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Mimic (Calvin Rankin)

 

Universe
Marvel Universe

Real Name
Calvin Montgomery Rankin

Aliases
Cal, Wolverine

Identity
Secret

Occupation
hero, adventurer, former professional criminal, terrorist, field operative, scientist, student

Citizenship
U.S.A.

Place of Birth
Passiac, New Jersey

Known Relatives
Ronald Rankin (father, deceased)

Group Affiliation
X-Men; formerly Brotherhood Of Mutants, Excalibur, former agent of Onslaught and Sledge

Education
College Graduate

Height
6'2" (Variable)

Weight
225 lbs. (Variable)

Eyes
Brown (Variable)

Hair
Brown (Variable)

Powers
Calvin Rankin has the ability to copy the powers, abilities, attributes, IQ, talents, fighting skills, and characteristics of anyone around him. Along with all those other things he can copy their physical appearance such as their skin color, bone structure, hair style and color, bone composition, voice, eye color, and other physical traits of those he mimics. When Calvin copies the abilities or powers of others he doesn't copy a persons flaws (Ex. When Cyclops was young he received a bump on the head which allowed him to not control his powers. However Calvin can control Cyclops' optic blasts). He has permanently retained the powers of Iceman, Cyclops, Jean Grey, Professor X, Beast, and Angel. The number of powers or people he can mimic are unknown or if he can keep the powers he copies indefinitely. He has been shown to be able to copy the abilities of over 10 people at once. Calvin has copied the powers of Banshee, Douglock, Wolverine, Marrow, Gambit, Rogue, Storm, Colossus, Nightcrawler, Shadowcat, Captain Britain, Feron, Meggan, Kylun, Micromax, Captain U.K., Marvel Girl (Rachel Summers), Wolfsbane, Peter Wisdom, Psylocke, Machine Man, Risque, Siryn, Warpath, Sunspot, Cable, Caliban, Domino, Boom-Boom, Rictor, Cannonball, Shatterstar, Post, Blob, Mystique, Toad, Sledge, Onslaught, Cerebro, Sentinels, Cerebrite Alpha, Cerebrite Beta, Cerebro Prime, Cerebrite, Nina, Jester, Knave of Hearts, Red Queen, Tweedledope, Various Members of the Crazy Gang, Hulk, Valerie Cooper, Thunderbolts, Moira MacTaggert, Cloak, Dagger, Emma Frost, Weapon Omega (Michael Pointer), Namor, Norman Osborn, Daken, Dark Beast, Meld, Lorelei Travis, Avalanche, Match, Adam X, Hellion, Ares, Captain Marvel (Noh-Varr), Hawkeye (Lester), Ms. Marvel (Karla Sofen), Sentry, Spider-Man (Mac Gargan), Simon Trask's "Bio-Sentinels", X-23, Mindee, Magik, Ink, Cipher, Mercury, Dust, Anole, Graymalkin, Surge, Prodigy, Trance, Onyxx, Bling!, Unidentified Mutant prisoners and criminals, and many more.

Weapons
While working with the original X-Men, Calvin had access to a variety of scientific weapons. Calvin likewise had access to advanced weaponry while working with the Brotherhood, Sledge, and Onslaught. Currently, Calvin has access to a wide variety of weapons and devices provided by H.A.M.M.E.R., Norman Osborn, and the Government.

Paraphernalia
Calvin's original costume was of his own design and creation. This costume was mostly orange with a red belt, two red wrist and ankle bands, and a red "M" on his chest. This costume also had a ruby quartz visor, much like that of Cyclops. This costume allowed Calvin's body to naturally mutate and form wings, larger muscles, large hands and feet, and anything else that Calvin could possibly mimic. While working with the X-Men, Calvin had access to all of their equipment including transportation, living arrangements, computers, and Cerebro. After being healed by Wolverine's healing factor, Calvin took to normal street clothes that would more often then not rip and tear when Calvin started to morph and adapt to the powers of those nearby. While working with the Brotherhood Of Mutants, Sledge, and Onslaught, Calvin donned a very simplistic suit that was very open and easily allowed Calvin's body to morph, mimic, and adapt to those around him. Calvin had access to Excalibur equipment and their headquarters while he was with them. Calvin's most recent costume, provided by Norman Osborn, the Government, and H.A.M.M.E.R., is constructed to look like a previous costume of the Angel. This costume's color scheme contains blue and whites. A huge white "M" is centered on his chest and goes down to his boots. Like most of his teammates, Calvin's costume has the traditional red "X-Symbol" on his belt. Calvin's costume also has two blue wrist bands that goes from slightly above his elbow to his wrist, one on each arm with a white "M" on them. This costume is similar to the ones created by Reed Richards using unstable molecules and allows for the costume to contour and adhere to Calvin's body. This allows Calvin's body to naturally mutate, morph, mimic, and adapt to the powers, appearance, and abilities of those he copies. Calvin currently has access to H.A.M.M.E.R. resources including transportation, computers, technology, labs, weapons, communications, information, and a array of other valuable resources. Calvin can access anything that is available to him at their base on Alcatraz Island. Calvin also has access to X-Men, Oscorp, Avengers, Government, and other resources that are at Osborn's and the Governments disposal.

First Appearance
Uncanny X-Men #19

Origin
Uncanny X-Men #19, Marvel Comics Present #59-60

Significant Issues
Uncanny X-Men #19, Marvel Comics Present #59-60, Excalibur #122-125, X-51 #1-2 & 6, X-Men #83-84 & 99, Hulk #161, Uncanny X-Men #363-364 & 379, X-Force #46 & 52, Thunderbolts #103

Calvin Rankin was raised by his father Ronald Rankin, who was experimenting with genetics. Once when Calvin was left alone and caused a lab accident which gave him his copying powers. His father, afraid that others would despise him went into hiding with Calvin in a cave, where his father was building a machine that would take away his powers. The villagers found this out and attacked the Rankins' causing a cave-in, killing Ronald.

Years later while in college Calvin met Hank McCoy and Bobby Drake. He realized after using their powers that they were Iceman and Beast of the X-Men. He then later was in a shop were Jean Grey was. He developed telekinetic powers and realized that she was Marvel Girl. He then proceeded to follow her back to the Mansion, where he introduced himself and asked to join the X-Men. After revealing his plan to them they tussled until Calvin was able to capture Jean and hold her hostage. Calvin then took her to the cave where his father had died and planned on using the machine his father created to make the powers he copies permanent. Not realizing that it would instead take away his powers he used the machine and became powerless. Xavier then removed his memories of the X-men and Calvin returned to college.

Later during a lab accident in college he regained his powers and memory of the X-Men. Seeking revenge he demanded that he become a member of X-Men. Xavier reluctantly accepted and made Calvin the deputy leader. During the next several missions Calvin faced off against Banshee, Ogre and the Factor Three. After that Calvin was offended by Cyclops and attacked him. Xavier finally fed up with Calvin's attitude kicked him off of the team. Calvin left the mansion later to find the Super-Adaptoid attacking the X-Men. Hoping to become even more powerful Calvin offered to join the Adaptoid in his plan to conquer the earth. But upon learning he would become a mindless pawn, he changed his mind and attacked the Adaptoid, losing his powers in the process.

Calvin then returned to school until his powers started to return. This time however his powers where drawing the life force of those around him. Frightened he fled to Canada were his girlfriend, Vera Cantor asked Hank McCoy to help him in finding a cure. Unfortunately the Hulk felt Calvin's power and sought to destroy the source. As the Hulk grew closer Calvin started to absorb the radiation which gave the Hulk his strength. While the Hulk and Beast fought Calvin absorbed too much radiation and died of poisoning. Calvin was then buried in an undisclosed location.

Years later somehow Calvin absorbed the healing factor and powers of Wolverine and was brought back to life, believing himself to be Wolverine. He again encountered the Hulk and later learned that his father was connected to Weapon X. Calvin then regained his memories and the real Wolverine arranged for Calvin to spend some time in Japan to help learn to control his powers.

Years later in Siberia, X-Force found him and tried to calm him down after they crashed into a station nearby. Sometime later Mimic formed an alliance with Onslaught, who upgraded his powers in exchange for his services. He also allied himself with a man known as Sledge who also upgraded his powers.

Sometime later Excalibur was searching for Xavier after the Operation: Zero Tolerance fiasco and instead found Mimic being held hostage by rogue Sentinels. Confused he attacked the members of Excalibur and ultimately lost. They then took him to their headquarters where he recuperated and attended the wedding of Captain Britain and Meggan.

Weeks later he for some unknown reason joined the new Brotherhood Of Mutants and helped the X-Men defeat Cerebro. He then continued to work with the Brotherhood when they tried to capture X-51 a.k.a. Machine Man. They failed and Calvin was captured. Later while being held prisoner Valerie Cooper came and consoled him and offered him a way out of prison, which he took. He was then alongside the Brotherhood affected by a beam sent down by the High Evolutionary in order to de-power all of Earths mutants. The beam caused Calvin to lose his powers momentarily, but he quickly regained them moments after the beam was reversed.

Later Calvin spent an unknown amount of time on Muir Island with Dr. Moira MacTaggert in hopes of finding peace. It was here that Moira figured out that Calvin had Bipolar Disorder. Under her care Calvin began to take mood stabilizers and anti-anxiety medication.

Calvin was seen as a captive of the Thunderbolts after recent developments as a captive alongside hundreds of other criminals in the Folding Castle Detention Quadrant. It is unknown if Calvin joined the Thunderbolts or if was simply held by them as a prisoner.

After the Secret Invasion by the Skrulls Calvin was in some sort of unidentified incident in which he came into contact with Norman Osborn. During this encounter Norman recruited Calvin into the newest government sponsored incarnation of the X-Men lead by Emma Frost. During an incident in San Francisco, Calvin and his X-Men were called out to quell a riot instigated by the mutants Hellion, Meld, Lorelei Travis, Avalanche, Match, Adam X, and Sunspot. After dispersing the mutant rioters Emma's team of X-Men returned to Alcatraz Island, the west coast headquarters of H.A.M.M.E.R., where Mimic and his fellow X-Men were confronted by Norman Osborn's Avengers. After a small skirmish between Daken and Hawkeye the two teams calmed their more volatile members down. Mimic even threatened Hawkeye with a shiv made out of ice. The two teams then went their respective ways until Simon Trask activated his new "Bio-Sentinels" out of his followers at St. Francis Hospital. These Sentinels caused mayhem and panic in downtown San Francisco until Emma's X-Men were called onto the scene. After engaging these Sentinels, Calvin tried to reason with one of the robots but was reprimanded by fellow teammate Weapon Omega. Swiftly taking care of the Sentinels, Calvin and his team apprehended Trask. Calvin and his team continued to patrol the streets and arrest criminals and unruly mutants. Having been celebrated as heroes by the public, Calvin and his X-Men then responded to a distress call on Alcatraz as X-Force and other X-Men freed the tortured mutant prisoners including Beast. As they arrived on the scene Daken confronted his father, but was put down by Emma Frost. Confused by this Calvin tried to talk with Emma, but was knocked out by Namor who slammed Calvin into a wall. Emma, Namor, Cloak, Dagger, and X-Force left Alcatraz via a stepping stone created by Magik. Recovering, Calvin and his teammates Dark Beast, Weapon Omega, Daken, and Osborn's Avengers prepared for an all out battle against Cyclops's X-Men and the remaining mutants of San Francisco. Calvin and his teammates then assaulted the newly created island of Utopia to attack and apprehend the X-Men. Calvin confronted former teammate Iceman who quickly grounded Calvin. Seeing their opportunity the Young X-Men and other young mutants pounced on Mimic, overpowering him. Calvin managed to overpower and escape alongside his teammates. After recovering, Calvin attended a huge news conference set up by Osborn. During the conference Osborn demonized Cyclops and his newly constructed island of Utopia. Osborn also congratulated and praised the efforts of his X-Men, Calvin among them.

Calvin is still a member of Osborn's X-Men, but their status as of this moment is unknown.
 
 
 
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