Who the Clix? Gorgon (Mutant)
Who the Clix? is a series of articles featuring information on comic book characters that have been made into figures for the popular tabletop game Heroclix. These articles are meant to help Heroclix players learn more about the characters behind their favorite pieces.
For the full Who The Clix? archive, click here. If you think these articles are worth more than $0, click here.
Appearances in Heroclix: X of Swords, Captain America
First Appearance: Wolverine vol. 3 #20 (2004)
Team Affiliations: Hydra, Hand, H.A.M.M.E.R., Dark Avengers
Powers/Abilities: Ability to turn humans to stone by making eye contact with them; Superhuman strength, speed, agility, dexterity, reflexes/reactions, coordination, balance, and endurance; Regenerative healing factor; Telepathy; Hand Mysticism; Teleportation device; Genius level intellect in multiple areas; Extraordinary hand to hand combatant; Expert swordsman
Created by: Mark Millar and John Romita Jr.
Artwork and character is copyright/trademark Marvel; used under Fair Use
Tomi Shishido is special from the day he is born. He speaks for the first time at two weeks of age, walks at three months and is able to read and write by his first birthday. He continues to excel and is one of the top painters in Japan by age four. He composes his first opera at age six. Tragically, this is also the age when he attempts suicide for the second time.
At age thirteen, Shishido formulates a mathematical formula that proves the existence of One Above All. This is also when his mutant abilities manifest fully, allowing him to transform people into stone with a glance. The media give him the moniker of “The Gorgon” after the Gorgons of Greek mythology. He soon forms a mutant death-cult named the Dawn of the White Light, leading a series of terrorist attacks through Japan. At age 18, he kills his entire family and only friend before seeking out the Hand, believing these murders will prove he is worth of joining the ancient group.
He eventually finds the Hand sanctuary and murders all of its guards while blindfolded. He makes his way inside and pledges his allegiance to the current Jonin. The Jonin questions Gorgon's dedication and in response, the young man impales himself with his own sword. As he feels his life leaving him, he simply tells his would be master to resurrect him. This is enough to impress the Jonin and thus Gorgon is resurrected as a member of the Hand.
Gorgon later begins a relationship with Elsbeth Von Strucker that seeks to unite the Hand and Hydra into one organization. He is tasked with capturing Wolverine and does so, brainwashing the mutant hero into a Hand agent. Wolverine is used to steal technology from the Baxter Building and murder several heroes that are resurrected as Hand agents. This rampage is only stopped when Wolverine returns to the X-Mansion and is captured and deprogrammed by Nick Fury.
The Gorgon and Wolverine meet again when the Gorgon attempts to assassinate Nick Fury in retaliation for the murder of Elsbeth Von Strucker. The two battle to a stand still, inflicting horrible wounds on one another until Gorgon is forced to remove his blindfold and attempt to turn Wolverine to stone. The hero is too smart for this, however, and uses his claws to reflect the stare and force the villain to turn himself to stone. Wolverine then shatters Gorgon, attempting to bring an end to the villain's reign of terror.
Later, Hydra collects the fragments of Gorgon's body and has the hand resurrect him. Kraken then gives him the sword Godkiller. Gorgon battles Phobos and the sword is destroyed during their fight. He then uses the fragment to kill Phobos before taking the boy god's sword Grasscutter.
Gorgon joins HAMMER and becomes Wolverine in the second Dark Avengers team. Gorgon and Madame Hydra agree that if Norman becomes too unbalanced, they will kill him. They are ultimately defeated when Skaar reveals his double agent status and summons the Avengers.
Later, Gorgon leads the Hand in causing a full scale riot on Madripoor while a ritual is held in their temple on the same island. Shang-Chi attempts to stop the ritual but is too late as the island rises on the head of a massive dragon. Gorgon and Shang-Chi fight before Gorgon is able to best the hero and throw him from the flying dragon. Gorgon and the Dragon then attack the Circle the flying city headquarters of China's S.P.E.A.R. Agency. Their superhuman response team is able to repel the attack but it soon becomes apparent they merely diverted it to Shanghai. As the battle rages in Shanghai, Shang-Chi arrives and uses Pym Particles to grow to the size of the dragon. Shang-Chi then defeats the dragon in combat and rips the Hand temple from its head, throwing it miles away.
Gorgon is part of the Hydra High Council formed after Kobik rewrites history to make Steve Rogers a Hydra sleeper agent. He does battle with Hercules in Madripoor during this time but is ultimately defeated.
Gorgon later takes control of the Hand's Regenix operations and has the Scarlet Samurai as an ally. The two do battle against Old Man Logan and the Silver Samurai. Gorgon is able to escape but Silver Samurai uses nanites to break the mental conditioning of Scarlet Samurai and frees his half-sister, Mariko Yashida, from the Hand's control.
After the formation of Krakoa, Gorgon is invited to join the Quiet Council as long as he is able to let go of any past grudges against fellow mutants. Gorgon accepts and later shares a beer with Wolverine, perhaps his greatest foe.
Recommended Reading: