WINGS OVER THE WORLD
Classification: Terrestrial charitable organization
Creator: Xavier Institute for Gifted Youngsters and Worthington Industries in collaboration with Calar Tensiles, Gilbane Construction, S.H.I.E.L.D.
User/Possessors: Handicapped adults and children (amongst them the Disabled American Veterans, Cerebral Palsy Athletic Association and the Lupus Foundation of America) X-Men (Archangel/Warren Worthington III, Cyclops/Scott Summers)
First Appearance: X-Men Unlimited II#8/1 (June, 2005)
Powers/Abilities/Functions: Anti-gravity domed aviary combined with winged harnesses to grant handicapped, immobilized people the power of flight. The anti-gravity units were placed in the building itself rather than the actual wings, to make sure criminals would have no incentive to steal them.
History:
(X-Men Unlimited II#8/1) - Looking to offset the bad publicity the Xavier Institute for Gifted Youngsters had been receiving, the Institute's headmaster Cyclops decided to establish a charitable organisation. The charity would need to have a high-profile affair that could project their image more positively in the eyes of the world. To achieve this feat Cyclops sought out the help of Archangel (Warren Worthington III). But instead of appealing for his financial backing Cyclops needed his vision, Archangel accepted and set out looking for the perfect charity.
(X-Men Unlimited II#8/1) - Late one evening Archangel got his perfect idea when reading Heinlein's "The Past Through Tomorrow". He chanced upon the plan to create a giant domed aviary and a way to allow handicapped people to enjoy the power of flight.
(X-Men Unlimited II#8/1) - Archangel met with the people of Gilbane Construction to build the giant aviary after which he met with the scientists from Calar Tensiles to construct winged harnesses that would allow regular people to fly. He then met with Nick Fury and members of S.H.I.E.L.D. to collaborate on a series of anti-gravity units that would mirror the gravitational effects of the moon.
(X-Men Unlimited II#8/1 - BTS) - Archangel named the project Wings over the World.
(X-Men Unlimited II#8/1) - Cyclops visited Archangel during the construction of the aviary, astounded by Archangel's vision he noted it to be the perfect embodiment of the X-Men's modus operandi; exciting, compassionate, inclusive, ingenious and a little bit of showbiz. But before the duo could continue the tour of the facility they were interrupted by the arrival of Reverend Salthouse. The local holy man explained he represented an organization of concerned citizens who objected to their project, feeling their "scheme" was encouraging celestial delusions. Deciding to silence the Reverend with his own words Archangel asked Salthouse if he would regard him as one of God's children, prompting the Reverend to admit there was no question about it. After which Archangel revealed his angel-like wings noting that he could share with the world whatever God had given him.
(X-Men Unlimited II#8/1) - Sometime later after the construction had finished Archangel was present in his superhero costume helping groups of handicapped from the Disabled American Veterans, Cerebral Palsy Athletic Association and the Lupus Foundation of America. They were visibly enjoying the freedom that flight granted, allowing them to forget their disabilities for a moment.
Comments: Created by Paul Di Filippo (writer), Cliff Richards (pencils), Norm Rapmund (inks).
Profile by MarvellousLuke
CLARIFICATIONS:
Wings over the World has no known connections to
Calar Tensiles was a company that created winged harnesses in collaboration with Worthington Industries. The wings were created to only function inside the domed aviary as a safety precaution.
--X-Men Unlimited II#8/1
Gilbane Construction was the company that constructed the giant domed aviary in collaboration with Worthington Industries. The dome was later fitted with anti-gravity units courtesy of S.H.I.E.L.D. which allowed the entire aviary to mimick the gravitational effects of the Moon.
--X-Men Unlimited II#8/1
Reverend Salthouse represented an organization of concerned citizens who objected to the Wings over the World project, feeling their "scheme" was encouraging celestial delusions. Salthouse sought out the project's leader Archangel and revealed his objections. Deciding to silence the Reverend with his own words Archangel asked Salthouse if he would regard him as one of God's children, prompting the Reverend to admit there was no question about it. After which Archangel revealed his angel-like wings noting that he could share with the world whatever God had given him.
--X-Men Unlimited II#8/1
images: (without ads)
X-Men Unlimited II#8, p11, pan1 (main image)
X-Men Unlimited II#8, p9, pan1 (building)
X-Men Unlimited II#8, p8, pan3 (Calar Tensiles)
X-Men Unlimited II#8, p8, pan1 (Gilbane Construction)
X-Men Unlimited II#8, p10, pan1 (Reverend Salthouse)
Appearances:
X-Men Unlimited II#8/1 (June, 2005) - Paul Di Filippo (writer), Cliff Richards (pencils), Norm Rapmund (inks), Sean Ryan, Mike Marts, Stephanie Moore (editors)
First Posted: 09/27/2018
Last Updated: 09/27/2018
Any Additions/Corrections? please let me know.
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