Shatterstar

   

Benjamin Russell Origin:

Benjamin Russell (spelled with two L's on the end) and Shatterstar were two separate people -- bodies, entities, souls, et all. Benjamin Russell was a mutant runaway from Boston, who had an uncanny physical resemblance to Shatterstar (save for the brand and the long hair). When Ben’s powers emerged during puberty, he had gone into a coma and basically stayed that way until adulthood at the Weisman Institute. Benjamin Russell has no known history, background, or family. Just a vague police report with a mug shot.

Shatterstar had (at sometime) begun seeing the memories of Ben. They were weaved in with his own, and for many months ‘Star was unable to determine which were his and which were Benjamin’s -- leaving him confused about his real memories. The next time ‘Star had a run in with the police he was incorrectly identified as Benjamin Russell, and  he was left confused -- since he did not recall ever even hearing the name of the boy.

It was when Shatterstar infiltrated the Weisman Institute that he ‘officially’ (and I use that term very loosely)  met Gamesmaster in the form of a child, Jeremy Stevens. The man used his omnipathic abilities to confuse Shatterstar further, making him actually believe that he was Benjamin Russell. At this point his memories and mind got so scrambled that he couldn't even consciously answer questions about himself; when Cable asked him who he was three times, Shatterstar gave him three different answers each time, and seemingly did not even realize he was doing so. Such results would show that Gamesmaster was more than likely responsible for all of Shatty's mental hardships, and it probably started at some point earlier in 'Star's history that he could not recollect. (Confusing as hell, I know).

Months later, Shatterstar was fatally wounded by Mojo, during which Spiral (of all people) claimed she knew a way to save him. She teleported them, along with Cable, Siryn, and Longshot, to the Weisman Institute where Benjamin’s comatose body lay. The Uemuer (or soul) of Shatterstar was then transferred by Longshot into Benjamin’s body. During this process both boys were bonded, only then making them one person. Spiral claimed that she brought ‘Star to Benjamin for reasons only she knew, as she had a personal bond to both boys. As of yet, these reasons and this bond have yet to be revealed.

Following the incident, Shatterstar claimed that his head was much clearer and he felt more complete on an emotional and psychological level. It is assumed his memory issues were fixed, and he was able to carry on back to normal. Since the incident, it has been revealed that Shatterstar was indeed owned by Mojo and he had grown up on Mojoworld like he had originally thought (X-Force #76). Mojo himself said that the Gamesmaster was responsible for all of the confusion, and that no matter what Shatterstar decided to believe, he would always be Mojo’s most expensive piece of property.

The rest is all still a mystery -- a mess, yes, but not so much so that it can’t be properly explained in further detail in the future.