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Child's Play (comics)
Encyclopedia
"Child's Play" is a 1994 Marvel Comics
crossover
featuring the New Warriors
, X-Force
, and the Upstarts
. It is also the first time Karma
reunites with the New Mutants since she left the team in New Mutants #54 (1987).
(some of who are now members of X-Force
) and the Hellions. This competition also brings the Upstarts into conflict with the New Warriors (as Firestar
is a former Hellion). The Upstarts acquire most of their targets, who are pitted against X-Force and the New Warriors during the crossover's climax. However, Paige Guthrie
, who secretly followed X-Force on the rescue mission, is able to convince the Gamesmaster
to play another game—instead of killing mutants, the Upstarts should compete with the mutant leaders of the world to try to find and train young mutants like herself. The Gamesmaster is intrigued by the proposition and cancels the competition.
This crossover marks a watershed moment for several characters. Moonstar, still affiliated with the Mutant Liberation Front
, unmasks herself to her former teammates during this event, and reveals that she is, in fact, Dani Moonstar and not an imposter. She maintains her cover and does not reveal she is working for S.H.I.E.L.D.
to her teammates at this juncture, but this marks the first hint that she does not buy into the MLF’s agenda.
The retcon
of the origin of Nova Roma is very much a part of the storyline. (This retcon was in turn retconned in more recent comics.) Accordingly, during this story, Magma divorces herself from the Amara Aquilla persona and decides to uncover her origins as “Alison Crestmere.” In the process, she demands Empath
keep his distance.
Deceased members of the New Mutants and the Hellions certainly not available for capture include: Cypher
, Warlock
, Jetstream
, Beef
, Bevatron
, Catseye, Roulette
and Magik.
Sunspot
was a surviving New Mutant who was not targeted by the Upstarts because he and Locus
were lost in the timestream at that time. Rusty and Skids
, also former New Mutants, were not targeted in the Younghunt, likely because of their affiliation with the Acolytes
and were under Magneto
's protection, far from Earth on Avalon
.
Depending on Tarot
's mysterious rebirth, which has not been fully explained, she may or may not have been alive and eligible for capture at the time of the Younghunt.
, Paige Guthrie has powers extremely different that she exhibited in this storyline (where she shapeshifts into a bird at one point). This is likely attributable to the writer not being fully informed of the character's concept. Husk came to prominence a few months later during the Phalanx Covenant
crossover and the formation of Generation X
.
Marvel Comics
Marvel Worldwide, Inc., commonly referred to as Marvel Comics and formerly Marvel Publishing, Inc. and Marvel Comics Group, is an American company that publishes comic books and related media...
crossover
Fictional crossover
A fictional crossover is the placement of two or more otherwise discrete fictional characters, settings, or universes into the context of a single story. They can arise from legal agreements between the relevant copyright holders, or because of unauthorized efforts by fans, or even amid common...
featuring the New Warriors
New Warriors
The New Warriors is a Marvel Comics superhero team, traditionally consisting of young adult heroes. They first appeared in The Mighty Thor #411 .-General publication history:...
, X-Force
X-Force
X-Force is a fictional Marvel Comics superhero team, one of several spin-offs of the popular X-Men franchise. Conceived by writer/illustrator Rob Liefeld, the team was formed in New Mutants, vol. 1 #100 and soon afterwards was featured in its own series.The group was a new incarnation of the 1980s...
, and the Upstarts
Upstarts (comics)
The Upstarts were a group of fictional comic book supervillains in the Marvel Comics with strong ties to the Hellfire Club. They first appeared in Uncanny X-Men #281 and were created by Jim Lee and Whilce Portacio.-Fictional team biography:...
. It is also the first time Karma
Karma (comics)
Karma is a fictional superheroine from Marvel Comics created by Chris Claremont and Frank Miller.Karma is a mutant endowed with the ability to seize control of another's mind, though she has sometimes been depicted with other more extensive psionic abilities...
reunites with the New Mutants since she left the team in New Mutants #54 (1987).
Summary
The Upstarts continue their series of games to prove their power and worth to one another. This time, they devise "the Younghunt", a mission to capture all of the surviving members of the New MutantsNew Mutants
The New Mutants are a group of teenaged mutant superheroes-in-training published by Marvel Comics. They have been the main characters of three successive comic book series, which were spin-offs of the popular X-Men franchise....
(some of who are now members of X-Force
X-Force
X-Force is a fictional Marvel Comics superhero team, one of several spin-offs of the popular X-Men franchise. Conceived by writer/illustrator Rob Liefeld, the team was formed in New Mutants, vol. 1 #100 and soon afterwards was featured in its own series.The group was a new incarnation of the 1980s...
) and the Hellions. This competition also brings the Upstarts into conflict with the New Warriors (as Firestar
Firestar
Firestar is a fictional mutant superhero in the . Debuting in 1981 on the NBC animated television series Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends, she has the ability to generate and manipulate microwave radiation, which allows her to generate intense heat and flames, and to fly...
is a former Hellion). The Upstarts acquire most of their targets, who are pitted against X-Force and the New Warriors during the crossover's climax. However, Paige Guthrie
Husk (comics)
Husk is a fictional character from Marvel Comics. Guthrie is a superhero associated with the X-Men.A mutant, Husk has the ability to remove one layer of skin - or "husk" - revealing an epidermis of a different composition beneath...
, who secretly followed X-Force on the rescue mission, is able to convince the Gamesmaster
GamesMaster
GamesMaster was a British television show, screened on Channel 4 from 1992 to 1998, and was the first ever UK television show dedicated to computer and video games.-Origins:...
to play another game—instead of killing mutants, the Upstarts should compete with the mutant leaders of the world to try to find and train young mutants like herself. The Gamesmaster is intrigued by the proposition and cancels the competition.
This crossover marks a watershed moment for several characters. Moonstar, still affiliated with the Mutant Liberation Front
Mutant Liberation Front
The Mutant Liberation Front, or MLF, is a Marvel Comics supervillain group, primarily enemies of X-Force. Created by writer Louise Simonson and artist/co-writer Rob Liefeld, the original MLF first fully appeared in The New Mutants #87 ....
, unmasks herself to her former teammates during this event, and reveals that she is, in fact, Dani Moonstar and not an imposter. She maintains her cover and does not reveal she is working for S.H.I.E.L.D.
S.H.I.E.L.D.
S.H.I.E.L.D. is a fictional espionage and a secret military law-enforcement agency in the Marvel Comics Universe. Created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby in Strange Tales #135 , it often deals with superhuman threats....
to her teammates at this juncture, but this marks the first hint that she does not buy into the MLF’s agenda.
The retcon
Retcon
Retroactive continuity is the alteration of previously established facts in a fictional work. Retcons are done for many reasons, including the accommodation of sequels or further derivative works in a series, wherein newer authors or creators want to revise the in-story history to allow a course...
of the origin of Nova Roma is very much a part of the storyline. (This retcon was in turn retconned in more recent comics.) Accordingly, during this story, Magma divorces herself from the Amara Aquilla persona and decides to uncover her origins as “Alison Crestmere.” In the process, she demands Empath
Empath (comics)
Empath , is a fictional mutant in the Marvel Universe.-Publication history:Empath was created by Chris Claremont and Sal Buscema and first appeared in New Mutants #16-17 as a member of Emma Frost's original Hellions.The character subsequently appears in The Uncanny X-Men #193 , Firestar #2-4...
keep his distance.
Younghunt Results
| No. | Target | Upstart | Result |
| 1. | Magma Magma (comics) Magma is a fictional character in the Marvel Comics series New Mutants, also associated with various X-Men-related comics. She was created by author Chris Claremont and artist Bob McLeod, and debuted in New Mutants #8... |
Fenris Fenris (comics) Fenris are two fictional characters from the Marvel Comics universe, namely German twins Andrea and Andreas von Strucker. They are the children of supervillain Baron Wolfgang von Strucker of HYDRA and the half-brother of Werner von Strucker. Andrea is female, Andreas is male... |
Captured in Nova Roma Nova Roma Nova Roma is an international Roman revivalist and reconstructionist organization created in 1998 by Joseph Bloch and William Bradford, later incorporated in Maine as a non-profit organization with an educational and religious mission... ; Ensnared by energy-dampening steel coils. |
| 2. 3. |
Cannonball Cannonball (comics) Cannonball is a fictional Marvel Comics superhero, associated with the X-Men. Created by writer Chris Claremont and artist Bob McLeod, Cannonball first appeared in Marvel Graphic Novel #4: The New Mutants .... Boomer |
Siena Blaze Siena Blaze Siena Blaze is a mutant in Marvel Comics's X-Men comics series. Introduced as a villain in the Marvel Universe, she later became a hero during her brief period in the Ultraverse. Following a long absence, the character returned in X-Force, vol... |
Captured at the Guthrie farm in Kentucky Kentucky The Commonwealth of Kentucky is a state located in the East Central United States of America. As classified by the United States Census Bureau, Kentucky is a Southern state, more specifically in the East South Central region. Kentucky is one of four U.S. states constituted as a commonwealth... ; Incapacitated by Siena's Electromagnetic force blast. |
| 4. | Empath Empath (comics) Empath , is a fictional mutant in the Marvel Universe.-Publication history:Empath was created by Chris Claremont and Sal Buscema and first appeared in New Mutants #16-17 as a member of Emma Frost's original Hellions.The character subsequently appears in The Uncanny X-Men #193 , Firestar #2-4... |
Fenris | Escaped capture in Nova Roma due to Moonstar paralyzing the Fenris siblings with her psi-arrows. |
| 5. 6. - |
Karma Karma (comics) Karma is a fictional superheroine from Marvel Comics created by Chris Claremont and Frank Miller.Karma is a mutant endowed with the ability to seize control of another's mind, though she has sometimes been depicted with other more extensive psionic abilities... Moonstar Empath |
Siena Blaze | Averted capture in Madripoor Madripoor The Principality of Madripoor is a fictional island located in Southeast Asia in the Marvel Comics universe. Based on illustrations, it is in the southern portion of the Strait of Malacca, southwest of Singapore.-Publication history:... by Karma taking control of Siena's mind; the three attempt to infiltrate the Upstarts and Younghunt by pretending to be captured. |
| 6. | Firestar Firestar Firestar is a fictional mutant superhero in the . Debuting in 1981 on the NBC animated television series Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends, she has the ability to generate and manipulate microwave radiation, which allows her to generate intense heat and flames, and to fly... |
Graydon Creed Graydon Creed Graydon Creed is a fictional character created by writer Scott Lobdell and artist Brandon Peterson. The character is an enemy of the X-Men and first appeared in Uncanny X-Men #299 .- Fictional character biography :... |
Resists capture by defeating Creed's armored goons with the New Warriors' help in Manhattan Manhattan Manhattan is the oldest and the most densely populated of the five boroughs of New York City. Located primarily on the island of Manhattan at the mouth of the Hudson River, the boundaries of the borough are identical to those of New York County, an original county of the state of New York... . |
| - | Firestar | Shinobi Shaw Shinobi Shaw Shinobi Shaw, also known as a Black King of the Hellfire Club, is a fictional character in the Universe of Marvel Comics. He is a comic book supervillain, a foe of the X-Men and their affiliated teams. His first appearance was in X-Factor #67 .-Fictional character biography:Shinobi is thought to... |
Delivered to Shinobi in Tokyo Tokyo , ; officially , is one of the 47 prefectures of Japan. Tokyo is the capital of Japan, the center of the Greater Tokyo Area, and the largest metropolitan area of Japan. It is the seat of the Japanese government and the Imperial Palace, and the home of the Japanese Imperial Family... by Justice Justice (comics) Vance Astrovik, also known as Justice and formerly known as Marvel Boy, is a fictional mutant superhero in the Marvel Comics universe. He possesses the superhuman power of telekinesis. Astrovik has been affiliated with the New Warriors and The Avengers... . |
| 7. 8. |
Warpath Warpath (comics) James Proudstar, previously known as the second Thunderbird but also known as Warpath, is a fictional character, a Marvel Comics superhero associated with the X-Men.... Rictor |
Trevor Fitzroy Trevor Fitzroy Trevor Fitzroy is a Marvel Comics supervillain, an enemy of the X-Men, in particular Bishop. Created by Jim Lee and Whilce Portacio, he first appeared in Uncanny X-Men #281 .Fitzroy hails from the same dystopian future as Bishop... |
Resist capture by defeating Fitzroy with X-Force's help in Kentucky. |
| 9. | Wolfsbane Wolfsbane Wolfsbane may refer to:* Aconitum, a flowering plant and herb* Wolfsbane , an English heavy metal/hard rock band* Wolfsbane , the 1994 album from Wolfsbane* Wolfsbane , a Marvel Comics superhero... |
Fenris | Resists capture by apprehending Fenris with X-Factor’s help in Washington. |
Non-Participants
Despite the large number of characters involved, many former members of the Hellions and New Mutants do not appear.Deceased members of the New Mutants and the Hellions certainly not available for capture include: Cypher
Cypher (comics)
Cypher is a fictional mutant character, a superhero from Marvel Comics. He first appeared in New Mutants vol. 1 #13 .-Fictional character biography:Doug Ramsey was born to Philip and Sheila Ramsey...
, Warlock
Warlock (comics)
Warlock, in comics, may refer to:*Warlock , a cybernetic alien member of the New Mutants superhero team in Marvel Comics*Warlock, a villain in the 1966 animated TV series The New Adventures of Superman...
, Jetstream
Jetstream (comics)
Jetstream is a fictional Moroccan mutant character that has appeared in various comic book series published by Marvel Comics. Created as a part of the group known as the Hellions, he exists in Marvel's main shared universe, known as the Marvel Universe...
, Beef
Beef (comics)
Beef is a fictional character from Marvel Comics, a mutant from the Hellions group created as the antithesis to the X-Men's junior team of mutants, the New Mutants.- Fictional character biography :...
, Bevatron
Bevatron (comics)
Bevatron is a fictional character from Marvel Comics, a mutant from the Hellions group created as the antithesis to the X-Men's junior team of mutants, the New Mutants.-Fictional character biography:...
, Catseye, Roulette
Roulette (comics)
Roulette, in comics, May refer to:* Roulette , a Marvel Comics character who is a member of the Hellions* Roulette , a female DC Comics character who runs a metahuman fighting place called The House...
and Magik.
Sunspot
Sunspot
Sunspots are temporary phenomena on the photosphere of the Sun that appear visibly as dark spots compared to surrounding regions. They are caused by intense magnetic activity, which inhibits convection by an effect comparable to the eddy current brake, forming areas of reduced surface temperature....
was a surviving New Mutant who was not targeted by the Upstarts because he and Locus
Locus (comics)
Locus is a fictional mutant villainess in the Marvel Comics universe. She was first introduced as a member of the Mutant Liberation Front in the comic title X-Force under the leadership of Reignfire...
were lost in the timestream at that time. Rusty and Skids
Skids (comics)
Skids is a Marvel Comics mutant. Created by writer Louise Simonson and artist Jackson Guice, she first appeared in X-Factor vol. 1 #7 .-Morlocks:...
, also former New Mutants, were not targeted in the Younghunt, likely because of their affiliation with the Acolytes
Acolytes (comics)
The Acolytes is a team of comic book mutant supervillains in the Marvel Comics universe. The Acolytes followed the principles of the mutant Magneto, particularly the mutant right of superiority over normal humans. Some members of the Acolytes even worshipped him with a religious fervor and regarded...
and were under Magneto
Magneto (comics)
Magneto is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. He is the central villain of the X-Men comic, as well as the TV show and the films. The character first appears in X-Men #1 , and was created by writer Stan Lee and artist Jack Kirby...
's protection, far from Earth on Avalon
Providence (comics)
Providence is a fictional island featured in comic books published by Marvel Comics. Providence, located in the South Pacific Ocean, southwest of Hawaii at 20°N 165°W, is an artificial island made of parts from Cable’s old space station Graymalkin...
.
Depending on Tarot
Tarot (comics)
Tarot is a fictional character, a mutant in the Marvel Universe.-Publication history:Tarot first appeared in New Mutants vol...
's mysterious rebirth, which has not been fully explained, she may or may not have been alive and eligible for capture at the time of the Younghunt.
Discontinuity
As HuskHusk (comics)
Husk is a fictional character from Marvel Comics. Guthrie is a superhero associated with the X-Men.A mutant, Husk has the ability to remove one layer of skin - or "husk" - revealing an epidermis of a different composition beneath...
, Paige Guthrie has powers extremely different that she exhibited in this storyline (where she shapeshifts into a bird at one point). This is likely attributable to the writer not being fully informed of the character's concept. Husk came to prominence a few months later during the Phalanx Covenant
Phalanx Covenant
"The Phalanx Covenant" was a crossover storyline that ran through Marvel Comics' X-Men family of books in September and October 1994. One of its unique aspects was that the X-Men themselves only played a minor role in the story.- Plot :...
crossover and the formation of Generation X
Generation X (comics)
Generation X is a fictional comic book superhero team, a spin-off of the X-Men franchise published by Marvel Comics. Created by writer Scott Lobdell and artist Chris Bachalo, the team formed during the 1994 "Phalanx Covenant" storyline, and appeared in their own monthly series in September 1994...
.