Cannonball (comics) - Powers and Abilities

Powers and Abilities

Cannonball is a mutant who possesses the ability to bodily generate thermo-chemical energy and release it from his skin. This energy is used as thrust to cause his body to be propelled through the air like a rocket, at great heights and speeds with considerable maneuverability. He can control his speed and direction through sheer act of will. At first, he could only release this energy from his feet and legs, but now he can fire it from almost any part of his body, to a wide variety of effects. This energy also manifests itself as an impenetrable and virtually indestructible "blast field" that protects him from bodily harm. He can use this blast-field for the following effects: to function as a personal shield or extending it to encompass others, to shape the field around another person to imprison them, or to absorb outside kinetic impact into his own energy supply, enabling him to increase the bludgeoning power of his blows or to create explosive shock waves upon impact.

His power levels have varied over the years - but at his peak, he has been able to devastate several city blocks by plummeting to the ground from high altitude, as well as absorb (and redirect) the force of one of Gladiator's punches.

He may also be a member of the immortal mutant group the Externals, due to his apparent ability to return to life after death. This however is highly disputed. Writer Zeb Wells has stated while he has no immediate plans to explore Sam's immortality further, he would not rule out the possibility if it could add to a potential story.