| Friedrich von Roehm | |
|---|---|
| Publication information | |
| Publisher | Marvel Comics |
| First appearance | The New Mutants #22 (December 1984) |
| Created by | Chris Claremont Bill Sienkiewicz |
| In-story information | |
| Team affiliations | Hellfire Club |
| Notable aliases | Black Rook |
| Abilities | State resemblinglycanthropy |
Friedrich von Roehm, also known as theBlack Rook, is asupervillain appearing inAmerican comic books published byMarvel Comics. The character is usually depicted as an adversary of theX-Men.
Von Roehm possesses a hereditary ability that is likened tolycanthropy. Von Roehm undergoes a transformation from his ordinary human form through a process mentally activated bySelene. He attained the rank of "Black Rook" of the Lords Cardinal of the New York branch of theHellfire Club, an exclusivesecret society bent on world domination. In civilian life, he was a jeweler.
Created by writerChris Claremont and artistBill Sienkiewicz, the Black Rook first appeared inThe New Mutants #22 (December 1984).
The character subsequently appears inThe Uncanny X-Men #189 (January 1985), and #208 - 209 (August - September 1986), in which he dies.
Friedrich von Roehm operates a jewelry shop on New York City'sPark Avenue. Von Roehm is also secretly a lycanthrope and a high priest of the supernatural being and self-described goddessSelene. Von Roehm, who had worshipped Selene as a goddess, becomes her personal servant after she visits his jewelry shop.[volume & issue needed]
As a member of the Hellfire Club, von Roehm sponsors Selene for membership.[volume & issue needed] Selene becomes the new Black Queen, and von Roehm serving as the Black Rook.[volume & issue needed] Alongside the Hellfire Club, he battles the X-Men in New York'sCentral Park. Selene uses her powers to mentally trigger von Roehm's transformation and sends him in pursuit ofRachel Summers. WhenNimrod intervenes to attack the X-Men and the Club,Storm proposes an alliance to battle Nimrod. Von Roehm rejects this proposal and attempts to attack the X-Men, but is disintegrated by Nimrod.[1]
Von Roehm possessed a power likened to lycanthropy. Von Roehm did not undergo the typical change in appearance associated with werewolves. However, he acquired superhuman strength, enhanced senses, claws, and barely controllable bloodlust during his transformation. His powers were genetically based, but required mental triggering by Selene. Aside from his personal devotion to Selene, von Roehm was apparently mentally compelled to obey Selene while in his superhuman state.
Friedrich Von Roehm, among other Hellfire Club members, was originally planned to appear inDark Phoenix, but was ultimately cut from the film.[2]