| Lifeguard | |
|---|---|
 Lifeguard as depicted inX-Treme X-Men #18 (November 2002). Art bySalvador Larroca. | |
| Publication information | |
| Publisher | Marvel Comics |
| First appearance | (As Heather Cameron) X-Treme X-Men #6 (December 2001) (As Lifeguard) X-Treme X-Men #7 (January 2002) |
| Created by | Chris Claremont andSalvador Larroca |
| In-story information | |
| Alter ego | Heather Cameron |
| Species | Human mutant/Shi'ar hybrid |
| Team affiliations | X-Men X-Corporation |
| Notable aliases | Lifeguard |
| Abilities |
|
Lifeguard (Heather Cameron) is acharacter, asuperhero appearing inAmerican comic books published byMarvel Comics. Created by writerChris Claremont and artistSalvador Larroca, the character first appeared inX-Treme X-Men #6 (December 2001).[1] She is primarily associated with theX-Men.
Lifeguard is amutant, gaining whatever superhuman abilities are needed in a life-threatening situation. She and her brotherSlipstream were briefly members of the segment of X-Men featured in the seriesX-Treme X-Men.
Heather andDavis Cameron are a lifeguard and a surfer, respectively, living inSurfers Paradise inAustralia. Unbeknownst to them, their father is an underworld crime lord known asViceroy, and upon his death they are attacked. Together withStorm andNeal Shaara (the new Thunderbird), they manage to defeat their attackers. Heather discovers she is a mutant with the power to manifest whatever is necessary to save the life of someone in danger around her, including her own. Her power enables her to manifest wings, golden armor, the ability to breathe underwater, and many other less noticeable adaptations. Heather soon joins the splinter team of X-Men and forms a romance with Thunderbird.[2]
During a mission to infiltrate the ship of the intergalactic warlordKhan, Heather's appearance changes to resemble the alienShi'ar race.Jean Grey theorizes that Heather is descended from the royal Shi'ar based on the appearance of her feather crest and facial markings.[3] Her brother, unable to see past her new, alien appearance, leaves the team. Lifeguard and Thunderbird travel in search of him.[4]
Months later, Lifeguard and Thunderbird return to the X-Men, having been unsuccessful in locating Slipstream. Together with Thunderbird, she joined theX-Corporation. Several weeks later, the X-Corporation is targeted in a synchronized attack after the catastrophic events ofM-Day, leadingCyclops to call for the disbanding of all offices.[volume & issue needed]
Heather is one of a handful of mutants to have retained her powers in the wake ofHouse of M. Still involved with Thunderbird, she is not active in any X-Men roster, though the198 Files verified her location as residing at theXavier Institute for Higher Learning.
Heather later resurfaces after the events of "Schism" as a member of Cyclops' street team withBoom Boom andDazzler in San Francisco andUtopia.[5]
Heather appears in a groupshot of the Green Lagoon onKrakoa. She appears to be talking toJamie Madrox and has developed a mermaid-like tail to dip in the water.[6]
AfterKrakoa leaves Earth to reside in theWhite Hot Room, Heather returns to civilian life. However, she loses control of her emotions and powers in response to bigoted anti-mutant comments. Her friend Ugly John convinces Heather to embrace her powers, so she leaves for the ocean and transforms into a small living island.[7]
Heather's mutant power allows her body to sense and react to any threat by transforming or manifesting a power to deal with the situation (similar to that of the X-Men'sDarwin).[8][9][10] In all of her appearances, she has only been shown to use this ability while defending herself along with others.[2][11] It is unknown if she is able to use this ability for her own protection. She has a moderate level of control over this power and has sometimes been able to trigger it at will, although she has not displayed any control over the transformations or powers she manifests.[9] Heather has mostly manifested physical changes such as extra arms, armored skin, wings, and a mermaid tail. In her first appearance, she also demonstrated hydrokinesis.[12] The full extent of Lifeguard's abilities have yet to be revealed.[11]
After her Shi'ar abilities manifest, Heather permanently gains golden skin, wings, and claws.[13][14]
In addition to her superhuman powers, Heather is a trained lifeguard and skilled swimmer.[12][15]
An alternate universe version of Lifeguard from Earth-41001 appears inX-Men: The End as a protector ofAliyah Bishop in the Shi'ar Imperium.[16]
Lukas Shayo ofScreen Rant stated, "A mutant with the power to save lives, the aptly named Lifeguard can develop any ability necessary to save any life, be it her own or another's. If that means turning into metal, growing wings, or shapeshifting, Lifeguard will develop that power and subsequently save a life. As what essentially amounts to a stronger version of Darwin, Lifeguard doesn't really get the reputation she deserves. No mutant can ever surpass her ability to save lives, as their mutations are often tailored to other specific niches. With no upper limit to determine how she can shift, Lifeguard deserves her place among the Omega-levels."[13]