ROOTAR THE IRRESISTIBLE

Real Name: Unrevealed

Identity/Class: Sub-species of humanity (Inhuman) mutate

Occupation: Soldier

Group Membership: Crimson Cadre (Eelak the Agile, General Ator, Glaboo, Margoyle, Pulssus)

Affiliations: Genetics Council (Arcadius, others)

Enemies: Fantastic Force (Devlor, Huntara, Psi-Lord/Franklin Richards, Vibraxas/N'Kano), Fantastic Four (Ant-Man/Scott Lang, Doctor Doom/Kristoff Vernard, Human Torch/Johnny Storm, Invisible Woman/Susan Richards, Thing/Ben Grimm), Inhuman Royal Family (Ahura, Black Bolt, Gorgon, Karnak, Lockjaw), Lyja the Lazerfist, Morgan le Fay, Nathaniel Richards, Zarrko the Tomorrow Man (Artur Zarrko) of Earth-6297

Known Relatives: None

Aliases: None

Base of Operations: Attilan

First Appearance: Fantastic Four I#398 (March, 1995)

Powers/Abilities: After being exposed to Terrigenesis, Rootar's body took on a tree-trunk form, and he developed the abilities to extend his body outward into long branches and roots that he can use to strike or tie up his foes. Rootar is able to change his size and he appears to have super-strength and resilience, but the extent of these powers are unknown. It is unknown if he can manipulate plant life.

Height: Variable
Weight: Unrevealed
Eyes: Black sockets
Hair: None

History:
(Fantastic Four I#398 (fb) - BTS) - General Ator of the Inhumans assembled his own private assault squad, training them as a unit. Naming them the Crimson Cadre, he trained Rootar the Irresistible, Margoyle, Eelak the Agile, Glaboo, and Pulssus.

(Fantastic Force I#8 (fb) - BTS) - The Crimson Cadre was considered Attilan's elite paramilitary strike force and legends among the Inhumans.

(Fantastic Four: Atlantis Rising#1) - When Attilan was threatened by the destruction of its atmosphere on the moon, the Genetics Council sent the Crimson Cadre to attack Hawaii on Earth.

(Fantastic Four I#398) - Getting word that the Fantastic Four were landing a ship on the moon, General Ator ordered them to be turned away as they had recently defied the Genetics Council. At Ator's orders, the ship was fired upon, but it then disappeared from view, due to the Invisible Woman's powers. After seeing evidence that the ship had landed, Ator assembled the Crimson Cadre. They soon found the Thing in a crater and told the hero he had just met his death squad.

(Fantastic Four I#399) - The Crimson Cadre coordinated their attacks against the Thing, who fought back savagely, but Boris (secretly Artur Zarrko posing as him), a Latverian man aboard the Fantasticar, fired a blast and threatened to fire a missile at Attilan if the Cadre didn't back down. Ator only chose to withdraw when Boris revealed he was allied with Doctor Doom.

(Fantastic Force I#8) - In retaliation for the loss of Attilan, the Crimson Cadre attacked the Hawaiian Islands, seeking to claim it for the Inhumans. Ator used his Atmo-gun to drive away the humans. The Cadre was soon attacked by the Fantastic Force (Huntara, Psi-Lord, Devlor) and Lyja the Lazerfist. After a deadly battle, Psi-Lord was able to contain the Cadre behind an impenetrable field while Huntara destroyed the Atmo-gun. During the battle, Rootar used his strong roots to crush the humans and drive them away.

(Fantastic Four: Atlantis Rising#2) - Karnak and Lockjaw teleported to Hawaii to free the Crimson Cadre from the barrier, then they returned to Atlantis to fight the Fantastic Four (Thing, Human Torch, Invisible Woman, Doctor Doom, Ant-Man). Defeated, the Crimson Cadre reported back to Arcadius, who was prepared to move against the Royal Family. The Cadre watched Arcadius order the Genetics Council to find Morgan le Fay, then Arcadius seized Nathaniel Richards, who knocked Ator out with a gas attack before he triggered Attilan to return to normal size.

(Fantastic Four Unlimited#11) - As Attilan expanded, the Crimson Cadre confronted the Royal Family, under orders from Arcadius to put them in protective custody. After a brief fight, the Cadre were overwhelmed though they refused to surrender. During the fight, Eelak narrowly avoided Karnak's blows, then he was hit with a stray shot from Pulssus by accident. The Royal Family teleported away. During the fight, Rootar tangled Medusa's hair in his roots, but then she threw him into Pulssus.

Comments: Created by Tom DeFalco (writer), Paul Ryan (penciler) & Danny Bulanadi (inker).

There are multiple Inhumans and mutants with plant control and/or plant forms, like Jolen, Timberius, and Black Tom Cassidy, and Rootar looks a lot like Groot, obviously. He reminds me of the big mean apple-throwing trees from the Wizard of Oz.

Profile by Chadman.

CLARIFICATIONS:
Rootar should not be confused with:


images: (without ads)
Fantastic Four I#398, p14, pan4 (main)
Fantastic Four I#399, p9, pan6 (using powers)


Appearances:
Fantastic Four I#398-399 (March-April, 1995) - Tom DeFalco (writer), Paul Ryan (penciler), Danny Bulanadi (inker), Ralph Macchio (editor) Fantastic Force I#8 (June, 1995) - Tom Brevoort, Mike Kanterovich (writers), Dante Bastianoni (penciler), Ralph Cabrera (inker), Nel Yomtov (editor)
Fantastic Four: Atlantis Rising#1 (June, 1995) - Tom DeFalco, Glenn Herdling (writers), MC Wyman (penciler), Rey Garcia, Don Hudson, Geof Isherwood, Kevin Yates (inkers), Nel Yomtov (editor)
Fantastic Four: Atlantis Rising#2 (July, 1995) - Tom DeFalco, Glenn Herdling (writers), MC Wyman, Geof Isherwood (pencilers), Rey Garcia, Herb Trimpe, Don Hudson, Sandu Florea (inkers), Nel Yomtov (editor)
Fantastic Four Unlimited#11 (September, 1995) - Roy Thomas (writer), Doug Braithwaite (penciler), Robin Riggs (inker), Nel Yomtov (editor)


First Posted: 03/31/2020
Last updated: 03/31/2020

Any Additions/Corrections? please let me know.

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