The Flight (comics)
Encyclopedia
The Flight was a Canadian
superhero
team in the Marvel Comics
universe. Their first (and, to date, only) appearance was in Alpha Flight Special vol. 2, #1 (1992).
The Flight was the designation for the Canadian superhero team first formed by Department H
. Also founded by James Hudson, this team was inexperienced and taught Hudson the need for a tier system in Department H's use of superhumans. Thus Alpha Flight
, Beta Flight
, and Gamma Flight
were created and developed.
, James MacDonald Hudson
refined the purpose of Department H
to find and/or develop Canada's superheroes. New recruit Groundhog
joins Snowbird
, St. Elmo
, Stitch
, Wolverine
(as Weapon X), and Smart Alec
in training. Within a week, the Flight is pressed into their first battle with Egghead
's Emissaries of Evil
. Egghead threatens the United States from Canadian soil with a nuclear missile. Smart Alec disables the missile's guidance system, but Egghead triggers the detonation sequence. Smart Alec panics, leading to St. Elmo transforming the missile and the bomb into light. St. Elmo succeeds, but loses himself in the process. Groundhog and Dr. Michael Twoyoungmen
blast Hudson for sending the team into battle while so inexperienced, with a near psychotic leader (Weapon X) and someone who folds under pressure. Hudson thus makes plans for a tier team system, while Groundhog leaves Department H.
?", the Flight members were in the middle of their training when Guy Desjardins (Weapon X) breaks free after the eponymous program left Desjardins at the hands of Department H.
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
superhero
Superhero
A superhero is a type of stock character, possessing "extraordinary or superhuman powers", dedicated to protecting the public. Since the debut of the prototypical superhero Superman in 1938, stories of superheroes — ranging from brief episodic adventures to continuing years-long sagas —...
team in the Marvel Comics
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...
universe. Their first (and, to date, only) appearance was in Alpha Flight Special vol. 2, #1 (1992).
The Flight was the designation for the Canadian superhero team first formed by Department H
Department H
Department H is a fictional organization in the Marvel Universe.-History:It is a branch of the Canadian Department of National Defence and is also responsible for the recruitment, provisioning, administration and deployment of Alpha Flight....
. Also founded by James Hudson, this team was inexperienced and taught Hudson the need for a tier system in Department H's use of superhumans. Thus Alpha Flight
Alpha Flight
Alpha Flight is a fictional superhero team published by Marvel Comics, noteworthy for being one of the few Canadian superhero teams. Created by John Byrne, the team first appeared in Uncanny X-Men #120 ....
, Beta Flight
Beta Flight
Beta Flight is a fictional superhero team owned by Marvel Comics that exists in that company's Marvel Universe. Along with Gamma Flight, Beta Flight is one of the "minor leagues" of the Canadian team Alpha Flight. Originally, Beta Flight was the intermediate level team. Members are more...
, and Gamma Flight
Gamma Flight
Gamma Flight is the name of two fictional Canadian teams of superheroes in the Marvel Comics Universe.-Flight tier level:They first appeared in Alpha Flight vol. 1, #1 ....
were created and developed.
Fictional team history
Inspired by the debut of the Fantastic FourFantastic Four
The Fantastic Four is a fictional superhero team appearing in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The group debuted in The Fantastic Four #1 , which helped to usher in a new level of realism in the medium...
, James MacDonald Hudson
Guardian (Marvel Comics)
Guardian , also known as Weapon Alpha and Vindicator, is a fictional character, a Canadian superhero in the who was the leader of Alpha Flight. He was created by John Byrne, and first appeared in Uncanny X-Men #109 which was co-plotted by Byrne and his long-time collaborator Chris Claremont...
refined the purpose of Department H
Department H
Department H is a fictional organization in the Marvel Universe.-History:It is a branch of the Canadian Department of National Defence and is also responsible for the recruitment, provisioning, administration and deployment of Alpha Flight....
to find and/or develop Canada's superheroes. New recruit Groundhog
Groundhog (comics)
Groundhog is a fictional superhero in the Marvel Comics Universe. His first appearance was in Alpha Flight Special #1.-Fictional character biography:...
joins Snowbird
Snowbird (comics)
Snowbird is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. She first appeared in Uncanny X-Men #120 , and was created by John Byrne.-Fictional character biography:...
, St. Elmo
Saint Elmo (comics)
Saint Elmo is a fictional character featured in the publications of Marvel Comics, notably Alpha Flight.-Fictional character biography:A member of the The Flight, the precursor to Alpha Flight, Elmo was killed in an early mission...
, Stitch
Stitch (comics)
Stitch is a fictional mutant character in the Marvel Comics Universe. Her first appearance was in Alpha Flight Special #1.-Fictional character biography:...
, Wolverine
Wolverine (comics)
Wolverine is a fictional character, a superhero that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. Born as James Howlett and commonly known as Logan, Wolverine is a mutant, possessing animal-keen senses, enhanced physical capabilities, three retracting bone claws on each hand and a healing...
(as Weapon X), and Smart Alec
Smart Alec (comics)
Smart Alec is a Marvel Comics supervillain, a mutant and member of Alpha Flight.-Publication history:Smart Alec first appeared in Alpha Flight #1 , and was created by John Byrne. He was unidentified in his first appearance, and was not named until Alpha Flight #8.The character subsequently appears...
in training. Within a week, the Flight is pressed into their first battle with Egghead
Egghead (comics)
Egghead is the name of two fictional Marvel Comics villains. The original first appeared in Tales to Astonish #38. He is also the arch-nemesis of super-hero Henry Pym. The second first appeared in Dark Reign: Young Avengers #1.-Elihas Starr:...
's Emissaries of Evil
Emissaries of Evil
The Emissaries of Evil is a name used by three different fictional team of supervillains in the Marvel Universe.-Under Electro:The first Emissaries of Evil was recruited by Electro in a plot of revenge against Daredevil for previous defeats. This group consisted of Gladiator, Stilt-Man, Leap-Frog,...
. Egghead threatens the United States from Canadian soil with a nuclear missile. Smart Alec disables the missile's guidance system, but Egghead triggers the detonation sequence. Smart Alec panics, leading to St. Elmo transforming the missile and the bomb into light. St. Elmo succeeds, but loses himself in the process. Groundhog and Dr. Michael Twoyoungmen
Shaman (comics)
Shaman is a fictional character, a superhero in the Marvel Comics universe and a member of Alpha Flight.-Fictional character biography:...
blast Hudson for sending the team into battle while so inexperienced, with a near psychotic leader (Weapon X) and someone who folds under pressure. Hudson thus makes plans for a tier team system, while Groundhog leaves Department H.
What If?
In an issue of What If? titled "What if... Wolverine had battled Weapon XWeapon X
Weapon X is a fictional clandestine government genetic research facility project in the Marvel Universe conducted by the Canadian Government's Department K, which turns willing and unwilling beings into living weapons. The project often captures mutants and experiments on them to enhance their...
?", the Flight members were in the middle of their training when Guy Desjardins (Weapon X) breaks free after the eponymous program left Desjardins at the hands of Department H.
External links
- The Flight at Marvel Wiki
- AlphaFlight.net Alphanex entry: The Flight