Stinger
(Wendy Sherman)
Context
Stinger (W. Sherman) is a minor mutant criminal in the Marvel Universe.
She primarily appeared in a 1986 X-Factor story, working for Apocalypse.
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Background
- Real Name: Wendy Sherman.
- Known Relatives: Two infant children.
- Group Affiliation: Former member of the Alliance of Evil. Briefly drafted as a X-Man.
- Base Of Operations: Los Angeles, later on Utopia, later on unrevealed.
- Height: 5’4” (1.62m). Weight: 110 lbs. (50 Kg.).
- Eyes: Blue, later pale yellow. Hair: White and pink (1980s), white (2010s), pale pink (2020).
Powers and Abilities
Stinger can generate bolts of lightning from her hands, “stinging” opponents by electrocuting them.
She’s the only Alliance of Evil member with a ranged attack. Unless you count the occasional car-throwing from the superstrong members.
1980s appearance.
History
In 1986, Stinger was one of the mutants serving Apocalypse (En Sabah Nur) against X-Factor as the Alliance of Evil.
All the other members of the Alliance seemed to be experienced mercenaries. By contrast, Stinger likely started her career as mutant muscle for hire by joining the Alliance.
Post-Apocalypse
She was still with the team during the Inferno. Acting more irrational and aggressive than normal, they rioted as a protest against the 1988 Mutant Registration Act.
After losing a brawl against X-Factor and the future X-Terminators, they were arrested by Mystique and her Freedom Force.
In 1991, along with Tower and Frenzy (Timeshadow had left), Stinger worked for AIM. They helped Harness and Piecemeal recreate Proteus. But they were defeated by X-Force.
Stinger reportedly served a lengthy prison sentence after that incident.
Early 2010s
By 2010, Sherman was one of the mutants who received sanctuary on the Utopia island, in San Francisco Bay. She had survived years of crises, massacres, etc. against the mutant population, and had retained her powers despite the Decimation.
However, her nerves were shot, anxiety was grinding her down, and she felt socially isolated.
Stinger asked Iceman (Bobby Drake) to calm her fears, but he handled it *terribly*. Freaking out, Sherman briefly took Dr. Kavita Rao hostage. But this time Drake handled her call for help much better. Sherman and Drake started occasionally hanging out to help assuage her fears.
Months later, the final assault she had been fearing so much did come. An army of Nimrod Sentinels from the future attacked, and Stinger was among the mutant fighters opposing them.
A strike force sent into the future did stop the killer robots from coming in, and Stinger was among the survivors when the brutal battle ended.
Reversion to type ?
In 2016, Stinger was glimpsed at Scrambler’s house, among a number of predominantly mutant criminals. These were dispersed by Gambit (Remy LeBeau).
This may mean that Sherman returned to a life of crime for a time. Or it may not.
Enjoy the silence
By 2020, she was living with Omerta (Paul Provenzano) in what may have been a suburban area in upstate New York. They had an infant. But as they were discussing whether to move to the Krakoa mutant state, their baby was abducted.
Cable (Nathan Summers), Cable (Nathan Summers) and other Krakoan security operatives eventually determined that Stryfe (Nathan Summers) had kidnapped Stinger (Nathan Summ… no, wait)’s baby and several others. As part of his complex plan, he also cloned each infant once.
Stryfe was slain by a mutant strike force. When the infants were processed, Sherman and Provenzano decided to take the clone in as well as their baby. At this point, they were still living in the US.
Description
The main illustration is her 1986 look, which was quite 1980s indeed. So much MTV.
During the 2010s, she had a more modern Californian look. She was still partial to orange and yellow hues, and usually had a small crop top and a little skirt. Plus a nice pair of chucks.
In 2020, her irises had become pale yellow, and seemed to slightly glow. Since she complained that she couldn’t pass for human, it might be a continuing side effect of her mutation.
Personality
Stinger is a strung-out, spacey Valley girl.
In 1986, she was feverishly addicted to Michael Nowlan’s power. This may point to a previous history of substance addiction.
She’s attracted toward good-looking guys such as the Angel, even in the middle of a fight.
She seemed loyal toward Frenzy.
2010s
In 2010, Stinger was frightened by everything her species had been through. This anxiety made her a sucker for alarmist rumours about Human raids. She thus clung to Iceman, a long-time mutant hero who survived innumerable threats, to have a less fearful life.
The 1980s mannerisms were gone, and she seemed nice enough. Needy, but no longer junkie-like.
One gets the impression that she has an anxiety condition, exacerbated by anti-mutant prejudice. This may have left her chasing parties and narcotics to seek relief, and falling in with increasingly bad crowds.
2010 appearance.
Quotes (1986)
“Without [Nowlan’s] power, the withdrawal will begin soon ! That’s a big-time drag I can’t handle again !”
“Oh — Tower ! You didn’t have to hurt ’im ! You can be such a total zero sometimes.”
“Boy — this ice guy is a humongous downer.”
“So, like, what’re you doing slumming with these losers, Beastie Boy ?”
(Obeying an order from Frenzy) “Gotcha, boss-lady !” (ZZAAKK !)
DC Heroes RPG
Tell me more about the game stats
Stinger
| Dex: 03 | Str: 02 | Bod: 03 |
| Int: 03 | Wil: 02 | Min: 03 |
| Inf: 03 | Aur: 02 | Spi: 03 |
| Init: 009 | HP: 015 |
Powers:
Lightning: 06
Skills:
Accuracy (Lightning): 05
Advantages:
None demonstrated.
Connections:
Shady mutant types (Low).
Drawbacks:
MIA toward Anxiety, Mistrust (Mutant).
Motivation:
Mercenary.
Occupation:
Mercenary.
Wealth:
004
Nowlanhanced
When receiving a boost from Michael Nowlan’s power-enhancing mutant ability, Stinger had her Lighting Power reach 10 APs.
Design notes
There ain’t, like, much material. So good chunks of the stats are stock ones.
2020 appearance.
DC Adventures RPG
Tell me more about the game stats
Stinger (Wendy Sherman) — Averaged PL3.4
| STR | STA | AGL | DEX |
|---|---|---|---|
| 00 | 01 | 00 | 01 |
| FGT | INT | AWE | PRE |
| 01 | 00 | 00 | 00 |
Powers:
Lightning ● 11 points ● Descriptor: Electricity
Ranged electrical Damage 5 (Accurate 1)
Combat Advantages:
Close attack 2, Defensive Roll 1, Ranged attack 1.
Other Advantages:
None demonstrated.
Skills:
Athletics 1 (+1), Expertise (Shady mutant Californian scenes) 4 (+4), Perception 2 (+2), Ranged combat (Lightning) 3 (+7)
Offence:
| Initiative +0 |
| Unarmed +3, Close, Damage 0 |
| Lightning +7, Ranged, Damage 5 |
Defence:
| Dodge | 04 |
| Fortitude | 03 |
| Parry | 02 |
| Toughness | 01*/02 |
| Will | 02 |
* Without Defensive Roll.
Complications:
- Hated and feared Stinger is a mutant criminal.
- Fear and loathing in LA Stinger seems to have chronic anxiety issues. She also was previously addicted to Michael Nowlan’s power, and may have been through other narcotics issues.
Powers Levels:
- Trade-off areas. Attack/Effect PL 6, Dodge/Toughness PL 3, Parry/Toughness PL 2, Fort/Will PL 3.
- Points total 35. Abilities 6, Defences 9, Skills 5, Powers 11, Devices 0, Advantages 4. Equiv. PL 3.
Notes
When Stinger was buffed by Mike Nowlan, she had four more Ranks of Ranged Damage.
Source of Character: Marvel Universe.
Helper(s): Gareth Lewis.