THUNDERBIRD III

 

THUNDERBIRD III

Real Name: Neal Shaara

First Appearance: X-Men (Vol. 2) #100, May 2000

Powers: Thunderbird III has the mutant power to transform the molecules of his body into solar plasma. This enables him to convert any of his bodily portions into thermodynamic furnaces. He can project solar plasma from the converted portions of his body and typically uses a converted hand to fire flaming blasts of energy, and a converted finger to focus a more pinpoint-accurate laser-like beam of plasma for situations requiring finesse. By filtering the energy his body releases, Neal can radiate intense heat, raw explosive energy, and luminescence from his body, or adjust his output so that only heat or light or explosive plasma is emitted.

By converting his legs into the equivalent of thermo-chemical rockets, volatile plasma is erupted which super-heats the air currents around him, creating a form of thrust that enables him to fly. Through concentration, Neal can cause his plasma energy to assume various shapes, including solid plasma fields tangible enough to deflect projectiles away from him. He has also trained himself to create plasma spheres, which explode on command in a burst of tremendous heat, and displace compressed volumes of air on impact for a heatless release of concussive force. When he uses his powers, the atmosphere around his body ignites, giving him a fiery aura.

He is immune to radiation poisoning and is protected from effects of his own power by an invisible field of psionic energy which surrounds his body.