Gladiators

• First published 1985

The Gladiators are a team of mutants brought together by Alexander Flynn and Hugo Longride as a fight club of sorts to entertain wealthy people in search of entertainment. Flynn, thinking he is the illegitimate son of Victor von Doom, also wants to use the Gladiators as an army to help him fight for his birthright. When Beast and Alison Blaire (Dazzler) foil their plans, the group nearly disbands. Xi'an Coy Manh (Karma), possessed by the Shadow King, becomes the new leader of the Gladiators, interacting with the group through holographic projections of Alexander Flynn. The Gladiators and Shadow King are defeated this time by the New Mutants along with Dazzler and Storm. The Gladiators have many scars and artificial limbs. They are experts in the use of bladed medieval weapons. They also partake in the use of a red liquid drug which lowers their inhibitions and makes them more violent.