Cannonball
(Profile #2 - X-Force era)
Context
Cannonball is a Marvel Comics heroic mutant. He appeared in 1982 to join the New Mutants, and this old-ish profile covers this early part of his career.
For context, we do recommend reading our New Mutant team profiles first.
This profile is part of a chronological series, which should be read in order and goes:
- Cannonball part 1 – New Mutants.
- Cannonball part 2 – X-Force.
- Cannonball part 3 – X-Men.
There are discrepancies in Cannonball’s abilities that can’t be accounted for. The mysterious is he/isn’t he immortal, for instance. This version doesn’t address that pending further clarification.
This is Sam while in X-Force, during the 1990s.
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Background
- Real Name: Samuel Zebulon Guthrie.
- Marital Status: Single.
- Known Relatives: Tom Guthrie (father), Lucinda (mother), Paige (aka Husk, sister), Josh, Jedediah, Lewis, Joelle (siblings – there are certainly other unnamed siblings).
- Group Affiliation: New Mutants, Hellfire Club Mercenaries.
- Base Of Operations: X-Mansion, New York State.
- Height: 6’3” Weight: 160 lbs Age: Very early 20s.
- Eyes: Blue-grey Hair: Blond
Powers and Abilities
His powers have not changed much. Although he now has much better control over his flight, allowing for tight maneuvers and efficient ramming tactics.
History
With the New Mutants, Guthrie had many adventures, including trips to the future and past, to alternate worlds, to Asgard , and into deep space. Guthrie quickly rose to the position of co-leader of the group. He was with the group up until they disbanded and became X-Force under the leadership of Cable.
As X-Force, the group continued to adventure. But they demonstrated considerable growth, both in character and ability. The group had “grown up”, and finally took the reins away from their adult leaders to strike out on their own.
Sam became the group’s leader in every way until he was “graduated” to the X-Men by Professor X.
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Description
Guthrie has beefed up since his teenager years, and his uniforms have evolved. The most typical of the period is the lavender jumpsuit pictured above, with WWI aviator goggles and headgear.
Personality
While he’s not as strong-willed and mature as the current Cannonball, his personality description pretty much matches the one given in the “current” writeup.
DC Universe History
See Kansas Jim’s “Secret history”.
Game Stats — DC Heroes RPG
Tell me more about the game stats
Cannonball
| Dex: 04 | Str: 03 | Bod: 04 | Motivation: Responsibility of Power |
| Int: 04 | Wil: 04 | Min: 06 | Occupation: Adventurer |
| Inf: 04 | Aur: 03 | Spi: 06 | Resources {or Wealth}: 004 |
| Init: 014 | HP: 040 |
Powers:
Flight: 08, Force Field: 11, (Invulnerability: 09), Projectile weapon: 10
Bonuses and Limitations:
- Projectile weapon usable only while Force Field is active (-1) and has No range (-1) (He must ram something for it to be affected).
- Force field only when using Flight (-1).
- Force Field is Always On in Flight (-0).
- Invulnerability is uncertain (it is possible but not demonstrated that Cannonball is an EXternal).
Skills:
Acrobatics*: 04, Martial artist*: 04, Medicine (First Aid): 04, Vehicles*: 04, Military Science (Cartography, Danger Recognition, Demolition, Field Command)*: 04
Advantages:
Familiarity (mining, science fiction , Immortality (only if he’s actually an EXternal).
Connections:
New Mutants (High), X-Men (Low), Lila Cheney (High).
Drawbacks:
Dependents (Guthrie brood), Mistrust (mutant), Secret Identity, SIA (Xavier’s Dream).
Helper(s): Angel, Hart, Sébastien & Jackson.
Source of Character: X-Force & X-Men comics, Marvel OHOTMU Entry, a little deductive reasoning.