Chance (comics)

Chance is the name of two unrelated fictional characters appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics.

Publication history

The first Chance is a mercenary and enemy of Spider-Man who first appeared in Web of Spider-Man #15 (June 1986).

The second Chance first appeared in Fallen Angels vol. 1 #1 (April 1987), and was created by Mary Jo Duffy and Kerry Gammill. The character subsequently appears in Fallen Angels #2-8 (May–November 1987).

Both characters received an entry in The Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe Update '89 #2.

Fictional character biography

Chance (Nicholas Powell)

Wealthy former professional gambler, Nicholas Powell was looking for more thrill in his life. He decides to become a mercenary criminal-for-hire, incorporating his love of gambling into his work. Anyone who hires him would, instead of directly paying, bet his fee against him actually completing the mission. If Powell, calling himself Chance, is successful, he receives his fee; if not, he lost the "bet" and owes that amount to his contractors. The thrill of this risk was the only way in which Chance felt the work was truly interesting.

Chance was first hired by the Foreigner to kill a fence named Andre Boullion. Chance wagered his fee at double or nothing that he could kill Spider-Man, but Spider-Man instead defeated him.^[1] Chance was then hired by a corrupt city official, Robert Phalen, to kill a murder witness. His initial attempt was thwarted by Daredevil, and his contract was terminated when Phelan died.^[2] Chance was hired under pretense by the Life Foundation to steal a secret arms shipment. The Life Foundation captured him instead, and sought to duplicate his wrist blasters. Chance joined forces with Spider-Man to overcome the Life Foundation.^[3] Chance was next hired by Mister Grouper to kill casino owner Raymond Trask, but was thwarted by Spider-Man.^[4] Raymond Trask then hired Chance under the pretense of protecting Trask from an assassination attempt. Instead, Trask unsuccessfully tried to kill him out of revenge.^[5]

During the Spider-Island storyline, Chance (alongside Scorcher and White Rabbit) is seen guarding an abandoned lab at Empire State University when Peter Parker and Carlie Cooper arrive. He ends up knocked down by Peter Parker using the moves he learned from Shang-Chi.^[6]

Chance later appeared attempting to kill a rejuvenated Steve Rogers during a press conference, only to be defeated by Sam Wilson, the current Captain America. While getting arrested, he mentions to Sam that he was on Pleasant Hill and did not agree with the heroes' actions as a result of the crisis.^[7]

Chance (Fallen Angels)

Chance is a 13-year-old South Korean girl who immigrated to America, then ran away from the church which was mistreating her. The mutant criminal Vanisher recruits her as part of his group the Fallen Angels, teenagers who worked for him as thieves.^[8] There, she befriended Ariel, an extraterrestrial mutant.^[9]

Powers and abilities

The first Chance wears wrist-blasters which can fire laser beams, concussive energy, and clear acid-filled darts. He also wears a set of ankle jets which allow him to fly, and a cybernetic helmet which controls the wrist-blasters and ankle jets. The helmet also contains scanning devices enabling him to see in all directions around and above himself. The power pack on his back supplies power to his weapons and paraphernalia.

The second Chance is a mutant with the superhuman ability to enhance or dampen the mutant superhuman powers of others. Hence, she can cause another mutant's superhuman power to increase or decrease in level or even cause it to cease functioning altogether for as long as she concentrates upon it.

See also

There was also a character named Chance starring in the Image Comics series Leave It to Chance.

References

External links

• Chance (Nicholas Powell) at the Appendix to the Handbook of the Marvel Universe