In: Thunderbolts, The Masters, The Grapplers
In: Thunderbolts, The Masters, The Grapplers
Melissa Gold, better known as Screaming Mimi, is a woman who spent her life searching for a place to belong. Raised by a close-knit group of female fighters after running away from home as a child, she eventually became the sole successful subject of a Roxxon experiment that granted her devastating sonic powers. Forced into a life of crime to survive, Melissa rose through the criminal underworld as a feared supervillain before being recruited by Baron Zemo. In time, she abandoned the identity of Screaming Mimi and reinvented herself as Songbird, a celebrated heroine whose voice can create constructs of pure light. Yet beneath the fame and admiration lies a woman terrified of losing the importance and recognition she has finally found.
Melissa Gold's life changed at a very young age when she ran away from home. Alone and without a family to rely on, she was eventually taken in by the Grapplers, a group of female fighters who operated their own all-women fight club. Within the group, Melissa found both a home and a purpose, growing up among women who became her surrogate family.
Years later, the Grapplers faced a crisis. Their leader, Auntie Freeze, became seriously ill, while the rent for the warehouse that hosted their events grew increasingly expensive. Desperate for a solution, the group accepted a proposal from Dario Agger, the CEO of Roxxon. He offered them a lucrative financial opportunity in exchange for volunteering as test subjects in an experimental project.
Fifteen women agreed to participate.
Of all the participants, only one developed extraordinary abilities: Melissa.
The experiment granted her the power to produce supersonic effects through her voice, transforming her into a superhuman capable of generating devastating sonic attacks. Unfortunately, Roxxon considered the results a failure. Melissa's powers provided no value to the company's energy research objectives, and she was dismissed with a confidentiality agreement and only a fraction of the money that had originally been promised.
With limited opportunities and few resources, Melissa turned to the criminal underworld to survive.
Adopting the codename Screaming Mimi, she became one of the most dangerous members of the Grapplers. Using her sonic powers, she organized and led complex robberies, repeatedly clashing with law enforcement while escaping consequences through the overwhelming force of her sonic screams.
Her growing reputation as a superhuman criminal eventually attracted the attention of some of the most powerful villains in the world. Over time, she proved herself to be a significant threat to the Avengers, earning the respect of Baron Zemo, who ultimately recruited her into the Masters. Recognizing her value, Zemo later ensured that she would also become part of his newest undertaking: the Thunderbolts.
Melissa's life changed dramatically after joining the Thunderbolts.
During her time with the team, she received an advanced technological suit created by Fixer, specifically designed to amplify and evolve her abilities. The suit allowed her to generate and manipulate constructs made of pure light, powered directly by her voice. Because her sonic abilities served as an effectively inexhaustible energy source, the technology greatly expanded the scope of her powers.
With this transformation came a new identity.
Leaving behind the villainous persona of Screaming Mimi, Melissa adopted the codename Songbird and became the official protector of California. No longer relying solely on destructive sonic attacks, she now possesses the ability to create powerful constructs formed from solid light and energized by her voice.
The change brought Melissa something she had never truly experienced before: public admiration.
As Songbird, she became one of the most beloved members of the new generation of heroes. She dominates headlines, attracts enormous attention across social media, and is widely celebrated by the public. The recognition she receives has given her a profound sense of fulfillment and importance unlike anything she experienced during her years as a runaway, an experiment subject, or a criminal.
More than anything else, Melissa cherishes the status she has achieved as Songbird. Being admired, respected, and adored by the public has become central to her identity.
After spending so much of her life struggling to find a place where she belonged, she has finally found one in the spotlight—and she has no intention of ever letting it go.
Recently, the Grapplers' headquarters was attacked, and most of the group of girls was completely wiped out by an explosion. Few survived, but they turned to Songbird for help. What terrifies her is that someone may have discovered the truth about her real identity, and that everything could
Name: Melissa Joan Gold
Aliases: Screaming Mimi, Songbird, Mockingbird, Dinah Soar, Margie Green
Affiliation: The Masters, Thunderbolts, Grapplers
Pets:
Relatives: Unnamed (deceased father), Mimi Schwartz Gold (deceased mother)
Allies: Henrich Zemo, Chen Lu, Emil Blonsky, Janice Lincoln, Paul Ebersol, Karla Sofen, Erik Josten, Wilson Fisk, Norman Osborn, Davida DeVito, Marian Pouncy, Ann Fraley, Hellen Feliciano
Origin: Human Mutate
Living Status: Alive
Marital Status: Single
Identity: Secret Identity
Occupation: aspiring singer, Former criminal
Base of Operations: Mobile