ridge-runner-danmoon-fullridge-runner-danmoon-face RIDGE-RUNNER

Real Name: Unrevealed;
    Danielle Moonstar presumably named him Ridge-Runner, although she had an empathic bond with him and may have appreciated the name he considered for himself

Identity/Class: Terrestrial fauna (mountain lion/cougar/puma)

Occupation: Predator

Group Membership: None

Affiliations: Danielle Moonstar

Enemies: Hellfire Club mercenaries;
    disliked humanity in general, including Danielle's paternal grandfather, Black Eagle

Known Relatives: None

Aliases: "Fuzzy Old Thing" (from Dani Moonstar), "Kitty-Cat" (from Hellfire Club agent)

ridge-runner-danmoon-hugBase of Operations: Unrevealed;
    formerly the Medicine Bow Mountains, near the town of Sundance, Colorado

First Appearance: Marvel Graphic Novel#4: The New Mutants (November, 1982)

   

ridge-runner-danmoon-hcPowers/Abilities: As a cougar, Ridge-Runner possessed superhuman speed, reflexes, agility, as well as olfactory and nocturnal visual senses.

    He possessed sharp claws and teeth, enabling him to rend flesh.

    He was loyal to his human companion, Danielle Moonstar, whom he adored and for whom he was willing to sacrifice his life in her defense.

   

Height: Unrevealed (approximately 35" tall and 7'10" long (from nose to tail tip))
Weight: Unrevealed (approximately 155 lbs.)
Eyes: Green
Hair/Fur: Tawny (orange-tan-brown)
   

History:
(
Marvel Graphic Novel#4: The New Mutants (fb) - BTS) - The cougar/puma/mountain lion known as Ridge-Runner formed an empathic bond with the young Cheyenne mutant Danielle Moonstar (who either understood his name or gave that name to him).

(Marvel Graphic Novel#4: The New Mutants) - As Danielle meditated on the mountainside, Ridge-Runner, having fed already, rushed to her side. With a paw on her thigh and low growl, he distracted her from her meditation, and she greeted him with a hug. They were both content, until both sensed the approach of her paternal grandfather, Black Eagle. Disliking/distrusting other humans, Ridge-Runner fled despite Dani's instruction to stay; her thoughts still mixed with Ridge-Runner's, Dani was hard pressed not to follow him. ridge-runner-danmoon-death

(Marvel Graphic Novel#4: The New Mutants - BTS) - Black Eagle convinced Danielle that she needed to train under Charles Xavier to control her mutant ability to project other's greatest fears, but Black Eagle was subsequently slain by armored agents of the Hellfire Club's Donald Pierce.

(Marvel Graphic Novel#4: The New Mutants) - After Black Eagle's funeral, armored Hellfire Club agents on flying platforms attempted to capture Danielle. As she fled, Ridge-Runner roared and leapt at one of the armored agents; although initially surprised, the armored agent hurled Ridge-Runner over a cliff, taunting him, "Nice try kitty cat, But against my battle armor, you got no more of a chance than your mutie mistress." Dani cried out Ridge-Runner's name as he fell to his apparent death.

Comments: Created by Chris Claremont and Bob McLeod.

    It didn't look like that far for a mountain lion to fall, but perhaps the Hellfire Club agent smashed him in the head while knocking him away. Given their empathic bond, I'd think Danielle would have known if he survived.

    Ridge-Runner had a head-shot picture and micro-entry in the Marvel Pets Handbook.

    This profile was completed 06/22/2026, but its publication was delayed as it was intended for the Appendix 25th anniversary 's celebratory event to represent Moonstar's characters and stories.

Profile by Snood.

CLARIFICATIONS:
Ridge-Runner should be distinguished from:


images: (without ads)
Marvel Graphic Novel#4: The New Mutants, pg. 11, panel 1 (full, running);
          panel 3 (nuzzling Dani);
          panel 4 (recognizing Black Eagle's approach)
       pg. 21, panel 2 (leaping at Hellfire Club agent);
          panel 4 (apparently lying dead)

Appearances:
Marvel Graphic Novel#4: The New Mutants (November, 1982) - Chris Claremont (writer), Bob McLeod (artist), Louise Jones (editor)


First posted: 09/23/2026
Last updated: 06/22/2026

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.!

Back to Characters