X-Men: First Class Affinity – Riptide
Riptide is a Marvel villain and member of the
Marauders. Any X-Men fan surprised
you’ve never heard of him? He’s
been in sixty five issues and had only one very memorable moment: His gruesome
death at the hands of the X-Man Colossus.
Riptide first appeared in 1986 in The Uncanny X-Men #210 in
the form of a shadowy figure and had his first full appearance in the next
issue. He was created by Chris
Claremont, John Romita Jr. and Bret Blevins. In the comics Riptide is able to spin at high velocity. During this spinning Riptide’s skin
produces shuriken which he uses to hurt his enemies.
Krak! Goes the Riptide
Riptide was a member of the Marauders, a group of villains
formed by Mister Sinister, but recruited by the X-Man Gambit. The Marauders were responsible for
whipping out the Morlocks, the freakish group of sewer dwelling mutants. During
this battle Riptide upset Colossus by badly injuring Nightcrawler and was
killed by Colossus who snapped his neck.
This battle surprisingly
occurred during Riptide’s very first full appearance! But that was not the last from Riptide.
Mr. Sinister had samples of all members of the Maurader’s
DNA and cloned Riptide, who was later killed again during the invasion of New
York that occurred during the Inferno story arc. After his return Riptide killed two characters (Quiet Bill
and Messiah Complex, two characters about as well known as… well, Riptide
himself) during the Post M-Day story arc, before he was knocked unconscious by
Professor Xavier.
Riptide was in the X-Men: First Class movie and was played
by Álex González. In the movie his powers have
changed. Instead of spinning
around in circles like the mutant spawn of the Tasmanian Devil, Riptide can
create whirlwinds in his hands.
Also, unlike the comics, Riptide is a henchman of Sebastian
Shaw’s and he joins Magneto’s Brotherhood. It’s surprising how
much the character has changed, but his origin would not work since both
Gambit and Mr. Sinister are not in the X-Men: First Class film. What’s more understandable is the
decision to not give Riptide the same powers which seem much more appropriate
on Saturday morning cartoons and not a live action movie.
