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OUTCAST

Real Name: Unrevealed

Identity/Class: Normal human (Old West era)

Occupation: Fugitive, outcast

Group Membership: None

Affiliations: None

Enemies: Roland Taggert and his henchmen (Boone, Leary, Mace, others)

Known Relatives: Native American mother (name unrevealed, deceased), unrevealed father (deceased), foster mother (name unrevealed), foster father (name unrevealed)

Aliases: Halfbreed (name given by opponents)

Base of Operations: Mobile on the western frontier

First Appearance: Western Gunfighters II#4/5 (February, 1971)

Powers/Abilities: Outcast has athlete-level strength, fitness and dexterity. He thinks quickly and strategically when under attack. He is an accomplished hand-to-hand fighter and has excellent aim with a rifle and handgun. He has exceptional aim with projectiles, notably twin knives which he keeps hidden in the heels of his boots. He has outstanding equestrian skills. Of note is that he is left-handed with his handgun mounted on his left thigh.

Height: 5'10" (by approximation)
Weight: 180 lbs. (by approximation)
Eyes: Blue
Hair: Black

History:

(Western Gunfighters II#4/5 (fb) - BTS) - The boy who would later be known as Outcast and Halfbreed was born to a Native American mother and a white father, but left to be nurtured and raised with foster parents in a Native American tribe. He was told his parents were killed.

(Western Gunfighters II#4/5 (fb)) - White gunmen attacked a food-hunting party from the boy's tribe and almost all were killed, especially the strongest braves, imperiling the future of the tribe, and they later set off on a war footing. Several years later, having reached the age of manhood, he left rather than raise further conflict within his tribe. His foster mother passed to him a medallion with a picture of a boy that his dying mother had clutched; the inscription read: "To Uncle Roland with love Billy."

(Western Gunfighters II#4/5 (fb) - BTS) - Nameless, Outcast traveled from town to town to find his identity. At one point, he rode near the lands of rancher Roland Taggert, who set a bounty for his henchmen to kill him.

(Western Gunfighters II#4/5) - Two hidden henchman fired upon Outcast and he pretended to have fallen, but instead waited for his foes to come nearer. He shot one with his rifle and threw his gun with unerring accuracy at the other, who unwillingly told him that Taggert had sent them to kill him. Seeking reasons, Outcast rode to the ranch, but the henchman rode the faster short route and warned Taggert. More men were sent and they roped him, dragging him along the ground, but Outcast freed himself, striking at them with his knives, before craftily tying them up on their horses so that he could reach the ranch safely. He shot and knocked out more henchmen to reach Taggert, but a blazing gunfight left the rancher dead. Inside Taggert's office, he found the same picture of the boy named Billy in the medallion from his mother. Frustrated at his impetuous nature and the vague clue, Outcast rode off into the sunset to continue his search.

Comments: Created by Roy Thomas, Steve Parkhouse, Barry Windsor-Smith.

I guess the implication is that Roland Taggert was his uncle? Despite Barry Windsor-Smith's dynamic artwork, Outcast doesn't seem to have reappeared.

A special note at the end of the story states: "This strip was conceived by Roy Thomas and executed by Smith and Parkhouse nearly two years ago!"

The style of Outcast was more in keeping with fashion of the era with the hair, heeled boots and slightly flared pants.

This profile was completed 8/27/2021, but its publication was delayed as it was intended for the Appendix 20th anniversary 's celebratory event.

Profile by Grendel Prime.

CLARIFICATIONS :
Outcast has no known connections to:


Roland Taggert

Roland Taggert was the rancher who, for unrevealed reasons, sought to have Outcast killed by his henchmen. However, he had the same picture in his office as Outcast had in his medallion from his mother that read "To Uncle Roland with love Billy." Several henchmen failed in killing Outcast and he made it to the ranch seeking answers. Instead, Taggert expected violence and he opened fire from his office. Shooting back, Outcast killed Taggert, only to find that Taggert had answers to his past that were now lost.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

--Western Gunfighters II#4/5


images: (without ads)
Western Gunfighters II#4/5, p10, pan4 (main image)
   p3, pan7 (headshot)
   p6, pan7 (throwing knives)
   p8, pan4 (Taggert)


Appearances:
Western Gunfighters II#4/5 (February, 1971) - Roy Thomas (concept), Steve Parkhouse (writer), Barry Windsor-Smith (as Barry Smith, pencils), Sam Grainger (inks), Stan Lee (editor)


First posted: 09/10/2021
Last updated: 09/07/2021

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:
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