Prism (comics)

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Publication information
Publisher Marvel Comics
First appearance X-Factor #10 (November 1986)
Created by Chris Claremont
Louise Simonson
In-story information
Alter ego Robbie
Species Human Mutant
Team affiliations Marauders
Abilities Crystalline body which enables him to absorb, reflect, and amplify beams of light and energy.

Prism (Robbie) is a fictional character, a supervillain in the Marvel Comics universe. He is a member of the Marauders.

Publication history[edit]

Prism first appeared in X-Factor vol. 1 #10 (November 1986), and was created by Chris Claremont and Louise Simonson.

The character subsequently appears in The Uncanny X-Men #240-241 (January-February 1989), #243 (April 1989), X-Man #13 (March 1996), Generation M #3 (March 2006), X-Men and Power Pack #4 (March 2006), X-Men: The 198 Files #1 (March 2006), X-Men #200-204 (August-December 2007), and X-Men: Messiah Complex #1 (December 2007).

Prism appeared as part of the "Marauders" entry in the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe Deluxe Edition #18.

Fictional character biography[edit]

As a member of the mercenary group, the Marauders, Prism has the ability to absorb, reflect, and amplify beams of light and other energy with his crystalline body. Prism first appeared as part of a "search and destroy" mini-team of Marauders, consisting of himself, Arclight, and Scrambler, that were sent to eliminate the members of X-Factor, who were leading an evacuation mission to help Morlocks escape the Marauders. After using his powers to reflect Cyclops's optic blast back at him, X-Factor member Jean Grey used her telekinetic powers to slam Prism against a nearby wall. Much to everyone's surprise, the move killed Prism as his body was ultimately too fragile to survive being slammed against the wall.[volume & issue needed]

Prism, along with those fellow Marauders that also did not survive the Mutant Massacre, was ultimately resurrected by Mr. Sinister using his cloning technology. However, Prism's lifespan was once again cut short when he was killed by a group of demonized police officers during the opening hours of the Inferno, during a rematch between the Marauders and the X-Men (who had not battled Prism before).[volume & issue needed]

Prism is a member of the 198 Mutants left after M-Day, where he was institutionalized in a mental hospital, where he rose to power and exacted revenge on those who harassed him and lost their powers.[volume & issue needed]

Alongside the other Marauders, Prism ambushed the X-Men at Mystique's residence, and participated in the ensuing battle. The Marauders quickly defeated the X-Men and kidnapped Rogue, returning to Mr. Sinister. It has also been revealed that Prism, with several of his teammates, assassinated the Dark Mother.[volume & issue needed]

Prism's body is found shattered by the X-Men when they arrive at an Alaskan town, trying to find the new mutant baby who has been born.[1] Prism had been killed in a clash with the Purifiers and was eaten by Predator X after the X-Men left.[2]

Powers and abilities[edit]

Able to refract most forms of energy directed at him, including ambient light. He is also capable of storing light within his body, using it as a form of illumination or as a means of blinding his opponents.

Death count[edit]

Prism has apparently died four times during his time as a Marauder. The first was when Jean Grey used her telekinetic powers to throw Prism against a wall, smashing him to pieces.[3] The second was during Inferno, where a group of policemen shot Prism and shattered him.[volume & issue needed] The third time was when X-Man used his mental powers to slaughter all of the Marauders.[volume & issue needed] His shattered body is found by the X-Men in an Alaskan town, where he and the Maurauders fought the Purifiers,[1] and it was revealed he was killed and eaten by Predator X.[volume & issue needed] It is unknown if Prism actually does die, or if he is able to piece his crystal body back together; Sinister regularly cloned members of the Marauders when they died, however, after M-Day it is unclear whether Sinister's samples of the Marauders survived and whether he can be cloned again.


  1. ^ a b X-Men: Messiah Complex #1
  2. ^ Uncanny X-Men #492
  3. ^ X-Factor Vol. 1 #10

External links[edit]