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Alteror is a fictional Marvel Comics superhero. Created as a background hero designed to be encountered occassionally by mainstream Marvel characters and aid them in in various crime fighting pursuits. Alteror ultimately only appeared in one comic book, The Fantastic Four #54.

Fictional character biography
Alteror was born as Paul Stephenson in the winter of 1931, although a specific date was never given. While pregnant, his mother was struck by lightning, from which she recovered. As a child, Paul was struck by lightning again causing his parents to become overprotective. As Paul tried to distance himself from the protective cocoon of his family he developed a huge emotional gap, which eventually led to Paul fleeing the family home living on the streets. It was only during this time that he started to realize his special abilities.

Alteror was initially set upon by members of The Fantastic Four, most notably the Human Torch who was charged with the task of preventing the effects of a blizzard Alteror had cast upon the city. Despite the early hostility Alteror eventually allowed his conscience to get the better of him and used his powers to aid the fantastic four during subsequent engagements.

Powers and abilities
While living on the streets, Alteror came to realize that when he focused enough he was able to turn the weather conditions at will, albeit only in short bursts. Alteror initially only used his powers to meet his own ends, and though he disregarded the safety of others he never implicitly intended to harm anyone, unless he saw an opportunity to acquire sustenance or profit financially. His fear of lightning prevented him from dabbling regularly in the control of thunder, however on the few occassions he attempted to summon lightning he was successful but could never fully control the trajectory of the bolts leading his most famous action, the destruction of the Newfound Inter County bridge.

Reception
Alteror was greeted with a mixed reception from readers. To many he was simply a twist on X-Men character Storm and his abilities were disparaged as mundane and uninspired, while others claimed his powers were too global and not connected to his physical person. The authors apparently took the criticism under consideration and Alteror never appeared in the comic books again.