Avalanche Rocks the X-Men's World

By Rob Allstetter

It's no accident Lance Alvers' mutant codename is "Avalanche." This problem child can project waves of energy into the ground, producing all manner of seismic mayhem.

"Lance is bitter, rebelling against authority and resentful of school," says X-Men: Evolution story editor Greg Johnson. "He sees the deck stacked against underprivileged kids like him. But (because of) his growing control over his burgeoning powers -- 'Once you own it, nothin' can own you!' -- he realizes he now has the chance to level the playing field, no pun intended.

"He's a bit of a hothead, and his small circle of friends both fear him and look to him for direction," Johnson added.

Avalanche's powers tax him, causing killer headaches. Nevertheless, he's a formidable foe.

Director Steve Gordon says he wanted to make Lance the physical equivalent of another one of the show's high-school seniors: Scott Summers, a.k.a. Cyclops.

"He's tall and good-looking, but he's an orphan and comes from the wrong side of the tracks," Gordon says. "He's into bad deeds and whatnot, and we tried to push that with torn jeans and stuff. He's the negative of Scott: a tall, good-looking guy that possibly the girls could like if they're into that type of guy. He dresses more like some of the boy bands do, frankly. Scott dresses more preppy, and (Lance) dresses more grungy."

Avalanche's costume underwent a bit of an overhaul for X-Men: Evolution.

"We didn't want to go with the standard costume," Gordon says. "It's something interesting where it's still the metal-strapped-on-look, but it's got a contemporary feel."

Check out Avalanche's character bio.