Real Name/Secret Identity:
Kurt Wagner

Universe/Franchise:
X-Men

First Appearance:
Giant-Size X-Men #1, May 1975 (comics)

Abilities:
Teleportation, night vision, acrobatics

Occupation:
Superhero

Base of Operations:
Professor Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters

Dirty Details Done Dirt Cheap:
Nightcrawler has the best introduction of any mutant in the X-Men franchise, appearing (and disappearing, thanks to his teleporting ability) in the opening moments of X2 causing all sorts of confusing chaos at the White House as he attempts to kill the President himself. Nightcrawler's not a bad guy, though - he was just under the mind control of Colonel Stryker and is soon taken in by the X-Men. Nightcrawler made his living as a Munich circus attraction before he took up attempted political assassinations - despite his demonic appearance, he's also an extremely kind and gentle creature, and something of a man of God with his strong Catholic faith (he has several tattoos on his body, one for every sin he's committed). In the X-Men comics, Nightcrawler is the son of Mystique, but apparently that's just a little too fussy and complicated for the movies.