Post 3 of 7 Northstar: Jean-Paul Beaubier

Post 3 of 7 Northstar: Jean-Paul Beaubier Northstar arrives with a public identity already in place. X-Men #120 introduces Jean-Paul Beaubier as an Olympic and professional skiing champion, interrupted during a promotional appearance in Jasper National Park. Alpha Flight can call him away from a life that other people recognize. He has fans and professional obligations to leave behind when Hudson calls. In combat, his speed lets him choose the moment of contact. In #121, Cyclops is occupied with Shaman’s creations when Northstar hits him from behind. Cyclops cannot keep his attention on both threats, and Jean-Paul takes advantage of that. His later attack is more revealing. Storm returns exhausted after bringing the dangerous weather under control, and Northstar strikes her. Cyclops answers with an optic blast. The sequence gives Jean-Paul a sharp, abrasive introduction. He continues treating an opponent as a target immediately after she has helped save everybody from a shared danger. Storm has just prevented a disaster for the city. Northstar resumes the fight anyway, and Cyclops is furious. The capture order still matters more to Jean-Paul than what his supposed enemy has just done for them.