Claude Rains

Claude Rains
Portrayed by	Christopher Eccleston
First appearance	Godsend
In-story stats
Known ability	Invisibility
Gender
Home	New York, NY
Occupation	Former agent of the Company

Claude Rains has had the power of invisibility for at least 15 years.

Character History

Godsend

Peter sees a bearded man in his recurring visions. Later, while walking down a New York City street, he sees the same man nonchalantly picking through the property of others. Peter follows the man and yells to him. The thief is shocked to be seen; he grabs Peter and the two tussle.

The Fix

Peter quickly informs Claude that he can "do what you can do," and Claude promptly wants nothing to do with Peter. He disappears around the corner, and Peter fades back into sight. He then follows Claude to the rooftop of Charles Deveaux's building, where the two fight a bit more and Claude threatens Peter for following him again. Later, when Peter is running away from his brother and Mohinder, Claude shows up outside of Peter's apartment and helps him escape. The two then talk about Peter's power as an empath, and they go off to steal a cab.

Distractions

Claude continues to work with Peter, trying to teach him to use his power consciously and not just as a reflex. Claude takes a purse from a woman standing nearby and hands it to Peter. He leaves Peter to see if he can maintain his invisibility without Claude's help, but Peter fails his test. Claude, realizing that Peter is too attached to people, tells him that people are selfish, deceitful and gassy. Peter insists that at least Simone is different. To find out whether or not this is true, Claude and Peter follow Simone to the roof of her father’s building. Claude uses Simone’s intimacy with Isaac to taunt Peter, and they argue. Claude insists Peter flies, and he pushes Peter off the roof, causing him to crash into a taxi and impaling his chest on a piece of metal. However, he is saved by his absorbed power of regeneration. Claude tells Peter that he freed his mind and called out his power, but Peter believes that it was his recollection of Claire that brought out his powers. Unfortunately, he begins to overload, so Claude promptly punches Peter, knocking him out.

Unexpected

On Charles Deveaux's rooftop, Claude attacks Peter with a pole; Peter eventually stops the blows, using telekinesis. Claude asks Peter which of his friends is telekinetic, and Peter realizes it's Sylar. Claude tells Peter that they may have a chance at stopping him from exploding, then strikes him in the face with another pole and knocks him down.

As Peter and Claude discuss evolution, Claude is struck by taser darts and collapses. Peter throws Claude off of the building before jumping after him and flying them both to safety. Claude awakens in Peter's apartment. He shows Peter the mark on his neck, explaining that he's been hiding from Mr. Bennet's organization for years, and vanishes.

Company Man

Claude in 1992

In 1991, Claude sits in on Mr. Bennet's interview in Thompson's office. A clean-shaven Claude appears and is partnered with Bennet to work for The Company.

In 1992, on the rooftop of the Deveaux building, Claude and Mr. Bennet discuss what will happen to baby Claire. Claude waits with Thompson while Mr. Bennet and Mr. Nakamura have a conversation. After Mr. Nakamura and his son leave Claude wishes Mr. Bennet a Happy Father's day in Japanese.

In 1999, Mr. Bennet and Claude drive together, and Claude asks about their next assignment. Mr. Bennet tells him they are "looking into a security breach"--Claude himself is the security breach. Claude laughs this off, and Mr. Bennet asks him if he's hiding one of them. Claude claims he is, and the vivisections are starting to keep him up at night, and that Claire is "one of us". Claude confesses he was in Mr. Bennet's office when he was being told to kill him, but thinks Mr. Bennet is a better man than that. Claude gets out of the car, and stands on the side of the bridge. He tells Mr. Bennet that he knows its not the first time he's been told to kill a man, but wants to know if its the first time he might have to kill a friend. Mr. Bennet levels a gun at him, claiming if Claude tells him who he is hiding, "we can forget about the rest". Claude says he will not hunt his own people, and asks Mr. Bennet what he would do if it was Claire he was hiding. Claude tells Mr. Bennet that he has a choice. Mr. Bennet shoots Claude twice, and as Claude turns invisible and falls off the bridge, Bennet shoots him again.

Graphic Novel:Hell's Angel

Claude takes Mr. Bennet on a "bag and tag" mission. He leaves Mr. Bennet to guard the hallway and enters the apartment, he turns invisible to avoid detection. Shortly after he enters there is an explosion inside the apartment. When Mr. Bennet enters he finds Claude on the ground and his clothes are on fire. Claude tells Mr. Bennet that their target has blown up and to get the baby from the next room. Claude and Mr. Bennet escape the fire with the baby. Mr. Bennet asks if Claude can change a diaper. Claude says he can't, but that he could use a change of underpants for himself.

Powers

Claude has the ability to become invisible, and has been living with the power for at least 15 years. He uses the power to his advantage, stealing from others. Upon contact, Claude's ability allows him to extend his invisibility to other objects. For instance, the pole he uses to hit Peter turns invisible upon contact. (Unexpected)

Notes

• In an interview, writers Joe Pokaski and Aron Coleite said that "Claude" is not exactly the character's name. In response to Peter Petrelli's question, "Who are you?", Claude evasively replies, "I'm no one. I'm the invisible man. I'm Claude Rains" (The Fix). The British actor Claude Rains played the title character in the 1933 film The Invisible Man. On the other hand, Thompson addressed him as "Claude" fourteen years ago (Company Man).

Trivia

• Upon meeting Peter and learning that he can see and mimic him, Claude mutters, "Fantastic." (The Fix) This is the catchphrase of the Ninth Doctor from Doctor Who, who was also portrayed by Christopher Eccleston.
• Claude speaks Japanese. (Company Man)
• When Claude first meets Peter, he grabs Peter's shirt and slams him up against a lamp post. A nearby streetside vendor can be seen selling The Invisible Man DVDs. (Godsend)

Fan Theories

Please refer to Theory:Claude Rains for fan-created theories and other speculation.

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