Alpha Squadron (comics)

Alpha Squadron was a fictional team of mutants appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The characters were featured in the comic book series New X-Men: Academy X, in the Marvel Universe.

Alpha Squadron
From left to right; Rubbermaid, Indra, Loa, Anole, Kidogo, Network, and Karma
Publication information
Publisher	Marvel Comics
First appearance	New X-Men: Academy X #13
Created by	Nunzio DeFilippis Christina Weir Michael Ryan (artist)
In-story information
Base(s)	Xavier Institute for Higher Learning
Member(s)	Anole Rubbermaid Indra Loa Karma Kidogo Network Northstar

Fictional biography

Alpha Squadron was a squad of students instructed by members of the X-Men at Xavier Institute for Higher Learning. The squad’s colors are red, grey and black. Alpha Squadron was originally advised by Northstar. He had name his squad based on his former team Alpha Flight. When Northstar was seemingly killed by Wolverine, the squad was assigned a new advisor, Karma.^[1][2][3]

Decimation

After M-Day, the Scarlet Witch depowered 90% of the mutant population. The Xavier Institute was affected a great deal, losing many of the students (dropped 182 to 27) and some X-Men. In Alpha Squadron was disbanded along with other squads. Rubbermaid, Network and Kidogo lost their powers while Anole, Indra and Loa retained their powers. Karma also retained her powers. Rubbermaid and Network died after being attacked by William Stryker, while Kidogo's status and whereabouts are unknown.^[4][5]

Members

Anole

Main article: Anole (character)

Anole (Victor Borkowski) was the field leader of Alpha Squadron and he is openly gay. He possesses a reptilian mutation that grants him a spiked head carapace, an elastic tongue, wall-crawling and adaptive camouflage; in addition, Victor possesses regenerative capabilities and enhanced physical skills. In New X-Men: Yearbook Special #1, he was voted as the best actor. Anole was one of the 27 students at the Xavier Institute to retain his powers after M-Day. He joined X-Men training team New X-Men in New X-Men, vol. 2 #41.^[3][6]

Rubbermaid

Rubbermaid (Andrea Margulies) possessed an elastic and malleable body that allowed her to stretch any part of her anatomy to great lengths and absorb physical damage without injury. She was the youngest member of Alpha Squadron. In New X-Men: Yearbook Special #1, she was voted as the biggest gossip. Rubbermaid lost her powers after M-Day and she died on a bus that was attacked by William Stryker in New X-Men #23.^[7][6]

Indra

Main article: Indra (comics)

Indra (Paras Gavaskar) is from India. The name Indra is based on the Hindu god of weather and war, and he is endowed with the ability to form protective armour around his body which shields him from physical harm. In New X-Men: Yearbook Special #1, he was voted as the most reliable. Indra was one of the 27 students at the Xavier Institute to retain his powers after M-Day. He became X-Men trainee in X-Men: Legacy #238.^[7][6][8]

Loa

Main article: Loa (comics)

Loa (Alani Ryan) is Native Hawaiian. She possesses the ability to pass through solid material and disintegrate it. In New X-Men: Yearbook Special #1, she was voted as the most laid-back. Loa was one of the 27 students at the Xavier Institute to retain his powers after M-Day. She became X-Men trainee in Runaways #10.^[7][6][9]

Network

Network (Sarah Vale) is Preview's sister. She possessed the ability to communicate with and manipulate machinery. This allowed to access computer files and manipulate programming to suit her needs among other things. In New X-Men: Yearbook Special #1, she was voted as the most likely to become a millionaire. Network was depowered after M-Day and she died on a bus that was attacked by Stryker in New X-Men #23.^[7][6]

Kidogo

Kidogo (Lazaro Kotikash) is a Maasai and almost a head taller than anyone else on his team. He possessed the ability to shrink his entire body down to a height of four inches by displacing his mass extra dimensionally. In New X-Men: Yearbook Special #1, he was voted to have most ironic power. Kidogo was depowered after M-Day; however, he wasn't on the bus that got bombed by Stryker.^[7][6]

Reception

Nunzio DeFilippis and Christina Weir had stated that it was possible that Alpha Squadron had more queer members than other squads. They only made a decision on Anole's sexuality. Both of the squad's advisor Karma and Northstar are both homosexual. In Way of X #3, Loa and Mercury were pursuing each other intimately.^[10] Indra was also seen showing attraction to fellow Alpha Squadron member, Anole.^[11]