen. He and Blockbuster later attack the X-Man Angel, badly damaging his wings. Angel is saved by Thor, who drives the Marauders off.

Further appearances

Harpoon is thought to have been killed during the "Inferno" event, but as often shown, Mister Sinister can clone his Marauders and resurrect them at any time. Harpoon often works as Sinister's enforcer, such as in the capture of Nate Grey during the Onslaught crossover.

Harpoon lost his powers after the events of "Decimation". After M-Day, Harpoon resurfaces with the rest of the Marauders, still working for Mister Sinister. To make up for his lack of power, he carries a weaponized harpoon.

Harpoon attacks Chamber and the X-Men alongside the other Marauders. Chamber manages to kill the Marauders with his fire, but Harpoon stabs him through the chest before dying. Chamber dies from his injuries shortly afterward. Harpoon is later revealed to have been resurrected.

Powers and abilities

Harpoon could charge his metal spears with his own bio-energy for various effects, such as shocking or stunning his opponents. He was also exceptionally skilled in using his spears as weapons, both in melee combat and as thrown projectiles.

Other versions

In the universe of "Age of Apocalypse", Harpoon appears as a member of the Infinite Patrol, the enforcers of Apocalypse.

In other media

• Harpoon appears in the Wolverine and the X-Men episode "eXcessive Force", voiced by Fred Tatasciore.
• Harpoon appears in the X-Men '97 tie-in comic.

Footnotes

References

References

1. Webber, Tim. (May 15, 2019). "X-Men Kills Off Another Fan-Favorite Hero in a Mini-Mutant Massacre".
2. (August 2009). "X-Men Origins: Gambit". Marvel Comics.
3. (December 1997). "[[Uncanny X-Men]]". Marvel Comics.
4. (October 1986). "[[Uncanny X-Men]]". Marvel Comics.
5. (November 1986). "[[Uncanny X-Men]]". Marvel Comics.
6. Cronin, Brian. (March 15, 2020). "X-Men: In The Mutant Massacre, Things Escalated Quickly With Colossus".
7. Zachary, Brandon. (August 18, 2022). "A Founding X-Man Just Had to Go Through His Worst Nightmare All Over Again".
8. (November 1986). "[[X-Factor (comic book)". Marvel Comics.
9. (November 1986). "[[Thor (comic book)". Marvel Comics.
10. (December 1986). "[[Thor (comic book)". Marvel Comics.
11. (October 1999). "[[Gambit (1998 series)". Marvel Comics.
12. (January 2009). "[[X-Force (comic book)". Marvel Comics.
13. (August 1996). "[[X-Man]]". Marvel Comics.
14. (June 2006). "[[New Avengers]]". Marvel Comics.
15. (August 2007). "[[X-Men (comic book)". Marvel Comics.
16. (July 2019). "[[Uncanny X-Men]]". Marvel Comics.
17. Harth, David. (June 20, 2025). "Wolverine's Greatest Foe Is Back for Blood".
18. (February 1995). "X-Men: Alpha". [[Marvel Comics]].
19. "Harpoon / Kodiak Noatak Voice - ''Wolverine and the X-Men'' (TV Show)". Behind The Voice Actors.
20. Bonomolo, Cameron. (May 19, 2024). "X-Men '97 Preview Pits the X-Men vs. The Marauders".