Opal Tanaka
Opal Tanaka is a fictional supporting character within the Marvel Comics universe. She is known primarily as the former girlfriend of Bobby Drake (Iceman), a member of the mutant superhero team called the X-Men.
Publication history
Tanaka was first introduced in issue #51 of X-Factor on February 1990, created by Louise Simonson and Terry Shoemaker. She has since then made several appearances in publications like Uncanny X-Men (1992-1993) #288-290, #301 and #305; Iceman (2001) #1-4; X-Men Forever Giant-Size (2010) #1; and most recently, Astonishing X-Men (2013) #62-65.[1]
Fictional character biography
Opal Tanaka lived in New York City and when X-Factor's ship took up residence in the city it blocked the sunlight that would strike her apartment causing her plants to wilt.[2] She encountered Iceman who had come into the music store where she worked and expressed her views to him. Bobby, smitten with the Asian-American, asked her out. Intrigued by Bobby she accepted.[3]
After a few dates she became his girlfriend and the two seemed very much in love. Opal was abducted by Cyber Samurai one day who had sought to return her to Japan. Once there, she learned that her grandfather, Lord Tatsu'o, sought for her to marry one of his "Cyburai" so that his criminal empire would have an heir.
Iceman and Jean Grey followed Opal to Japan where they met up with Mariko Yashida and attempted to rescue Bobby's love. Unfortunately Bobby was overly eager and his impromptu rescue attempt failed. Bobby and Jean would then seek to confront the crime lord and his henchmen head on. Iceman challenged Hiro, Tatsu'o's lead Cyburai, to one on one combat, with no powers. Bobby was no match for Hiro as Hiro was more machine than man. When Opal points this out, Hiro does the honorable thing and cease to fight, allowing Bobby to win.[4]
Some time later, Hiro interrupts a dinner where Bobby was introducing his parents to Opal. The Cyburai have been sent by Lord Tatsu'o to kill the Drakes. Iceman, per Hiro's orders, removes Opal from the fight and as soon as the restaurant is clear activates his self-destruct, killing himself and his fellow Cyburai.[5]
This event strained the relationship between Opal and Bobby, as Opal cared for Hiro. When the Phalanx began targeting associates of the X-Men Bobby came to her rescue. Opal however was not very pleased that Bobby just charged over with his teammates instead of giving her the heads up.[6]
This event ended their relationship and Bobby would have no contact with Opal again until he receives a mysterious e-mail with a picture of a baby that looked very much like him named Robert Tanaka. Bobby arrives in Hong Kong and is forced to cooperate with Winterbrand Corp., who were holding baby Robert hostage. Iceman manages to help save the baby and when he plans to leave the X-Men and move to Hong Kong he finds a video from Opal stating that he is not Robert's father. She dated a man that looked very much like Robert while she was in Europe. She leaves thinking that he'd never want anything to do with her again but Bobby knew the baby wasn't his and was prepared to be with the two of them anyways as Opal is his one true love.[7]
Other versions
In X-Men Forever, Opal Tanaka attends a meet-up in Summers Cove, Alaska alongside Iceman and several other members of the original X-Men, including Jean Grey, Cyclops, Gambit, Rogue, Nightcrawler and Shadowcat. During the conflict with the Shi'ar, Opal helps defend the Summers' residence against the Shi'ar Imperial Guard.[8]