Crystal (Crystalia Amaquelin) is a fictional superhero appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Crystal first appeared in Fantastic Four #45 (Dec. 1965) and was created by writer Stan Lee and artist Jack Kirby.
Within the Marvel Universe, Crystal is a member of a fictional subspecies of humanity known as Inhumans, who (due to genetic modifications performed by the Kree) became capable of developing superhuman abilities once exposed to the Terrigen Mist. Exposure to the Terrigen Mist grants abilities to psionically control the four classical elements: earth, wind, fire, and water and, by extension, can also grant the ability to manipulate various other natural materials and phenomena such as metals and electricity. Crystal was the first character to be identified as an Inhuman, and is one of the most prominent Inhuman characters. Crystal is a princess of the Inhuman Royal Family and sister to Medusa, Queen of the Inhumans. She often appears with her giant super-powered canine companion, Lockjaw.
The character has regularly appeared as a main character in several comic book titles, including various incarnations of Inhumans as well as Fantastic Four and Avengers. The character is unique in her affiliation with all three of these groups. Earlier in her history, she was romantically involved with the Human Torch from the Fantastic Four. In later stories, she becomes more associated with the X-Men family of characters due to her short-lived marriage to Quicksilver, which resulted in the conception of their daughter, Luna.
In other media[]
- Crystal appears in Hulk and the Agents of S.M.A.S.H., voiced by Mary Faber. In the episode "Inhuman Nature", A-Bomb developed a crush on her while enjoying a day at a beach and the latter's feelings was shown to be mutual. Later, she is brought back to Attilan by Triton and Lockjaw, and A-Bomb decides to go for her. After meeting with A-Bomb, Crystal first discovers that Maximus secretly builds a weapon that will wipe out all of humanity, but would be ineffective against the Inhumans. Only Crystal is aware of this weapon, before going to notify her family. After Maximus is finally discovered and defeated by his betrayal, he reactivates the barrier that protects the city Attilan, from the rest of the world, causing Crystal to separate from A-Bomb. In the end the barrier is destroyed by Black Bolt, and Crystal reunites with A-Bomb, being together.
- Crystal appears in Guardians of the Galaxy animated series, voiced by Vanessa Marshall. In the episode "Crystal Blue Persuasion", Crystal is among the Inhumans that were affected by a Terrigen Plague that caused crystals to grow on their bodies. Crystal appears at the end of the episode where Medusa thanks the Guardians of the Galaxy on Black Bolt's behalf. In the episode "Inhuman Touch" Star-Lord officially meets Crystal and tries to romance her to no avail. She later helps the Guardians of the Galaxy when Maximus tricks the way out of prison.
- Crystal appears in Avengers Assemble animated series, voiced by Stephanie Sheh. In the episode "The Inhuman Condition", she is seen as one of the Inhumans held hostage by Ultron. Crystal is later seen when the Royal Family thank the Avengers for Ultron's defeat. In the episode "Mists of Attilan", Crystal greets Black Panther and Ms. Marvel when they arrive in Attilan. She has also become a fan of Ms. Marvel. While Black Bolt and Medusa argue over what to do with the key fragment in case the Shadow Council shows up, Crystal helps Black Panther and Ms. Marvel obtain it only for that Crystal to be Princess Zanda of Narobia in disguise who is after the fragment that the Shadow Council is after. The real Crystal was found in the same pit trap that Zanda trapped Black Panther and Ms. Marvel in and eventually helps the two Avengers deal with Princess Zanda.
- Crystal is featured as a non-player character in Marvel: Ultimate Alliance, voiced by Kim Mai Guest. She tells the heroes that Medusa went down to Earth to search for the Ultimate Nullifier. After Medusa is discovered to be transformed into one of Doctor Doom's servants, Gorgon mentions that Crystal will accompany him and Triton to fight Doom and make him change Medusa back while the heroes head to the Skrull homeworld. She is presumably beaten and transformed by Doctor Doom along with Gorgon and Triton as she is not heard from for the rest of the game. She has special dialogue with the Fantastic Four.