| Hepzibah | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Publication information | |
| Publisher | Marvel Comics |
| First appearance | The X-Men #107 (October 1977) |
| Created by | Dave Cockrum (concept and artwork) Chris Claremont (writer) |
| In-story information | |
| Alter ego | Unknown (Unpronounceable) |
| Species | Mephitisoid |
| Team affiliations | Starjammers X-Force X-Men |
| Notable aliases | Lady Kitten[1] Cat-Lady Zee |
| Abilities |
|
Hepzibah is a character appearing inAmerican comic books published byMarvel Comics. Created byDave Cockrum andChris Claremont, the character first appeared inX-Men #107 (October 1977).[2] Hepzibah belongs to the alien species calledMephitisoid.[3] The character has also been a member of theX-Men and theStarjammers at various points in her history.[4]
Hepzibah debuted inThe X-Men #107 (October 1977), created byDave Cockrum andChris Claremont. She appeared in the 2014Cyclops series.[5][6] She appeared in the 2022Captain Marvel Annual series.[7]
Hepzibah is aMephitisoid from the planet Tryl'sart, located in theShi'ar empire. She is imprisoned by Shi'ar emperorD'Ken, but is rescued byCorsair alongsideRaza Longknife andCh'od.[8] After escaping the Alzibar prison, the four form theStarjammers. Corsair gives Hepzibah her name after the skunk character Mam'selle Hepzibah fromPogo, because her real name consists of a series of scents that are impossible to reproduce in spoken language.[9]
Hepzibah and the Starjammers work with theX-Men on multiple occasions. The first time, the Starjammers came to the aid of the X-Men against D'Ken'sImperial Guard.[9]
After Corsair reunites with his sonHavok, and the Starjammers participated in a conflict betweenLilandra Neramani's and D'Ken's forces, Corsair is killed by his sonVulcan. Hepzibah attempts to attack Vulcan, but is separated from the Starjammers and stranded on Earth.[10] Since she is stuck on Earth and has nowhere else to go, Hepzibah joins the X-Men.[11]
Hepzibah works withWarpath to rescueLeech, who was kidnapped by theMorlocks. The subterranean environment of the Morlock tunnels triggers Hepzibah's instincts, causing her to go intoheat as she is now single after the death of Corsair, her previous mate.[12] After the conflict with the Morlocks, Hepzibah speaks withCyclops at theX-Mansion, where he accepts her having chosen Warpath as her new mate.[13]
Hepzibah is seen again much later in space, where she has been reunited with a mysteriously resurrected Corsair, and the two of them are on vacation with Cyclops'time-displaced younger self.[14] Corsair later reveals to Scott that Hepzibah was responsible for his resurrection by convincing the rest of the Starjammers to take his corpse to an alien planet where he was brought back to life. However, the process converts Corsair into a cyborg who must regularly ingest pills containingnanomachines to remain alive.[15]
As a Mephitisoid, Hepzibah resembles a humanoid skunk. Some artists have given her a more cat-like appearance, making her tail smaller and her fur entirely white. In her modern appearances, Hepzibah's ears are closer in appearance to those of a skunk, being rounded and on the sides of her head. In earlier appearances, Hepzibah's ears were closer to a cat, being pointed and on the top of her head.
Hepzibah possesses superhuman attributes, such as superhuman speed, agility, and senses. She also possesses night vision, retractable claws, and the ability to emitpheromones at will to control others.
Additionally, Hepzibah is a brilliant natural athlete and acrobat. She is a skilled hand-to-hand combatant, trained in various forms of armed and unarmed combat known in the Shi'ar galaxy. She is also an expert marksman, and is knowledgeable in the operation of a wide variety of ship-sized weaponry. Hepzibah is often armed with Shi'ar energy guns.
Deirdre Kaye ofScary Mommy called Hepzibah a "role model" and a "truly heroic" female character.[16] Steve Morris ofComicsAlliance said, "This space-skunk, as some ingrates sometimes refer to her, may seem to be, basically, a madwoman --- but no, that madness is carefully constructed and part of her absolutely earned self-confidence. Although absolutely never to be parted from her #1 man Corsair, this space pirate races into battle filled with passion, rage, and clawed fury. She's an unstoppable, overwhelming force of adrenaline, smart and calculating, and better than anyone you'd ever find on Earth. What a woman."[17] Darren Franich ofEntertainment Weekly ranked Hepzibah 57th in their "Let's Rank Every X-Man Ever" list.[18]
Hepzibah appears inX-Men: The Animated Series, voiced by an uncredited actress.[citation needed] This version is a member of the Starjammers.