Cyclone

Background

Powers and Abilities

The Cyclone suit appears to work much the same as earlier versions. Thus, it allows Fresson to generate high velocity winds, which he can manipulate with skill. This control over air is used to fly, attack targets with powerful blasts of air, and destroy small buildings.

Fresson appears highly competent at flying in the suit. He rarely fights on the ground, always dodging around so that only the most agile of opponents has a chance of laying a hand on him.

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History

Following the death of the original Cyclone, designs of his suit fell into the hands of a European branch of the Maggia. They duplicated it and gave it to their operative Pierre Fresson.

(According to official sources Fresson went rogue, abandoning his previous employers, but I can’t locate primary reference. And since he’s seen representing them during a meeting in Avengers, it doesn’t seem to be supported by fact.)

He was recruited by the Crimson Cowl (Justine Hammer) into her incarnation of the Masters of Evil. Their activities soon brought them into repeated conflict with the Thunderbolts in New York, from whom they always escaped.

Thunderbolts

When the Thunderbolts were revealed as disguised villains, the Cowl tracked them down when they were near the Colorado base the Masters had set up in. She dispatched Cyclone to attack the Thunderbolts and draw them into a trap, where she offered them a place in her team.

They nearly agreed, until the Cowl pushed too hard, at which they rebelled and attacked.

The Thunderbolts continued harassing the Masters. For instance they interfered with the test of weather controlling technology Cowl had organized over a small town. For the main plan, the Cowl recruited more super-villains, expanding the Masters’ roster to 25 members.

The Thunderbolts, now led by Hawkeye, found them as the worldwide blackmail plan was in progress. The inevitable battle ensued. Despite their greater numbers, the Masters were less organized, and the battle moved in favour of the Thunderbolts.

The Cowl had departed by this point, with the means of controlling the plan, although she was stopped by Moonstone. Cyclone, seeing no benefit in the continuing battle, fled.

Maggia

Representing his employers in the European Maggia, he attended a meeting of American families of the organization. He fled when it was raided by the Avengers. He was soon after part of a group, also working for the Maggia, which looted Baron Zemo’s abandoned South American hideout.

Their operation was interrupted by the Thunderbolts and the Black Widow. But Cyclone again managed to escape.

The Crimson Cowl’s inheritance

He recruited into the Cowl’s newer Masters of Evil following the death of her father. The Masters’ job was to capture Plantman. The Cowl needed him to activate some mystery weapon she’d inherited. Plantman was at the time travelling with Hawkeye and Songbird, who were investigating the weapon for S.H.I.E.L.D..

Their battle with the short-staffed Thunderbolts was cut short when Hawkeye revealed what the mystery weapon was. It was a biotoxin Hammer had had all powered operatives he’d employed (and others besides, including the Masters) dosed with. It would make them susceptible to control by spores Plantman would enable someone to use.

The revelation convinced the Masters to abandon Cowl, and Hawkeye offered them the opportunity to help stop her. All accepted apart from Cyclone, who tried to run for it, but Hawkeye browbeat him into joining.

On Hawkeye’s side, reluctantly

Most of them adopted new names and costumes, to obscure their identities from the Cowl (okay this part doesn’t entirely make sense).Plantman became Blackheath, Gypsy Moth became Skein, Man-Killer became Amazon, Cardinal became Harrier. Cyclone didn’t bother changing his identity.

They tracked her to Symkaria, where they learned her true identity. However, Hammer had another group of Masters waiting for them. They were briefly captured, and Justine experimented on Blackheath. But before she could force him to unleash the spores she needed, the team freed themselves, quickly taking down the Masters and the Cowl.

The Masters’ defeated, they then had to keep Blackheath out of SHIELD hands, long enough for him to recover and neutralize the toxin.

They were immediately contacted by the V Battalion, based in Symkaria. They needed assistance with the Vanguard, their base ship, created from technology reverse-engineered from recovered alien tech. It had begun imploding in a way which could eventually threaten the entire planet. Hawkeye asked for the others to help him deal with the problem, and all but Cyclone agreed.

When he tried to leave, though, Hawkeye caught him and handed him over to SHIELD custody.

Personality

Arrogant and mocking, Cyclone will joyfully insult foes in combat to get them acting impulsively. All the while he dodges playfully away from them to further rile them.

He seems happy in a flunky role, but is primarily a mercenary. If events seem to be turning against his team, he’ll happily leave them to their fate.

Quotes

“Ah ! You are a big one, c‘est vrai — but très clumsy, n’est-ce-pas ?”

“Bonjour, mes amis ! You mus’ remember me, I am sure ! I am Cyclone, of ze Masters of Evil — and I ’ope I am not intruding, but I jus’ had to drop by wiz zis ’ousewarming message ! You stink, Thunderbolts ! First, you are ze oh-so-bold criminals who pose as heroes, but destroy your own master plan — and zen you think you can fool ze world into thinking you are ’eroes a second time ! But zat is not ze worst of it, no ! Ze worst is zat you are dumb, you are ugly and you ’ave body odor zat could kill ze unwary !”

“Missed, Avenger ! Would it help if I tattooed my derrière with the broad side of a barn ?”

By Gareth Lewis.

Source of Character: Marvel Comics.

Helper(s): Marvel.com , Sébastien Andrivet, Chris Cottingham, Eric Langendorff.

Writeup completed on the 9^th of July, 2010.