The Upstarts are part of a secret competition founded by Selene, the Black Queen of the Hellfire Club, who intends to test potential members for her own Inner Circle. Overseen by the Gamesmaster, the Upstarts try to kill as many mutants as possible, with points being rewarded based on the mutant's power and notoriety. Initially, members were required to kill a member of the Inner Circle of the Hellfire Club to be initiated into the Upstarts, a restriction which was later lifted.[volume&issueneeded] The member with the most points would be given a prize, whose nature is never specified.
The German twins Fenris attempt to join the competition and gain an advantage by resurrecting Omega Red. Their plan fails, resulting in them named probational members. Graydon Creed joins as well, using the moniker Tribune, despite not having killed anyone.[volume&issueneeded]
Over the next few months, the Upstarts attempt to kill as many mutants as possible, but with no success. In an attempt to reinvigorate the competition, the Gamesmaster targets the surviving members of the New Mutants and Hellions. This competition brings the Upstarts into conflict with the New Warriors and X-Force. The Upstarts manage to capture most of their targets, but Paige Guthrie convinces the Gamesmaster to play another game: instead of killing mutants, the Upstarts should find and train young mutants like herself. The Gamesmaster is intrigued and cancelled the competition, with the Upstarts disbanding shortly afterwards.[volume&issueneeded]
Members
Gamesmaster (arbiter): Gamesmaster possesses a powerful form of telepathy that gives him a psychic connection to everyone on Earth. To stop himself from going insane, he needed a distraction and became the judge of the competition.
Selene: Came up with the idea of the Upstarts to use them against the other members of the Hellfire Club's Inner Circle and then choose the best to form a new Inner Circle. However, Fitzroy captured and tortured her to gain the attention of the Gamesmaster, therefore ruining her plans to reform the Inner Circle.
Fabian Cortez: Gained points for the death of Magneto, but he lost his points when Magneto turned out to be alive. He left the competition shortly afterwards when Exodus nearly killed him.
Shinobi Shaw: Gained points for the death of his father Sebastian Shaw. By the time of the Younghunt he was no longer interested in the competition and used Justice as his agent.
Trevor Fitzroy: Gained points for the deaths of Donald Pierce, the Reavers, and the Hellions. He also claimed points for Emma Frost, but the Gamesmaster did not award the points because Frost was in a coma and not dead.
Tribune (Graydon Creed): Tried to kill Sabretooth and Mystique for personal reasons, but failed. He received no points in the competition.
Fenris (probational members): Had two unsuccessful attempts to join. During the Younghunt, they tried to capture Wolfsbane, but were captured by X-Factor.
Ooze, Ocelot, and Orifice - Members of O-Force recruited by Fitzroy.[2]
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