Thomas "Tommy" Shepherd was born in Springfield, New Jersey to Frank and Mary Shepherd. Shepherd passed at a young age, however, moments after he was pronounced dead, Billy was inexplicably revived, much to doctors astonishment. Wanda Maximoff, whose twin children with the Vision were magical constructs, wanted to give them a chance at true life, even if that meant she would have to let them go. To do this Wanda placed the essence of her sons into recently deceased children, so that their souls could inhabit real bodies and not be tied to her magic. Tommy was in and out of juvenile halls for much of his youth, developing powers inherited from his uncle in his past life, which he used to break the law.
At first both had no memories of life with Maximoff, but as time went by they began to remember their past life in addition to the life of their current selves. Finding and reuniting with Billy, they went in search of Wanda, eventually finding and reconnecting with her. Wanda mentored the two to control and utilize their powers for good. Tommy became the hero Speed and was introduced to the larger superhero community. America Chavez, a multiversal traveler, came across the twins during one of her excursions into the multiverse, befriending them. When a multiversal crisis ended their universe, Chavez relocated survivors to other universes, with Tommy being brought to Earth-616, where he and his brother joined the Young Avengers.
Powers and Abilities[]
Speed is a Mutant with mutant powers:
- Superhuman Speed:Speed can run, move and react at speeds far greater than the average human. His top running speed is unrecorded, but it is demonstrated that he can at least achieve supersonic speeds. It is unclear if his running ability exceeds that of Quicksilver given that the adult speedster was carrying Wiccan over his shoulder and was on a conversation with him during the friendly challenge issued by Speed.
- Molecular Acceleration: He can also generate hyper-kinetic vibrations that accelerate the molecules in matter, causing any solid object he directs his vibrations at to explode.
- Intangibility: He also can use molecular destabilization to walk through solid objects.
- Superhuman Stamina: Speed's physiology grants him greater stamina when compared to an ordinary human, allowing him to operate at peak capacity for at least several hours before he begins to grow tired.
- Superhuman Agility: Speed's physiology grants him superhuman agility being more flexible and having greater balance.
- Superhuman Reflexes: He's capable of reacting fast, because he's moving at superhuman speeds everything moves slower for him.
- Superhuman Durability: Speed's physiology also provides him with limited protection against impact forces and the high levels of friction that are produced when he moves at superhuman speed.
- Superhuman Strength: Speed possesses a limited degree of superhuman strength, allowing him to lift about 800 lbs with his arms and 1 ton with his legs.