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    Songbird

    Character » Songbird appears in 580 issues.

    Songbird is a founding member of the original Thunderbolts. She was formerly known as the super villain Screaming Mimi.

    Short summary describing this character.

    Songbird last edited by SlamAdams on 09/04/22 07:45AM View full history

    Origin

    Screaming Mimi
    Screaming Mimi

    Melissa Gold did not have a good childhood. Her mother had been imprisoned for robbery and her father was a drunk. It did not help that many of her peers teased her until one day she simply couldn't take anymore of it and she ended up running away from home and living on the streets, creating a tough personality. She also took up her mother's name of Mimi and as she got older, she became involved with a criminal named Mike. He set her up by reporting her to the police while carrying stolen goods, causing her to be arrested and sent to jail, just like her mother.

    Once there she met Marian Pouncy. Marian got Melissa involved in masked wrestling and she soon joined a team called the Grapplers, using a device that converted her voice into high frequency sonics and taking on the persona 'Screaming Mimi.' The Grapplers became renowned for their colorful personalities and ringside antics, but the wrestling federation denied them the opportunity to make the same amount of money their male counterparts made. When the group decided to turn to crime in order to make more money, they were tried and jailed after a defeat by the hero known as Quasar.

    Creation

    Melissa Gold first appeared in Marvel Two-in-One issue 54 in 1979 as Screaming Mimi and was created by Mark Gruenwald, Ralph Macchio and John Byrne. Her first appearance as Songbird was in Incredible Hulk #449.

    Character Evolution

    Melissa began her career as a super-villain under the name Screaming Mimi with the Grapplers and Masters Of Evil. She has since then been trying to redeem herself by joining the Thunderbolts, even becoming the team's leader for a time. She is the only constant member of the Thunderbolts.

    Major Story Arcs

    A Criminal Career

    One of Melissa's more exciting times came after her imprisonment after her first crime against the hero known as Quasar. Here she teamed up in Ryker's Island Prison with Titania, Poundcakes and Letha to battle Dazzler. The four of them ganged up on the lovely girl and came very close to defeating her. Once the Grapplers were free, they found that without them, the world of female wrestling had slowed to a halt. So they continued to commit crime in order to generate income until two members, Titania and Letha, were killed.

    Masters of Evil

    After The Grapplers' dissolution, Melissa met Helmut Zemo who let her join the Masters of Evil. Here she met someone by the name of Angar the Screamer. The two became close since they had similar powers.

    Thunderbolts

    Mimi becomes Songbird
    Mimi becomes Songbird

    After the death of Angar, who was killed during a robbery and died in Melissa's arms, Mimi became so upset that she screamed for 43 minutes until she nearly destroyed her vocal cords. Zemo later got The Fixer to give her a technology that would recreate some of her powers, while allowing her to now make sound into constructs that had some properties of solid objects, including wings allowing her to fly. That's when the Masters of Evil became known as the Thunderbolts as part of an elaborate plan to acquire the Fantastic Four's technology, among other things. Mimi began going by the name Songbird from that time onwards. In that period she fell in love with Abe Jenkins, (the former Beetle) who was also her trainer. Songbird later rebelled against Zemo so she and the rest of the team could show that they had indeed reformed. But after that MACH-IV went to jail to prove his good intentions, the Thunderbolts disbanded, leaving Songbird to go to jail as well, until she joined the newer version of the Thunderbolts with MACH-IV.

    Civil War

    Songbird with the new Thunderbolts
    Songbird with the new Thunderbolts

    During the superhuman Civil War, the Thunderbolts were assigned by the government to locate and arrest unregistered heroes. The Thunderbolts then became a way for former villains to redeem themselves if they agreed to participate in the program. Norman Osborn became the leader of this assignment and demoted Melissa, stating that she was too moralistic, thus giving her position away to Moonstone. Songbird was against this idea and disliked most of the team's villainous members, however, she remained on the team for fear of imprisonment. She also noted that, in the field, Moonstone is a less-than-capable leader and has at times taken the lead anyway, such as when the team attempted to capture the Steel Spider. Songbird was forced to take command when Moonstone was injured, and mislead Bullseye into believing that he is able to escape, causing him to become paralyzed. After the team returns to the Thunderbolts mountain, Songbird berates Moonstone and the team's performance, although Osborn has no desire to listen to her complaints.

    When four psychic super villains invade the Thunderbolts mountain, they manipulated Osborn into returning to his Green Goblin persona and forced him to rampage through the base, killing a handful of the human soldiers that worked there. The psychics then convinced Melissa into defeating Osborn herself, hoping that the two of them will kill each other. Songbird manages to defeat Osborn without killing him, although she was extremely exhausted after the battle. After the team recovers, she demands that Osborn allow her to lead the Thunderbolts, or else she will release the security tapes that reveal him killing the humans as the Green Goblin. Once Osborn agrees, Songbird leaves the office with a smile on her face, until Norman tells her that Bullseye had been heard stating that a little bird (implying Melissa) told him he was free in order to have him injured during the Arizona mission.

    Dark Reign

    Melissa during Dark Reign
    Melissa during Dark Reign

    After the Secret Invasion, Osborn is given control over HAMMER and the Avengers. He officially closes the Thunderbolts program but secretly keeps the team as his own personal hit squad. However, Songbird is still a liability, so under Osborn's orders, Moonstone and Bullseye plot to have her killed, but only after they manipulate her into sending her only ally, the Radioactive Man, back to China. Songbird is then hunted by Bullseye and Venom, although she manages to evade them both and even blows up a section of the mountain. She ultimately escapes with the aid of Swordsman who helps her fake her own death and goes into hiding. Free from Osborn's machinations, but well-aware of what his new status as Director of HAMMER means, Melissa plans to thwart Osborn's plans anyway she can.

    Songbird reappears in the public eye when she stops HAMMER forces from performing a forced relocation of homeless people in Cleveland, Ohio. She punishes a HAMMER officer who harmed a homeless war veteran, and then proceeds to defeat the entire HAMMER unit. She then flies off with a plan in mind: to bring together the old band of Thunderbolts together and deal with the team of killers Norman had assembled as the new Thunderbolts.

    Her first stop is to seek Abe (Mach IV) and Norbert (Fixer), who are working on the Mach V version of the flight armor. Abe pledges to help her, and gives her the location of Chen. Melissa kisses him in thanks before leaving. Some time later, she is intercepted and fired upon by the Thunderbolts on board their jet. She grabs a missile in midair, and sends it back into the Thunderstrike. The explosion sends the plane crashing, but stuns her enough to send her to the ground. Still stunned, she is taken by surprise by Norman's Black Widow ( Yelena Belova), who points a gun at her head. She is even more surprised when the Black Widow says that she's extracting Songbird to safety. Melissa remains skeptical, until the Black Widow reveals that she's not really Yelena, but rather Natasha Romanova. Barely surviving the crash the duo try and escape into the woods but have a run in with Mister X. After defeating him and eluding the rest of the Thunderbolts the two go to a meeting place where they are supposed to meet Nick Fury.

    However, the two were apparently followed by Ant Man and captured by the Thunderbolts. When returned to the T-bolts base Fury was revealed to be a LMD and Natasha and Melissa are ordered by Norman to be integrated and exposed of. At this moment Headsman, Paladin, and Ghost help the two escape, where they are saved by Abe in Mach armor.

    Heroic Age

    Melissa and Abe together
    Melissa and Abe together

    Currently, Songbird is a warden of the girl's side of the Raft, with a new haircut and outfit. Along with Mach V, Fixer and new leader Luke Cage, they recruit criminals to the Thunderbolts program for a chance of redemption. When Luke Cage enlisted Moonstone into the program, Songbird questioned him, which quickly lead to Luke Cage pointing out that she was just like Moonstone at one point.

    So far, she and Cage are on good terms. She even helped out during the Troll mission, where they captured Gunna. Songbird off panel orientated her into the program. While a prison riot was occurring, and Songbird was about to get beaten by the female prisoners, Gunna ran out and saved her, much to the disappointment of Moonstone. Songbird seems to be the second in command of the Thunderbolts team, constantly aiding Luke Cage with her opinions. She is leading the Thunderbolts Beta team by a judgment call by Warden Walker.

    Fear Itself and Disbanding of the Thunderbolts-Prison project

    No Caption Provided

    After Luke Cage had to leave for the Avengers giving their call, Songbird lead both Thunderbolts team in a mission in Iraq. Once completed, they returned to the Raft, only to find it destroyed after the Juggernaut picked up the hammer of the worthy. Songbird took the reins on both teams, and plans to get the Raft and their teammate back under her control. Eventually, she and other heroes managed to gain control of the prison once more. However, a number of villains managed to sneak away by teleporting through time. These villains where eventually brought back to Earth and it's correct time, but not soon after these events, a number of their group where teleported to a different reality. The remaining members, including Songbird and Mach-V, stayed together for some time and helped out a number of the former inmates until the team quietly disbanded.

    Avengers Idea Mechanics

    No Caption Provided

    When Sunspot bought the former terrorist organization, A.I.M., and transformed it into his own defense think-tank, Songbird was made leader of his Avengers field team. They spent most of their time cleaning up science experiments gone wrong from W.H.I.S.P.E.R. and its leader, Maker.

    Eventually, they received a distress call from Rick Jones that he had been abducted by S.H.I.E.L.D. under false pretenses and needed rescuing. Sunspot put it to a vote whether or not they get involved. Songbird voted in the affirmative. Meanwhile, those who voted against saving Rick Jones were allowed to leave with the "New Avengers" branding, while Sunspot re-branded his team AIM and went underground as one of SHIELD's most wanted.

    After rescuing Rick, Songbird was involved in one of Sunspot's more convoluted plans. It is revealed that Songbird was originally a plant, reporting back to SHIELD, but she secretly defected to Sunspot's AIM and was now Sunspot's "triple agent." They planned on SHIELD to catch her so that she could feed them intel to WHISPER instead of AIM, since they discovered Maker's surveillance using Songbird's control over sound waves.

    Ultimately, with WHISPER gone, AIM cut a deal with SHIELD to take out all the AIM splinter groups still loyal to the old guard. With Avengers Idea Mechanics now re-organized as American Idea Mechanics, Songbird decided she needed a break and resigned from Sunspot's Avengers.

    No Going Back

    No Caption Provided

    After leaving AIM, Songbird was enjoying some well deserved “R and R” on a beach in New Jersey when she received a phone call from Abe (now MACH-X). The Thunderbolts had gotten back together under Bucky Barnes’ leadership to protect Kobik from SHIELD. When Bucky heard Profiler predicted that Spider-Man would kill Captain America, Bucky went rogue to take Spider-Man out. He was apprehended by SHIELD before he hurt Spidey, and the Thunderbolts need Songbird’s inside information to bust him out. She agrees to help them because she still has a bone to pick with SHIELD rather than any loyalty to Abner or the team.

    After successfully getting Bucky back to base, Songbird reluctantly sticks with the team. She was mostly convinced they were doing the right thing. It was a short-lived reunion however. Baron Zemo got his new Masters of Evil squad to attack Bucky, so that he could offer the rest the chance of joining him. Songbird immediately retaliated, attempting an escape with MACH-X, while the rest fell in with Zemo.

    In the ensuing fight, Songbird and MACH-X were thrown into the snowy surroundings, stranded by Zemo and his new Masters.

    Powers and Abilities

    Sonic constructs
    Sonic constructs

    Songbird could originally produce super sonic screams which could cause a variety of effects such as disorientation, hallucinations, and unconsciousness. After her vocal cords were nearly destroyed, Songbird had them technologically enhanced, which gave her the ability to create solid-sound energy constructs which she could manipulate at will. Her signature use of this ability is to create a set of solid wings which allow her to fly. She has also been able to create inaudible ultrasonic waves which she can use to influence the emotions of those around her. However, she does not seem to have access to the rest of her original power set and it remains unclear whether they will ever return. As of now, Songbird's current powers cannot function without the use of her high-tech harness but has shown the ability to make solid constructs of weapons and even hold them in her hands.

    Characteristics

    No Caption Provided
    • Gender: Female
    • Height: 5' 5"
    • Weight: 145 lbs.
    • Eyes: Green
    • Hair: White with pink streaks
    • Known Relatives: Mimi Gold (mother), Mr. Gold (father)
    • Citizenship: U.S.A.(former criminal record, pardoned)
    • Place of Birth: Shosoni, Wyoming
    • Marital Status: Single
    • Occupation: Adventurer; former prison guard, criminal, wrestler
    • Education: University Student

    Alternate Realities

    Avengers Forever:

    During the Destiny War, Songbird was one of the Avengers drawn from time to help Rick Jones.

    Marvel Zombies - Earth-2149

    In the Marvel Zombies reality, Songbird, like most others, has been turned into a zombie.

    Genis' Wife

    In an unknown future that Genis-Vell traveled to, he and Songbird were married and had two children, Ely and Mimi.

    Earth-Earth-807128

    Songbird's redemption
    Songbird's redemption

    In the Old Man Logan universe, the Thunderbolts betrayed the Avengers and sided with the Red Skull's united supervillain army in exchange for their lives. Despite this, Songbird was wracked with guilty over her decision, and unsuccessfully tried to warn Hawkeye before the massacre of Earth's superheroes began. 44 years later, Hawkeye set out to avenge his murdered comrades by hunting down and killing all of the former Thunderbolts, including Songbird. After killing Atlas and Abe Jenkins, Clint managed to find Songbird's location after finding an unsent letter that Abe had written to her.

    It was revealed that after the purge that killed most of the world's superheroes, a deeply remorseful Melissa abandoned the world of supervillains in favor of becoming a nun in Minnesota, seeking to atone for her sins. After being confronted by Hawkeye, Melissa did not attempt to run or fight, and instead claimed that she believed that God had sent Clint to help her find redemption before the end of her life. Before Clint could take her life, Bullseye attacked the church, seeking to bring some satisfaction back to his boring life by snuffing out the last remaining Avenger. While the two marksmen battled it out, Melissa fled to her bedroom and retrieved her old Songbird costume. Donning the mantle of Songbird one last time, she fought off Bullseye and told Clint where he could find Moonstone, his next target. She was then killed after Bullseye hurled one of Elektra's sai into her back, only moments after she gained the redemption she had been seeking.

    Appearances in Other Media

    Television

    Super Hero Squad Show

    Songbird Animated
    Songbird Animated

    Melissa first appeared as Screaming Mimi, making several appearances as a part of Dr. Doom's super-villain team. It was later revealed, that Screaming Mimi was an undercover S.H.I.E.L.D. agent named Songbird. She is voiced by Julie Morrison.

    Avengers Assemble

    Songbird in Avengers Assemble
    Songbird in Avengers Assemble

    Screaming Mimi appears in the third season, Ultron Revolution, voiced by Jennifer Hale. She is seen as part of the Masters of Evil, and is defeated alongside the rest of her team by the Avengers. After another defeat the hands of the Avengers, the Masters are recruited by Baron Zemo, who rechristens them the Thunderbolts. As part of the Thunderbolts, Screaming Mimi changes her identity to Songbird. She is the first of her teammates to grow a conscience, and is the driving force behind the group deciding to reform and become genuine heroes. She returns in the season finale to help the Avengers battle Ultron.

    Marvel Rising: Battle of the Bands

    Screaming Mimi in Marvel Rising
    Screaming Mimi in Marvel Rising

    Screaming Mimi appears as the antagonist of one of the Marvel Rising specials. This version of the character is the lead singer of a rock band called the Thunderbolts, and uses her powers to cause accidents around New York to sabotage her group's competition. Unlike in the comics, her powers come from a special necklace she wears, and she subsequently loses her abilities after Ghost-Spider destroys it.

    She was voiced by Tara Strong.

    Video Games

    Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2

    Songbird in Marvel Ultimate Alliance
    Songbird in Marvel Ultimate Alliance

    Songbird appears in Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2 as a playable character and sides with the Pro Registration team. She is also a boss in Anti Registration side of the story. She is said to be one of the most useful characters in the game due to her powerful and constant sonic scream. She is playable on all consoles and is voiced by Susan Spano.

    Marvel: War of Heroes

    Marvel: War of Heroes
    Marvel: War of Heroes

    Songbird appears in several cards in the mobile card game Marvel: War of Heroes. Her cards are:

    • [Screaming Mimi] Songbird
    • [Triple Thunderbolt] Songbird
    • [Music Hath Charms] Songbird
    • [Anti-Osborn] Songbird
    • [Conscience] Songbird

    Lego Marvel's Avengers

    Songbird is a playable character in the game as part of the Thunderbolts DLC pack.

    Marvel Avengers Alliance

    Avengers Alliance
    Avengers Alliance

    Songbird is a playable character in the game, and can be recruited by winning the adamantium league in the PVP Tournament: Season 31.

    Her bio in the game says: Melissa Gold ran away from her alcoholic father and lived out on the streets of New York until she became a professional wrestler and joined an all-female wrestling group that worked for the Roxxon Oil Company, committing crimes across New York City. Roxxon enhanced Melissa's vocal cords, allowing her to produce sonic screams. Melissa came to be known as Screaming Mimi and eventually joined Baron Zemo's Masters of Evil. The Masters of Evil posed as a Super Hero team known as the Thunderbolts in a plot to take over the world. Codenamed Songbird, Melissa started to appreciate being a Super Hero as their plan neared completion. She and several of her teammates staged a coup against Baron Zemo, proving herself to be a real hero and joining the Avengers.

    Marvel Future Fight

    Songbird in Marvel Future Fight
    Songbird in Marvel Future Fight

    Songbird is a playable character in the game. She is a blast type, and her description in the game says: A former Super Villain turned Hero, Songbird possesses supersonic sound abilities that can incapacitate and stop her enemies. With the help of some intricate technology, she is also able to generate solid sound "wings" for flight and maneuverability.

    Merchandise

    Marvel Legends
    Marvel Legends
    • Hasbro showed off a prototype for a Marvel Legends figure of Songbird, which had her modern, short-haired appearance. The figure was never produced.
    • Songbird was featured in the HeroClix figure game.
    • Eaglemoss produced a Songbird figurine.
    • Diamond Collectibles produced a Songbird Minimate.
    • Hasbro later released an actual Marvel Legends Songbird figure as part of the wave for the Avengers: Infinity War movie. The figure was produced after Songbird won a fan-voted poll at San Diego Comic-Con.
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