Prism (character)

Prism (Robbie) is a fictional supervillain appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. He is a member of the Marauders.

Publication history
Prism first appeared in X-Factor 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 (vol. 2) #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
Prism is a member of the mercenary group, the Marauders, who is able to use his crystalline body to absorb, reflect, and even amplify any beams of light and other energy. Prism was part of a squad of Marauders, along with Arclight and Scrambler, who were sent to kill the members of X-Factor as they lead a mission to an evacuate the Morlocks and help them escape the Marauders. Prism used his powers to reflect the optic blast of Cyclops back at him, and X-Factor member Jean Grey slammed Prism against a wall using her telekinetic powers. This move killed Prism as his body was too fragile to survive the attack, which surprised everyone present.

Mr. Sinister used his cloning technology to bring back Prism and his fellow Marauders which were killed during the Mutant Massacre. Prism was killed again again by a group of demon-influenced police officers in the opening hours of the Inferno, while the Marauders fought the X-Men (who had not battled Prism before).

Prism appears as one of the remaining 198 Mutants after M-Day, and became institutionalized in a mental hospital, and he was able to rise to power and exact revenge on anyone who harassed him and then lost their powers.

Prism and the other Marauders ambushed the X-Men who were at Mystique's residence, and Prism participated in the ensuing battle. The Marauders were able to quickly defeat the X-Men and kidnap Rogue to bring her to Mr. Sinister. It was also revealed that Prism and several of his teammates were responsible for assassinating the Dark Mother.

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. Prism had been killed in a clash with the Purifiers and was eaten by Predator X after the X-Men left.

Prism's clone was later tracked down and killed by Magneto. Magneto reprogrammed the cloned Marauders to serve under his command, and when they were reborn, Prism and the other mercenaries joined Magneto's side.

Powers and abilities
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
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. The second was during Inferno, where a group of policemen shot Prism and shattered him. The third time was when X-Man used his mental powers to slaughter all of the Marauders. His shattered body is found by the X-Men in an Alaskan town, where he and the Marauders fought the Purifiers, and it was revealed he was killed and eaten by Predator X. 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.