There’s more to Quicksilver than just running really fast.
Before we start, let me make it clear that I renounce the retcon that robbed the X-Men franchise of their premier and only true speedster. I found the entire endeavor to be unnecessary, petty and sloppily executed. Now that that is out of the way, let’s get down to some fun facts about Pietro Maximoff, otherwise known as the avenging mutant, motor-mouth, Quicksilver.
10. A masterwork of the best that ever did it
Quicksilver is among classic characters such as Spider-Man, and The Fantastic Four that has the distinct honor of being created by both by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby. He debuted in X-Men #4 in March of 1964 as a member of the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants. Though the group was led by Magneto, he nor his twin-sister the Scarlet Witch knew that he was their biological father (yeah, yeah, I know).
9 He was once married to the Inhuman royal, Crystal
Whiling Avenging, Quicksilver is mortally wounded by a Sentinel. He is discovered by Inhuman Royal Family member Crystal. While recovering under her caring watch, the two fell in love and marry. Later, as a result of the union, their daughter Luna is produced. However, their union isn’t a lasting one. Their marriage is eventually annulled.
8. Two-time Member of X-Factor
Quicksilver has been a member of not one, but two versions of X-Factor written by Peter David! His first bout was with the team’s 2nd iteration led by the younger brother of Cyclops, Havok. The team was government sponsored and funded and also consisted of Wolfsbane, Strong Guy, Multiple Man and his yet to be revealed younger sister, Polaris. Quicksilver remained with the team until he became disenchanted with them in 1993. In 2014, he joined the short-lived corporate sponsored ‘All-New X-Factor’ team, now led by Polaris and with a roster including Gambit, Danger, Cypher, and Warlock.
7. Lost and Regained his Powers
After losing his powers on M-Day, Quicksilver traveled to the Inhuman city Attilan and stole several Terrigen crystals. After inserting them into his body he gained the ability to time-jump, which simulated his super speed. Veteran X-Person Rictor (he’s never technically been an ‘X-Man’ but a member of X-Force and X-Factor), used his powers to force the crystals out of Quicksilver’s body, again leaving him powerless. He’d later will his own body to regain his super speed powers.
6. His Nephew is a Speedster Too
It would seem silver-hair isn’t the only thing that runs in the family. One of the Scarlet Witch’s two sons is also a speedster by the name of Speed. Like his uncle, Quicksilver, he can move at hyper-fast speeds.
5. He fought and lost to the Flash
During the Marvel Vs. DC crossover event in the ’90s, Quicksilver and the Flash were paired to fight for the survival of either universe. While Quicksilver got his licks in, the Flash proved to be the faster of the two.
4. Loved his sister a bit… too much in another reality
In the Ultimate imprint of Marvel Comics, Quicksilver and the Scarlet Witch hada very different relationship than they do in the normal 616 continuity. Very different. It’s highly insinuated, if not outright stated that the two often had sexual relations with one another. The Ultimate universe is quite twisted.
3. A Devoted Brother
Despite his often-obnoxious personality, Pietro is a family man first. Since his debut in 1964, it was evident that he held his twin-sister the Scarlet Witch in high regard. When it was discovered that X-Man, and later teammate (X-Factor), Polaris was, in fact, one of his siblings, Pietro extended his love and hyper-protective nature towards his new little sister as displayed in [easyazon_link identifier=”B00ZNVM8JM” locale=”US” tag=”boundingintocomics-20″]X-Factor #260[/easyazon_link] and throughout its predecessor title, All-New X-Factor. As for his twin, Wanda, Quicksilver has damned the entirety of the 616 continuity to safeguard his sister as he was a key factor in creating the ‘House of M’. He mangled space-time all in the hope of helping his sister through a mental trauma.
2. Killed by his own Father
Speaking of his involvement with the House of M, Quicksilver didn’t quite survive the incident. When it was discovered that he’d manipulated his mentally distraught sister into creating the alternate reality, in a fit of anger, Magneto kills his son citing that his dream had been perverted. Magneto also went as far as saying he put his dream over his children. Hurt (and still quite disturbed), the cold sentiment led Scarlet Witch to utter those famous three-words, ‘no more mutants.’ Though Quicksilver was revived when reality reverted, he was among the mutants that lost their powers.
1. Quicksilver is both faster & slower than the Flash
Before anyone gets their panties in a bunch, I’m not saying Quicksilver can move faster than the Flash. Unlike speedsters of the DC universe, Quicksilver doesn’t rely on an outside source to fuel his speed. In actuality, he’s less like the Flash and more like Superman, but yet still faster. When most DC speedsters move at super speeds, they must access the Speed Force to do so. Otherwise, they move at speeds no differently than anyone else.
Quicksilver, on the other hand, is always moving at hyper-speed. When he’s interacting with people and the world at large, Pietro is actively slowing himself down. This is why he’s perceived as being short-tempered, obnoxious and impatient. He reacts, thinks, sees, and perceives time in hyper-speed. To him, normal people are nothing more than manikins. Quicksilver’s life is one of isolation and utter boredom.
What’s your favorite fact about Marvel’s fastest not-mutant?