Creation

The ape-cyborg character named Ape-X was created by Mark Gruenwald and Paul Ryan, and first appeared in Squadron Supreme #5. Along with many characters from Earth-712 in the Squadron Supreme home universe, she was part of a groundbreaking story in the analogues of Marvel Comics.

Major Story Arcs

After her trainer died, the mind-enhanced Ape X used her incredible scientific knowledge to enhance her missing legs. Creating a powerful cyber-armed personal craft she turned to a life of crime with the Institute of Evil.

Ape X was the mastermind behinds the group of villains when she hatched a plan to capture the loved ones of the Squadron Supreme. Using them as hostages to lure the Squadron and eliminate their threat to them. This came after the Squadron had initiated the Utopia Program, which in their eyes would usher in a new way of life to all on Earth. Ape X and her team saw otherwise realizing that they were directly a target to the newly unveiled behavior- modification program.

Attacking the Squadrons mountain base when only Tom Thumb was present. Easily outmatching Tom Thumb they then used the behavior process on Tom Thumb but all the Squadron members who came to rescue their loved ones. All but the Whizzer who escaped. When he returned and used a machine gun to attempt to kill the Institute members the Squadron quickly came to their protection. Ape X and the Institute reveled in their victory when suddenly the Squadron attacked them, easily winning the match. Unknown to Ape X or the Institute Tom Thumb had recently updated the program of the behavior-modification program neutralizing its process when used on any Squadron member. She and the rest of the Institute later received behavior-modification by the Squadron Supreme and joined the team, though the treatment eventually led to a psychotic reaction.

While a member of Squadron Supreme she formed a close relationship with Tom Thumb, assisting in developing and implementing technology essential in reaching the Squadron's goals. After Tom died of cancer Ape X began to create a robotic version of him, presumably out of a longing for his company. She was unable to complete the project do to a psychotic reaction triggered by conflicting imperatives forced on her by the Squadron's behavior modification process, triggered when she observed a new member of the Squadron Supreme Moonglow breaking team policies.

Before the ambush of the Squadron that former member Nighthawk had begun, Ape X was visited by Shape. Now in a vegetated state Shape was unable to communicate with Ape X, recently unbahavior-motified he posed a risk to the plans. Moonglow anticipated this and kept an eye on Ape X. Moonglow used her illusion casting powers to convince Shape that Ape X was awake and well. She used her powers to council Shape and convince him to keep everything a secret and that Moonglow was who he needed to trust, not Arcana or the Squadron. This would mark the last appearance of Ape X as she stayed in the background from the battlefield once Nighthawk executed his plans.

Appearance

Height: 3'4" (head to trunk)

Weight: 160 lbs

Hair: Brown (body is totally covered)

Eyes: Brown

Powers and Abilities

Ape-X possessed super-human intelligence and the powers of speech. She also had great mechanical aptitude, and scientific knowledge. She created the pacifier compound used in "gumdrops", the popular term used for the pacifier pellets used by law enforcement officials to tranquilize lawbreakers.

Equipment and Paraphernalia

Ape-X used a life-supporting chair for locomotion as well as offensive and defensive capabilities, having various weapons and options incorporated into it. One version had tank like wheels while another had the capacity to fly via thrusters.

Complications

Having been Behavior Modified by the Squadron, the ex-Institute of Evil members are unable to break the law for any reason, betray any Squadron member for any reason. Their minds are no longer truly their own. Ape-X found herself in a complex issue- she followed the Institute loyally, but fell in love with Tom Thumb, and finds herself unable to reveal Moonglow's actions of espionage to her fellow Squadron compatriots. This caused her to have a complete mental breakdown due to the two extremes, one of mental blocks by the behavior modification, and the other due to her authentic beliefs in the Squadrons goals.