I thought it might be fun to work out the approximate ages
of the various members of the MC2’s Avengers. Keep in mind this isn’t definitive
unless it’s spelt out on the page and is merely a rough estimate based on
in-universe information or where necessary statements from the creative teams
involved in the characters creation and development.
For today’s inaugural post, I thought why not continue the Bluestreak
love? So, let’s see what we can deduce about the mutant speedster Blue Kelso’s
age from references in the comics.
Starting with her first appearances in A-Next, there
isn’t a whole lot of specific information given about Blue that we could use to
work out how old she is, but what we do get suggests she is a youthful and…*ahem*…
exuberant young woman.
Note she is significantly shorter than all other members of
the Dream Team which could suggest she is still young in years and has
some growing to do (A-Next #4).
In A-Next #6, the seemingly teen aged hero Argo the
Almighty (son of Hercules) notes to himself that Thunderstrike,
American Dream and Bluestreak are ‘all around my age’.
Blue also makes a passing reference to current school curriculum in A-Next #10, which could imply she either currently attends or recently attended school. Given her power set and personality, it's very likely Blue finished her schooling rather quickly. Perhaps while still training with the X-People?
Perhaps the biggest indication for Blue’s actual age
also comes from Argo, this time in the pages of Last Hero Standing
amid a battle with the Incredible Hulk in issue #4, when the
Almighty states ‘Bluestreak’s only a teenager.’
The most prominent character thread for Blue throughout
A-Next, J2, Wild Thing and even Avengers Next is
her unrequited crush on her fellow Avenger J2 aka Zane Yama.
While at first, we only see Miss Kelso show interest in the massively
muscular super heroic J2 alter ego, she does appear to later learn of his
secret identity as scrawny teenager Zane Yama and still retains her
feelings for him (Avengers Next #1-5). Zane will surely be the
subject of a later entry in this series at some point, but for now, that point
should be kept in mind!
I’d be remiss not to mention the American Dream
mini-series which heavily features flashbacks to the titular character’s
origin, including her time training under mentor (and former Avenger Hawkeye)
Clint Barton alongside Brandon Cross, Aerika Harkness and,
of course, Blue Kelso. What these scenes tell us is that the four
members of the Dream Team are roughly around the same age, even if we
don’t learn specifics.
Now let’s move onto information not present in the comics.
We have a response to a fan-question about both Freebooter and Bluestreak
by Tom Defalco from the Alvaro’s Comicboards Spider-Girl Message
Board. Here’s the question and response:
‘James Hunter: This one is where the clarification
is needed, in your mind, how old are Bluestreak and Freebooter? I ask
because a friend and I were discussing how mature Freebooter seems at times
(in the end we decided that Freebooter must be about 19 and Bluestreak
in the early teens, maybe 15 or so, would that be about right?)
Tom Defalco: Sounds about right.’
Skipping ahead to the recent wonderfully in-depth interview with
Ron Frenz on Adam Chapman’s Comic Shenanigans podcast, we have
this comment regarding the relationships between the members of the Dream
Team:
‘I liked the way they interacted, I liked the way Brandon
and Blue came across as brother and sister, harping at each other. And Shannon
kind of came across as the oldest sister who was constantly going ‘Bluestreak!’
and telling her to mind herself and all that kind of stuff.’
That’s about all we have, folks. So, in conclusion, I’d be
willing to guess that Bluestreak is the youngest of the Dream Team.
She’s roughly around the age of Zane Yama, whom she maintains a crush on
despite knowing in his youthful civilian form. She’s younger than Freebooter
but not significantly so. If I had to be specific, I’d say Blue Kelso is
14-16 years old throughout the publishing history of the MC2.
Until I get a life, I remain
frogoat