Malcolm Reynolds was a member of the Original Eight gym leaders when the Indigo League was formed back in 1946. Malcolm is one of the lesser-known members of the Original Eight, though he is one of the most well-liked when the reception of him is compiled together. He is also considered one of the greatest artists in Kanto's history.

A young Malcolm grew up in the small Pallet Town, in southern Kanto. Pallet Town was an interesting scenario at the time. It wasn't well-populated, but it wasn't for the wealthy. It wasn't impoverished, but it was not well-known. This led to Pallet's premise as a safe haven, where Pokemon can roam freely under the usual nice weather. Of course, this effect worked wonders upon Malcolm, along with other children who grew up in this town. The town had housing that was affordable for the various families who lived there. Malcolm lived a casual life during childhood, often playing outside from morning until night. He had a brother named James as well.

In a different manner than some of the other gym leaders, Malcolm did not participate in the Great War. He instead took part in the First War, which took place over 20 years prior. Malcolm was just 17 when the First War began in 1918. He served as a medical records technician for the army. Medical technology was still very primitive at the time, so Malcolm took over a stressful job, which was a daunting task for a boy his age who had spent his entire life in a laid-back setting. At the age of 19, during a raid on his base, Malcolm lost part of his left index finger during the combat. He didn't seem to be affected by it, however, and was still able to functionally contribute on the battlefront without the missing piece.

Eventually, Malcolm rose through the ranks and became a master sergeant. He was soon assigned to an airbase established near Snowpoint City in Sinnoh. Malcolm seemed to be astonished by the scenery. The snow and mountains captivated him to a point where he wrote about them.

"Such beauty and wonder is evident here in the northernmost part of Sinnoh… I didn't know nature could be so breathtaking in life at all. I shall idolize these mountaintops with a drawing below this entry, since I wish to replicate it as much as possible when I return home."

Malcolm Reynolds, Personal Military Journal

This was a time in Malcolm's life where he became a man who was accustomed to a high rate of APM, or "actions per minute". He needed something to occupy his hands at all times. So, during his occasional breaks from military work, Malcolm decided to take up painting. He was always a decent painter and drawer during his childhood, but now was the time expand on it. With no tutor in particular to teach him how to paint, Malcolm would often teach himself what he called "knick-knacks" of painting techniques. His main technique during this time was the "quick-brush" technique, which allowed him to complete his artistry rather quickly during his brief work breaks. And since he wasn't paid much for his service, he was able to sell the beautiful craftings for a hefty price. The paintings are now very rare and go for high prices at auctions. Some residents in Snowpoint City still own paintings they purchased from him.

As a sergeant, Malcolm often had to scream at the top of his lungs in order to get his lesser-ranked fellow soldiers into line. The screaming was unbearable, however, as Malcolm was the soul who disliked displaying anger towards people who didn't need it. It was his job, however, and he had to put up with it.

"I hate this daily routine of being loud, obnoxious and rude to these fellow soldiers of mine. It makes me wonder if the idea of my job is actually well formulated at all. What would stop one of them from shooting me on the frontlines and blaming it on the enemy? I should be more worried for my safety than them if that's the case. I swear on it - I shall never yell again upon being discharged from here. I will hold that oath for the rest of my days in this world."

Malcolm Reynolds, Personal Military Journal

And he did! After the war ended in 1918, Malcolm remained in Snowpoint City. He didn't have much money, so he purchased a tent and spent his days living within it at the outskirts of town. The experience was rather enjoyable for him, as he was able to get a better glimpse at the breathtaking surroundings. The time spent here was paired with him working as a cashier in Snowpoint's PokeMart. He drew as much as he could from the scenery over the two years he spent there. He eventually returned home to his family, where his father had become rather sickly in his later years. Malcolm went back to painting at this point, where he mirrored the scenery he was exposed to in Sinnoh. His art was outstandingly well-done, leading to a bevy of art being sold from him. The money he earned was just enough to fund his family.

Malcolm was often criticized through his post-war years by his parents, who claimed that Malcolm needed "a real job". Even on their deathbeds, Malcolm was requested by his parents to acquire a different career by going to college. The traumatic experience of his parents constantly knocking his profession until their death left him insecure when it came to his art.

During the 1920s, the Kanto region's economy was booming. Malcolm was subjected to this himself. He felt his artistry hit a "renaissance" during this time. He painted around ten well-renowned paintings during this time period, selling them all off for hefty prices. In 1928, after his mother passed away, leaving him parentless, he moved to nearby Viridian City, into a small home near the lake. He picked the spot specifically, as the scenery reminded him of Pallet Town somewhat, with the way the vibrant grassy land bordered the pure water.

The 1930s held a drop in the economy, a crash of epic proportions financial-wise. The artist Malcolm was also hit a brick wall in terms of ideas. His wife recalled one instance.

"We had one room set up in the house for Malcolm to do his thing. I knew he needed peace and quiet in order to work, and I respected that. It was a large room towards the back of the house, the walls lined with paper to absorb any paint splatters he would've caused. I was reading in the den when I heard the rattling of paint cans, followed by loud grunts coming from that room. The sound of cans flying across the room. Naturally, I went to look.

I found him sitting on the floor with his legs stretched out, head in his hands. Paint was splattered across the floor and the walls, cans of paint strewn about in a messy fashion. His easel against the wall was knocked over. His palette and brush were slapped down on the floor beside him, as he sat there in a depressing position, his back hunched over slightly as he sobbed. "I can't do it anymore, Jenn… There's no way, just no way! I can't think of anything! I'm a hopeless man! My parents were right! This isn't a real job! Why do you even love a man like me?" That statement hurt both of us. He began to sob much more prolifically. He took his profession seriously, and no matter how frustrated he got, he would never scream or yell, he'd just raise his voice. And I brought that up as one of the plethora of reasons I loved him."

Jennifer Reynolds, Malcolm Reynolds Biography, 1975

Passionate about his art, Malcolm Reynolds was in a state of confusion, as he was clueless to how his bout of artist's block had sunk it's maw into his mind, with no clear escape. The depression of the 1930s had affected their humble little household.

Malcolm found an escape around a week later, when he decided to take up the profession of writing children's books. He was a wonderful man indeed, who enjoyed to see the smiles on people's faces when they saw his art. So, he decided to combine it. He came up with an idea for "An Angel's Sidewalk", a children's book that projects normal things you'd see on the street as cartoons. He'd make very artistic, sensual backgrounds that appealed to the eyes of children with their bright colors and soothing feel. The books are also used in mental institutions to do this day, to brighten the patient's moods. The books soon took acclaim by the local newspaper, who adored the way the books were crafted with a child's eye in mind, along with calm sensations galore. Even Angelica Misaka approved, who publicly reviewed Malcolm's books in the local newspaper. Angelica would read the books at her weekly storytelling sessions. After she and Malcolm contacted each other through mail for the first time, she sent Malcolm a letter every Saturday of the ideas for books the kids would suggest. Malcolm enjoyed writing them, and it was able to produce money in a successful way. People ranted and raved about Malcolm's books.

"The stories keep the kids captivated. They looked up at me with various expressions of interest and joy when I would read it aloud. I'm surprised this man could translate that on a broad setting without being there in person to do it himself."

- Angelica Misaka

"One of the sole things I adored during my stay in that wretched mental hospital was the fact I was able to read some of Malcolm Reynolds's work. Oh, how the sweetness of it would've made me furious if it hadn't been accompanied by such vivid artistry! I adored this man's work, and I'm glad he's a coworker of mine."

- Laura Mingxia

Life stayed the same for the most part during the 1930s. It wasn't until the early 1940s when Malcolm faced another venture in his life. At this time, he went on to make some of the first Kanto comics. He published his first comic strip, "Pidghero!", a comic of a Pidgey who fights crime in rather unorthodox ways, in a 1940 edition of The Viridian Times. It was simple and adorable, which people loved. The comic industry soon began to grow in Kanto due to it's reception, and Malcolm Reynolds was responsible for it.

In 1946, Angelica Misaka wrote a letter to Malcolm concerning a new battling league that was soon to be formed. She explained that her nephew thought that running a gym would be a well-planned method of showcasing his art. Malcolm wrote back his gratitude. He initially was to decline the offer, but his wife prodded him to accept the gym position, for she thought the opportunity would be great from a business standpoint. Malcolm immediately went to the Viridian Training School, as well as the Viridian Library, to teach himself how to battle. He did it rather quickly, and the information he learned fueled future artwork.

During his gym career, Malcolm produced many more children's books, such as "The Day the Electabuzz Quit", or "Where the Viridian Sidewalk Ends". Many of these children's books were bestsellers on the charts, praised highly by the Kanto populace. Yet, Malcolm was never the star that the other gym leaders were. He was a man of solitude, and preferred a smaller status in the world. In 1951, he donated fifty copies of his books to the local Viridian Library. He later illustrated textbooks on becoming a trainer for Silph Co. at Tyronisius Norlander II's request.

Malcolm wouldn't feel rightfully in place during his time in the league without gifting his fellow gym leaders in earnest. He famously collaborated with his fellow gym leaders at least once on various projects.

- Adrianne and Malcolm were both wonderful people in general, so the two built a charity program together, with two branches of the new "A&M Charity Fund" built in both Pewter City and Viridian City.

- Malcolm and Jeffrey got along well, and they often told their war stories to one another over occasional chats. Malcolm once painted the Cerulean sights and gifted it to Malcolm for his birthday. He then painted Jeffrey's garage with a Beedrill pattern a year later.

- Angelica and Malcolm were good friends for many years, and were seen as the elders of the Original Eight. Malcolm wrote many of the books Angelica read at her weekly storytellings for the local children. Angelica would ask the children to tell their ideas for a book, which she would then send to Malcolm, which led to Malcolm catering to what children wanted the most, and in turn, becoming a bestselling children's book author. Malcolm would sometimes appear on those weekly events, where'd he give away free copies of the book read that day, signing every one of them before the day was out.

- Tyronisius and Malcolm would come together in a small sort of "think tank" where'd they formulate ideas with some of the Kanto region scholars on what they need to put into the latest textbooks. Malcolm would illustrate the textbooks, especially the history texts. All of the textbooks had teen interest in mind, with Malcolm's drawings in particular captivating the youth. The textbooks would have Malcolm's name under every illustration, followed by the full branding of Silph Co. on the front and back covers.

- Malcolm and Bernarda were often known for working with one another on graphic novels for teens. Bernarda was adored by teenagers, along with Malcolm being artistic enough to appeal to the youth. A win-win situation indeed.

- Malcolm and Laura have an interesting history of contrasting one another as polar opposites, yet they worked together perhaps the most out of any of the Original Eight. In 1954, the two released the "Sonnets Collection". It was a box set of two novellas filled with various poetry. One was named "Sounds of Death", with poetry written by Laura herself. Malcolm authored the other poetry book, "Sounds of Life". Malcolm also designed the box set's artwork of Darkrai facing Cresselia on a moonlit night. After Laura's disappearance, he authored a graphic novella in her name based on her world famous "The Tell-Tale Heart of the Old Chateau".

- Malcolm and Gil are both veterans, and as a result, they worked with one another in earnest. Gil had the idea of a PTSD support center, which Malcolm, along with fellow leader Jeffrey, agreed upon. The center was built in the city of Cerulean first, with branches opened in Vermillion and Viridian later on.

Malcolm was very well known for his show that began to air during the television boom of the 1950s. Titled "Let's Paint - With Malcolm Reynolds", Malcolm would speak in his soothing, sensual voice as he showcased various painting techniques he learned through his years of artistry. This is one of the first cases of an ASMR recording in the history of television. The show was also the first art show on television, along with the early predecessor to modern "Let's Play's", which are rather popular on the contemporary Internet. Malcolm was acclaimed well for his show. The show was never outstandingly popular, but a kind memory for people who wanted to learn techniques, along with how well he was able to sooth people with his voice.

Throughout the rest of his years in the league, Malcolm was appreciated for being such a kind man who adored what the world had to offer.

It must be explained that 70 is the general age of retirement for league members, something that the Original Eight set in stone with another. Indigo Misaka's original required age for retirement was 65. Leaders could go beyond that age if they liked, but they had to meet that age first. The only exceptions to the rule would occur in a tragic event (see Laura's exit) or perhaps a resignation (See a future entry that's not Gil.).

Malcolm was the first to retire at the required age in 1963, for he wanted to spend time to work on his various professions before he got too old. He was known for mentoring a young man who succeeded him. That young man was only 19 when he entered the league! He lived much farther away from Viridian, however, but always made time to visit his father figure in Malcolm. That young man's name?

His name was Blaine.