(S.W.O.R.D. I#1) - The xenophobic
Henry Gyrich,
having taken command of S.W.O.R.D., set out to expel all
extraterrestrial life on Earth, including Metroliths. He had ignored a
signal that indicated the Metroliths' spacecraft was near.
METROLITHS
Classification: Humanoid extraterrestrial race
Location/Base of Operations: None; nomads
through the Milky Way galaxy
Known Members: None named
Affiliations: S.W.O.R.D. ((Sentient World
Observation and Response Department) Abigail Brand, Beast
(Hank McCoy)), possibly Canada
Enemies: "Dark" Avengers (Iron Patriot (Norman
Osborn), Sentry, Spider-Man (Mac Gargan), Ms. Marvel (Karla Sofen)), Death's
Head (FPA);
briefly S.W.O.R.D. (Henry Gyrich)
First Appearance: S.W.O.R.D. I#1 (shown on
screen); S.W.O.R.D. I#3 (named)
Powers/Abilities:
Despite having (stealthy) interstellar space travel and teleportation
capabilities, the silica-based Metroliths have slow intelligence,
having one line of thinking that is difficult for them to break out of;
their focus is on silica-based lifeforms and they confused by
different-based lifeforms that think faster. They are not overly
aggressive and carry no weaponry. Varying in size (but still much
larger than a human), they are mostly covered by rock plates that
afford them armor and durability. However, given the apparent dry
nature of this rock, it's unrevealed how much impact it could withstand
before breaking/crumbling. It's estimated that Metroliths have
superhuman strength due to their sheer size and ability to carry
themselves. Non-silica-based lifeforms find it very difficult to
communicate with Metroliths.
Traits: Described as hive organisms,
Metroliths are nomadic in nature and travel in space by convoy. Not
especially hostile, they carry no weaponry, relying on their rocky
armor and strength in a conflict.
Type:
Bilaterally symmetric semi-humanoid bipeds
Eyes: Six (on head)
Fingers: Five, including
opposable thumb
Toes: None
Skin Color: The hard outer
plates of sedimentary rocks have a dry dirt
color; each individual has one hue, from rusty red to sand, indicating
a lack of external moisture
and incapacity for any external organic plant buildup. The plates
partially cover thick gray tendons that facilitate limb, torso and neck
movements.
Average Height: Vary from 20'
to 50' (by approximation). It's unrevealed if height relates to age,
gender, race, authority, a mix thereof, or anything (although the
tallest
held the highest authority).
Other distinguishing features:
Metroliths have large tubular growths on their shoulders and shoulder
plates, similar to Terran termite mounds. These may be a way to process
local air and nutrients.
History:
(S.W.O.R.D. I#4 (fb) - BTS) - A group of nomadic Metroliths came near Earth on an unrevealed spacecraft. Seeing Mt.
Rushmore,
a monument of four carved heads in a cliff-face in South Dakota, USA, they
believed it to be the decapitated heads of silica-based creatures like
themselves and were shocked.
(S.W.O.R.D. I#1) - The xenophobic
Henry Gyrich,
having taken command of S.W.O.R.D., set out to expel all
extraterrestrial life on Earth, including Metroliths. He had ignored a
signal that indicated the Metroliths' spacecraft was near.
(S.W.O.R.D. I#3) - The Metroliths teleported to the
base of Mt. Rushmore. They harassed and menaced the local tourists
there. Gyrich was informed while Brand and Beast eavesdropped. Gyrich
considered it an invasion and that Norman Osborn's "Dark" Avengers
should handle it.
(S.W.O.R.D. I#4) - Osborn's Avengers flew in but couldn't see past Beast's protective stealth shield, so they flew away. Meanwhile, Brand Beast and mercenary Death's Head, paid secretly by S.W.O.R.D. to help, fought to stop the Metroliths' rampage. Beast stopped an unauthorized mercenary missile to pursue a peaceful resolution as Brand used multiple common space languages to communicate until they responded to merchant-slang Majesdanian. After a brief discussion, the Metroliths realized their confusion and instantly ceased hostilities.
(S.W.O.R.D. I#4 (fb) - BTS) - Embarrassed for their
actions, the Metroliths offered any reparations. Brand advised them to
head into the forest and lay low by pretending to be geological
formations.
(S.W.O.R.D. I#5) - The Canadian Government communicated to S.W.O.R.D. that they could provide a habitat to the Metroliths as a tourist attraction.
Comments: Created by Kieron Gillen, Steven Sanders, Craig Yeung.
Curious timeline: this Rushmore group of Metroliths'
signal was ignored by Gyrich, yet he listed a Metrolith image as
another alien to be expelled from Earth before he knew or acted on the
Rushmore group, indicating there are others (or at least similar
looking aliens) on Earth.
Interesting info on soil color can be found here.
This profile was completed 7/19/2021, but its publication was delayed as it was intended for the Appendix 20th anniversary 's celebratory event.
Profile by Grendel Prime.
CLARIFICATIONS:
Metroliths have no known connections to
images: (without ads)
S.W.O.R.D. I#4, p11, pan1 (main image)
S.W.O.R.D. I#4, p11, pan3 (headshot)
S.W.O.R.D. I#3, p20 (3 before Mt. Rushmore)
Appearances:
S.W.O.R.D. I#1 (January, 2010) - Kieron Gillen (writer), Steven Sanders
(pencils), Craig Yeung (inks), Nick Lowe (editor)
S.W.O.R.D. I#3 (March, 2010) - Kieron Gillen (writer), Steven Sanders
(pencils), Craig Yeung (inks), Nick Lowe (editor)
S.W.O.R.D. I#4 (April, 2010) - Kieron Gillen (writer), Steven Sanders
(pencils), Craig Yeung (inks), Nick Lowe (editor)
First posted:
09/30/2021
Last updated:
09/29/2021
Any Additions/Corrections? please let me know.
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