Cannonball (Samuel Zachary "Sam" Guthrie) is a superhero appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by writer Chris Claremont and artist Bob McLeod, the character first appeared in Marvel Graphic Novel #4 (September 1982). Guthrie belongs to the subspecies of humans called mutants, who are born with superhuman abilities. He possesses the power to fly at jet speeds while encased in an impenetrable force field.
The eldest of a large Kentucky coal mining family, Samuel Guthrie is a founding member of the X-Men's junior team, the New Mutants. Several of his siblings are also mutants who have joined X-Men-related teams. Guthrie served as X-Force's second-in-command and field leader, eventually joining the X-Men as the first member of a secondary team to "graduate" to the main team. He was also a member of the Avengers.
Since his original introduction in comics, the character has been featured in various other Marvel-licensed products, including video games, animated television series, and merchandise. Charlie Heaton portrayed Sam Guthrie in the 2020 film The New Mutants.
Publication history
Samuel Guthrie debuted as a member of the New Mutants in Marvel Graphic Novel #4 (September 1982), created by Chris Claremont and artist Bob McLeod. McLeod later commented, "I always liked Cannonball the best [of the New Mutants]. I tried to give all the mutants distinct body types and characteristics, and with his big ears and lanky frame, he was just the most fun to draw."
After a guest appearance in The Uncanny X-Men # 167, the character appeared regularly in the title The New Mutants from its first issue to its hundredth issue (1983–1991), and continued to appear in its replacement title X-Force (1991). In X-Force # 44 (1995), Cannonball leaves X-Force to join the X-Men, appearing regularly in X-Men #48–89 and The Uncanny X-Men #323–355 (1995–1998). He rejoins his friends in X-Force while on an extended road trip in X-Force #86 (1998), and stays with the team through issue # 117 (2001), after which the title changes drastically, taken over by the team later to be known as X-Statix.
Cannonball next appears as a member of the X-Corporation in New X-Men #128, 130, 131 and 140 (2002–2003), and then rejoins the X-Men in a splinter team led by Storm in X-Treme X-Men #24–46 (2003–2004). After the cancellation of X-Treme X-Men, Cannonball appears regularly with the X-Men in the mid to late 2000s, including The Uncanny X-Men #444–447 (2004) and #466–474 (2006), X-Men #188–204 (2006–2007), Young X-Men #1–6 (2008) and Secret Invasion: X-Men #1–4 (2009). He and Sunspot also appear in Astonishing Tales #1–6 (2009).
In 2009, New Mutants was relaunched in its third volume, penned by Zeb Wells, though in this incarnation they were a strike team of X-Men with a defined roster, including Mirage, Karma, Sunspot, Magma, Magik, Cypher, and Warlock. Cannonball appears as a regular from issue #1 through #25 (2009–2011). The New Mutants were a major fixture in the Second Coming event, in which Cannonball and his team appear in The Uncanny X-Men #523–524, X-Force #36 and X-Men: Legacy #234–235 (2010).
Cannonball would be featured during Second Coming in the X-Men: Hellbound miniseries #1–3 (2010), leading the team of Pixie, Gambit, Anole, Dazzler, Trance and Northstar to Limbo to rescue Magik.
In the Age of X event, Cannonball suffered mental trauma as the field leader of a bastion under constant siege, causing him to leave the New Mutants in X-Regenesis #1 (2011) and New Mutants #25 vol. 3 (2011). He would leave the X-Men's base on Utopia to join Wolverine's faction at the Jean Grey School for Higher Learning in New York, joining Rogue's team in X-Men: Legacy #260.1-#267 (2012).
Cannonball and Sunspot were asked by Captain America to join the Avengers, bridging the gap between humans and mutants in the aftermath of the Avengers vs. X-Men event. He appears in Avengers vol. 5 #1–23 (2013) and #38–44 (2015), Avengers World #1–18 (2014–2015), U.S. Avengers #1–12 (2017), and Avengers #675–690 (2018) during the No Surrender event.
He later rejoined the X-Men in The Uncanny X-Men vol. 5 #1 (2018) and remains in regular publication in that title.
Cannonball appeared in the New Mutants: War Children one-shot (2019).
Fictional character biography
Origin Samuel Guthrie was born in Cumberland, Kentucky. As a child, he tried to support his family by working in the coal mine where his father had worked before his death. While attempting to rescue a fellow worker, Mr. Lewis, from a collapsing mine shaft, Sam's mutant ability unintentionally manifested, saving both of them. Subsequently, Guthrie was recruited by Donald Pierce of the Hellfire Club to attack the New Mutants. When ordered to kill the defeated New Mutants, Guthrie defied Pierce and was later invited by Charles Xavier to join the New Mutants as Cannonball.Marvel Graphic Novel #4: The New Mutants (November 1982)
New Mutants As a member of the New Mutants, Cannonball forms a close friendship with his teammate Sunspot and develops a brotherly affection for Rahne Sinclair, unaware for some time that she harbors romantic feelings for him. Cannonball, alongside Danielle Moonstar, serves as co-leader of the New Mutants, leading the team through various adventures across time and space. He later enters a romantic relationship with Lila Cheney.The New Mutants Annual #1 (November 1984)
Wolfsbane, Warlock, Rictor, and Boom Boom are kidnapped from the grounds of the X-Mansion by Genoshan forces under Cameron Hodge. Warlock is killed by Hodge in an attempt to steal his powers. Cannonball joins the X-Men in a rescue mission that leads to the overthrow of Genosha's government, while Wolfsbane remains behind to assist the victims of Genosha's regime.The New Mutants #95–97 (November 1990 - January 1991)
X-Force Cannonball and the New Mutants leave the supervision of the X-Men.The New Mutants #100 (April 1991) They join forces with Cable to form the team X-Force, with Cannonball appointed as the team's second-in-command and field leader.X-Force #1 (August 1991) During a confrontation with the Brotherhood of Mutants,X-Force #7 (February 1992) Cannonball is impaled and killed, but heals within minutes.X-Force #9 (April 1992) Cable believes Cannonball to be an External, a rare type of mutant who is virtually immortal. Other Externals, including Saul and Gideon, come to believe that Cannonball is one of them.X-Force #10 (May 1992)
X-Men
Cannonball later rejoins the X-Men,X-Force #44 (July 1995) initially with great enthusiasm but soon begins to question his abilities. He confronts these doubts during a battle against Gladiator,Uncanny X-Men #341 (February 1997) fighting Gladiator to a standstill.
Cannonball's relationship with Tabitha becomes strained, leading her to seek "support" from Sunspot.X-Force #75 (March 1998) Subsequently, Cannonball leaves the X-Men to care for his ailing mother.X-Men (vol. 2) #79 (September 1998) During his time with the X-Men, he infiltrates the presidential campaign of anti-mutant candidate Graydon Creed under the alias "Samson Guthry."Uncanny X-Men #338 (November 1996) Despite the obviousness of the alias, Cannonball remains undetected until Creed is assassinated on the eve of the election.X-Factor #130 (January 1997)
Cannonball rejoins X-Force, which has relocated to San Francisco,X-Force #84 (December 1998) and becomes the team leader following Siryn's injury.X-Force #93 (August 1999) Although Cable has departed, the team finds a new mentor in Pete Wisdom, who introduces them to espionage.X-Force #94–95 (September - October 1999) Cannonball and Tabitha reconcile during this period. After Wisdom's alleged death,X-Force #105 (August 2000) Cannonball resumes leadership of the team and strives to continue Wisdom's mission.X-Force #109 (December 2000) Eventually, Cannonball and the other X-Force members are forced to fake their own deaths.X-Force #115 (June 2001)
Back to basics Storm invites Cannonball to join her team, the X-Treme X-Men, which operates independently of Professor X's leadership. The team eventually reverts to the central X-Men roster. After sustaining injuries on a mission, Cannonball opts for a period of respite and retreats to his farm, which he purchased with his X-Corporation earnings. While on the farm, he reunites with Cable and the reformed X-Force to combat the threat posed by Skornn.X-Force (vol. 2) #1–6 (October 2004 - March 2005)
Cannonball rejoins the active roster of the X-Men, co-led by Nightcrawler and Bishop, and takes on a role overseeing the younger students at the X-Mansion. He also serves as a member of the X-Treme Sanctions Executive (XSE), participating in efforts such as aiding the 198 and battling the Shi'ar Death Commandos. Cannonball experiences personal tragedy with the death of his brother Jay, who is killed by William Stryker.New X-Men (vol. 2) #27 (August 2006)
Rogue's team Cannonball serves on Rogue's team of X-Men.X-Men (vol. 2) #188 (September 2006) Following a battle with the Hecatomb and Rogue's severe mental injury, the team retreats to Rogue's childhood home for rest. They are soon attacked by the Marauders, who are seeking Destiny's Diaries. During the attack, Emma Frost, who had been attempting to assist Rogue, is incapacitated by a neurotoxin. She uploads what she has gathered from the Marauders' psi-shielding into Cannonball's mind and takes partial control of his body. While aboard the Blackbird, the team is engaged midair by Sunfire, who severely damages the jet. Cannonball escapes and confronts Shiro, who reveals that he killed Cable.
Cannonball and Iceman work to recover the Destiny Diaries, which are concealed in a dilapidated brewery.X-Men (vol. 2) #203 (November 2007) During their mission, they are attacked by the Marauders, and Cannonball sustains serious injuries. Dr. Henry McCoy assesses his condition, noting that Cannonball's brain scan shows sluggish and irregular activity. Despite this, Cannonball rapidly recovers and participates in the final battle against the Marauders.X-Men (vol. 2) #207 (March 2008)
Manifest Destiny After Cyclops disbands the X-Men, Cannonball returns home. He is soon contacted by Cyclops, who informs him that the X-Men are reforming in San Francisco. Cannonball agrees to join the new team and arrives in the city just as Magneto is attacking with a group of antique Sentinels. Cannonball manages to charge into Magneto, disabling his artificial magnetism suit and giving the X-Men a strategic advantage in the battle, though Magneto ultimately escapes.Uncanny X-Men #500 (September 2008) Later, Cannonball is seen at a bar with Karma and Moonstar, expressing his disillusionment with the notion of changing the world. Instead, he finds purpose in preventing others from experiencing the loss he endured with Jay's death. He is subsequently called upon to assist with dealing with Empath.Uncanny X-Men #503 (December 2008)
Reforming the New Mutants