Cannonball (Marvel Comics)

This article is about Samuel Zachary Guthrie, the Marvel Comics superhero character. For other characters appearing in comics, see Cannonball (disambiguation).
Samuel Zachary Guthrie
Cannonball
Samuel Guthrie / Cannonball.
Textless variant cover of Uncanny X-Men vol. 5 #5 (December 2018).
Art by Shane Davis.
Publication information
PublisherMarvel Comics
First appearanceMarvel Graphic Novel #4: The New Mutants
(September 1982)
Created byChris Claremont (writer)
Bob McLeod (artist)
In-story information
Alter egoSamuel Zachary Guthrie
SpeciesHuman mutant
Team affiliationsMutant Liberation Front
Jean Grey School
X-Treme X-Men
X-Corporation
U.S.Avengers
New Mutants
Hellfire Club
Avengers
Hellions
X-Force
X-Men
XSE
Notable aliasesCannonball
Starshine
Abilities
  • Creation of a protective "blast field" while in flight
  • Jet propulsion

Samuel Zachary Guthrie is a superhero appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by writer Chris Claremont and artist Bob McLeod, the character first appeared in Marvel Graphic Novel #4 (September 1982).[1] Guthrie belongs to the subspecies of humans called mutants, who are born with superhuman abilities.[2] He possesses the power to fly at jet speeds while encased in an impenetrable force field.[3] He is known under the codename Cannonball.[4]

The eldest of a large Kentucky coal mining family,[5] Samuel Guthrie is a founding member of the X-Men's junior team, the New Mutants.[6] Several of his siblings are also mutants who have joined X-Men-related teams.[7] Guthrie served as X-Force's second-in-command and field leader, eventually joining the X-Men as the first member of a secondary team to "graduate" to the main team.[8] He was also a member of the Avengers.[9]

Since his original introduction in comics, the character has been featured in various other Marvel-licensed products, including video games, animated television series, and merchandise. Charlie Heaton portrayed Sam Guthrie in the 2020 film The New Mutants (2020).

  1. ^ Cronin, Brian (July 15, 2012). "Drawing Crazy Patterns - CLAREMONTISM: Cannonball Explaining That He Is Near Invulnerable When He is "Blastin'"". Comic Book Resources. Retrieved August 21, 2024.
  2. ^ Harth, David (January 15, 2020). "The New Mutants: 10 Things You Never Knew About Cannonball". Comic Book Resources. Retrieved August 21, 2024.
  3. ^ Osborn, Alex (November 24, 2016). "New Mutants: Death Note Star Nat Wolff Rumored for Cannonball Role in X-Men Spinoff". IGN. Retrieved August 21, 2024.
  4. ^ Wiese, Jason (April 19, 2021). "The X-Men Characters The Stranger Things Cast Would Be Perfect To Play". CinemaBlend. Retrieved August 21, 2024.
  5. ^ Belt, Robyn (January 7, 2020). "Meet the New Mutants". Marvel.com. Retrieved August 21, 2024.
  6. ^ Wyse, Alex (April 11, 2018). "X-Force: 20 Powerful Members Ranked From Weakest To Strongest". Comic Book Resources. Retrieved August 21, 2024.
  7. ^ Viltus, Sharrisse (April 21, 2020). "The Beginner's Guide to the X-Men Characters". Book Riot. Retrieved August 21, 2024.
  8. ^ Silverio, Ben (May 31, 2017). "'New Mutants' Taps 'Stranger Things' Star Charlie Heaton As Cannonball". ScienceFiction.com. Retrieved August 21, 2024.
  9. ^ Harth, David (January 2, 2023). "10 Marvel Heroes We Need More Of In 2023". Comic Book Resources. Retrieved August 21, 2024.