| Nikki | |
|---|---|
.webp) Textless cover ofGuardians 3000 #5 Art by Alex Ross. | |
| Publication information | |
| Publisher | Marvel Comics |
| First appearance | Marvel Presents #4 (April 1976) |
| Created by | Steve Gerber Mary Skrenes Al Milgrom |
| In-story information | |
| Alter ego | Nicholette Gold |
| Species | Mercurian |
| Team affiliations | Guardians of the Galaxy Avengers |
| Abilities |
|
Nicholette "Nikki"Gold is a character appearing inAmerican comic books published byMarvel Comics. Created bySteve Gerber,Mary Skrenes, andAl Milgrom, the characterfirst appeared inMarvel Presents #4 (April 1976).[1] Nicholette Gold has been a member of theGuardians of the Galaxy at various points in her history.[2][3]
Mercurians first appeared inThe Defenders vol. 1 #26 (August 1975). Nicholette Gold was first referred to inFOOM #12 (1975).[4] WriterSteve Gerber later stated, "I wanted to [add] a girl – a Mercurian – because there wasn't one in the group. The conception was, I think, half mine and halfMary Skrenes'."[5] At the time Gerber stopped writingMarvel Presents, Nikki Gold still had no clearly defined powers, leaving his successorRoger Stern to fill in that aspect of the character. Stern reflected, "Nikki was the blankest slate. I saw her 'power' as being able to adapt to virtually any environment. Otherwise, how would someone who had been born on the planetMercury been able to stand - much less turn somersaults - under standard Earth gravity?"[a][5]
Nicholette Gold debuted inMarvel Presents #4 (April 1976),[6] and was created bySteve Gerber,Mary Skrenes, andAl Milgrom.[7] She appeared in the 2014Guardians 3000 series.[8]
Nicholette "Nikki" Gold was born on the planet Mercury in the 31st century. She was rescued from an abandoned spacecraft by theGuardians of the Galaxy. She joined the Guardians, seeking excitement and adventure after years of solitude aboard the abandoned spacecraft.[9] She later joined withVance Astro in a metaphysical union in a successful attempt to use the force of human love to destroy the Topographical Man. The sexual nature of this union embarrassed Vance, but not Nikki.[10]
Nikki traveled to the present with the other Guardians, and assisted theAvengers in battle againstKorvac.[11] She traveled to the present again, and battledHammer and Anvil alongsideSpider-Man.[12]
Alongside the Guardians, Nikki later went on a quest to find the lostshield ofCaptain America, and battledTaserface.[13] She battled the Stark alongside the other Guardians.[14] She encounteredFirelord.[15] She battled the super-humanoid team known as Force alongside the Guardians.[16]
During her time on the team, Nikki had a romantic relationship withCharlie-27, though they later amicably separated.[volume & issue needed] She became attracted to later Guardian recruits Firelord andTalon though both simply wished to remain friends.[volume & issue needed]
Nikki is a member of an offshoot of humanity who were genetically engineered to survive in the harsh conditions of the planet Mercury. She possesses superhuman attributes, such as superhuman strength, speed, vision, agility, durability, and reflexes. She can see in intense light. She has a high degree of resistance to heat and most types of radiation. Nikki has demonstrated an ability to increase the intensity of the flames radiating from her scalp, to the point of being able to briefly project the flames outward as an offensive tactic.[17] She has been shown using this ability to burn the hair from Charlie-27's scalp and eyebrows,[18] scorch opponents such as the evilmutant Blockade,[19] and lay down a wall of flame to repel attackers.[20] Another side effect of Mercurian physiology is a natural body temperature of several hundred degrees;[20] at one point, Nikki took up swimming to temporarily reduce her body temperature for Charlie-27's safety while they were in a romantic relationship.[21] Additionally, Nikki has achieved extensive proficiency in hand-to-hand combat and proficiency in gymnastics and sharp-shooting. She is often armed with a neuronic frequency stun gun, a laser pistol, and various handgun-type weapons as needed.
Deirdre Kaye ofScary Mommy called Nicholette Gold a "role model" and a "truly heroic" female character.[22] Bradley Prom ofScreen Rant included Nicholette Gold in their "10 Best Members Of The Guardians Of The Galaxy Still Missing From The MCU" list.[23] Evan Lewis ofMovieWeb ranked Nicholette Gold 10th in their "10 Female Characters the MCU Should Introduce in Future Phases" list.[24]
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