STITCH

BIOGRAPHY

When Jodi Furman reached puberty, she developed the mutant ability to control small pieces of metal with utmost skill. Despite this not being the flashiest, most useful or even powerful ability, Jodi knew she was different, and withdrew into herself, stopped talking, and made little or no reaction to her surroundings. She was identified as “Ego-phobic”, meaning she was scared of herself and her powers. Somehow, Jodi came to the attention of James MacDonald Hudson when he was setting up Department H, and was inducted into the team known as the Flight. [Alpha Flight Special (2nd series) #1]

During a training session, Stitch was attacked by fellow Department H trainee Wild Child, who tore up her face in three places. [Alpha Flight (1st series) #127] Apparently Stitch would not let a doctor near her and sewed her own face back together with the needle she has attached to her costume. It was reported that Stitch became quite hostile to those around her and retreated to a barn spending her time there.

One must call into question James MacDonald Hudson’s reasons for involving the mentally unstable Jodi with the Flight program. Was he so determined to make his dream of a Canadian super hero team happen that he was willing to recruit anyone with a power, despite their stability? Or did he genuinely think that having Stitch involved with other super beings would help her?

When Groundhog joined the Flight three months later, Jodi made a surprise move by hugging the new recruit, whose armor apparently reminded her of a big needle. Before long, The Flight embarked on a mission to defeat the American terrorist Egghead and his accomplices. Despite her lack of training, Stitch participated in the mission and battled the Swordsman – keeping him at bay by sewing her needle through his glove, leaving him unable to control his sword. [Alpha Flight Special (2nd series) #1]

The “First Flight” mission is generally considered a failure as it resulted in the death of the group’s most powerful member, Saint Elmo, while Groundhog quit immediately after. However, it did pave the way for Department H’s future and the Alpha / Beta / Gamma Flight teams. Jodi was still involved with Department H as it began to expand. [Wolverine First Class #5] 

The exact circumstances surrounding Stitch's departure from Department H remain unrevealed. However, it is possible she became even more unstable following Groundhog's departure, and her leaving might not have been her own choice. Additionally, with more and more recruits being inducted into the Flight program with more useful powers than hers, she may not have been viewed as a viable option long-term.

Whatever the circumstances, Jodi was in Calgary, Alberta, walking down a suburban street when an anti-mutant terrorist grabbed her and started firing a shotgun into the air, angry that “muties think they can go wherever they want.” Stitch had clearly not become any more proficient in the use of her powers and was unable to defend herself. Fortunately, Aurora, now a member of the mutant rescue team called the Marauders, became aware of the danger her former associate was in and sped to Calgary. There, she blinded the terrorist and freed Stitch from him, suggesting to Stitch that she wouldn’t find safety there. Stitch was taken to the new mutant nation of Krakoa. [Marauders Annual #1] There, she found an amazing outlet for her power working for Jumbo Carnation at his atelier. Her abilities as a seamstress contributed wonderfully to Jumbo's designs, and Stitch began to thrive under this new environment. [Marauders (2nd series) #8, X-Men Unlimited Infinity Comic #100]