Wyatt Wingfoot is a fictional supporting character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics.
While having no superpowers, he has spent much time in the company of the Fantastic Four due to his friendship with Human Torch, and his relationship with occasional Fantastic Four member She-Hulk. A Native American of the fictional Keewazi tribe, Wingfoot is an excellent athlete, marksman, hand-to-hand fighter, tracker and animal trainer, and has been of timely help in numerous potentially devastating situations.
Publication history
Wyatt Wingfoot first appeared in
Fantastic Four #50 (May 1966) and was created by
Stan Lee and
Jack Kirby.
The character was inspired by Olympic athlete
Jim Thorpe (1887-1953), who was a member of the Sac and Fox Nation.
Fictional character biography
Wyatt, son of
Olympic Games decathlon star Will Wingfoot,
[ Fantastic Four #51 (June 1966)] was born on the fictional Keewazi Indian reservation in
Oklahoma. He left to attend college at the equally fictional Metro College in New York City. There, Wyatt becomes roommates and friends with
Human Torch.
[ Fantastic Four #50 (May 1966)] Wyatt has occasional adventures with Johnny and the other members of the
Fantastic Four.
Wyatt eventually complete his college degree and graduates, returning to his reservation to become a teacher.
[ Fantastic Four #138 (September 1973)]
Following the death of Wyatt Wingfoot's grandfather, he is summoned to accept the position as tribal chieftain. At the same time, the alien Terminus arrives in Oklahoma to devour Earth's resources, and the Fantastic Four arrive for battle. Wyatt postpones his investiture as chief of the Keewazi and follows the Fantastic Four instead, returning to New York with Mister Fantastic and She-Hulk.[ Fantastic Four #269-270 (August - September 1984)]
Wyatt soon begins an intimate relationship with She-Hulk, and helps her confront magazine publisher T.J. Vance.[ Fantastic Four #275 (February 1985)] He continues this relationship after the Thing returns and She-Hulk leaves the Fantastic Four. He is part of a group of civilians who are captured via a teleportation beam when S.H.I.E.L.D. goes after She-Hulk. S.H.I.E.L.D. goes after the corrupt officer in charge, endangering everyone on board and anyone the Helicarrier might crash in to. She-Hulk soon neutralizes the threat, and Wyatt survived the crash of the Helicarrier.[ Marvel Graphic Novel #18: She-Hulk (November 1985)] Wyatt later became engaged to She-Hulk; alongside her, he battled Carlton Beatrice, and then broke off their engagement.[ She-Hulk: Ceremony #1-2 (February 1990)]
Wyatt Wingfoot returns to his tribe when they discover large oil deposits on their territory. He helps broker a deal between the United States government and the Keewazi.
Wyatt is referred to as one of Johnny Storm's best friends, along with Spider-Man. The two of them hold an intervention for Johnny following his loss of powers and subsequent erratic behavior.[ Fantastic Four (vol. 5) #12 (December 2014)]
Powers and abilities
Wyatt Wingfoot has no superhuman powers. He is a superb athlete, and a highly skilled tracker, animal trainer, horseman, motorcyclist, dancer and marksman. He is also an excellent hand-to-hand combatant.
Wyatt sometimes rides a gyro-cruiser, provided by the Wakanda Design Group.
Other versions
1602
An alternate universe version of Wyatt Wingfoot appears in
as a rival to John Storm for the hand of Doris Evans. #2 (December 2006) At the end of the series, when Evans has thrown them both over for William Shakespeare, Storm and Wingfoot resolve their differences over a drink.
[ Marvel 1602: Fantastick Four #5 (March 2007)]
Last Avengers Story
In one alternate future, Wyatt Wingfoot has married She-Hulk and they have had a child named Jessie. She joins the Avengers to help defeat
Ultron.
[ The Last Avengers Story #1-2 (November 1995)]
Earth X
In the alternate future of
Earth X, Wyatt Wingfoot has become
Captain America's new partner Redwing, utilizing Falcon's winged harness.
[ Earth X #1 (April 1999)]
Heroes Reborn
In the universe of "Heroes Reborn", Wyatt Wingfoot is purportedly a government agent assigned to monitor independent
spaceflight and extraterrestrial meetings, but is in reality a spy working for
Doctor Doom. Wingfoot is later revealed to have been
Super-Skrull, a
Skrull imposter.
In other media
Wyatt Wingfoot appears as a non-playable character in
, voiced by
Dave Wittenberg.
[ Native Americans in Comic Books: A Critical Study, p.156]
External links