Hepzibah (comics)

Hepzibah
Hepzibah. Art by Salvador Larroca.
Publication information
Publisher	Marvel Comics
First appearance	X-Men #107 (October 1977)
Created by	Dave Cockrum (concept and artwork), Chris Claremont (writer)
In-story information
Species	Mephitisoid
Team affiliations	X-Men X-Force Starjammers
Notable aliases	Mam'selle Hepzibah, Zee, Lady Kitten
Abilities	Enhanced agility, speed, reflexes, coordination, balance, retractable claws, hyper-keen senses, mind/mood-altering pheromones, and night vision.

Hepzibah is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. She is a member of the intergalactic enforcers known as the Starjammers and currently a member of the Uncanny X-Men. The name of her species, Mephitisoid, is derived from the word Mephitidae, the scientific classification for skunks, which her species noticeably resembles.

Dave Cockrum created the Starjammers with the intent of having them star in their own series. However, when he submitted the concept for Marvel's two try-out series, Marvel Spotlight and Marvel Premiere, he was repeatedly informed that these series were booked for two years solid. Running out of patience, Cockrum showed the Starjammers to X-Men writer Chris Claremont, and convinced him to use the characters for this series. She first appeared in X-Men #107 (October 1977).

A member of the Mephitisoid species, Hepzibah was born on the planet Tryl'sart, while under Shi'ar Imperial Rule. Imprisoned by the authority of the then Shi'ar Emperor D'Ken, brother of Deathbird and Lilandra of the Royal House of Neramani, she first met Corsair (Christopher Summers) for the first time on the prison labor world Alisbar. Summers rescued her from a particularly gruesome death sentence (to be eaten alive at a banquet), prompting her to swear an eternal bond to him. The two met fellow prisoners Raza Longknife and Ch'od, and, after escaping Alzibar, the four of them formed the Starjammers. Summers, using the name "Corsair" in tribute to the science fiction adventurers he had admired during his youth, quickly earned the three aliens' respect and became the group's leader, eventually also winning the heart of Hepzibah, becoming her lover. It was Corsair who gave her the nickname "Hepzibah" (after the character of Mam'selle Hepizbah from the comic strip Pogo), because her Mephitisoid name consists of a series of scents impossible to reproduce in spoken language.