35 – QUICKSILVER

Subject: Quicksilver
Real Name: Pietro Maximoff
Height: 6′ Weight: 175 lbs.
Group Affiliation: X-Factor
First Appearance: Uncanny X-Men #4, March 1964

Power Ratings:

• Energy Projection: 1/7
• Mental Powers: 2/7
• Strength: 2/7
• Fighting Ability: 3/7
• Intelligence: 2/7

Quicksilver might have the coolest real name of any superhero; his dad sure has a way with names (I am still trying to convince my fiance to name our firstborn son “Erik Lensherr Hamilton Bautista”). Nonetheless, despite being mutant royalty, and being one of the first X-Men supporting characters introduced (as a villain!), Quicksilver spent most of his time since the 60′s as member of the Avengers with his sister Wanda (you know, the girl who spent the past 40 years being a damsel in distress only to cause one of the most devastating events in the Marvel universe).

By this point in the 90′s he was recruited as a member of the government-sanctioned X-Factor for some reason (if I recall correctly, he literally just wanted a change of pace… nobody recruited him or nothin’) and then proceeded to lay around being aloof; pretty impressive for a guy whose only power is super speed.

Speaking of which, Lee’s art for Quicksilver leans more towards power than speed, in a pose that might be more appropriate for, say, Juggernaut. But it could be worse; and Pietro is spared the indignity of having his hair done up Wolverine-style, as was prone to happen at the time.

His Power Ratings are as bland as can be, despite being able to run faster than the speed of sound. My kingdom for a Speed rating!