Dummy (comics)

For the DC Comics villain, see Dummy (DC Comics).

Dummy
Publication information
Publisher	Marvel Comics
First appearance	New X-Men #135
Created by	Grant Morrison Frank Quitely
In-story information
Alter ego	Dean Boswell
Team affiliations	Xavier Institute
Abilities	gaseous form

Dummy (Dean Boswell)^[1] is a fictional mutant in the Marvel Comics Universe. His first appearance was in New X-Men #135, created by Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely.

Fictional character biography

Special Class

The autistic young mutant known as Dummy became a student of the Xavier Institute before his powers manifested. When they did he became a sentient gas, which was put in a latex suit that grants him a humanoid appearance and functionality. He later takes part in its Special Class, along with other students such as Basilisk, Angel Salvadore and Beak.

Dummy, along with the other students of the special class, follows Xorn as he led them in a field trip to the nearby woods of the Xavier Institute for an overnight camping trip. Soon after, they were attacked by the U-Men, humans who harvest mutant body parts and graft it onto themselves. Dummy was struck by a one of the U-Men's scalpel projectiles, and he starts to leak away. He is saved by Beak, who covers the hole in his suit with a condom. Xorn takes care of the majority of the U-Men well away from the Special Class. One soldier, on his own, threatens the group, but the mutant known as Baslisk stuns him with his powers.

Death

The following day, fellow student Quentin Quire starts a riot over perceived mistreatments. His forces take over the main building while most of the visitors, staff, and students are outside. An explosion sends a piece of shrapnel right through Dummy's suit, scattering his gas like form. His final fate is uncertain, and though Baslisk claims to later smell him at the Institute's Prizegiving ceremony. Given Basilisk's unusual (vulgar) personality, it was probably just a fart joke, implying that Xorn had emitted a putrid whiff of flatulence. However, Basilisk again claims to have smelled something awful later on in New York. ^[2]

Powers and abilities

Dummy exists in a gaseous state; he contains himself in a specially-designed suit. In both regards, Dummy is similar to the Dark Horse Comics character Johann Kraus.

References

1. ^ Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe A to Z, vol. 13 (2010)
2. ^ New X-Men #146 (Nov. 2003)