Bethany

Origin

Bethany was a subject in a government program named project Next Men. The members of the project had been kept in a government facility in huge metal chambers. While in these chambers they were immersed in The Greenery, a virtual reality. The subjects perceived that they were in an ideal world. For the most part this simulated world was peaceful and idyllic. However, ever so often they would be attacked by war machines without notice. They were able to generate weapons and armory to ward off these attacks. Like the others, Bethany was awoken in the government facilities' metal chamber by Jack. Bethany's powers started to manifest in The Greenery, she became virtually indestructible. However, it was only discovered in the government facility the extent of her powers. Bethany's hair was unable to be cut and it even cut Jack's hand when he touched it. She and the other survivors of the project escaped from the government facility.

Based on the comic books that Danny had been reading they were given superhero identities, Bethany became Hardbody.

Creation

Bethany was created by John Byrne as a member of the Next Men. The Next Men is a series that is geared towards an mature audience, and Byrne explores many of those themes with this character. Bethany's mutant ability is her virtually indestructible; this type of power is very prevalent in comics. What is different about her is that Byrne juxtaposes Bethany's indestructible and deadly exterior with her fragile and naive nature.

Character Evolution

Bethany's introduction to the real world was shocking and full of tragic circumstances. Her powers protect her physical being, but her spirit and psyche are pushed to the limits. As her powers grow, so does the loss of her sense of touch and tastes. She is a valuable member of the team, but she tends to isolate herself from others.

Major Story Arcs

During the shutdown of the Next Men Project by Senator Hilltop. The Senator was doing so to hide his involvement in the project.

Having been raised in The Greenery, a virtual world for educating and training the team, the Next Men were very naive about the real-world. They work with Antonia's and her boss, Control, to prepare for real world missions. During this time Bethany takes on the code name of Hardbody.

One of their first missions they embark upon is to battle the similarly created Russian mutant team. During this time, Danny leaves on his own to search for his birth mother. He finds his half sister, birth mother and the real identity of his father. Danny and his half sister, Chrissy, went to New York.

The team re-unites in New York and emulates the superhero teams of the comic books that Danny reads. This attracts attention from the law, and the team is arrested for the crimes committed during the escape from the Next Men Project's government facility. Jack and the team escape and go underground.

In the 2010 IDW published mini-series, Bethany plays a pivotal role. The series revolves around the mysterious time traveling of the Next Men. It is the future Bethany that is responsible for the time traveling the team members endure. In the end, she has changed the timeline and the team has grown stronger for it.