Shortpack

Shortpack is a fictional character, a telepathic mutant in the Marvel Comics Universe. His first appearance was in Mystique #3, created by Brian K. Vaughan and Jorge Lucas.

Biography

Shortpack's mutation also came with a severe price: his body began shrinking at puberty. If not for the meditative exercises he learned from Professor X, he likely would have shrunk to a microscopic size. Unfortunately for him, he cannot control his power to grow and shrink further, and so he remains about 8 inches tall. Shortpack was recruited by Professor Charles Xavier to be a field handler for the clandestine operatives in his employ. Shortpack's first agent was Prudence Leighton (Agent 16), who was seemingly killed by the arms dealer Steinbeck.

The next agent to be assigned to him was the former mutant terrorist/freedom fighter, Mystique, but when the two met in Cuba for the first time, Shortpack did not know about her terrorist background. After handling Mystique on a few missions, Shortpack was contacted by the Quiet Man, who offered him a way to exact vengeance on Steinbeck for killing Prudence. He tried to get Fantomex to kill Steinbeck for him, but was refused, though Fantomex brought him to what he thought was Steinbeck's lair. Instead, Shortpack found that his target was his benefactor — the Quiet Man was Prudence's mind in Steinbeck's body, and the exchange had driven her mad. S/he captured Shortpack and used him as bait for Mystique, who had replaced her. Shortpack was eventually rescued by Mystique and presumably still works for Xavier. It is unknown if Shortpack lost or retained his mutant powers after the M-Day.

Powers and abilities

Shortpack possesses short-range telepathy. Additionally, he is very small, about 8 inches tall.

References