365 Marvel Comics Paper Cut-Out SuperHeroes - One Hero, Every Day, All Year…
Robbie Baldwin grew up in a suburban neighborhood in Connecticut. The only son of two very angry and overbearing parents, Robbie dealt with a great deal of anxiety throughout his childhood. In his teens, Robbie landed an internship at Hammond Labs. One night after work, Robbie snuck in to watch Dr. Nicholas Benson’s experiments. These experiments sought to tap into an extra-dimensional energy source. The procedures went awry and a wave of exotic energy struck Robbie, bestowing him super powers.
These powers entail the ability to create a field of energy around himself which absorbed all kinetic energy directed against him. This absorption could vary from smaller force objects, such as rocks or punches, to much larger forces, such as bullets, explosions or energy beams. Once absorbed, the energy become redirected outward, basically causing young Robbie to bounce about like a supercharged pinball.
Robbie decided to use these new powers to try his hand at becoming a superhero, naming himself ‘Speedball.’ He would up against a bizarre gallery of would-be super villains. Being Speedball allowed Robbie to put forward a more garrulous and carefree attitude that obfuscated his feelings of anxiety and insecurity. He petitioned membership into the Avengers but denied entry by Captain America who felt he was too young and possessed odd and unrefined super abilities.
By happenstance, Robbie ended up in New York City at the time that the extraterrestrial villain known as Terrax appeared. Speedball joined forces with the other young heroes, Nova, Namorita, Night Thrasher, Firestar and Justice and together they were able to defeat Terrax. Afterwards, the group decided to stick together and formed the young superhero team known as The New Warriors.
Speedball remained with the New Warriors throughout many adventures. The team ultimately broke up but later reformed into a new iteration. Speedball was part of this team and attempted to apprehend a group of super villains who were hiding out in the residential neighborhood of Stamford, Connecticut. The mission went terribly wrong when the villain known as Nitro caused a massive explosion that killed the New Warriors along with scores of innocent victims. It was a tragedy that brought about the Super Hero Registration Act and, ultimately, the Superhero Civil War.
Speedball was the sole surviver of the explosion, his forcefield absorbing the energy and sending his flying hundreds of miles away. As the only surviver, Speedball was looked at as responsible for the tragedy and was arrested and charged with multiple counts of involuntary manslaughter. The already self-conscious young man found himself one of the most hated people in the country.
The tremendous guilt and self-loathing Robbie experienced caused a neurotic breakdown. He began to self injure, hurting himself as a form of penance for the pain and suffering he had caused. Hurting himself in this fashion also caused him to store up excesses of kinetic energy. At the time, Norman Osborn was in charge of the Thunderbolts program and he recruited Robbie as a new agent. Robbie was offered a special suit that caused him constant pain, pain that further activated his powers. He took on the new codename of ‘Penance’ and led the Thunderbolts in their efforts to hunt and apprehend super powered individuals who failed to adhere to the Superhero Registration Act. Herein, Robbie was able to use his powers in a different way, storing up the excess energy caused by his pain and releasing it a singular, hugely powerful energy blast.
Following the events of the Dark Reign story arc, Robbie was able to work through his difficulties. His friend Squirrel Girl helped him to remember his former self and he was involved in an extensive psychotherapy. He gave up the mantle of Penance and resumed his identity as Speedball. He then became an adjunct faculty member at The Avengers Academy as part of an effort to help his fellow young heroes understand the potential consequences of using one’s powers in impulsive, irresponsible ways. Although he has made great strides, Robbie continues to suffer from difficulties with depression and anxiety.
The troubled hero first appeared in Amazing Spider-Man Vol. 1 Annual #22 (1988).
