Real Name: William (?)

Identity/Class: Human mutant

Occupation: Ward of an unnamed monastery

Group Membership: Unnamed Christian (Catholic?) order (see comments)

Affiliations: Brother Ian, Brother Richard

Enemies: Spider-Man (Peter Parker)

Known Relatives: None

Aliases: None

Base of Operations: New York City, U.S.A., especially a monastery and a funfair in Central Park.

First Appearance: Peter Parker: Spider-Man II#34 (October, 2001)

Powers/Abilities: William was male human mutant, probably a teenager with less than average strength and intelligence. His mutant power, already activated as a baby, was to generate incredible energy bursts, crackling light blue in color, and focus them outward through his open eyes. Initially, he seemed to be able to create small energy items, but these grew more intense as he aged and became concussive blasts that fired out whenever he opened his eyes. These energy discharges would knock the victims out temporarily, but had a more detrimental impact on William's health, aging him quickly and caused his mental and physical health to deteriorate rapidly, to the point of causing death if he kept them open for too long. If William lay on his back then his eyes did not discharge energy.

History:

(Peter Parker: Spider-Man II#34 (fb)) - His mutant power already activated, the child later known as William was left abandoned as a baby at the door of the orphanage run by the monastery. His eyes had been bandaged and the monks later discovered his mutant power was like a curse in that he had to lie on his back to see, and a place was made available in the monastery's catacombs. While on his back, William would read holy books and watch television while being watched over by the monks. He would help in the garden patch with his eyes closed to prevent any blasts escaping.

(Peter Parker: Spider-Man II#34 (fb) - BTS) - William escaped his bonds and knocked out a couple of monks using his eye blasts. He intended to end his pain.

(Peter Parker: Spider-Man II#34) - Brother Ian discovered that William had left the monastery and alerted Brother Richard; the two then ran to their Monkmobile to find their ward. Meanwhile, as William roamed outside, three thugs attempted to mug him, but were blasted away by the mutant's eye blasts. William apologized to them for their injuries.

Elsewhere, Peter Parker was attending a local funfair in New York's Central Park with his neighbor, Caryn. William's approach generated panic among the crowd and Parker quickly left Caryn to secretly change into his Spider-Man costume and confront the danger. Spider-Man webbed William's upper torso and head, but this was easily blasted apart by William opening his eyes. Spider-Man sought to escape William's eye bursts but an energy discharge destroyed his webbing line, causing the hero to fall into a nearby tent. Brothers Richard and Ian then approached Spider-Man and explained the situation that William had to close eyes to prevent injuring himself and others.

Spider-Man pursued William, but the mutant had already approached the spinning gravitational fun-ride called the Wall of Death and blasted the ride's control panel, which caused it to spin wildly out of control. William cried out as he kept his eyes open, staring at the night sky, seeking salvation and an end to his pain. Spider-Man jumped in after William but was thrown against the spinning ride and was unable to help the pained youth. William stared upwards, saw the stars at last and found God in his dying breath, as his eyes bled a red tear.

Comments: Created by Paul Jenkins (writer), Mark Buckingham (penciler) & Wayne Faucher (inker).

Given the ST FRAN number plate of the monastery's Monkmobile, it seems probable that they were Franciscan monks.

Profile by Grendel Prime, with more monks by Prime Eternal

Clarifications:

William has no known connections to:

• Prince William of Earth-1193 - "Billy the Kid", aided Excalibur in rescuing Shadowcat from ogre @ Excalibur I#12
• William - child of the Voyager, gained self-awareness, married Alicia Harker over 200 years ago, eventually consumed by the Voyager but later released @ Marvel Frontier Comics Special#1/3
• Any other "William" characters

Brothers Ian and Richard have no known connections to:

• Any of the dozens of other "Brother", "Ian" or "Richard" characters

The Monkmobile has no known connections to:

• Any other "Monk" or "-mobile" items

Brother Ian was a young member of the monastery that watched over William. He served under Brother Richard and was the first to alert him of William's departure. He then aided Brother Richard in searching for William in the Monkmobile, before finding him at a funfair in Central Park. He stood by Brother Richard as he explained the situation to Spider-man. Later, he and Brother Richard were waiting in the Monkmobile at a red light when a gang of Murderous Mimes pulled up next to them, including a "Mimemobile" VW Beetle. The Mimes looked over at the monks and silently challenged them to a drag race. Brother Richard attempted to race them when the lights changed, but the Monkmobile fell into pieces from the stress. He wore the robes and hairstyle of the order, as well as a goatee, and displayed normal characteristics, although he did not seem that fit.

--Peter Parker: Spider-Man II#34 (38

Brother Richard was a senior member at the monastery where William was held. Once alerted by Brother Ian, he checked William's room and instigated a two-man search with Brother Ian in the Monkmobile, eventually finding the mutant at the funfair. He discovered Spider-Man there and offered knowledge about how to counter William's destructive powers. Brother Richard was there as Spider-Man attempted the unsuccessful rescue of William. Later, he and Brother Ian were waiting in the Monkmobile at a red light when a gang of criminal Mimes pulled up next to them, including a "Mimemobile" VW Beetle. The Mimes looked over at the monks and silently challenged them to a drag race. Brother Richard attempted to race them when the lights changed, but the Monkmobile fell into pieces from the stress. He wore the robes and hairstyle of the order, as well as a pair of glasses, and displayed normal characteristics, although he did not seem that fit. He had graying hair and brown eyes.

--Peter Parker: Spider-Man II#34 (38

The Monkmobile was a standard yellow Volkswagen Beetle with no apparent modifications. It was daubed with various Christian imagery and had the personalized number plate, ST FRAN, presumably short for St. Francis. It ultimately fell apart when Brother Ian and Richard attempted to drag race with the Mimes.

--Peter Parker: Spider-Man II#34 (38

images:
Peter Parker: Spider-Man II#34, cover (main)