Number Nine

Origin

Raised in an atmosphere of myths about gender roles and standards of perfection, the teenage girl who would become Number Nine was one of several young women who answered an advertisement from entrepreneur Skip Ash, offering to transform them into “perfect beings.” Via technology from the Inhumans of Attilan, Number Nine was altered on a cellular level, remade to the peak of human physique, and implanted with false memories written by Ash to suit his concept of ideal womanhood. However, while Ash deemed her a success, his scientists dubbed her transformation a failure to due to her independence and impulsiveness, which they felt conflicted with the intended domestic instincts, obedience, and ethical conduct.

Creation

Number Nine was created by Ann Nocenti and John Romita Jr and first appeared in Daredevil #271 (1989).

Mayor Story Arcs

Daredevil

Ash’s equally driven daughter, Brandy, was a social crusader; accompanied by the wandering hero Daredevil, she bombed her father’s factory farm to exposes his inhumane treatment of livestock. Since the farm also housed the female reprogrammes, the explosion freed Number Nine, who, unable to recall either her true memories or her false ones, fixated on Daredevil and pursued him. Injured when Ash’s government allies fired upon her, Number Nine’s altered physique healed rapidly, and she joined Daredevil and Brandy in contemplating how best to expose Ash’s connection to government drug trafficking. Number Nine’s pliant and over-nurturing personality infuriated Brandy, but both Brandy and Daredevil grew disturbed when Number Nine became confused and self-destructive.

Ash’s government allies assigned the operative Shotgun to capture Brandy and Number Nine, but Daredevil defeated him twice. When Number Nine grew weary of Brandy’s criticism, the two briefly fought, releasing their resentment of each other. They and Daredevil were next confronted by Ash himself, whose clumsy attack was easily foiled by Daredevil, but the encounter was interrupted by Gorgon and Karnak, two members of the Inhuman Royal Family who incorrectly suspected the royal heir, Ahura, might have been smuggled from Attilan in Ash’s shipment. After Brandy convinced him of the dubiousness of his government work, Ash reported that Number Nine had been killed and left her with Brandy and Daredevil.

Acts of Vengeance

Meanwhile during the Acts of Vengeance conspiracy, Doctor Doom sent a rebuilt Ultron-13 robot after Daredevil as an object lesson for his ally the Kingpin. Ultron, deranged by a combination of multiple past programming, became obsessed with Number Nine’s physical perfection while Number Nine, now disenchanted with the idea of perfection, sympathized with Ultron’s disorientation. Not recognizing the nature of the two’s interaction, Daredevil, Gorgon, and Karnak attacked Ultron, severing his non-adamantium joints to decapitate him, but Number Nine decided she would one day find a way to repair her robot friend.

Number Nine joined Gorgon and Karnak in their search, but when Daredevil and Brandy followed, all encountered the demon Blackheart. Blackheart followed the group to Pottersville, where Ahura had been adopted and nicknamed Pope, then drew all three Inhumans and their three human allies into the realm of his father Mephisto, who subjected them to surreal tribulations. Number Nine found herself in “Billboard Heaven,” a world of artificial perfection which played on her insecurities, but the quasi-angel called Lucy convinced her that she needed no one else’s protection or alteration. Soon afterward, the Silver Surfer invaded Mephisto’s realm, distracting the demon, and Daredevil and most of his friends escaped, although Brandy was slain, only to become a quasi-angel herself. Back on Earth, the Inhumans returned to Attilan and Daredevil to New York, leaving Number Nine, now more self-assured, to find her way in the world.

Powers and Abilities

Nearly indestructible, Number Nine can survive virtually any injury and completely heal in a matter of minutes. She also possesses enhanced strength, speed, agility and reflexes.

Physical Attributes

Height: 5’8” 

Weight: 101 lbs.
 
Eyes: Blue
 
Hair: Blonde