Founder
Black Marvel
Alter Ego: Daniel "Dan" Lyons
First Appearance: Mystic Comics #5 (March 1939)
Dan Lyons was chosen by the chief of the Black Feet tribe to be a champion of justice, after he defeated 100 other combatants. He was given a bow, and was told to notch it when he performed a good deed. When he gained 100 notches, he would be allowed to become the Black Marvel.
He later made a deal with Mephisto to obtain the super powered suits of Dusk, Hornet, Ricochet, and Prodigy. He then formed the Slingers. The Slingers were able to release Black Marvel from the contract, and he was able to die in peace.
The Slingers
Dusk
Alter Ego: Cassie St. Commons
First Appearance: Slingers #0 (1998 September)
Cassie St. Commons was a typical ESU student until a meeting with Black Marvel changed everything.
- Back from the Dead: After dying on the first issue, she was reborn somehow, no longer dead, but not truly alive
- Casting a Shadow: She can manipulate shadows to form objects or constructs of solid dark energy, a power she used to great effectiveness during the battle against Mephisto's horde of demons.
- Dark Is Not Evil: She might look like a living shadow, but she's a hero.
- Perky Goth: She has always enjoyed looking different, with jet black hair, facial tattoos, and nose and tongue piercings.
- Sacrificial Lamb: On their first outing together, Dusk falls to her death. She got better, kind of.
- The Smurfette Principle: The only female among the original Slingers.
- Teleportation: Thanks to the suit her primary power is the ability to teleport herself or others anywhere she wishes to be.
Hornet
Alter Ego: Edward "Eddie" McDonough
First Appearance: Slingers #0 (1998 September)
A science prodigy and handicapped with a palsied arm, Eddie McDonough adventured as the Slinger called Hornet and was killed by a brainwashed Wolverine.
- Animal-Themed Superbeing: The Hornet.
- Bash Brothers: He and Ricochet, remaining good friends and even becoming a Dynamic Duo in later years.
- C-List Fodder: He's killed by a brainwashed Wolverine. To add insult to injury, Nick Fury notes that he didn't even get his name right.
- Flight: His suit allows him to fly.
- Genius Cripple: Eddie, one of the smartest kids in school, has cerebral palsy.
- Legacy Character: After his death his original codename was taken by former villain Silas Burr/Cyber, and later by Hobie Brown, the former Prowler, while his niece Melissa took the codename of Red Hornet in his honor.
- Token Flyer: He's the only one of the team who can fly thanks to his Jet Pack.
Prodigy
Alter Ego: Richard "Ritchie" Gilmore
First Appearance: Slingers #0 (1998 September)
One of the identities used by Spider-Man from the "Identity Crisis", now Ritchie Gilmore uses the costume. He was the leader of the now disbanded team: the Slingers.
- Cape Wings: His red cape can be used to glide air currents.
- Flying Brick: Almost. He can jump such long distances that it looks like he's flying.
- One-Steve Limit: Shares codename with member of the X-Men David Alleyne.
- Primary-Color Champion: Has a golden armor and a red cape.
- Powered Armor: His armor is bulletproof and its retrofitted to give him superhuman strength, durability and ability to fly limited distances.
Ricochet
Alter Ego: Jonathan "Johnny" Gallo
First Appearance: Slingers #0 (1998 September)
Ricochet is a mutant that took on one of the mantles that Spider-Man used during his "Identity Crisis". He is also a member of the Loners and former member of the Slingers
- Bash Brothers: He and Hornet, remaining good friends and even becoming a Dynamic Duo in later years.
- Blue Is Heroic: His costume is mostly blue.
- Brought to You by the Letter "S": Has a stylised 'R' on his chest, on the back of his jacket, and on his throwing discs.
- Improbable Aiming Skills: Ricochet has been seen hitting targets from great distances with his throwing discs.
- In a Single Bound: Ricochet possesses the mutant power of superhuman agility, enabling him to leap great distances.
- Missing Mom: Ricochet's mother died when he was little, killed by the Orphan-Maker.
- My Significance Sense Is Tingling: Ricochet's mutant powers also give him a "Danger Sense", that functions much like Spider-Man's "Spider-Sense", allowing him to sense danger before it happens.
- Super-Reflexes: Ricochet's natural reaction time is enhanced to a level beyond the human body's natural limits.
