Bluebird (Sally Avril), sometimes rendered Blue Bird, is a fictional character appearing in

American comic book An American comic book is a thin periodical literature originating in the United States, commonly between 24 and 64 pages, containing comics. While the form originated in 1933, American comic books first gained popularity after the 1938 publ ...

s published by

Marvel Comics Marvel Comics is a New York City–based comic book publishing, publisher, a property of the Walt Disney Company since December 31, 2009, and a subsidiary of Disney Publishing Worldwide since March 2023. Marvel was founded in 1939 by Martin G ...

. She is usually depicted as a

supporting character A supporting character is a character in a narrative that is not the focus of the primary storyline, but is important to the plot/protagonist, and appears or is mentioned in the story enough to be more than just a minor character or a cameo a ...

in the

Spider-Man Spider-Man is a superhero in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by writer-editor Stan Lee and artist Steve Ditko, he first appearance, first appeared in the anthology comic book ''Amazing Fantasy'' #15 (August 1962) in ...

series. In other media, Sally Avril has appeared in the animated series ''

The Spectacular Spider-Man ''The Spectacular Spider-Man'' is a comic book and magazine series starring Spider-Man and published by Marvel Comics. Following the success of Spider-Man's original series, ''The Amazing Spider-Man'', Marvel felt the character could support ...

'', voiced by

Grey DeLisle Grey DeLisle (; born Erin Grey Van Oosbree; August 24, 1973), sometimes credited as Grey Griffin, is an American voice actress and singer-songwriter. DeLisle is known for various roles in animated productions and video games. On September 27, ...

; in the film ''

The Amazing Spider-Man ''The Amazing Spider-Man'' is an ongoing American superhero American comic book, comic book series featuring the Marvel Comics superhero Spider-Man as its title character and main protagonist. Being in the Earth 616, mainstream continuity of t ...

'' (2012), portrayed by Kelsey Asbille; and in the

Marvel Cinematic Universe The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) is an American media franchise and shared universe centered on List of Marvel Cinematic Universe films, a series of superhero films produced by Marvel Studios. The films are based on characters that appe ...

(MCU) films '' Spider-Man: Homecoming'' (2017), '' Avengers: Infinity War'' (2018), and '' Spider-Man: No Way Home'' (2021), played by

Isabella Amara Isabella Amara (born October 9, 1998) is an American actress and singer. She gained attention for her role as Sally Avril in the films '' Spider-Man: Homecoming'' (2017) and '' Avengers: Infinity War'' (2018). She also became known for her role ...

Publication history

Created by

Stan Lee Stan Lee (born Stanley Martin Lieber ; December 28, 1922 – November 12, 2018) was an American comic book author, writer, editor, publisher, and producer. He rose through the ranks of a family-run business called Timely Comics which later bec ...

and

Steve Ditko Stephen John Ditko. Page contains two reproductions from school yearbooks. A 1943 Garfield Junior High School yearbook excerpt lists "Stephen Ditko". A 1945 Johnstown High School yearbook excerpt lists "Stephen J. Ditko" under extracurricular ac ...

, Sally Avril first appeared in ''

Amazing Fantasy ''Amazing Adult Fantasy'', retitled ''Amazing Fantasy'' in its final issue, is an American comic book anthology series published by Marvel Comics from 1961 through 1962, with the latter title revived with superhero features in 1995 and in the 20 ...

'' #15 (1962). Sally was a minor member of

Flash Thompson Eugene "Flash" Thompson is a character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by writer Stan Lee and artist Steve Ditko, the character First appearance, first appeared in ''Amazing Fantasy'' #15 (August 1962). Flash ...

's entourage, appearing in only one issue during the

Silver Age The Ages of Man are the historical stages of human existence according to Greek mythology and its subsequent interpretatio romana, Roman interpretation. Both Hesiod and Ovid offered accounts of the successive ages of humanity, which tend to pr ...

. Her "Bluebird" career was created by

Kurt Busiek Kurt Busiek ( ; born September 16, 1960) is an American comic book writer. His work includes the '' Marvels'' limited series, his own series titled '' Astro City'', a four-year run on '' The Avengers, Thunderbolts,'' and ''Superman.'' Early lif ...

(scripts) and

Pat Olliffe Patrick Olliffe is an American comic book artist and penciller. His most notable clients include Marvel Comics, DC Comics, Disney Publishing Worldwide, Disney Publishing, and AfterShock Comics, Aftershock Comics. Career Olliffe is best known for ...

(pencils) in 1996.

Fictional character biography

Sally Avril was a fellow student of

Peter Parker Spider-Man is a superhero in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by writer-editor Stan Lee and artist Steve Ditko, he first appeared in the anthology comic book ''Amazing Fantasy'' #15 (August 1962) in the Silver Age of ...

's at Midtown High who turned him down for a date, preferring Flash Thompson.''Amazing Fantasy'' #15 (August 1962) Thirty years later, writing for ''

Untold Tales of Spider-Man ''Untold Tales of Spider-Man'' is an American comic book series starring Spider-Man published by Marvel Comics between 1995 and 1997. It was published for 26 issues (#1–25, with a #-1 issue (July 1997) added between issues #22 (June 1997) and 23 ...

'', Busiek resurrected the one-note brunette from obscurity and gave her a background. She was an ambitious, thrill-loving girl who took blue ribbons in

gymnastics Gymnastics is a group of sport that includes physical exercises requiring Balance (ability), balance, Strength training, strength, Flexibility (anatomy), flexibility, agility, Motor coordination, coordination, artistry and endurance. The movem ...

. With fellow popular kid

Jason Ionello Icarus Icarus (Joshua "Jay" Guthrie) is a Mutant (Marvel Comics), mutant superhero. He was a member of the student body at the X-Mansion, Xavier Institute and a member of the New Mutants training squad. Jay was the son of Thomas and Lucinda Guthr ...

, she attempted to cash in on a ''

Daily Bugle The ''Daily Bugle'' (at one time ''The DB!'') is a fictional New York City tabloid newspaper appearing as a plot element in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The ''Daily Bugle'' is a regular fixture in the Marvel Universe, most ...

'' contest offering a thousand dollars to a reader who brought in pictures of

. Although their mission was a bust, Sally loved the thrill and became smitten with the web-slinger when he touched her cheek just before leaving her and Jason with a warning to give it up.''Untold Tales of Spider-Man'' #6 (February 1996) Sally and Jason tailed Spidey again, who was (unwillingly) working for Electro. The flash from Sally's camera roused Spidey from his hypnotic state, and a well-placed kick by Sally took Electro by surprise long enough for Spidey to readjust his mask — which Electro had been preparing to remove — and defeat him. Spider-Man posed for a shot with an ecstatic Sally and Jason that the ''Bugle'' ran.''Untold Tales of Spider-Man'' #7 (March 1996) Suffused with glee, Sally tried to get a permanent gig on the ''Bugle'', but was told the photographer's job was filled — by Peter Parker.''Untold Tales of Spider-Man'' #10 (June 1996) Peter admitted this but asked her not to tell their fellow Midtowners. Sally donned an eccentric blue-and-white costume and decided, with her aerobic skills, to become a superheroine. She asked Peter to take some ''Bugle'' pics of her doing some stunts, but Peter refused. Angered, she threatened to blackmail him by revealing that he took Spider-Man pictures, but he undercut her by telling them himself.''Untold Tales of Spider-Man'' #11 (July 1996) Bluebird's zeal but lack of experience caused trouble for Spider-Man during fights with Scarlet Beetle and Electro. Her "ether egg" weapons would detonate prematurely or have little effect, once even allowing the villain to escape.''Untold Tales of Spider-Man'' #12 (August 1996) Considering her more trouble than she was worth, Spider-Man allowed the

Black Knight The black knight is a literary stock character who masks his identity and that of his liege by not displaying heraldry. Black knights are usually portrayed as villainous figures who use this anonymity for misdeeds. They are often contrasted with ...

's men to hurt her to dissuade her from interfering in his fights again, although he later felt remorseful. Bruised but undaunted, Sally and Jason headed to an area where Spider-Man was fighting the Black Knight, with Sally's camera. She intended to capture some shots of the fight. However, Sally's zeal ended up costing her her life when she begged Jason to speed in his car, and the two ran a red light. Their car struck an oncoming bus, with Jason sustaining mild head trauma and Sally being killed.''Untold Tales of Spider-Man'' #13 (September 1996) In '' Dead No More: The Clone Conspiracy'', Sally Avril is resurrected by

Ben Reilly Benjamin "Ben" Reilly (), also known as the Scarlet Spider, is a superhero appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Grown in a lab by Jackal (Marvel Comics character), Miles Warren/Jackal, he is a Human cloning, clone of Spi ...

posing as

Jackal Jackals are Canidae, canids native to Africa and Eurasia. While the word has historically been used for many canines of the subtribe Canina (subtribe), canina, in modern use it most commonly refers to three species: the closely related black-b ...

Powers and abilities

Bluebird has no superpowers. However, she uses a retractable

rope line A rope line is a setting in which a major celebrity, i.e. movie star, musician, supermodel, politician, internet celebrity, interacts with the general public. A crowd control barrier – originally a rope but now typically a secure metal fence ...

, insulated boots for protection against electricity, blue paint pellets, and ether-filled "eggs." Additionally, Bluebird is a skilled

gymnast Gymnastics is a group of sport that includes physical exercises requiring balance, strength, flexibility, agility, coordination, artistry and endurance. The movements involved in gymnastics contribute to the development of the arms, legs, sh ...

Reception

In 2022,

Comic Book Resources ''CBR'', formerly ''Comic Book Resources'', is a news website primarily covering comic book news, comic book reviews, and comic book–related topics involving movies, television, anime, and video games. It is owned by Valnet, parent of publicat ...

(CBR) ranked Sally Avril 2nd in their "10 Best Comic Book Characters Grey DeLisle Has Played" list.

In other media

Television

Sally Avril appears in ''

'', voiced by

. This version is a cheerleader at Midtown High School,

Randy Robertson Randolph "Randy" Robertson is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. He is a supporting character in Marvel's Spider-Man series and is depicted as the son of Robbie Robertson, and the husband of Janic ...

's girlfriend, and a member of the school's popular clique who displays "mean girl" traits. As a result, she is unkind to her peers and bears particular animosity towards Peter Parker, though she gradually softens up to him during the second season.

Film

* Sally Avril makes a cameo appearance in ''

'' (2012), portrayed by Kelsey Chow. While she goes unnamed, she is identified in the film's novelization and by Chow herself. * A character named Sally makes minor appearances in the

films '' Spider-Man: Homecoming'' (2017), '' Avengers: Infinity War'' (2018), and the extended edition of '' Spider-Man: No Way Home'' (2021), portrayed by

. This version is a member of the Midtown School of Science and Technology's academic decathlon team.

References

External links

Bluebird
at Marvel.com {{Steve Ditko Characters created by Stan Lee Characters created by Steve Ditko Characters created by Kurt Busiek Comics characters introduced in 1962 Female characters in film Fictional characters from New York City Fictional gymnasts Marvel Comics female characters Spider-Man characters Vigilante characters in comics