Mini Marvels - Speedball

Robbie Baldwin was a high school science student working part-time as a lab assistant at the Hammond Research Facility when he was caught in an experiment that drew energy from another dimension and accidentally into Robbie's body. When thieves raided the lab moments later, Robbie discovered his new powers, his body having generated a kinetic forcefield that protected him from impact and allowed him to launch himself into battle. Keeping his powers a secret, Robbie became the superhero Speedball. Soon after he was recruited by Night Thrasher to become a founding member of the New Warriors.

His time with the New Warriors enabled Speedball to master and experiment with his powers. Though he matured somewhat during his time with the group he never lost his fun-loving light-hearted personality and fully embraced the fame that accompanied the financially-troubled group's shift into the world of reality TV. This would change after the Stamford Incident however, which Robbie would be the only survivor of. His powers protected him from Nitro's explosion, but in the process he was bounced across the county and his powers were seemingly burned out for good however.

He was soon discoved to be newly developing explosive energy powers that were triggered by phycial pain. Wracked with guilt over the experience, Robbie abandoned his Speedball identity and became Penance, creating a spiked outfit that cut into his body and allowed him to activate his new powers at any time. Many of his former friends barely recognised him during his time as Penance, but with continuing support and therepy he slowly began to get over his guilt and work through the trauma.

During this time he discovered that his Speedball powers were slowly returning and this prompted a return to his old identity. Serving as an advisor to the next generation of heroes at Avengers Academy, Speedball puts on a brave face despite his lingering mental issues and continuing to secretly self-harm in order to retain his Penance powers.