Synch (comics)

Synch (Everett Thomas) is a fictional character and mutant superhero appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by Scott Lobdell, he first appeared in X-Men #36 (September 1994). Synch was killed in Generation X #70 (December 2000), but resurrected during the Krakoan Age in 2019. In 2021, Synch joined the X-Men team roster in the relaunched flagship book X-Men (vol. 6) written by Gerry Duggan. He would remain on the team during the Reign of X, Destiny of X and Fall of X publishing phases and become the team leader in the final phase. The character also appeared in other related books such as the Immortal X-Men (2022) series and the Rise of the Powers of X (2024) miniseries.

Synch first appeared in X-Men (vol. 2) #36 (September 1994), part of the "Phalanx Covenant" event, and was created by writer Fabian Nicieza and artist Andy Kubert.

Synch was killed off in Generation X #70 (December 2000). At the start of the Krakoan Age, as part of the Dawn of X relaunch of all X-Men related titles, Synch was brought back via the mutant resurrection protocols in House of X (2019) #6. During Jonathan Hickman's X-Men (vol. 5) run in 2021, Synch goes on a mission into The Vault. Synch then appeared, debuting in the Hellfire Gala (2021) during the Reign of X relaunch, on the first team roster for Gerry Duggan's X-Men (vol. 6) run. He remained on the X-Men team through the rest of Duggan's run during the Destiny of X and Fall of X phases.

During X-Men: From the Ashes, Synch reappears as the narrator of NYX (vol. 2) #7.

Everett Thomas was born in St. Louis, Missouri. He was first introduced when the mechanical collective race known as the Phalanx had assimilated the X-Men and attempted to wipe out what was to be the next generation of mutant heroes: Husk, Jubilee, Monet, Skin, and Blink, all of whom, with the exception of Blink, would eventually become members of Generation X. Synch synced with Banshee, who was in the area, to defend himself from the Phalanx. However, as a side effect, he shattered all the windows nearby, which drew the attention of the local police. Even as they surrounded him, a few officers had already been infected by the Phalanx and again tried to capture Everett. He was saved by Banshee and Sabretooth, and then quickly helped them prevent yet another Phalanx attack on the White Queen and Jubilee, who had helped locate Everett. The White Queen linked her mind with Everett's and Jubilee's, which allowed Everett to synch with Jubilee and use her powers to a degree she had been afraid to, defeating the Phalanx for the moment.

This misfit band of heroes ended up saving the other kids who were captured by the Phalanx, and with the sacrifice of Blink, they escaped the menace. Following this, the kids were all relocated to the Massachusetts Academy where they would train to use their powers, receive a formal education, and act as Generation X, the next generation of X-Men, on the side. They were soon joined by new recruits Chamber, who had been invited by Charles Xavier, and Penance, a former prisoner of the mutant Emplate who had been liberated by Gateway.

Synch played a major role in many of Generation X's adventures, and was known for being both even-tempered and very resourceful in the growing use of his (and by extension, his teammates') powers. During one of Emplate's attacks, Synch fell under his thrall and became one of his vampire-like minions. This rendered most battle strategies against Synch useless, as he could use his teammates' powers against them without restraint, forcing them to employ more unconventional means.

Unbeknownst to Synch, his interactions with his female teammates created a romantic undertone. His strong bond with Jubilee, in particular, eventually led to her developing deep feelings for him. Synch never seemed aware of this and apparently did not feel the same way, due largely to a crush on Monet. For a time Synch was fixated on Gaia, who did initially seem just as interested in him. Shortly before a battle where the team could have died, Synch admitted to Monet he regretted never having a first kiss. Monet (who was being impersonated by her sisters Nicole and Claudette, unknown to Synch at the time) agreed to share one with him, which clearly left quite an impression on him, even once Nicole admitted the deception and the true Monet returned. Synch later began dating the true Monet after she admitted her feelings for him, but their relationship would be cut short by tragedy.