 | This article has multiple issues. Please helpimprove it or discuss these issues on thetalk page.(Learn how and when to remove these messages) (Learn how and when to remove this message)
|
| Blue Shield | |
|---|---|
 Blue Shield. Art bySalvador Larroca. | |
| Publication information | |
| Publisher | Marvel Comics |
| First appearance | Dazzler #5 (July 1981) |
| Created by | Tom DeFalco Frank Springer |
| In-story information | |
| Alter ego | Joseph Cartelli |
| Team affiliations | The Initiative Project Pegasus |
| Abilities | Wears a micro circuitry-lined belt that grants: Force field generation Superhuman physical attributes |
TheBlue Shield (Joe Cartelli) is afictionalsuperhero appearing inAmerican comic books published byMarvel Comics.
The Blue Shield first appeared inDazzler #5 (July 1981), and was created byTom DeFalco andFrank Springer.
The character appeared sporadically through the years since then, having made appearances inDazzler #14 (April 1982),Contest of Champions #3 (August 1982),Marvel Age Annual #1 (1985),Captain America #352 (April 1989),Quasar #8 (March 1990),Marvel Super Heroes vol. 3 #3 (September 1990),Quasar #51-53 (October–December 1993), #57 (April 1994),The Avengers vol. 3 #6 (July 1998), andThe Amazing Spider-Man vol. 2 #550 (February 2008)
Blue Shield received an entry in the originalOfficial Handbook of the Marvel Universe #2, and in theOfficial Handbook of the Marvel Universe Master Edition #1.
Joe Cartelli was born in theBronx, New York. He is the son of Frank Cartelli, who was gunned down by themob. He became a crime fighter, and started to infiltrate the Barrigan crime family, masquerading as a mobster. At one point, he somehow acquired a belt withmicro-circuitry of unknown origin that could give him the Blue Shield powers, and used it to fight his family and various other criminals. He also shortly allied withDazzler.[1]
Blue Shield was next seen attempting to join theAvengers,[2] but was then approached to become security director forProject Pegasus, a secret research project of the US government. At that point, the abilities once conferred by the belt became innate, with Blue Shield being able to produce the same effects without any visible equipment. He resigned from Project Pegasus after failing to protect the facility from the alien life-form called Omnivore.[3] However, he later re-accepted the post.[4]
Joseph registered with theInitiative, and was assigned to New York, where he worked alongsideJackpot. While chasing a criminal, he comes acrossSpider-Man, and considers himself more important, and decides to engage him in an attempt to capture him. Jackpot comments that if he could fly, he would have chased Spider-Man after he jumped onMenace'sglider.[5]
Blue Shield originally wore a micro circuitry-lined belt which artificially enhanced his strength, speed, stamina, agility, reflexes, and reactions, and endurance to near superhuman levels. However, long-term exposure to the belt's field has altered his genetic structure to the point that he possesses superhuman physical abilities innately.
The micro circuitry-lined belt is of both unknown origin and design and grants Blue Shield the ability to generate a powerfulforce field around himself, greatly increasing his body's resistance to physical injury. While surrounded by the field, Blue Shield can withstand high caliber bullets, powerful impact forces, heat, punctures, and concussion without sustaining injury. The field not only protects him from physical attack, but can also filter out harmful gases and protect him from extreme temperature.
Though exposure to the belt over the years has granted him superhuman physical powers, he is not able to generate a protective force field around himself without the use of the belt.
