| John Greycrow | |
|---|---|
| Publication information | |
| Publisher | Marvel Comics |
| First appearance | The Uncanny X-Men #210 (October 1986) (shadow) The Uncanny X-Men #210 (November 1986) (full appearance) |
| Created by | Chris Claremont John Romita Jr. |
| In-story information | |
| Species | Human Mutant |
| Team affiliations | Hellions (Dawn of X) Marauders United States Army |
| Notable aliases | Scalphunter John Riverwind Greycrow |
| Abilities |
|
John Greycrow is a fictional mutant character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Originally known as the villain Scalphunter, the character first appeared in The Uncanny X-Men #210, and was created by Chris Claremont, John Romita Jr. and Dan Green. Greycrow has the ability to manipulate mechanical constructs into any form he desires, as well as superhuman regeneration.
The character was a longtime member of the supervillain group, the Marauders, but joined a superhero team, the Hellions, during the Krakoan Age of X-Men comics.
John Greycrow's first appearance was in The Uncanny X-Men #210, during the Mutant Massacre event, as Scalphunter. The character was created by Chris Claremont, John Romita Jr. and Dan Green. Greycrow also appeared in the "Inferno" storyline and X-Man (vol. 1), dying in both instances.
Greycrow's origins were detailed in Weapon X (vol. 2). He also appeared in Civil War: X-Men , Magneto (vol. 3), and the X-Men: Messiah Complex , X-Men: Divided We Stand , Utopia , [1] and Age of X storylines.
Greycrow resurfaced during the Krakoan Age, joining the Hellions, appearing in the 18 issue series, as well as appearing in other books of the era. The name Scalphunter was dropped during the Krakoan Age due to its racist ties, being discontinued in Hellions #2 (July, 2020) [2] [3] [4] [5] [6]
His first appearance was reprinted as True Believers: X-Men: Greycrow. [6]
Greycrow was a major character in the 2024-2025 Psylocke series, appearing in 9 of the 10 issues, including the Blood Hunt debut issue. [7] [8]
Scalphunter is a member of the Comanche tribe of Native Americans [9] who originally fought in World War II for the United States but was to be executed for murdering his fellow officers. He is shot by a firing squad and is believed dead. However, he survives and is found and recruited by enigmatic mastermind Mister Sinister early on.
Years later, he meets the thief Gambit [10] ; The Uncanny X-Men #324 reveals that Greycrow and Gambit were once co-workers and close friends at an Arizona diner. [11] Gambit would later recruit Scalphunter as a member of the Marauders,[ volume & issue needed ] a band of assassins operating under his one-time boss Sinister, who sends the Marauders to massacre the entire underground mutant community known as the Morlocks. Greycrow shoots young Morlock Tommy after using her to lead the group to "The Alley," the Morlock's home. [12] Gambit apparently follows the Marauders, having learned of their intentions, and manages to save one Morlock, who will grow to be Marrow. [13] In the course of the Mutant Massacre, the Marauders clash with the X-Men and the original X-Factor team, as well as Thor and Power Pack, leaving several Marauders dead. [14]
Subsequently, the X-Men thwart the Marauders' attempt to assassinate Sinister's former pawn, Madelyne Pryor, in San Francisco. [15] Failing, they try once more in New York City during the demonic invasion Inferno event. [16] During this time, Sinister cloned the entire band of Marauders, to replace any members of the team who are killed with exact replicas. Scalphunter first dies when the Marauders fight dimensionally-displaced Nate Grey after trying to assassinate Sinister's former servant, Threnody. [17] He is later cloned. [18]
Greycrow retained his mutant abilities after the Decimation storyline and began living in the tents on the Xavier Institute lawn. Greycrow and other mutants join Apocalypse. [19]
In the X-Men: Messiah Complex storyline, following Apocalypse's defeat, Greycrow rejoins the Marauders. Greycrow is involved in the initial assault on Cooperstown, Alaska for the mutant child. [20] During the X-Men's search for the mutant child he shoots and badly injures Nightcrawler. [21] He later assists the team in their defense of Sinister's base from the X-Men on Muir Island. [22]
In X-Men: Divided We Stand , after Sinister's defeat and the death and disbanding of the rest of the Marauders, Greycrow flees to a small town in the desert, in fear of the X-Men. He joins a diner as a cook, where he is confronted by Nightcrawler. Nightcrawler sought to kill Greycrow, but forgives him for his sins and leaves. The next day, Greycrow is seen back in the diner cooking, now wearing a gold cross. [23]
During the X-Men: Utopia storyline, Greycrow is captured by a group of non-mutant superhumans and forced to fly a cargo of five mutant-hunting creatures to the X-Men on Utopia. [24] [1]
In the Magneto (vol. 3) series, Greycrow has his leg and arm amputated by Magneto. [25] [26] He returns restored, but is later killed alongside the other Marauders by Chamber. [27] [28]
In the new status quo for mutants post House of X and Powers of X , Professor X and Magneto invite all mutants to live on Krakoa and welcome even former enemies into their fold, including Greycrow. [29]
Some time later, he joins a loose group of outcast mutants, operating under Mister Sinister: the Hellions, which also comprise Havok, Kwannon, Empath, Wild Child, Nanny, and Orphan-Maker. [30] Greycrow begins a relationship with Kwannon during this time. [9] [31] He also ceases use of the name Scalphunter. [2]
After the Fall of Krakoa, Greycrow accompanied Kwannon on vacation during "Blood Hunt" and her solo series. [8]
Greycrow's mutant powers include superior regenerative abilities [26] , which may slow his aging to a degree. He also has techno-morphing powers, which allow him to construct various mechanical devices at a superhuman rate. This is achieved using the numerous components attached to his costume. [32]
Scalphunter is an extraordinary master of conventional firearms, and has been known to use a wide variety of weaponry.
CBR included John Greygrow in the "10 Great Marvel Characters With Mysterious Backstories" and "10 Strongest Marvel Heroes Red Hood Could Beat" lists. [10] [33]
Greycrow, alongside the other Marauders, received a Heroclix figure. [34]
3. He Ruthlessly Sought Revenge Against Scalphunter