Rockslide (character)

Rockslide (Santo Vaccarro) is a fictional mutant superhero appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character has been depicted as a member of the X-Men,a student in the Xavier Institute, and a member of the former Hellions squad therein. After M-Day, he was one of only 28 students to retain his powers. He is best friends with Julian Keller (Hellion) and is extremely close to and protective of Cessily Kincaid (Mercury). Despite his earlier appearances as a stereotypical school bully, he has evolved into a good-natured (though extremely boastful) and fiercely protective friend to most of the school's students.

Rockslide
Rockslide Art by Chris Bachalo
Publication information
Publisher	Marvel Comics
First appearance	New Mutants vol. 2, #3 (September 2003)
Created by	Nunzio DeFilippis Christina Weir Carlo Barberi
In-story information
Alter ego	Santo Vaccarro
Species	Human Mutant
Team affiliations	Hellions training squad New X-Men Xavier Institute X-Men-In-Training Young X-Men Jean Grey School Students
Abilities	Superhuman strength, durability and endurance Ability to transform into a "golem" form by assimilating surrounding rock and earth into a gestalt shell and explosively detonate the shell and reform at will

Publication history

Rockslide first appeared in New Mutants vol. 2 #3, and was created by Nunzio DeFilippis, Christina Weir, and Carlo Barberi.^[1]

Fictional character biography

Santo Vaccaro is an Italian-American mutant from Boston, an aspiring wrestler, and a member of the Hellions.^[2][3] He later encounters the Kingmaker, who offers to help him achieve his dreams. However, Santo refuses, so the Kingmaker shatters his body before Hellion telekinetically reassembles him.^[4]

Rockslide is one of 198 mutants who retain their powers following M-Day, when the Scarlet Witch depowers most of Earth's mutants. Subsequently, Emma Frost has him and other students of the Xavier Institute compete to join the X-Men.^[5][6][7][8]

Rockslide later becomes a citizen of Krakoa before being killed by the High Summoner of Arakko.^{[9][10][11][12]} Because he died on Otherworld, he is unable to be resurrected via Krakoa's resurrection protocols. When the Five attempt to do so, they create a clone formed from portions of his multiversal counterparts dubbed Wrongslide.^{[13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21]} Polaris later uses Rockslide's remains to create a portal that memorializes him and other fallen mutants.^[22]

Powers and abilities

Rockslide can assimilate nearby earth to transform into a rock-like form that gives him superhuman physical abilities. He can also reform himself if destroyed and release explosive blasts of energy.^[18][23][24]

Rockslide in his Limbo rock form.

Personality

Santo is typically depicted as superficially brash, oblivious, and inconsiderate. Originally, he was introduced as a stereotypical bully. However, he cares deeply for his friends, recalling the deaths of the depowered students, especially Tag, which usually motivates him to perform feats of incredible strength or bravery. He also has a strong sensitivity for his teammates, such as when Dust continued to "beat herself up" over the death of Icarus as well as recognizing that he is not supposed to see her without her abaya. He is very protective of his teammate Mercury. Santo also has a strong sense of honor, telling Anole and Pixie that he would quit the team if they were not included on the roster.

Other versions

House of M

An alternate universe variant of Rockslide who successfully became a wrestler appears in the "House of M" reality.^[25]

In other media

Television

Rockslide makes a non-speaking cameo appearance in Wolverine and the X-Men as one of several mutants captured by the Mutant Response Division.^[26]