Wild Child (comics)

Wild Child
Wild Child. Art by Simone Bianchi.
Publication information
Publisher	Marvel Comics
First appearance	Alpha Flight #1 (Aug 1983) (cameo) (full introduction) Alpha Flight #11
Created by	John Byrne
In-story information
Alter ego	Kyle Gibney
Species	Human Mutant
Team affiliations	Weapon X Alpha Flight X-Factor Omega Flight Gamma Flight
Notable aliases	Weapon Omega, Wildheart
Abilities	Superhuman senses, speed, agility, reflexes, coordination, balance, endurance Regenerative healing factor Slowed aging process Razor sharp claws and fangs Olympic-level trained acrobat/gymnast, special ops-trained hand-to-hand fighter

Wild Child (Kyle Gibney) alternately spelled Wildchild and also known as Weapon Omega and Wildheart, is a fictional character appearing in Marvel Comics publications. The character has been active as both a superhero and a supervillain. He has been a member of Alpha Flight, X-Factor, and Weapon X.

He was created by John Byrne and appeared in a cameo appearance in Alpha Flight #1, but he did not appear in full until Alpha Flight #11.

Kyle Gibney is a mutant who manifested a feral mutation during puberty; this mutation granted him enhanced physical abilities and an increased rate of regeneration. He also suffered from a bestial appearance, which prompted his parents to throw him out of their house. Living on the streets, he was kidnapped by the conspiratorial Secret Empire and subjected to mind- and body-altering experiments. The experiments had the consequence of making him psychologically unstable, and in particular prone to violent and animalistic behavior. During this time, he became acquainted with Dr. Valerie Cooper, a United States government official who was unaware of the Secret Empire's true nature or activities. He was freed by Wyre, the man who had unwittingly been the source for the genetic material that was used in the Empire's experiments.

Gibney (now Wild Child) was detained by the military and given over to the custody of Canada's secret Department H, who oversaw the formative Alpha Flight team. The Flight member Walter Langkowski, wanting to protect the youth from the military, placed him in the trainee team dubbed Gamma Flight. After Alpha Flight and its trainee groups were officially disbanded, Gibney was recruited to join the first Omega Flight team, a group of professional criminals. Alongside Omega Flight, he battled Alpha Flight and was defeated. Alongside Omega Flight, he battled Alpha Flight again in the West Edmonton Mall, and was defeated by Madison Jeffries. Afterwards, he committed a series of murders, which ended when he battled and was captured by Wolverine after he severely injured and almost killed Alpha Flight member Heather Hudson.