Shortpack
Encyclopedia
Shortpack is a fictional character
, a telepathic mutant
in the Marvel Comics
Universe
. His first appearance was in Mystique #3, created by Brian K. Vaughan
and Jorge Lucas
.
, he likely would have shrunk to a microscopic size. Unfortunately for him, he cannot control his power to grow and shrink further, and so he remains about 8 inches tall. Shortpack was recruited by Professor Charles Xavier to be a field handler for the clandestine operatives in his employ. Shortpack's first agent was Prudence Leighton
(Agent 16), who was seemingly killed by the arms dealer Steinbeck
.
The next agent to be assigned to him was the former mutant terrorist/freedom fighter, Mystique
, but when the two met in Cuba
for the first time, Shortpack did not know about her terrorist background. After handling Mystique on a few missions, Shortpack was contacted by the Quiet Man, who offered him a way to exact vengeance on Steinbeck for killing Prudence. He tried to get Fantomex
to kill Steinbeck for him, but was refused, though Fantomex brought him to what he thought was Steinbeck's lair. Instead, Shortpack found that his target was his benefactor — the Quiet Man was Prudence's mind in Steinbeck's body, and the exchange had driven her mad. S/he captured Shortpack and used him as bait for Mystique, who had replaced her. Shortpack was eventually rescued by Mystique and presumably still works for Xavier. It is unknown if Shortpack lost or retained his mutant powers after the M-Day
.
. Additionally, he is very small, about 8 inches tall.
Fictional character
A character is the representation of a person in a narrative work of art . Derived from the ancient Greek word kharaktêr , the earliest use in English, in this sense, dates from the Restoration, although it became widely used after its appearance in Tom Jones in 1749. From this, the sense of...
, a telepathic mutant
Mutant (Marvel Comics)
In comic books published by Marvel Comics, a mutant is an organism who possesses a genetic trait called an X-gene that allows the mutant to naturally develop superhuman powers and abilities...
in the Marvel Comics
Marvel Comics
Marvel Worldwide, Inc., commonly referred to as Marvel Comics and formerly Marvel Publishing, Inc. and Marvel Comics Group, is an American company that publishes comic books and related media...
Universe
Marvel Universe
The Marvel Universe is the shared fictional universe where most comic book titles and other media published by Marvel Entertainment take place, including those featuring Marvel's most familiar characters, such as Spider-Man, the Hulk, the X-Men, and the Avengers.The Marvel Universe is further...
. His first appearance was in Mystique #3, created by Brian K. Vaughan
Brian K. Vaughan
Brian Keller Vaughan is an American comic book and television writer. He is best known for the comic book series Y: The Last Man, Ex Machina, Runaways, and Pride of Baghdad, and was one of the principal writers of the television series Lost, during seasons three through five...
and Jorge Lucas
Jorge Lucas
Jorge Lucas is an Uruguayan/Argentinan comic book artist and penciller. He was born in Salto, Uruguay, where he lived till the age of 10, then moved to Argentina and acquired the Argentinan nationality.-Biography:...
.
Biography
Shortpack's mutation also came with a severe price: his body began shrinking at puberty. If not for the meditative exercises he learned from Professor XProfessor X
Professor Charles Francis Xavier, also known as Professor X, is a fictional character, a Marvel Comics superhero known as the leader and founder of the X-Men....
, he likely would have shrunk to a microscopic size. Unfortunately for him, he cannot control his power to grow and shrink further, and so he remains about 8 inches tall. Shortpack was recruited by Professor Charles Xavier to be a field handler for the clandestine operatives in his employ. Shortpack's first agent was Prudence Leighton
Prudence Leighton
Prudence Leighton is a fictional character, a mutant in the Marvel Comics Universe. Prudence, originally a female, was murdered by Steinbeck, a pyrokinetic mutant. She used her ability to possess his body, taking on the codename Agent 16, and also the Quiet Man...
(Agent 16), who was seemingly killed by the arms dealer Steinbeck
Prudence Leighton
Prudence Leighton is a fictional character, a mutant in the Marvel Comics Universe. Prudence, originally a female, was murdered by Steinbeck, a pyrokinetic mutant. She used her ability to possess his body, taking on the codename Agent 16, and also the Quiet Man...
.
The next agent to be assigned to him was the former mutant terrorist/freedom fighter, Mystique
Mystique (comics)
Mystique is a fictional character associated with the Marvel Comics' franchise X-Men. Originally created by artist David Cockrum and writer Chris Claremont, she first appeared in Ms...
, but when the two met in Cuba
Cuba
The Republic of Cuba is an island nation in the Caribbean. The nation of Cuba consists of the main island of Cuba, the Isla de la Juventud, and several archipelagos. Havana is the largest city in Cuba and the country's capital. Santiago de Cuba is the second largest city...
for the first time, Shortpack did not know about her terrorist background. After handling Mystique on a few missions, Shortpack was contacted by the Quiet Man, who offered him a way to exact vengeance on Steinbeck for killing Prudence. He tried to get Fantomex
Fantomex
Fantomex is a fictional superhero associated with the X-Men in titles published by Marvel Comics. Fantomex first appeared in New X-Men #128 and was created by Grant Morrison and Igor Kordey....
to kill Steinbeck for him, but was refused, though Fantomex brought him to what he thought was Steinbeck's lair. Instead, Shortpack found that his target was his benefactor — the Quiet Man was Prudence's mind in Steinbeck's body, and the exchange had driven her mad. S/he captured Shortpack and used him as bait for Mystique, who had replaced her. Shortpack was eventually rescued by Mystique and presumably still works for Xavier. It is unknown if Shortpack lost or retained his mutant powers after the M-Day
Decimation (comics)
Decimation is the late 2005 Marvel Comics storyline spinning off from the House of M limited series. It focuses on the ramifications of the Scarlet Witch stripping nearly all of the mutant population of their powers, thereby reducing a society of millions to one of scant hundreds.This event, which...
.
Powers and abilities
Shortpack possesses short-range telepathyTelepathy
Telepathy , is the induction of mental states from one mind to another. The term was coined in 1882 by the classical scholar Fredric W. H. Myers, a founder of the Society for Psychical Research, and has remained more popular than the more-correct expression thought-transference...
. Additionally, he is very small, about 8 inches tall.