Cannonball (Marvel Comics)

Samuel Zachary Guthrie Cannonball
Samuel Guthrie / Cannonball. Textless variant cover of Uncanny X-Men vol. 5 #5 (December 2018). Art by Shane Davis.
Publication information
Publisher	Marvel Comics
First appearance	Marvel Graphic Novel #4: The New Mutants (September 1982)
Created by	Chris Claremont (writer) Bob McLeod (artist)
In-story information
Alter ego	Samuel Zachary Guthrie
Species	Human mutant
Team affiliations	Mutant Liberation Front Jean Grey School X-Treme X-Men X-Corporation U.S.Avengers New Mutants Hellfire Club Avengers Hellions X-Force X-Men XSE
Notable aliases	Cannonball Starshine
Abilities	Creation of a protective "blast field" while in flight Jet propulsion

Samuel Zachary Guthrie is a superhero appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by writer Chris Claremont and artist Bob McLeod, the character first appeared in Marvel Graphic Novel #4 (September 1982).^[1] Guthrie belongs to the subspecies of humans called mutants, who are born with superhuman abilities.^[2] He possesses the power to fly at jet speeds while encased in an impenetrable force field.^[3] He is known under the codename Cannonball.^[4]

The eldest of a large Kentucky coal mining family,^[5] Samuel Guthrie is a founding member of the X-Men's junior team, the New Mutants.^[6] Several of his siblings are also mutants who have joined X-Men-related teams.^[7] Guthrie served as X-Force's second-in-command and field leader, eventually joining the X-Men as the first member of a secondary team to "graduate" to the main team.^[8] He was also a member of the Avengers.^[9]

Since his original introduction in comics, the character has been featured in various other Marvel-licensed products, including video games, animated television series, and merchandise. Charlie Heaton portrayed Sam Guthrie in the 2020 film The New Mutants (2020).

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Samuel Guthrie debuted as a member of the New Mutants in Marvel Graphic Novel #4 (September 1982), created by Chris Claremont and artist Bob McLeod.^[10] McLeod later commented, "I always liked Cannonball the best [of the New Mutants]. I tried to give all the mutants distinct body types and characteristics, and with his big ears and lanky frame, he was just the most fun to draw."^[11]

After a guest appearance in The Uncanny X-Men # 167, the character appeared regularly in the title The New Mutants from its first issue to its hundredth issue (1983–1991), and continued to appear in its replacement title X-Force (1991). In X-Force # 44 (1995), Guthrie leaves X-Force to join the X-Men, appearing regularly in X-Men #48–89 and The Uncanny X-Men #323–355 (1995–1998). He rejoins his friends in X-Force while on an extended road trip in X-Force # 86 (1998), and stays with the team through issue # 117 (2001), after which the title changes drastically, taken over by the team later to be known as X-Statix.

Guthrie next appears as a member of the X-Corporation in New X-Men #128, 130, 131 and 140 (2002–2003), and then rejoins the X-Men in a splinter team led by Storm in X-Treme X-Men #24–46 (2003–2004). After the cancellation of X-Treme X-Men, Guthrie appears regularly with the X-Men in the mid to late 2000s, including The Uncanny X-Men #444–447 (2004) and #466–474 (2006), X-Men #188–204 (2006–2007), Young X-Men #1–6 (2008) and Secret Invasion: X-Men #1–4 (2009). He and Sunspot also appear in Astonishing Tales #1–6 (2009).

In 2009, New Mutants was relaunched in its third volume, penned by Zeb Wells, though in this incarnation they were a strike team of X-Men with a defined roster, including Mirage, Karma, Sunspot, Magma, Magik, Cypher and Warlock. Guthrie appears as a regular from issue #1 through #25 (2009–2011). The New Mutants were a major fixture in the Second Coming event, in which Guthrie and his team appear in The Uncanny X-Men #523–524, X-Force #36 and X-Men: Legacy #234–235 (2010).

Guthrie would be featured during Second Coming in the X-Men: Hellbound miniseries #1–3 (2010), leading the team of Pixie, Gambit, Anole, Dazzler, Trance and Northstar to Limbo to rescue Magik.

In the Age of X event, Guthrie suffered mental trauma as the field leader of a bastion under constant siege, causing him to leave the New Mutants in X-Regenesis #1 (2011) and New Mutants #25 vol. 3 (2011). He would leave the X-Men's base on Utopia to join Wolverine's faction at the Jean Grey School for Higher Learning in New York, joining Rogue's team in X-Men: Legacy #260.1-#267 (2012).

Guthrie and Sunspot were asked by Captain America to join the Avengers, bridging the gap between humans and mutants in the aftermath of the Avengers vs. X-Men event. He appears in Avengers vol. 5 #1–23 (2013) and #38–44 (2015),^[12] Avengers World #1–18 (2014–2015), U.S. Avengers #1–12 (2017),^[13] and Avengers #675–690 (2018) during the No Surrender event.

He later rejoined the X-Men in The Uncanny X-Men vol. 5 #1 (2018) and remains in regular publication in that title.

Guthrie appeared in the New Mutants: War Children one-shot (2019).^[14]

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Samuel Guthrie was born in Cumberland, Kentucky. As a child, he tried to support his family by working in the coal mine where his father had worked before his death. While attempting to rescue a fellow worker, Mr. Lewis, from a collapsing mine shaft, Sam's mutant ability unintentionally manifested, saving both of them. Subsequently, Sam was recruited by Donald Pierce of the Hellfire Club to attack the New Mutants. When ordered to kill the defeated New Mutants, Sam defied Pierce and was later invited by Charles Xavier to join the New Mutants, adopting the alias "Cannonball."^[15]

As a member of the New Mutants, Guthrie forms a close friendship with his teammate Sunspot and develops a brotherly affection for Rahne, unaware for some time that she harbors romantic feelings for him.

Guthrie, alongside Moonstarelle Moonstar, serves as co-leader of the New Mutants and supervises teammates including Magik, Karma, Cypher, Magma, and Warlock. He leads the team through various adventures across time and space, from ancient Scotland to distant galaxies. During one of these adventures, he starts a romantic relationship with the mutant rock musician Lila Cheney.^[16]

The Beyonder encounters the New Mutants and kills them,^[17] but they are resurrected soon after. This traumatic experience deeply unsettles the team, leading them to join the Hellions at Emma Frost's Massachusetts Academy,^[18] though they later reassess their decision.^[19]

Wolfsbane, Warlock, Rictor, and Tabitha are kidnapped from the grounds of the X-Mansion by Genoshan forces under Cameron Hodge. Warlock is killed by Hodge in an attempt to steal his powers. Guthrie joins the X-Men in a rescue mission that leads to the overthrow of Genosha's government, while Rahne remains behind to assist the victims of Genosha's regime.^[20]

Guthrie and the New Mutants leave the supervision of the X-Men.^[21] They join forces with Cable to form the hard-edged team X-Force, with Guthrie appointed as the team's second-in-command and field leader.^[22] During a confrontation with the Brotherhood of Mutants,^[23] Guthrie is impaled and killed but heals within minutes.^[24] Cable reveals that he is from a dystopian future ruled by Apocalypse and believes Cannonball to be an External, a rare type of mutant who is virtually immortal. Other Externals, including Saul and Gideon, come to believe that Guthrie is one of them.^[25] Around this time, it is also revealed that Guthrie's sister, Paige, possesses mutant powers.^[26]

Guthrie's tenure with X-Force is marked by significant challenges, as the team is viewed as "out of line" by the X-Men and is considered outright criminal by S.H.I.E.L.D., leading to a conflict with a S.H.I.E.L.D. team led by Nick Fury.^[27] Despite these tensions, Sam plays a crucial role in reconciling rivalries and assists the X-Men, particularly Forge and Wolfsbane, in defeating the Phalanx.^[28]

Guthrie later rejoins the X-Men,^[29] initially with great enthusiasm but soon begins to question his abilities. He confronts these doubts during a battle against the Shi'ar Gladiator,^[30] where he fights the opponent to a standstill.

Guthrie's relationship with Tabitha becomes strained, leading her to seek "support" from Guthrie's best friend, Sunspot.^[31] Subsequently, Guthrie leaves the X-Men to care for his ailing mother.^[32] During his time with the X-Men, he also infiltrates the presidential campaign of anti-mutant candidate Graydon Creed under the alias "Samson Guthry."^[33] Despite the obviousness of the alias, Sam remains undetected until Creed is assassinated on the eve of the election.^[34]

Guthrie rejoins X-Force, which has relocated to San Francisco,^[35] and becomes the team leader following Siryn's injury.^[36] Although Cable has departed, the team finds a new mentor in Pete Wisdom, who introduces them to espionage.^[37] Guthrie and Tabitha reconcile during this period.^{[volume & issue needed]} After Wisdom's alleged death,^[38] Guthrie resumes leadership of the team and strives to continue Wisdom's mission.^[39] Eventually, Guthrie and the other X-Force members are forced to fake their own deaths.^[40]

Storm invites Guthrie to join her team, the X-Treme X-Men, which operates independently of Professor X's leadership. The team eventually reverts to the central X-Men roster. After sustaining injuries on a mission, Guthrie opts for a period of respite and retreats to his farm, which he purchased with his X-Corporation earnings. While on the farm, he reunites with Cable and the reformed X-Force to combat the threat posed by the Skornn.^[41]

Guthrie rejoins the active roster of the X-Men, co-led by Nightcrawler and Bishop, and takes on a role overseeing the younger students at the X-Mansion. He also serves as a member of the X-Treme Sanctions Executive (XSE), participating in efforts such as aiding the 198 and battling the Shi'ar Death Commandos. Guthrie experiences personal tragedy with the death of his brother Jay, who is killed by William Stryker. In The First Foursaken story arc, Guthrie travels with the X-Men to Central Park, where they confront the Foursaken, who capture and relocate them. After their escape, Guthrie joins the X-Men in Africa to assist Storm in aiding mutant refugees.

Guthrie serves on Rogue's team of X-Men.^[42] Following a battle with the Hecatomb and Rogue's severe mental injury, the team retreats to Rogue's childhood home for rest. They are soon attacked by the Marauders, who are seeking Destiny's Diaries. During the attack, Emma Frost, who had been attempting to assist Rogue, is incapacitated by a neurotoxin. She uploads what she has gathered from the Marauders' psi-shielding into Guthrie's mind and takes partial control of his body.^{[volume & issue needed]} While aboard the Blackbird, the team is engaged midair by Sunfire, who severely damages the jet. Guthrie escapes and confronts Shiro, who reveals that he killed Cable. Guthrie dismisses the claim, stating that he would "still be sayin' 'show me the body.'"

Guthrie and Iceman work to recover the Destiny Diaries, which are concealed in a dilapidated brewery.^[43] During their mission, they are attacked by the Marauders, and Guthrie sustains serious injuries.^{[volume & issue needed]} Dr. Henry McCoy assesses his condition, noting that Guthrie's brain scan shows sluggish and irregular activity. Despite this, Guthrie rapidly recovers and is able to participate in the final battle against the Marauders.^[44]

After Cyclops disbands the X-Men, Guthrie returns home. His sister Paige picks him up at the airport, overjoyed to see him, but Sam is moody and withdrawn. When Paige confronts him about his demeanor, Guthrie reacts angrily, blasting off into the sky and expressing regret about coming home.^[45]

Guthrie is soon contacted by Cyclops, who informs him that the X-Men are reforming in San Francisco. Guthrie agrees to join the new team and arrives in the city just as Magneto is attacking with a group of antique Sentinels. Guthrie manages to charge into Magneto, disabling his artificial magnetism suit and giving the X-Men a strategic advantage in the battle, though Magneto ultimately escapes.^[46] Later, Guthrie is seen at a bar with Karma and Moonstar Moonstar, expressing his disillusionment with the notion of changing the world. Instead, he finds purpose in preventing others from experiencing the loss he endured with his brother Jay's death. He is subsequently called upon to assist with dealing with Empath.^[47]

After receiving an anonymous tip about a young mutant threatening a small town in Colorado, Moonstar Moonstar and Karma are sent to investigate and reassure the locals. Meanwhile, Magik reappears at the X-Men's base in San Francisco after having teleported into the future following the events of "X-Infernus." She warns Guthrie and Sunspot that Moonstar and Shan are in grave danger and that their situation could lead to their deaths. Guthrie, Sunspot, Magma, and Magik set out to locate them. They eventually find Shan unconscious and are deceived into freeing Legion.^[48]

In Legion's mind, various personalities seek to kill Moonstar Moonstar because she could help bring them under control. Legion finds Moonstar in a jail cell and is about to kill her when Guthrie intervenes. Moonstar urges Guthrie to release her, but he refuses, arguing that she will be safer in the cell due to her lack of powers. Guthrie and Sunspot then leave to confront Legion, unaware that one of Legion's personalities, capable of projecting himself, is delaying them while preparing to kill Moonstar. Magik and Magma arrive in time to stop Legion and free Moonstar, who is determined to take action. She returns armed with numerous firearms and declares that they are going after Legion.^[49] Guthrie tells Moonstar she should leave, insisting she is no longer a mutant and should stop pretending, especially since one of the most powerful mutants wants her dead. Upset, Moonstar drives away but returns shortly after seeing that Guthrie and the New Mutants have been badly beaten. After Legion is captured, Sam tries to apologize, but Moonstar limps away, ignoring him. Guthrie later confesses to Cyclops that he feels he has failed, but Cyclops reassures him that keeping everyone alive is what truly matters.^[50]

In the aftermath of Utopia, Scott reveals to Moonstar Moonstar that Guthrie did not select her for his team, which leaves her deeply upset and angry. This revelation leads to a confrontation between Moonstar and Guthrie, but they eventually reach an understanding,^[51] and Guthrie allows Moonstar to join the team. Later, during a discussion about Sam's past romantic relationships, particularly with Lila Cheney, Guthrie and Moonstar share a kiss, which is interrupted by the rest of the team.^{[volume & issue needed]}

Wolverine hires Guthrie to work at his new school, where he teaches a course on flying. For students without natural flying abilities, jetpacks are provided. During this period, Sam makes a point of checking in on his sister, Husk, who works full-time at the school and expresses concern about her mental well-being.^[52]

As part of the Marvel NOW! event, Guthrie becomes a member of the Avengers alongside Sunspot.^[53] Eight months into the future, he is depicted living on an alien planet within the Shi'ar empire with Izzy Kane and their child.^[54]

Guthrie joins the U.S. Avengers, and their inaugural mission involves confronting the Secret Empire's floating volcanic island base. They are subsequently visited by a future version of Danielle Cage as Captain America, who warns them that her nemesis, the Golden Skull, has traveled to their timeline to steal the world's wealth. The U.S. Avengers defeat and capture the Golden Skull, after which Moonstarelle returns him to her own timeline.^[55]

During the "Opening Salvo" segment of the Secret Empire storyline, Guthrie decides to leave the U.S. Avengers to spend time with his wife and son.^[56] However, upon returning to Earth, he encounters the Alpha Flight Space Program, the Guardians of the Galaxy, and the Ultimates in their battle against the Chitauri. Guthrie joins the fight but is presumed dead when a Chitauri dragon consumes Quasar and subsequently explodes.^[57] He is later discovered by an alien and sold at auction on an alien planet to a mysterious human named Howard Mason, who transports him to a small Earth-like town on the alien planet.^[58][59] Guthrie's wife eventually informs Sunspot that Guthrie is alive on another planet.^[60]

While traveling through space, Guthrie is introduced to the townspeople by Ritchie Redwood, the ruler of the planet. Upon realizing the troublesome nature of the inhabitants, Guthrie attempts to escape but is captured and imprisoned. In the dungeon, he encounters other prisoners, including a teenager named Bugface.^[61] Guthrie orchestrates a prison break, and they set out to overthrow Ritchie. During the ensuing battle, Smasher and the U.S. Avengers arrive to provide assistance. After Ritchie and his army are imprisoned, the heroes return home.^[62]

Samuel Guthrie possesses the ability to bodily generate thermo-chemical energy and release it from his skin.^[63] This energy is used as thrust to cause his body to be propelled through the air like a rocket, at great heights and speeds with considerable maneuverability. He can control his speed and direction through sheer act of will.^[64] At first, he could only release this energy from his feet and legs, but now he can fire it from almost any part of his body, to a wide variety of effects. This energy also manifests itself as an impenetrable and virtually indestructible "blast field" that protects him from bodily harm.^[65] Guthrie can use this blast-field for the following effects: to function as a personal shield or extending it to encompass others, to shape the field around another person to imprison them, or to absorb outside kinetic impact into his own energy supply, enabling him to increase the bludgeoning power of his blows or to create explosive shock waves upon impact. His power levels have varied over the years – but at his peak, he has been able to absorb (and redirect) the force of one of Gladiator's punches.^[66]

Furthermore, Guthrie may also be a member of the immortal mutant group the Externals,^[67] due to his apparent ability to return to life after death.^[68]

Comic Book Resources noted that Samuel Guthrie gained significant popularity in the 1980s as he appeared alongside Magik and Moonstar in New Mutants.^[69] George Marston of Newsarama named Samuel Guthrie one of the best members of the X-Men.^[70] Matthew Monagle of ScreenCrush called Samuel Guthrie a fan favorite.^[71] Eric Diaz of Nerdist said that although Samuel Guthrie was initially portrayed with a "aw, shucks" Southern stereotype, he eventually transcended this image to become one of the X-Men universe's most popular characters, describing him as the "big lug with a heart of gold" and highlighting that he serves as the emotional core of the team.^[72]

An alternate universe variant of Sam Guthrie / Cannonball from Earth-295 appears in Age of Apocalypse. This version is a member of the Elite Mutant Force before being killed by Magneto.^[73]

An alternate universe variant of Sam Guthrie / Cannonball from Earth-11326 appears in Age of X.^{[volume & issue needed]}

An alternate universe variant of Sam Guthrie / Cannonball from Earth-811 appears in Days of Future Past.^[74][75]

An alternate universe variant of Sam Guthrie / Cannonball appears in Cable. Set in 2043, an older Guthrie arrives when Cable is badly hurt and unable to time travel. Solicitations of the comics refer to Guthrie as Cable's "old war buddy." Cannonball implies that he, Cable, Bishop, and the baby are the last living mutants, and that he found him with Cerebra, which was rigged for non-psychics to use after the last psychic died. Guthrie allows Cable to escape with the child, opting to stay and distract Bishop. Bishop pleads with Sam not to fight, but Guthrie persists, harboring a decades-long grudge against the traitorous former X-Man, and after a long fight, Bishop is forced to kill him using a claw-like tentacle from his new bionic arm (stolen from Forge) to rip out Guthrie's heart. As Guthrie dies, he asks Bishop why, to which Bishop responds, with visions of his future, mutants with M's on their faces and herded into concentration camps, "To save you".^[76]

An alternate universe variant of Sam Guthrie / Cannonball from Earth-9511 appears in The Last Avengers Story. This version is a member of the Avengers before being killed by Kang the Conqueror.^[77]

A zombified alternate universe variant of Sam Guthrie / Cannonball from Earth-2149 appears in Ultimate Fantastic Four #23.

An alternate universe variant of Sam Guthrie / Cannonball from Earth-1298 appears in Mutant X. This version is a member of the 'Marauders', a murderous band of thieves.^[78]

An alternate universe variant of Sam Guthrie / Cannonball from Earth-1610 appears in the Ultimate Marvel universe. This version is a member of Emma Frost's Academy of Tomorrow, a pacifistic alternative to the X-Men.^[79][80][81]

An alternate universe variant of Sam Guthrie / Cannonball appears in What If the X-Men stayed in Asgard? Sam, among several members of the X-Men and the New Mutants, decides to stay in Asgard and marries Kindra, daughter of the dwarf king Eitri. When Eitri dies in battle later on, Guthrie succeeds him as King of the Dwarves.^[82]

• Samuel Guthrie / Cannonball appears in the X-Men: The Animated Series episode "Hidden Agenda",^[83] voiced by Adrian Egan.^{[citation needed]}
• Samuel Guthrie / Cannonball appears in X-Men: Evolution,^[84] voiced by Bill Switzer.^[85] This version is a member of the X-Men's junior team, the New Mutants.

Samuel "Sam" Guthrie appears in The New Mutants,^[86] portrayed by Charlie Heaton.^[87] This version accidentally killed his father, along with a group of miners.

• Samuel Guthrie / Cannonball appears in the PSP version of X-Men Legends II: Rise of Apocalypse.^[88] This version's powers revolve around a "blast shield".
• Samuel Guthrie / Cannonball appears as an unlockable character in Marvel: Avengers Alliance.^{[citation needed]}
• Samuel Guthrie / Cannonball appears as a playable card in Marvel Snap.^[89][90]

• Samuel Guthrie / Cannonball appears in the novelization of X-Men: The Last Stand as a student of the Xavier Institute.^[91]
• In 2021, Hasbro released a Samuel Guthrie / Cannonball action figure as part of the Marvel Legends action figure line.^[92][93]
• In 2024, Samuel Guthrie / Cannonball was added to the role-playing game Marvel Multiverse Role-Playing Game.^[94]

• UncannyXmen.net Spotlight on Cannonball II
• Cannonball (Sam Guthrie) at the Marvel Universe Character Bio Wiki
• Propulsion – TFL Cannonball Fanlisting