Skullbuster

For the G.I. Joe character, see Skull Buster.

Skullbuster
The original Skullbuster. From Uncanny X-Men #248. Art by Jim Lee.
Publication information
Publisher	Marvel Comics
First appearance	Original Skullbuster: Uncanny X-Men #229 (May 1988) Cylla Markham: Uncanny X-Men #260 (April 1990) Legacy X-Treme X-Men Annual 2001 (February 2002)
Created by	Chris Claremont Marc Silvestri Salvador Larroca
In-story information
Alter ego	(First Skullbuster) Unrevealed (Second Skullbuster) Cylla Markham
Team affiliations	Reavers
Abilities	Cybernetic body, Robotic weaponry.

Skullbuster is the name of three comic book super villains all of which exist in Marvel Comics' main shared universe. The original Skullbuster first appeared in Uncanny X-Men #229 (May 1988) and was created by Chris Claremont and Marc Silvestri.

Original Skullbuster

The cyborg Skullbuster was a member of the original Reavers, a gang of cyborgs living in a ghost town in Australia, who perpetrated robberies across the globe. Skullbuster, as well as Pretty Boy and Bonebreaker, avoided being sent through the Siege Perilous along with the other Reavers after being defeated by the X-Men.^[1] Under the leadership of Donald Pierce, the remaining Reavers allied themselves with Lady Deathstrike and her minions and began training to defeat the X-Men. The Reavers never ended up battling the X-Men but encountered Wolverine, beat him half to death, and then crucified him.^[2] After Wolverine escaped, the Reavers attacked Muir Island where Skullbuster was shot and seemingly killed by Forge.^[3] Skullbuster was not seen again for several years and Pierce recruited the badly injured Cylla Markham giving her cybernetic enhancements and the code name Skullbuster.^[4] When Lady Deathstrike kidnapped Milo Thurman, the mutant mercenary known as Domino tracked them down and subsequently battled Deathstrike, Pierce, and Skullbuster.^[5] Pierce revealed that he resurrected Skullbuster by copying his cybernetic mainframe. Skullbuster whereabouts are unknown since his encounter with Domino. When the Reavers and the Shadow King battled the X-treme X-Men, a new Skullbuster was present and there was no mention of the original.^[6]

Cylla Markham Skullbuster

Formerly a pilot, Cylla agreed to help Banshee and Forge in finding their missing teammates, but the plane was shot down by Fenris. Fatally injured, Cylla was rushed to a hospital and was invited by Donald Pierce to join him in exchange for her health. She agreed to become a cyborg, joining Pierce's Reavers.^[4] Though she was replacing the original Skullbuster, Cylla mainly went by her real name. Her first mission brought her into contact with Wolverine, and she was defeated through the combined efforts of Jubilee and Yukio. After the supposed deaths of the other Reavers, Cylla and Lady Deathstrike fled.^[7] Cylla later resurfaced, allying herself with Bloodscream in an attempt to murder Wolverine. However, Bloodscream betrayed her and sucked the life from her, killing her.^[8]

Legacy

Outside of her membership with the Reavers, little has been revealed about the third Skullbuster. She participated in Shadow King's failed attack on the X-treme X-Men and after being defeated was handed over to the police.^[6]

Powers and abilities

Like the other members of the Reavers, Skullbuster is a cyborg and has bionic implants that augment strength, stamina, leaping, and reflexes beyond the levels of a normal human.

The implants of Skullbuster also include infrared optic scanners, a plasma grenade launcher, and machine guns.
The implants of Skullbuster also include steel wrist claws, an on-board targeting computer, a plasma blaster, and thermite launchers.
The implants of Skullbuster also absorb the energy from attacks and power sources.

References

1. ^ Chris Claremont (w), Marc Silvestri (p), Dan Green (i). "Down Under" Uncanny X-Men 229 (May 1988), Marvel Comics
2. ^ Chris Claremont (w), Marc Silvestri (p), Dan Green (i). "Fever Dream" Uncanny X-Men 251 (November 1989), Marvel Comics
3. ^ Chris Claremont (w), Marc Silvestri (p), Dan Green (i). "Crash and Burn" Uncanny X-Men 255 (December 1989), Marvel Comics
4. ^ ^{a b} Chris Claremont (w), Marc Silvestri (p), Dan Green (i). "Harriers Hunt!" Uncanny X-Men 261 (May 1990), Marvel Comics
5. ^ Ben Raab (w), David Perrin (p), Harry Candelario (i). "Death be a Lady Tonight" Domino 2 (February 1997), Marvel Comics
6. ^ ^{a b} Chris Claremont (w), Salvador Larroca (p), Sandu Horca (i). "Queen of Shadows" X-Treme X-Men Annual 2001 1 (February 2002), Marvel Comics
7. ^ Jim Lee, John Byrne, and While Portacio (w), While Portacio (p), Art Thibert (i). "Fresh Upstart" Uncanny X-Men 281 (October 1991), Marvel Comics
8. ^ Larry Hama (w), Adam Kubert (p), Mark Farmer & Mike Sellers (i). "Deathstalk: A Test of Mettle" Wolverine 78 (February 1994), Marvel Comics