BRIAR
RALEIGH
Real Name: Briar Raleigh
Identity/Class: Human cyborg
Occupation: Agent of Magneto, intelligence
gatherer
Group Membership: The Brotherhood (Elixir/Josh
Foley, Exodus/Bennet du Paris, Magneto/Max Eisenhardt, Marrow/Sarah,
Toad/Mortimer
Toynbee, Carmella Unuscione);
formerly the Hellfire Club (Black
King/Sebastian Shaw, White Bishop/Tom Cassidy, White King/Max
Eisenhardt, White Queen/Monet St. Croix, others)
Affiliations: Agent Rodriguez, Beast (Hank
McCoy), the Brotherhood, Danger, Doctor Doom (Victor von Doom), Doctor
Nemesis
(James
Bradley), the Hellfire Club, Henry, High Evolutionary (Herbert
Wyndham), Magneto (Max
Eisenhardt),
the
Marauders (Arclight/Philippa
Sontag,
Blockbuster/Michael
Baer,
Harpoon/Kodiak
Naotak,
Prism/Robbie,
Riptide/Janos
Quested,
Scalphunter/John
Greycrow,
Scrambler/Kim
Il
Sung),
Mister Fantastic (Reed Richards), Mister Sinister (Nathaniel
Essex), Nanny
(robot), Sugar
Man of Earth-295, X-Men (Daken Akihiro, the
time-displaced Angel/Warren Worthington III, the time-displaced
Beast/Hank McCoy, Bloodstorm/Ororo Munroe of Earth-21710, the
time-displaced Cyclops/Scott Summers, Gazing Nightshade, Jimmy
Hudson of Earth-1610, the time-displaced Iceman/Bobby Drake, M/Monet
St. Croix, the time-displaced Marvel Girl/Jean Grey, Polaris/Lorna
Dane, Psylocke/Betsy
Braddock, Sabretooth/Victor Creed, Shen Xorn);
indirectly the
Raksha
(Gazing Nightshade, Hexadecimal, Norio, Whisper Doll) (she only
encountered them in holographic form)
Enemies: Archangel
(Warren Worthington III), Firestar (Angelica Jones), Emma
Frost, Havok (Alex Summers), Herr Hitzig (construct), Bu Jun, Mondo,
S.H.I.E.L.D. (Agent Haines, Agent Lumley, Agent Withers,
others), Wolfsbane (Rahne Sinclair);
formerly
Magneto (Max Eisenhardt), Shen Xorn
Known Relatives: Unidentified parents (see
comments)
Aliases: Black Bishop, "My Dear"
Base of Operations: Asteroid M;
formerly Malibu,
California,
USA; Redwood National Park, California, USA; Genosha;
Saranac Lake, New York, USA; Seattle, Washington, USA
First Appearance: Magneto III#5 (August, 2014)
Powers/Abilities: Briar Raleigh is a cyborg equipped with alien Shi'ar wetware purchased off the black market that grants her protection from attacks associated with the brain. For example, the wetware interferes with telepathic probes, causing intense feedback for anyone attempting to access Briar's mind, and Briar has also proven to be unaffected by the pheromone-based powers of Daken. Whether the pheromone resistance is due to her own natural resistance or if it is a product of the Shi'ar wetware remains to be determined.
Briar has vast monetary wealth which, in turn, gives her access to advanced technology such as holographic projectors capable of displaying images in the form of three-dimensional holograms, private jets and her own research laboratory equipped with holographic display technology. Her wealth also grants her access to secret black markets where dubious and often illegal technology and information is sold.
Briar is a skilled investigator,
often using her connections to gather information on world events and
potential criminal activity. She is also skilled in the arts of
stealth, able to secretly track a person for weeks at a time without
their knowledge.
She is also an extremely skilled
manipulator, an ability she has used to convince others she is on their
side in order to direct their actions towards targets and locales that
Briar herself wishes.
Due to an old injury to her leg,
Briar requires the use of a metallic (and sometimes even cybernetic)
leg brace in order to walk.
Height: Unrevealed (approximately 5'5")
Weight: Unrevealed (approximately 125 lbs.)
Eyes: Green
Hair: Red
History:
(Magneto III#20 (fb) - BTS) -
Briar Raleigh grew up with fabulously wealthy parents but she became
bored with a life on a silver platter. Eventually, she left to visit
her boyfriend in Seattle, Washington.
(Magneto III#5 (fb)) - During Briar's visit to Seattle,
mutant master
of magnetism Magneto attacked the city and while he battled the police,
a vehicle was overturned onto the young Briar
Raleigh, whose right leg was severely injured.
(Magneto III#5 (fb) - BTS) - Following her injury, Briar Raleigh went through months of physical therapy in order to walk again and even when it seemed impossible, she kept up her routine of therapy.
(Magneto III#20 (fb) - BTS) - During her physical
rehabilitation, Briar often wondered if Magneto even recalled why he
had attacked Seattle that day she was injured. She soon began studying
up on Magneto, suspecting he would never give up his crusade for
mutants and that he might someday return.
(Magneto III#7 (fb) - BTS) - At some point, Briar acquired a large amount of wealth (see comments).
(Magneto III#16 (fb) - BTS) - Briar made sure her wealth was diversified and well-protected.
(Magneto III#20 (fb) - BTS) - Over time, Briar found herself agreeing with Magneto's crusade, feeling as if she truly understood him. Knowing that Magneto's crusade would lead to more innocent people like herself being hurt by his actions, Briar began thinking she could help guide Magneto's hand, pointing it in the direction of actual threats and supporting his cause while minimizing the collateral damage.
(Magneto III#5 (fb) - BTS) - Years following her
injury, after Magneto set up a base in the New York foothills, Briar
Raleigh began trailing Magneto and learned a lot about him, such as his
personal tastes and opinions on various topics. She also came up with
theories about what he kept in his base of operations and did extensive
research into the S.H.I.E.L.D. task force that had been assigned to
apprehend Magneto.
(Magneto III#5) - Briar Raleigh followed Magneto through Saranac Lake,
New York, watching him from a short distance away as he departed a
diner and visited a bookstore. Witnessing another man pass Magneto a
note in the bookstore, Briar took a cellphone photo of the man as he
left the bookstore and wondered aloud to herself who the "creepy" man
was and what business he had with Magneto. Briar soon realized she had
lost Magneto in the time she took wondering who the man was and she
entered the bookstore to see if she could find Magneto once more.
Noticing Magneto's bagged up breakfast on the bookstore floor, Briar
cursed the situation before venturing back outside, where she was
assaulted by Magneto, who demanded to know who she was and why she was
following him. Briar insisted she was a friend but Magneto doubted her
words and used his magnetic powers to squeeze the metallic leg brace
Briar wore, demanding to know who she worked for. After enduring the
pain of the brace squeezing her leg, Briar introduced herself and
admitted that she had been following him since he set up a base in the
New York foothills. Revealing the theories that he kept something
called "the Scrapbook" in his base, Briar offered to work with Magneto
since he had decided to hear her story.
Accompanying Magneto back to his room at the nearby Village Inn, Briar Raleigh revealed to Magneto her theories that his anger would eventually get the better of him and that it was only a matter of time before he cut loose with his powers in the small Saranac Lake town. Attempting to share a drink with Magneto, Briar revealed her knowledge of his choice in alcohol and jokingly asked what kind of help she would be if she hadn't done her research but Magneto replied by stating that he hadn't asked for her help, warning that accompanying him to his room and admitting to spying on him was a dangerous ploy. Unfazed by Magneto's threats, Briar suggested she prove her value to him before asking what the man had given Magneto in the bookstore, wondering perhaps if it was the name of another wealthy bigot financing hate groups. Magneto replied by asking if Briar could provide him with more names, at which point Briar laid down a holographic generator and revealed that she could give Magneto all the information he wanted on the S.H.I.E.L.D. task force that had been ordered to apprehend him. She then suggested a target for his "idle hands" that was a bit bigger, such as the mutant-killing Marauders. When Briar offered to provide the location and weaknesses of the Marauders, Magneto replied by suggesting Briar wished to start a war and Briar replied by stating that war was the only thing they could be sure of and she simply wished to ensure that the casualties were on the right side. The two then shared a toast and Briar departed the Village Inn.
(Magneto III#7 (fb) - BTS) - Briar Raleigh
deliberately chose not to mention to Magneto that she owned a private
jet, wishing instead to make sure he liked her for more than just the
money she had.
(Magneto III#6 (fb)) - Magneto
met again with Briar
Raleigh, who provided information on the Marauders as promised. She
then asked what Magneto planned to do with the information, reminding
him that they, too, were mutants like their victims had been. She then
revealed how the Marauders were clones that would be replaced if one of
their physical bodies died and Magneto replied that their victims were
not provided such a luxury. Briar then explained how the Marauders were
scattered throughout the world and that Magneto now knew where to find
them, at which point Magneto reminded Briar that what he did with that
knowledge was up to him alone. Shrugging, Briar proclaimed Magneto to
be the boss and asked that he remember that the best way to stick it to
one's enemies was not just to take their toys away but keep their toys
for himself.
(Magneto III#7 (fb)) - Briar Raleigh met Magneto at C.B.'s Diner and asked Magneto if he had ever been to Hong Kong, as mutants had been recently vanishing off the streets there and robotic Sentinel technology appeared to be involved. Magneto asked for what purpose but Briar admitted that her intel only went so far, prompting Magneto to announce that he would find out for himself then. Briar then asked how Magneto planned to do that with his diminished powers, at which she suggested he pay the check and follow her. She then led Magneto to an airfield, where she provided him access to her private jet and revealed that she had deliberately chose not to previously mention the private jet to make sure he wasn't associating with her for the money. As Magneto boarded the plane, Briar warned that he could be dealing with dangerous people and questioned how he would find those responsible for the mutant kidnappings. Magneto replied by telling Briar that the kidnappers would come to him, as he was still enough of a mutant to give them exactly what they wanted.
(Magneto III#7 - BTS) - After Magneto allowed himself to be captured by the Hong Kong kidnappers, he thought to himself that Briar doubted him and his ability to accomplish the objectives set before him and wondered if perhaps Briar simply enjoyed goading him.
(Magneto III#8 (fb) - BTS) - As part of her work with
Magneto, Briar Raleigh invested in a laboratory that could be used to
restore Magneto's lessening powers.
(Magneto III#8) - After Magneto extracted a Mutant Growth Hormone drug cook and brought him back to Briar's laboratory, the terrified cook asked Briar and Magneto if they planned to kill him and Briar assured the cook that Magneto would not have extracted the cook if he wished him dead. She also mentioned that she would not have invested in the lab if Magneto had simply wanted the cook dead. Magneto then chimed in, explaining that Briar was correct in that Magneto wished the cook to remain alive and explaining that he wanted the cook alive to create a perfect MGH formula that befitted a master of magnetism.
(Magneto III#11 (fb) - BTS) -
Briar Raleigh worked on gathering together recorded evidence of
Magneto's activities.
(Magneto III#11) - Magneto departed a battle
involving the Avengers against the Red Onslaught to return to Briar
Raleigh's laboratory, where he confessed to having committed
unspeakable acts in order to ensure mutants thrive. Briar silently
watched as Magneto questioned whether, after he was gone, he would be
remembered for his accomplishments or for the terrible things he had
done. Admitting that, despite his efforts, he had failed at many things
in life and Briar assured Magneto that he could not have known but
Magneto continued on his rant, prompting Briar to walk away and leave
Magneto to his emotions. Venturing into a computer room, Briar used the
computers to display video and newspaper evidence of the atrocities
Magneto had committed. When Magneto became upset that Briar would throw
these painful reminders in his face, Briar admitted that yes, Magneto
had committed terrible acts but his presence had also saved lives,
prompting a display of a young girl admitting that she would have died
if not for Magneto being there. Emboldened by the girl's recorded
statements, Magneto stood and put his helmet back on, prompting Briar
to respond with "There's my guy."
(Magneto III#16 (fb) - BTS) - Briar Raleigh agreed to
help set S.H.I.E.L.D. up on Magneto's behalf.
(Magneto III#13) - Briar exited a
taxicab and ventured into an
underground swap meet of Magneto-related items. She then walked over to
the booth ran by her associate Henry and asked how he was doing before
noticing a bootleg DVD he was selling of Magneto's previous attack on
Seattle. When Briar expressed annoyance, Henry claimed Briar didn't
have a monopoly on Seattle but Briar motioned towards her leg brace and
suggested she did, noting that she didn't see any DVDs of a Sacramento
attack, where Henry was also injured, at his booth. Henry claimed there
was no footage of the Sacramento attack before recounting his
experiences to Briar. He then began grumbling that no one bought DVDs
anymore and the conversation was interrupted when two fans noticed
Briar's leg brace and asked if it was real. Briar explained that the
constant pain assured her it was real and the fans recognized the work
of Magneto, commending her courage to wear a metal leg brace before
asking if they could touch it. Briar expressed her wishes that they
didn't but one of the fans revealed her own injury that she claimed was
caused by Magneto. After the young woman fabricated a story of her
injury, Briar revealed how Magneto had dropped a car on her, causing
her leg injury, and she handed the woman Henry's DVD of the Seattle
attack and suggested the woman watch the attack herself. The fans then
walked off and Henry asked Briar why she played along with the woman's
story despite knowing it was false, prompting Briar to comment that
perhaps it wasn't false in the woman's mind. Henry then grumbled that
Briar owed him twenty dollars for the DVD she gave the fans and Briar
responded by handing Henry a wad of cash and buying all he had. Briar
then looked around and wondered why everyone there thought their
Magneto-caused injuries meant they were connected or that Magneto had
singled them out specifically. She then warned Henry against selling
any more footage of the Seattle attack before she was interrupted by
the arrival of the S.H.I.E.L.D. task force assigned to apprehend
Magneto. Briar and S.H.I.E.L.D. exchanged words for a bit until Briar
suggested they get to the point and S.H.I.E.L.D. asked where they could
find Magneto.
(Magneto III#15 (fb) - BTS) -
Briar Raleigh began informing
S.H.I.E.L.D. of Magneto's ongoing whereabouts, secretly helping Magneto
accomplish his goal of getting aboard the S.H.I.E.L.D. Helicarrier to
erase their stolen data on Earth's mutants.
(Magneto III#15) - After Magneto was apprehended by S.H.I.E.L.D., Agent Haines greeted Briar aboard the S.H.I.E.L.D. Helicarrier and informed her of Magneto's apprehension. Admitting she had a feeling Magneto had been captured the moment he was brought onboard the Helicarrier, Briar was told she would need to remain onboard for a few more days for debriefing and Briar remarked that she knew what she had signed up for. Haines then commented that Briar should consider herself lucky, as there was no telling what Magneto would do if he knew she had been informing S.H.I.E.L.D. of his whereabouts. Haines was interrupted by the Helicarrier's alarms going off and Briar sarcastically asked Haines to tell her again how lucky she was. Communicating with her fellow agents, Agent Haines ordered S.H.I.E.L.D. agents to keep Briar on lockdown until they could get the situation under control. As Haines then ran off to confront the escaped Magneto, Briar sarcastically remarked that it was nice of Haines to look after her safety, noting that it wouldn't matter when Magneto crashed the Helicarrier. After confirming S.H.I.E.L.D. had the mutant data and erasing it, Magneto located Briar in a Helicarrier hallway and asked if Magneto had found the information he was looking for. Magneto confirmed that he had destroyed it and Briar remarked that she thought Magneto would have done more to really stick it to S.H.I.E.L.D. Promising that the rampage was merely a warning shot and war had not yet begun, Magneto led Briar to the deck of the Helicarrier, where Magneto's controlled Marauders were savagely attacking S.H.I.E.L.D. Briar then accompanied Magneto as he warned Agent Haines against entering the former country of Genosha and darkening his threshold ever again. She then departed the Helicarrier with Magneto and the Marauders.
(Magneto III#16) - Briar was by Magneto's side on Genosha as he opened the former country to mutants seeking sanctuary. As more and more mutants arrived despite the sanctuary still being set up, Briar noted that good news traveled fast and did not wait for sufficient generators or plumbing. She then commended Magneto on providing a home for mutants to feel safe and fit into. She also remarked that Genosha was her home as well, as she now wanted by S.H.I.E.L.D. for aiding Magneto. Joking that Magneto had made her a race traitor, Briar assured Magneto that her wealth was well-protected and still able to fund Magneto's operations. Commenting that Briar had still not revealed why she was helping Magneto as a non-mutant, Magneto listened as Briar asked if Magneto would feel better if she had powers. She then lowered the blinds and kissed Magneto. The two then slept together but their was time was interrupted by a mutant demanding Magneto's help. As Magneto got himself ready, Briar asked what was wrong and whether Magneto was being calm about the situation because he suspected something would happen. Magneto replied by telling Briar he would let her know when he returned. After finding a small group of mutants murdered, Magneto returned to his trailer to find a terrified Briar, who pointed out a warning message written in blood on the bathroom sink and mirror. Briar then noted that she had not left the trailer since the night before, meaning that the person who wrote the message had been in their trailer while the two were sleeping.
(Magneto
III#17) - Briar Raleigh
walked with Magneto through Genosha
and admitted her surprise that Magneto was not out with the Marauders
searching for the murderer. After Magneto explained that he wanted to
let the other mutants know their leader was there for them, Briar asked
if Magneto was suspicious that the murderer was one of the mutants on
Genosha, to which Magneto replied that "the killer is always among
you." Returning to her own quarters, Briar found it guarded by the
Marauder Arclight, who made a snide remark about Briar not staying with
Magneto. Briar sarcastically asked if Arclight was jealous because
Briar was with Magneto or because Magneto was with her before entering
her quarters and removing her leg brace. Soon hearing a strange sound
in another room, Briar investigated and found the murder, a nightmarish
construct of the Nazi Herr Hitzig. Proclaiming Briar to be an offering
required to balance the scales if Magneto wished to become the god of
Genosha, the Herr Hitzig construct captured Briar and began taunting
her. Having realized the origin of Hitzig as a construct uncontrollably
created by the young mutant Amy, Magneto soon mercy-killed Amy, causing
Hitzig to crumble into dust upon Amy's death.
(Magneto
III#19 (fb) - BTS) -
Following discovery of an impending
alternate reality incursion into Reality-616, Briar began researching
scientists that might be able to assist in granting more power to
Magneto should an incursion arise. As part of her research, she made
initial contact with the likes of Doctor Doom, the High Evolutionary,
Mister Sinister, Doctor Nemesis, Beast and Mister Fantastic. She also
gathered a file on Earth-295's Sugar Man.
(Magneto III#19 (fb)) - Briar accompanied Magneto back to her lab, where Magneto asked the MGH cook to make him a stronger batch of the drug. Briar reiterated Magneto's request but the cook asked what more Magneto wanted after he had made a batch strong enough to allow Magneto to attack the S.H.I.E.L.D. Helicarrier. Annoyed, Magneto began magnetically torturing the cook until the cook agreed to make a stronger dose, warning that every second on a stronger dose would risk brain aneurysms, and Briar Raleigh calmed Magneto back down, suggesting that was likely the best he would be able to get from the drug cook. She then mentioned that both the cook and a stronger dose of MGH was similar to getting blood from a stone and warned Magneto against continuing to push himself past his limits. Magneto insisted it was worth the risk, as it fell to him to stop things should an incursion arise, and Briar reminded Magneto that it fell to them, not just him, and that they could tap into other resources to get the power Magneto needed.
After Magneto chose Earth-295's Sugar Man from
Briar's data as someone who may be able to assist in boosting his
powers, Briar accompanied Magneto to visit Earth-295's Sugar Man and
when she remarked on not being able to see anything, Magneto lit the
way with his magnetic powers, causing Briar to realize he had taken MGH
despite her earlier warnings. Magneto insisted that he would need more
power than ever before to protect against impending incursions and that
it was better he adjust his body to additional power now rather than
trying to deal with it when the time came to use the power. Sugar Man
agreed to listen to Magneto's proposal and Briar quickly noted that,
while Sugar Man wasn't her first choice for someone to help Magneto,
Magneto had chosen Sugar Man himself. Sugar Man eventually presented
the concept of mobile power amplifiers, which he had created but not
tested, and Briar then watched as Magneto took Sugar Man's data and
impaled the Earth-295 creature. Briar immediately asked what Magneto
had done but Magneto assured her that Sugar Man was a blight on
mutantkind and the world was better off without the Sugar Man now that
Magneto had what he wanted from him.
Later, after giving Magneto some space to analyze the Sugar Man's data, Briar checked on him and asked if there was anything she could do to help. Magneto began to explain what he had gathered about the power amplifiers but when he winced in pain, Briar explained that he was coming down off of the MGH and asked if the withdrawal was getting worse. Magneto commented that he didn't need a nurse and Briar went quiet, at which point Magneto grabbed her hand and demanded to know who she really was before the end of the world came from Earth-616.
(Magneto III#20 (fb)) - When Briar didn't immediately reply, Magneto attacked her and she dove for cover. Magneto grimly reminded Briar of their first meeting when he said he did not have time for niceties but Briar only smiled and remarked that they had some nice times. Magneto then demanded she explain herself again and Briar revealed how she had grown up with wealthy parents but left out of boredom to visit a boyfriend in Seattle, where an attack by Magneto cost her leg. She then asked Magneto if he even remembered why he was attacking Seattle that day, a question she had asked herself many times during her months of physical rehab following her leg injury. She then claimed that during that time, she felt she had come to understand Magneto and hoped to point in a direction that supported him while minimizing collateral damage but Magneto accused Briar of using him like a puppet and attacked her once more. When Briar admitted to liking the side of Magneto that threatened her with pain, Magneto expressed his disgust but Briar insisted Magneto understood her feelings that pain made one truly feel alive. Magneto then asked Briar if she realized how easy it would be for him to take her life away and Briar sarcastically suggested the entire conversation had been about him reminding her of that. Grumbling that if Briar truly wished to feel alive in the face of death, he would allow it and continue working with her to see the incursion situation through to its climax. As Magneto walked off reminding her that there was much to be done before the end arrived, Briar smiled.
Briar later met with S.H.I.E.L.D. spy Agent
Rodriguez and Rodriguez immediately noticed the bruises on Briar from
Magneto's attack. Insisting that her injuries were nothing she couldn't
handle, Briar then learned from Rodriguez that S.H.I.E.L.D. Agent
Haines was planning a strike on Magneto's Genoshan sanctuary. Laughing
when Rodriguez suggested an evacuation of Genosha, Briar gave Rodriguez
a flash drive containing information of Magneto's latest project
involving the incursions and noted that the information might change
S.H.I.E.L.D.'s way of thinking, perhaps even convincing them to back
Magneto up. Unaware of what exactly was on the flash drive, Rodriguez
mentioned that whatever information was on the flash drive would have
to be extremely important for S.H.I.E.L.D. to back Magneto up and Briar
insisted that it would be Magneto's farewell, grimly suggesting
S.H.I.E.L.D. might want to be there to give Magneto a "proper send
off."
Shortly after, Briar sent an invitation to Magneto's daughter Polaris
to meet up and not long after, Polaris reluctantly attended a party
held for victims of Magneto. Unaware of who the attendees were, Polaris
met with Briar, who informed Polaris about the party attendees being
victims of Magneto before revealing to Polaris that Magneto intended to
sacrifice himself to save the Earth. Admitting that even if she had
wanted to talk Magneto out of sacrificing himself, he would not listen,
Briar suggested that if Magneto was going to die, he might like to have
his daughter by his side.
(Magneto III#20) - As an incursion occurred between Reality-1610 and Reality-616, Briar Raleigh was on the streets of Genosha watching as Magneto absorbed Polaris' power into his own in an attempt to save off the incursion.
(Magneto III#21) - After Polaris regained consciousness following Magneto's absorption of her power, Briar Raleigh attempted to comfort Polaris but Polaris, angry that she had been tricked into being there for the purpose of further empowering Magneto, yelled at Briar not to touch her. Briar quickly reminded Polaris that neither of them were at Magneto's side and admitted that perhaps Magneto could have asked to take Polaris' power. As she questioned whether Polaris would have allowed Magneto to absorb her power, Briar noticed her leg brace was moving. Realizing Magneto was pulling it apart, Briar yelled in pain as her leg brace was magnetically torn from her leg but nonetheless still attempted to convince Polaris that Magneto took her powers in an effort to spare her from the death he expected for himself. Polaris only explained that Magneto was good at finding ways to make the ends justify the means. Eventually, Polaris noticed Magneto seeming to succeed at pushing back Reality-1610 but Briar noted that Magneto had already failed. Moments later, Magneto was destroyed in the incursion and his helmet fell to the ground, prompting Polaris to ask Briar if Magneto was really gone. Briar expressed her thoughts that Magneto was indeed dead with nothing left but his helmet and Polaris noted that Magneto had tried to save the world despite his villainous past. Seconds later, the incursion also claimed Polaris, Briar and everyone around them.
SECRET WARS III HAPPENED
(Uncanny X-Men IV#12 (fb)) - When Magneto decided to ally himself
with the Hellfire Club, he ventured to their headquarters with Briar
Raleigh and remarked on how the last time he had been there, the Black
King and himself nearly killed each other. Briar quickly reminded him
that was why he brought her along because, while he spoke "tyrannical
megalomaniac," she spoke "old money." She then suggested Magneto sit
back and watch her work but when they entered the building, they were
greeted by the group's newest White Queen (Monet St. Croix), Sebastian
Shaw and Black Tom Cassidy. Monet admitted that while they all knew
Magneto, they were not familiar with Briar, but Monet promised they
could all play together if Briar played her cards right. Sebastian Shaw
then suggested they get their meeting over with and as they entered the
meeting room, Briar commented the Club appeared to be her type of
degenerates but wondered where Magneto fit in. Magneto then whispered
to Briar that they would need as many mutant allies as they could get,
even if only to be used as cannon fodder.
(Uncanny X-Men IV#12 (fb) - BTS) - After Magneto allied himself with
the Hellfire Club, he vouched for Briar Raleigh to join as the group's
only non-mutant member.
(Uncanny X-Men IV#11 (fb) - BTS)
- Briar Raleigh officially joined the Hellfire Club.
(Uncanny X-Men IV#12 (fb) - BTS) - After becoming the Hellfire
Club's newest Black Bishop, Briar Raleigh aided Sebastian Shaw and
others in deposing the Hellfire Club's Inner Circle of children. Once
Briar, Sebastian Shaw, Monet St. Croix, Black Tom Cassidy and Magneto
became the new Inner Circle, Briar aided the Hellfire Club in digging
up dirt on the Someday Corporation, eventually acquiring a brain matter
sample from the company.
(Uncanny X-Men IV#11) - Suspicious of the secrets Magneto was keeping from the other X-Men, X-Men members Psylocke and Sabretooth worked with their teammate M to visit the Hellfire Club's Inner Circle, meeting with Briar Raleigh, Sebastian Shaw, Tom Cassidy and M herself, who was revealed as the Club's newest White Queen.
(Uncanny X-Men IV#12) - Briar was present as Psylocke noticed Magneto among the Hellfire Club and demanded to know how Magneto could ally with the Hellfire Club, who had tried many times in the past to kill the X-Men. When Sabretooth remarked on how the Club had recently been ran by a group of children, Briar claimed they sent the children to "bed without dinner," assuring Sabretooth that the Inner Circle was composed of only adults now and prompting Sabretooth to remark that there didn't seem to be much different between the two leaderships. As Magneto tried to explain how some of the Hellfire Club's schemes and the X-Men's strategies coincide, Briar mentioned that there were some doors that only opened with copious amounts of money. She then presented Psylocke was a small container of brain matter and revealed that the Someday Corporation had been offering safe cryogenic harbor for mutants fearing the recent release of the mutant-killing Terrigen Mists, suggesting Psylocke examine the brain matter sample. Briar then revealed that while the X-Men had been fighting the good fight, the Hellfire Club had been digging up dirt that Psylocke might find too tempting to pass up.
(Uncanny X-Men IV#13) - Briar was present with the Hellfire Club when the X-Men (and Hellfire Club member Black Tom Cassidy) returned to the Club following a intel mission to the Someday Corporation. Upon hearing that the mutant Sleepers defeated them but did not finish the job, Sebastian Shaw wondered aloud if the situation with the mutants at Someday were somehow linked to technology X-Men member Fantomex had previously seen but Briar suggested in the negative, instead proposing the possibility that the Sleepers were striking against the Someday Corporation. When Magneto led Psylocke into a room where one of the Sleepers, Bu Jun, had been captured, Psylocke grumbled that Magneto could have informed her ahead of time that the mission goal at Someday was to apprehend one of the Sleepers but Briar questioned f the results of their mission would have been any different if the X-Men had known. She then pointed out that the goal was still met and commended Psylocke on a job well done.
(Uncanny X-Men IV#14) - Briar remained by Magneto's side as Psylocke
learned from the captive Bu Jun's mind that the Sleepers were planning
an attack at an anti-mutant rally in Washington. When Magneto
questioned who was controlling the Sleepers, Psylocke refused to
endanger Bu Jun's life by telepathically pushing further and Briar
sarcastically suggested to Magneto that Psylocke wasn't much of a team
player. The Hellfire Club discussed whether Magneto would ever be
satisfied with enough information and when Monet St. Croix commented
that the Club still had her at their side, Briar asked what Monet could
do that Psylocke was not able to. Monet argued that she did not like
Briar nearly enough to be addressed by her first name and warned Briar
never to think she was in a good enough position to tell Monet when she
was in over her head. After Monet deduced that fanatical Magneto
follower Exodus was controlling the Sleepers and Magneto defeated
Exodus to restore the Sleepers' proper minds, Briar was present as
Psylocke quit Magneto's X-Men team.
(X-Men: Blue I#8 (fb) - BTS) - At some point, Briar Raleigh
installed black market alien Shi'ar wetware into her brain to guard
against telepathic intrusion (see
comments).
(X-Men: Blue I#7 (fb) - BTS) -
Briar Raleigh began paying for the
X-Men's Madripoor mansion headquarters while continuing her work with
Magneto. After a
divergent Captain America counterpart took over the United States and
the X-Men's Emma Frost arranged the sovereign nation of New Tian in
what was California, Magneto ordered the time-displaced original X-Men
to shelter in one of his holdout shelters in California's Redwood
National Park and Briar Raleigh began aiding the time-displaced
original X-Men in their efforts to oppose Frost's new regime. As part
of her assistance, she ran a list of crimes against civil liberties and
moral affronts. When the time-displaced original X-Men ventured to
Alcatraz to free captive mutants there, Earth-1610's Jimmy Hudson was
left behind as a bodyguard for Briar, who spent most of the time
talking to Jimmy about scars and the limits of his healing factor.
(X-Men: Blue I#7) - When the time-displaced original X-Men returned
to their Redwood National Park headquarters and were greeted by Briar
Raleigh and Earth-1610's Jimmy Hudson. When Marvel Girl mentioned
needing a rest, Briar suggested a power nap and informed the
time-displaced X-Men that her list of crimes against civil liberties
and moral affronts were going to be keeping the team very busy. Jimmy
Hudson then whispered to Marvel Girl about Briar's conversations with
him about his healing factor and suggested that someone else play
bodyguard during the team's next outing. The team then grumbled about
having to stay in a bunker and Briar reminded them of Magneto's orders,
musing that the bunker they were in was likely one Magneto once
intended to use once he took over America himself. The conversation was
quickly interrupted by a rumble emanating from outside the bunker and
Briar barely had time to have Marvel Girl erect a telekinetic shield
before an explosion blew a hole in the side of their bunker. Briar was
knocked unconscious in the blast and the culprits stood revealed as a
mutant strike force from New Tian. The young Beast barely had time to
check on Briar before the strike force attacked and the entire
time-displaced X-Men team were downed moments later. The unconscious
X-Men and Briar Raleigh were then apprehended by the New Tian strike
force and taken to Emma Frost.
(X-Men: Blue I#8) - While the X-Men were placed in a cell with power
dampeners, Briar Raleigh was placed in a nice room, where she took a
shower and then questioned Havok about what angle he was playing, given
her lavish accommodations. Feigning ignorance, Havok claimed Sebastian
Shaw had requested Briar be given the best accommodations due to her
membership in the Hellfire Club but Briar refused to believe Shaw cared
anything about her comfort. She then remarked that Emma Frost must want
something from her and was fearful that the alien Shi'ar wetware
installed in Briar's brain might fry Frost's own if Frost tried to
telepathic take the information she wanted from Briar. When Briar
commented that subtlety and subterfuge were not Havok's strong suits
and that he should simply spit out what he wanting from her, she
learned that Emma Frost was seeking information on the whereabouts of
Magneto. At first claiming that she last heard Magneto was dead, Briar
hinted slightly about information on Magneto she may or may not have
and laughed at the idea that New Tian thought she would give up any
information for a few basic amenities. She then flirted a bit with
Havok, remarking that torture was more fun, and noted that if Magneto
was still around, New Tian would likely be hearing from him soon
enough. At that very moment, Magneto noticed a cut-off in his contact
with Briar and his robot Ferris confirmed that the Redwood National
Park safe house had been compromised.
(X-Men: Blue I#9) - As Marvel Girl and Jimmy Hudson staged a rescue
mission for their teammates with the help of the sentient computer
Danger, Briar Raleigh smiled and picked up a liquor bottle. Upon
freeing her teammates, Marvel Girl asked where Briar was and the group
soon found her in her room, at which point Briar sarcastically remarked
on how it was about time they had gotten there, as all her comfort and
luxury was starting to chafe. Briar then accompanied the X-Men in an
escape attempt but they were confronted by Emma Frost and a
telepathically-controlled Xorn and young Cyclops. During the subsequent
battle, the young Iceman protected Briar Raleigh until Marvel Girl was
able to free Cyclops of Emma Frost's control. They all then made their
way past Frost and a freed Xorn, avoiding the New Tian strike force to
reunite with Danger and Magneto's daughter Polaris. After Danger
transformed back into the X-Men's Blackbird to aid in their escape, the
X-Men questioned why Danger and Polaris had been keeping tabs on them.
Polaris then assured the X-Men that she, Danger and Briar Raleigh as
well were merely monitoring them, at which point Briar claimed they
were essentially the X-Men's teachers.
(X-Men: Blue I#31 (fb) - BTS) - At some point, Briar left the
Hellfire Club, feeling as if their brand of evil was a bit too tame for
her liking.
(X-Men: Blue I#23 (fb) - BTS) - As the X-Men and Emma Frost
continued to be at odds, Briar Raleigh reached out to her intelligence
contacts in an effort to learn Emma Frost's plans but she was only able
to learn that something was looming on the horizon and that her
contacts were eagerly awaiting the next supervillain catastrophe.
(X-Men: Blue I#23 - BTS) - Briar Raleigh attended a holographic strategy session with Magneto, Jimmy Hudson and Earth-21710's Bloodstorm to discuss Miss Sinister and the Mothervine biotech. When Magneto noted that it was not a stretch to assume that Emma Frost and Havok were working with Miss Sinister to use Mothervine, Briar sarcastically asked if Magneto could blame them for having strange bedfellows after Magneto had earlier used the X-Men to strike at Frost while the world thought him dead. Magneto quickly reminded Briar that he had hoped the X-Men could operate and set an example for the world as heroes in a way he could not. Magneto then noted that since most of the time-displaced X-Men were in space with no confirmation that they would ever return, perhaps he should have been the monster most perceived him to be from the beginning, prompting a sly smile from Briar. After Magneto gave orders for Bloodstorm and Jimmy Hudson to engage and even eliminate their prey if necessary, the meeting was interrupted by the arrival of the mutant vigilante Raksha group, who revealed to Magneto and Briar Raleigh the Hellfire Club's presence in Madripoor. Assuming the Hellfire Club's presence meant that Emma Frost was no longer content to wait to be found, Magneto was quickly warned by Briar that Frost was likely trying to distract Magneto with Hellfire Club goons when she could just as easily come for Magneto herself. Magneto then asked if Briar had heard anything of Emma Frost's upcoming plans from her intelligence contacts and Briar replied that she was only able to learn that "something" was coming with no real details as to what. Upon hearing this information, Magneto opted to stay the course and keep events in the same motion they were already in, at which point Briar remarked "You're the boss." and dissipated her hologram.
(X-Men: Blue I#24 (fb) - BTS) -
Prior to a meeting with Daken
Akihiro on Magneto's behalf, Briar Raleigh purchased an undisclosed
amount of Adamantium, which Magneto shaped into a pair of katana blades
for Daken.
(X-Men: Blue I#25 (fb) - BTS) -
Before Magneto departed to meet with
Emma Frost and Havok, Briar Raleigh insisted he take a dose of Mutant
Growth Hormone with him.
(X-Men: Blue I#24) - Briar was sent to Barcelona, Spain to meet with Daken Akihiro and when Daken revealed his presence, he remarked that he was there to meet Magneto. When Briar matter-of-factly replied that he would have to deal with her instead, Daken attempted to use his pheromone powers on Briar, who shrugged them off, commenting that it would take more than a chemical reaction to impress her. She then suggested they get down to business and presented Daken with a set of two Adamantium katana forged by Magneto as a gift in exchange for Daken's service, remarking that she couldn't wait to see what sort of potential mayhem Daken could cause with the blades.
(X-Men: Blue I#25) - Briar later returned to the Madripoor X-Mansion with Daken to find the Raksha's Gazing Nightshade on the front steps. Introducing herself, Briar asked what was wrong and upon learning that Earth-1610's Malice had briefly taken possession of Polaris to attack the Raksha, Briar remarked that it was too bad she missed the daughter of Magneto out of control and raising hell. Surprised, Daken questioned whether the idea of Polaris sowing chaos and carnage turned Briar on, to which Briar replied that everyone had their "own kinks." When Magneto later returned to the X-Mansion from a battle with Emma Frost, Havok, Miss Sinister and the Sentinel Bastion, Briar welcomed Magneto back as she viewed the progress of Emma Frost and Havok's Mothervine plot. After expressing thoughts that Magneto was likely thankful she had forced him to bring the Mutant Growth Hormone, Briar updated Magneto on the Mothervine progress, revealing that Emma Frost and her crew had launched Mothervine "bombs" all over the world that caused genetic mutation in 60% of those within the impact points. When Magneto responded that Mothervine would cause mutants to become the dominant species within a matter of weeks, Briar sarcastically commented that Magneto should have been careful what he wished for. Magneto insisted that he did not want mutants to dominate in such an unnatural way and that Mothervine would have catastrophic effects on mutantkind, prompting Briar to explain it was too late to stop it. When Magneto stumbled to decide what to do without the time-displaced X-Men to assist the world, Briar smiled and revealed that she had taken a few liberties while he was out, introducing Polaris and a small squad of ad-hoc X-Men including Xorn, Gazing Nightshade, Polaris, Jimmy Hudson, Bloodstorm and Daken.
(X-Men: Blue I#31 (fb) - BTS) - Following the Mothervine crisis,
Briar relocated to an estate in Malibu, California.
(X-Men: Blue I#31) - While swimming in her pool, Briar was met by the time-displaced younger X-Men, who had just visited the Hellfire Club mansion destroyed by Magneto. Briar asked what the X-Men had expected of Magneto, explaining that she had been monitoring Magneto for a long time and had anticipating such an outburst from Magneto for some time. When Marvel Girl questioned Briar's involvement in directing Magneto's actions and/or attacks, Briar admitted to having guided Magneto's attacks so that he only attacked locales of her choosing but noted that nothing would truly stop Magneto actions. She then suggested the young X-Men leave Magneto to get the rage out of his system, as Magneto only seemed to be attacking the Hellfire Club chapter houses, which she felt deserved it. Suspicious, Marvel Girl questioned whether Briar knew where the now-missing Emma Frost was and Briar admitted that she had her suspicions and had planned to direct Magneto towards Frost once she vetted the assumptions. Also admitting to liking the young X-Men, Briar agreed to share what she knew with them, warning that their presence would only escalate the situation.
(X-Men: Blue I#34 (fb) - BTS) - Still working with Magneto, Briar Raleigh reached out to the laboratory of scientist Kirk Jansen to inform them of an expected visit from Magneto.
(X-Men: Blue I#34) - After Magneto destroyed Jansen's lab, killing Jansen and all personnel inside, he reformed his old Asteroid M base and his Brotherhood organization, which Briar Raleigh joined alongside mutants Elixir, Exodus, Toad, Marrow and Carmella Unuscione. Sitting on his Asteroid M throne, Magneto summoned Briar and the rest of his new Brotherhood, remarking that they had much work to do.
(X-Men: Black - Magneto#1 (fb))
- Following a training simulation in
which Magneto disengaged the safety protocols, Briar Raleigh questioned
how Magneto could save mutantkind when he risked killing himself in
training simulations. Magneto claimed that the better he fared against
simulated X-Men, the better he would fare against the real X-Men, but
Briar argued that it didn't look that way to her. Insisting he knew
what he was doing, Magneto asked why Briar had interrupted his training
and Briar revealed that the Office of National Emergency had opened a
mutant detention center in Texas that was detaining children. When
Briar informed Magneto that she was setting up a strike force to take
down the detention center, Magneto instead insisted on taking care of
the problem himself. Briar reminded Magneto of his training simulation
injuries but Magneto nonetheless decided to travel to Earth himself,
feeling as if he needed to be there as the face of the mutant
resistance.
Comments: Created by Cullen Bunn and Gabriel Hernandez Walta.
In the flashback to her accident in Magneto III#5, Briar mentions to emergency personnel that she no longer had any family. One might assume right off the bat that meant her family was killed in Magneto's attack on Seattle but that seems unlikely, considering that in Magneto III#20, Briar mentions that she grew up with wealthy parents and was in Seattle to visit a boyfriend. This suggests that her parents were not in Seattle with her at the time she was injured so they were likely not killed by Magneto. Regardless, Magneto III#7 establishes that Briar herself had a large amount of wealth so either she became independently wealthy or her parents both died at some point (if so, it was likely at some point after Magneto's attack on Seattle, as noted in the above sentences) and she inherited the money. We don't really know and there's no real evidence to support that her parents had actually died so until we are shown more, one can assume her parents are still alive somewhere.
We are never told when exactly Briar Raleigh installed Shi'ar wetware into her brain. She first mentions it in X-Men: Blue I#8 and had not displayed any actual superhuman powers prior to that issue. I personally don't believe she had it installed the whole time she was aiding Magneto and my best guess is that she installed at some point prior to aiding Magneto with the time-displaced original X-Men. She would've been in Magneto's association for quite a while by that point and while she did have immense wealth, she likely would not have access to alien cybernetic technology until sometime after her association with Magneto and other mutants like the X-Men (who have a strong association with the Shi'ar) and Hellfire Club. I suppose it's possible she could have used her computer and intelligence skills to acquire Shi'ar wetware earlier than that but it just seems more likely to me that she had installed it following her membership into the Hellfire Club, perhaps after seeing what the telepathic Psylocke and M did to Sleeper mutant Bu Jun...
Some online sources list Magneto's
Brotherhood at the end of X-Men: Blue I#34 as the "Brotherhood of Evil
Mutants" but Magneto only refers to them as his "Brotherhood." As such,
I've listed this group as "the Brotherhood" in this profile.
What became of Briar Raleigh following the establishment of Krakoa as a mutant nation remains to be seen. As a non-mutant human, she likely did not accompany Magneto to Krakoa but given that she was still part of his prior Brotherhood, maybe she was granted special status to accompany him there and we just weren't shown. Of course, Krakoa has currently fallen as a nation and Briar still has not shown up since 2018. While she willfully admitted to the time-displaced young X-Men that she was manipulating Magneto to direct him towards targets and locales of her choosing, the ultimate goal of directing Magneto, if any other than targeting certain things she felt deserved his wrath, remains to be seen. Given her somewhat sadistic enjoyment of his rampages and the adrenaline rush she seemed to get from watching Magneto really cut loose, perhaps Briar's only goal was to be there to watch him destroy targets of her choosing...I'm sure she's probably still out there somewhere watching Magneto's actions from afar and investigating/stalking him...
This profile was completed 03/13/2024 but its publication was delayed, as it was intended for the Appendix's 25th anniversary celebratory event.
Profile by Proto-Man.
CLARIFICATIONS:
Briar Raleigh should be distinguished from:
Appearances:
Magneto III#5 (August, 2014) - Cullen Bunn (writer), Gabriel Hernandez
Walta (art), Daniel Ketchum (editor)
Magneto III#6 (September, 2014) - Cullen Bunn (writer), Javier
Fernandez (art), Daniel Ketchum (editor)
Magneto III#7 (September, 2014) - Cullen Bunn (writer), Gabriel
Hernandez Walta, Javier Fernandez (art), Daniel Ketchum (editor)
Magneto III#8 (October, 2014) - Cullen Bunn (writer), Javier Fernandez
(art), Daniel Ketchum (editor)
Magneto III#11 (December, 2014) - Cullen Bunn (writer), Gabriel
Hernandez Walta (art), Daniel Ketchum (editor)
Magneto III#13 (February, 2015) - Cullen Bunn (writer), Javier
Fernandez (art), Daniel Ketchum (editor)
Magneto III#15 (April, 2015) - Cullen Bunn (writer), Gabriel Hernandez
Walta (art), Daniel Ketchum (editor)
Magneto III#16 (May, 2015) - Cullen Bunn (writer), Gabriel Hernandez
Walta (art), Daniel Ketchum (editor)
Magneto III#17 (June, 2015) - Cullen Bunn (writer), Gabriel Hernandez
Walta (art), Daniel Ketchum (editor)
Magneto III#19 (August, 2015) - Cullen Bunn (writer), Paul Davidson
(art), Daniel Ketchum (editor)
Magneto III#20 (September, 2015) - Cullen Bunn (writer), Paul Davidson
(art), Daniel Ketchum (editor)
Magneto III#21 (October, 2015) - Cullen Bunn (writer), Gabriel
Hernandez Walta (art), Daniel Ketchum (editor)
Uncanny X-Men IV#11 (October, 2016) - Cullen Bunn (writer), Greg Land
(pencils), Jay Leisten (inks), Daniel Ketchum (editor)
Uncanny X-Men IV#12 (November, 2016) - Cullen Bunn (writer), Greg Land
(pencils), Jay Leisten (inks), Daniel Ketchum (editor)
Uncanny X-Men IV#13 (November, 2016) - Cullen Bunn (writer), Greg Land
(pencils), Jay Leisten (inks), Daniel Ketchum (editor)
Uncanny X-Men IV#14 (December, 2016) - Cullen Bunn (writer), Greg Land
(pencils), Jay Leisten (inks), Daniel Ketchum (editor)
X-Men: Blue I#7 (September, 2017) - Cullen Bunn (writer), Cory Smith
(art), Mark Paniccia (editor)
X-Men:
Blue I#8 (September, 2017) - Cullen Bunn (writer), Cory Smith, Joey
Vazquez (pencils), Terry Pallot (inks), Mark Paniccia (editor)
X-Men: Blue I#9 (October, 2017) - Cullen Bunn (writer), Cory Smith,
Thony Silas (art), Mark Paniccia (editor)
X-Men: Blue I#23 (May, 2018) - Cullen Bunn (writer), Jorge Molina
(art), Darren Shan (editor)
X-Men: Blue I#24 (May, 2018) - Cullen Bunn (writer), Jorge Molina
(art), Darren Shan (editor)
X-Men: Blue I#25 (June, 2018) - Cullen Bunn (writer), Jorge Molina
(art), Darren Shan (editor)
X-Men: Blue I#31 (September, 2018) - Cullen Bunn (writer), Jorge Molina
(art), Darren Shan (editor)
X-Men: Blue I#34 (October, 2018) - Cullen Bunn (writer), Marcus To
(art), Darren Shan (editor)
X-Men:
Black - Magneto#1 (December, 2018) - "The Stars, Our Destination?"
story - Chris Claremont (writer), Dalibor Talajic (pencils), Roberto
Poggi, Belardino Brabo (inks), Darren Shan (editor)
First posted: 09/24/2026
Last updated: 03/13/2024
Any Additions/Corrections? please let me know.
Non-Marvel
Copyright info
All other characters mentioned or pictured are ™ and
© 1941-2099 Marvel Characters, Inc. All Rights Reserved. If you
like this stuff, you should check out the real thing!
Please visit The Marvel Official Site at: http://www.marvel.com
Special Thanks to www.g-mart.com for hosting the Appendix, Master List, etc.!