M.A.C.H. Zero

Real Name: Unknown - never revealed

Identity/Class: Human mutate

Occupation: Former secret agent

Affiliations: former agent of the British government

Enemies: Sharpe, Harry Winthrop, Cousin George

Known Relatives: Tommy (son)

Aliases: None known

Base of Operations: England

First Appearance: M.A.C.H.1, 2000A.D. Prog 43 (IPC, 17 December 1977)

Powers/Abilities: Superhuman strength.

History: (Untitled M.A.C.H.1 story, Progs #43-46) MACH Zero was the last of the unsuccessful prototype M.A.C.H. men to be subjected to the Compu-Punctured Hyper-Power experiment (see John Probe, aka MACH One), and the first one to survive the treatment. Zero had been a volunteer who, before the process, worked as a government agent (much like his successor); afterwards he became an unstoppable force. But his strength began to grow uncontrollably; he killed his son Tommy's cat while stroking it, and eventually his superior Sharpe ordered him locked up until a cure could be found. There was no cure, and he was locked up for three years in a remote research station in Wales, hidden away from prying eyes, kept alive only as a form of insurance should MACH One ever disobey Sharpe. As his strength grew and the energy inside him built up, it became increasingly hard for him to think clearly, until eventually he only had the mind of a child.

Eventually Sharpe visited his charge, trying to justify the expense of keeping him to the new financial controller. Upon seeing him, Zero went berserk, breaking his constraints and escaping the facility with two thoughts filling his mind - to see his son and to deal with Sharpe. John Probe meanwhile had discovered the truth about his predecessor, still angry about the death of Tanya Maski and feeling those who shared "the unique bond of compu-puncture" should stick together, decided to help him. Probe tracked down the escaped Zero, and got Sharpe to promise to let him see his son again, only to find out later that Zero had apparently been killed in a car crash arranged by his superior.

(Untitled M.A.C.H. Zero story, Progs #65-75; Cyborg Express, 2000 A.D. Sci Fi Special 1978; Untitled, 162-165) But Zero had survived the 'accident', and had a series of other adventures. A gentle enough man so long as he wasn't provoked, MACH Zero attempted to live a quiet life free from outside interference. He was eventually reunited with his son, who had believed him dead, but was killed trying to protect him when the army finally caught up with him.

Comments: Created by Steve MacManus and Kevin O'Neill.

CLARIFICATIONS: Not to be confused with

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