5/7 · Donald Pierce · White Bishop

5/7 · Donald Pierce · White Bishop Donald Pierce brings a mechanical surprise to the Inner Circle. Beneath the appearance of another wealthy club member is a cyborg capable of fighting the X-Men at close range. Wolverine's claws expose that machinery during their encounter in X-Men #132. That reveal suits the way the Club is introduced. Almost everyone has something concealed beneath a polished surface, and Pierce's hidden advantage is built directly into his body. The costume and title might suggest a man protected by status. Getting close enough to strike him reveals a more immediate problem. He is not beyond being damaged, either. Once the X-Men get loose in #134, Colossus destroys one of his bionic arms. The first encounter exposes how he is built; the rematch starts taking that construction apart. It puts a welcome limit on the surprise of his introduction. The machinery makes him dangerous, but the X-Men can do something about it when they have room to fight back. Donald ended up being really dangerous in the long run. He's been behind some of the most evil plots against the X-Men over the years. There is a lot more trouble coming from him than this first appearance lets on. Pierce also has no interest in letting Wyngarde claim all the credit for the team's success. Even with prisoners secured, the Inner Circle's members are still measuring themselves against one another. His objection gives their celebration an ugly little edge. The X-Men have walked into a coordinated ambush, but the people who planned it are already disputing whose contribution mattered most. Pierce belongs comfortably in that room: armed, proud and unwilling to be treated as somebody else's supporting act.