Black Tom

Thomas Cassidy a.k.a. Black Tom

Thomas Cassidy was born in Dublin, Ireland, as one of the heirs of Cassidy Keep in County Mayo. He and his cousin Sean Cassidy were the last surviving members of the Cassidy Clan by their late teens, inheriting the ancestral castle but little fortune. Both cousins manifested mutant powers during their youth; Sean developed a sonic scream, while Tom discovered the ability to channel concussive energy through wood. Tom studied at Oxford University and became a gambler and womanizer, often spending what little remained of the family fortune. Sean, meanwhile, was recruited into Interpol. The cousins' relationship grew strained over their mutual affection for Maeve Rourke, a university student and motorcyclist. Maeve was saved from a British policeman's harassment by Sean's sonic scream, and both cousins courted her afterward. During a university dance, Tom attempted to deceive Maeve into believing Sean had abandoned her, but later admitted the truth and encouraged her to go to Sean, earning her lifelong friendship but losing her love. Maeve later married Sean, with Tom serving as best man at their wedding. Maeve eventually gave birth to a daughter, Theresa, but was killed in a terrorist bombing while Sean was away on Interpol business. Sean, unreachable on assignment, only learned of her death months later. In the meantime, Tom secretly took custody of Theresa, raising her as his own and never telling Sean of her survival.