Origin
In Leland’s first major encounter with the X-men he fought Wolverine. He increased Wolverine’s mass so much that he fell through the floor into the basement of the New York headquarters of the Hellfire Club. When Wolverine returned he attacked from above, and Leland reacted the same way, sending Wolverine back to the basement. Only this time he fell on top of Leland and they both fell to the basement.
Creation
Harry Leland was created by Chris Claremont and John Byrne in 1980 and first appeared in shadow in Uncanny X-Men # 129. His first full appearance was in Uncanny X-Men # 132.
Mayor Story Arcs
Hellfire Club
“Shaw’s so confident, curse him! Why can’t I be as strong… Heart’s pounding… Too fast… Need a drink… I want to run away… Does he know I’m afraid… Does he know I’m afraid… Does that robot… Those eyes… Like a shark’s, utterly without mercy… So alien, and yet… so human!” — Harry Leland.
During his second encounter with the X-men he sunk Colossus deep into the ground before Nimrod appeared. The Hellfire Club then teamed up with the X-Men to fight Nimrod, the mutant hunter from an alternate future. Nimrod sent Sebastian Shaw flying out into space, But Leland latched onto Shaw, increasing his mass to the extent that he fell back to earth, re-entering the atmosphere, directed straight down onto Nimrod, the extreme effort expended caused Leland to suffer a heart attack of which he died.
Leland then became a member of the X-Humed as his corpse was turned into a mutant zombie by Black Talon. She-Hulk was then able to defeat the entire team and have them all reburied. As a precaution to ensure that he never came back, his mouth was filled with salt and his lips sewed together.
Return
He was later revived by Selene, a fellow Hellfire Club member, during Necrosha.
Powers & Abilities
Leland possessed the ability to increase the mass of an object or person within his reach, making it extremely heavy. Leland’s power could affect both people and inanimate objects, but active resistance by the subject made it more difficult to assert Leland’s power.
Alternate Versions
House Of M
Harry Leland appeared as the Commissioner of the NYPD, in which he was in discussion with John Proudstar about the assaults on Sapien Town and the Brotherhood’s attempts of capturing Luke Cage’s gang.
T.V.
X-Men The Animated Series
Harry Leland figured prominently in the Dark Phoenix saga in this series. He is also featured as part of the Hellfire Club.
Wolverine And The X-Men
Leland was a member of the Hellfire Club who agreed on killing Jean Grey. Emma Frost, then decided to oppose the Club because of this. The Hellfire Club regarding her as a traitor went up against her and Scott Summers. As Scott attempted to help Emma, Sebastian told Leland to increase Scott’s mass so he would not be able to aid Emma.