Rockslide (comics)
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Rockslide is the codename of Santo Vaccarro, a fictional character, a mutant in the Marvel Universe, one of the student body in the Xavier Institute and a member of the former Hellions squad therein. Post-M-Day, he was one of only 27 students to retain his powers; he is currently training to become an X-Man.
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[edit] History
[edit] Introduction
When Santo's powers manifested, he was delighted by his new form. He was sent to the Xavier Institute where he befriended Julian Keller and the would-be Hellions. He was originally advised by Iceman, but was selected by Emma Frost to be part of her prized Hellions squad. Santo and the rest of the Hellions went on to win the Field Tournament and were declared the best squad at the end of the school year.
[edit] Hellions Miniseries
During the summer vacation, Julian, from a well-to-do background, invited his friends to his home. The Hellions ran into trouble quickly, as his and Cessily's appearances along with Sooraya's dress disturbed people at the airport. After a brief struggle, the group was allowed to board, and made their way to California, where Julian originates. Soon, the team encountered the 'Kingmaker', from whom they each received a trial wish. Santo's wish was to become a World-class Champion in superhuman wrestling. However, when the Hellions eventually refused a permanent deal with the Kingmaker, the Kingmaker shattered Santo with a laser blast. Julian used his telekinesis to piece Rockslide back together, and together the Hellions defeated the Kingmaker.
[edit] Decimation
Soon after returning to the school after the vacation, the events of the House of M storyline transpired. In this reality, Santo was once again a champion superhuman wrestler. After the effects of M-Day, he was one of the few students who didn't lose their powers. The depowered students and staff were sent to their homes. One bus was bombed by anti-mutant religious zealot Reverend William Stryker, and Santo's former teammate and friend Brian was among those killed. The X-Men held a funeral for those students whose parents would not accept them, and Santo reflected upon how he had "failed" by not being able to save those killed.
With the mutant population drastically decreased, the government sent the Sentinel O*N*E* Squad to watch over the school, which began housing as many remaining mutants as would take refuge. All of the remaining students were placed by Emma Frost into an all-out brawl, and the ones deemed to be the best were to be assigned to become a group of in-training X-Men. Santo made the team and began training to become an X-Man.
[edit] Childhood's End and Nimrod
William Stryker continued his terror attacks against the school. Santo's teammate Josh ended Stryker's plans by killing him. The New X-Men, with the help of David, then made the connection between Stryker and Nimrod, and team leader Nori has decided the team with find and destroy the robot. When the team confronted Nimrod, Rockslide was obliterated in the battle. Hellion, eventually, used his telekinetic powers to piece him back together only to become larger and more rugged than his previous form. Rockslide is later seen talking to Match and Anole about their abilities and how useful or unuseful they would be if they joined the New X-men team, indicating Match and Anole may be possible candidates for admission onto the team. He was at the memorial service for all the students lost at Strykers attack on the institute.
[edit] Powers
Santo's body is composed completely of granite, which grants him superhuman strength, endurance, durability, and the ability to fire his hands and fingers as projectiles, though he cannot control them afterwards---he must pick them up and reattach them physically.
In the Hellions mini-series, he was shattered by the Kingmaker and put back together by Julian, much like how Emma Frost was reanimated by Jean Grey in the first New X-Men series. Given that Julian's power is obviously much less developed than Jean's, it would make sense that Santo's body is designed to be pieced back together should it be broken. This is supported by the recent incident in which Santo's body was obliterated by Nimrod, only to eventually put itself partially back together (Santo needed Julian's help again to fully reform). This time his appearance is larger and more rugged.
[edit] Relationships
It's unconfirmed, but it seems as though Santo and fellow team mate, Mercury might be forming a more than common friend relationship. They're always being seen togethor and in New X-men #31 Mercury becomes very distressed when she believes Santo to be dead and even begins to cry until Santo says " Quit crying, I hate it when you cry."
[edit] Trivia
- Santo is Italian-American.
- He is a fan of Dance Dance Revolution[1].
- Santo is considered the school bully.
- The idea of Santo desiring to be a world-class superhuman wrestler has reoccured twice now—once in the Hellions mini-series and again in the House of M series.
- Santo is a fan of the television program Medium starring Patricia Arquette. In the same issue, he also mentions Murder She Wrote.[2]
