Transonic (comics)

Transonic
Variant cover for Generation Hope #1 Art by Greg Land
Publication information
Publisher	Marvel Comics
First appearance	Uncanny X-Men #526 (July 2010)
Created by	Matt Fraction Kieron Gillen
In-story information
Alter ego	Laurie Tromette
Species	Human Mutant
Team affiliations	The Lights X-Men
Notable aliases	The First Light
Abilities	Supersonic flight General physiological enhancement

Transonic (Laurie Tromette) is a fictional comic book superhero appearing in books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appeared in Uncanny X-Men #526, in the first chapter of the "Five Lights" storyline, and was created by Matt Fraction and Kieron Gillen.^[1] She is one of the "Five Lights"—a group of mutants who manifested their abilities after the events of "Second Coming".

Publication history

Transonic first appeared in Uncanny X-Men as a teenager who was having difficulty completing, let alone coping with, her mutation. Following her introduction, she, along with Hope Summers, Velocidad, Oya, Zero, and Primal, began to feature in the series Generation Hope.^[2] She continues to make appearances in Uncanny X-Men as well.

Laurie is studious and intelligent and often cites logic as the rationale for her actions. She is often annoyed when her teammates, notably Velocidad, confuse things such as Ethics and Morals.

Fictional character biography

The First Light

Laurie Tromette is a 19-year-old college student living in Vancouver when her X-gene first manifests. At first, her mutation takes no real form. She experiences hair loss, skin changes, and flu-like symptoms, but according to Cyclops, "nothing resembling anything." She becomes so distressed that she decides to commit suicide by jumping off of a building. In an effort to save Laurie's life, Hope jumps off the building with her—touching Laurie and activating her power of flight.^[3] Laurie pledges to follow Hope and eventually moves to Utopia with the rest of the X-Men.^[4]

After moving to Utopia, Laurie, like the rest of the Lights, both trains with Hope and takes classes with the rest of the student-aged mutant population. When Hope confronts Emma Frost during a class, Laurie is conflicted about following Hope from the room. While she ultimately goes with her team, Laurie is apologetic toward her teacher and is upset by her team's actions.^[5]

Laurie contracts the "mutant flu" during the events of the Quarantine storyline.^[6] She presumably recovers like the rest of the X-Men when the virus is disabled.^[7]

Transonic transformed while rescuing Oya. Art by Salva Espin, Jim Charalampidis and Dave Sharpe

When a Sixth Light is located in Germany, Hope and the Lights (including Transonic) go to retrieve it. However, they find that the Light is actually an unborn infant too scared to leave its mother's womb, who is able to knock unconscious or take control of anyone within his range. Laurie's powers appear to evolve, allowing her to transform into a flying mermaid-type form, which is able to fly through the affected area and into Kenji's telepathic protection before the infant can take control of her. The infant is eventually convinced to be born, and Hope touches him and stabilizes his mutation.^[8]

Before leaving Germany, however, Shadowcat informs Hope and the Lights that Teon's parents have sued for custody of their boy. Later, Teon gives a beautiful speech in court about how he is happier on Utopia with Hope than he would be with his parents, Kenji talks to Laurie about how Hope has changed all of the Lights. Specifically, he wonders aloud if Teon truly is happier on Utopia, or if he is faking it to remain close to Hope. The two agree that something is not right about it, and Kenji reveals that he had considered taking the codename Judas to counter their "messiah" Hope; Laurie wonders if they can both be Judas.^[9]

Schism

As he returns from an obviously tiring mission, Wolverine encounters Hope and the Lights, including Transonic, awaiting his return so they can start Combat Training class. Wolverine cancels the class he had no knowledge of, and instead asks them if they shouldn't be doing something more age appropriate.

Laurie is one of the X-Men to attend the opening of a Mutant History Museum, a group that includes several adult and younger mutants. She takes Idie to look at several of the exhibits, until they meet up with Kenji. Laurie and Kenji begin to argue about the recent events involving Quentin Quire as Idie quietly slips away. When the Museum is attacked by the new Hellfire Club, Laurie loses her head and tells Idie to run. Most of the X-Men are quickly defeated, and Laurie among them. Later, after Idie "murders" the Hellfire grunts, Laurie is seen outside arguing with Hope, who accuses Laurie of losing her head in battle instead of acting like a soldier. Laurie fires back, however, stating that she's only a soldier when Hope is around to guide her. When Zero asks Oya if she is okay, she mortifies Laurie, Hope, and the other Lights by only asking if there is anyone else she needs to kill.^[10][11]

Avengers vs. X-Men

During the war between the Avengers and the X-Men over Hope and the Phoenix Force, Laurie was accidentally teleported to Wakanda when trying to stop Doctor Strange. There, she was arrested under Shuri's orders, prompting Namor to attack Wakanda under the excuse of rescuing her.^[12] Although Laurie has yet to appear on panel, the Jean Grey School for Higher Learning Roster lists her among the current students of the school, implying that she was released from Wakanda at some moment during or after the Avengers vs. X-Men war.^[13]

Powers and abilities

Laurie's primary ability is that of supersonic flight. Her body not only propels itself through the air at transonic speeds, but also possesses reactive properties that change her physical form to grant enhanced maneuverability.^[4] Her body has changed shape to become larger and winged (resembling a flying fish) when traveling at high altitudes^[14] and missile-shaped when traveling at high speeds.^[15]

Laurie also possesses "generalized physiological enhancement".^[4] Besides her blue skin and somewhat scaly appearance, the extent of these enhancements has not been revealed.

References

External links

• UncannyXmen.net Character Bio on Transonic