Origin
Jimmy Darnell was a systems propulsion engineer before he gained his superhuman powers. He was aboard the spaceship with Simon Utrecht, Michael Steel and his sister Ann Darnell when they got bombarded with heavy doses of cosmic rays. All four members got their powers and became the U-Foes. X-Ray and the rest of the U-Foes blamed Bruce Banner for interfering with the flight program and it brought back the crew before they could absorb even more cosmic rays which would make them more powerful. The U-Foes attacked Banner and Ironclad held him in his grip while X-Ray radiated Banner until he passed out. Suddenly Banner transformed into the Hulk and broke free from Ironclad’s arms. During the fight, the Hulk threw Ironclad into X-Ray which caused intense pain from the inside of his body. Suddenly all members of the U-Foes began to lose control of their powers. X-Ray was suffering from severe radiation poisoning and burned himself out when he flew skyward.
Creation
X-Ray was created by Bill Mantlo and Sal Buscema in 1980 and first appeared in The Incredible Hulk # 254.
Story Arcs
Days later, Ironclad emerged from the desert floor and believed the rest of his friends survived their battle with the Hulk. Ironclad returned to Utrecht Industries and reunited with X-Ray and the rest of the U-Foes. X-Ray and his teammates would battle the Hulk on numerous occasions.
Acts of Vengeance
The U-Foes fought members of the West Coast Avengers during the Acts of Vengeance. The U-Foes would escape from the Vault and they decided to split up and meet at one of their hidden bases. Ironclad, X-Ray and Vapor reached the base which was in shambles and saw footage from one working monitor of Vector getting killed by Iron Man accompanied by the West Coast Avengers. X-Ray and the U-Foes decide to exact revenge and come after the West Coast Avengers. The U-Foes attack the Avengers compound and X-Ray engages with Jim Hammond, the original Human Torch in aerial combat. X-Ray manages to overpower Hammond whom he mistaken as Johnny Storm of the Fantastic Four. However, Vector appears alive and well and the U-Foes discovered that they were set up and used as pawns. They had no idea that the trickster god, Loki had orchestrated everything. Vector, X-Ray and Vapor decide to retreat and look for Ironclad.
Civil War
X-Ray and the rest of the U-Foes registered under the Superhuman Registration Act and joined the Thunderbolts team instead of facing jail time. The Thunderbolts had to fight off cities filled with civilians who were suddenly empowered when the Grandmaster opened up the Wellspring of Power. The Thunderbolts army were broken up into numerous squads and sent to various locations throughout the world. The Chicago based squad consisted of X-Ray, Doctor Octopus, Porcupine, Whirlwind, Unicorn, Quicksand and Boomerang. That squad was responsible of maintaining order in the Windy City.
Dark Reign
He also was a member of the Hood’s syndicate along with his former U-Foe teammates. X-Ray and the U-Foes are revealed as members of the Initiative’s North Carolina team
Powers & Abilities
Radiation Form
James has become a living entity of energy, but unlike the human touch, his change is permanent, and he is mostly invulnerable, but he still can be harmed. it has been shown that lead, vibranium, and radiation draining can hurt x-ray.
Radiation manipulation
X-Ray can manipulate any forms of energy existing in the electromagnetic spectrum.
Radiation projection
James can produce energy blasts capable of hurting even the incredible hulk, or revert hulk back to banner, but that no longer works anymore.
Flight and Invisibility
James has the ability to fly and go invisible.
Other Media
Television
- X-Ray appears in The Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes episode “Hulk vs. the World.” He is shown as an inmate at the Cube. In the episode “Gamma World” Pt. 1, he assists the U-Foes and Zzzax in attacking the Avengers when they enter the Cube.
Video games
- X-Ray (alongside the other U-Foes) appears in The Incredible Hulk video game voiced by Keith Ferguson.