Relationship Journey

Rictor and Shatterstar’s relationship begins as of X-Force (1991) #14, published on September 1, 1992. With Rictor turncoating Weapon P.R.I.M.E. and joining X-Force instead, Rictor and Shatterstar begin said relationship on rocky ground, implied to be due to Rictor’s choice to abandon his other team in favor X-Force, something of which Shatterstar finds dishonorable. The two are shown to butt heads several times, at least once over Rictor’s brash attitude, in which Shatterstar threatens to crush his throat after Rictor tries to attack him (X-Force #25), and another time when Rictor becomes enraged at Shatterstar’s odd TV-watching habits (X-Force #26). However, Shatterstar is also seen treating Rictor like any of his other teammates in battle, carrying around an unconscious Rictor when he could’ve left him behind (X-Factor #84), and taking orders from Rictor in the field in numerous issues. Rictor also quickly takes to calling Shatterstar by the team-decided nickname of ‘Shatty’ by X-Force #19.