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| B'wana Beast | |
|---|---|
 B'wana Beast's debut appearance inShowcase #66 (January 1967). Art by Mike Sekowsky and Joe Giella. | |
| Publication information | |
| Publisher | DC Comics |
| First appearance | As B'wana Beast: Showcase #66 (January 1967) As Shining Man: Animal Man #47 (May 1992) |
| Created by | |
| In-story information | |
| Alter ego | Michael Payson Maxwell |
| Team affiliations | Justice League |
| Notable aliases |
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| Abilities |
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B'wana Beast (Michael Payson "Mike" Maxwell) is asuperhero appearing inAmerican comic books published byDC Comics. He is an African-themed hero who can communicate with and fuse animals.
B'wana Beast has also appeared in various media outside comics.Kevin Michael Richardson andPeter Onorati voice the character inBatman: The Brave and the Bold andJustice League Unlimited respectively.
Created byBob Haney andMike Sekowsky, B'wana Beast made his first appearance inShowcase #66 (January 1967).[1]The character was an attempt to capitalize onEdgar Rice Burroughs'Tarzan, borrowing the African jungle setting and "Tarzan yell" which was created in theJohnny Weissmuller incarnation of Tarzan.[2]
After graduating from college with highest honors, Michael Payson "Mike" Maxwell declines his millionaire father's offer to join the family business and instead decided to join his college roommate, Rupert Kenboya, in Africa and become aranger in theZambezi nation's new animal preserves.
When the private aircraft carrying Maxwell and Kenboya to Zambezi is struck by lightning and crashes at the top ofMount Kilimanjaro, the two take refuge in the cavern home of a mutant red gorilla. While drinking rainwater that had been filtered through the cavern's mineral-laden walls, Maxwell gains enhanced strength, allowing him to easily subdue the gorilla.
Acknowledging Maxwell as its master, the gorilla retrieves an ancient helmet from the depths of the cave and gives it to him. Through the helmet, Maxwell is able to read the red gorilla's mind and discovers that its name isDjuba. He also discovers that the helmet enables him to control all other animals. Agreeing that these new powers must be used for the good of all Africa, Maxwell creates the identity of "B'wana Beast".[3]
In the initial story arc ofAnimal Man, B'wana Beast journeys to the United States to rescue Djuba, who has been captured byS.T.A.R. Labs scientists and infected with an experimental form ofanthrax. He fails to save Djuba and is himself infected with the disease,[4] but he is cured byAnimal Man, who mimics B'wana Beast's powers to merge hiswhite blood cells into forms capable of fighting off the disease.[5] InAnimal Man #13 (July 1989), Maxwell decides to retire and performs a ceremony to find a successor. He gives his helmet and elixir to South African activist Dominic Mndawe, who assumes the nameFreedom Beast.[6]
Mike Maxwell returns inAnimal Man #47 (1992). After hearing the call of the destructive force called the Antagon, he is possessed by the entity and transformed into the evil Shining Man. As the Shining Man, Maxwell wreaks havoc on Earth until he is killed in a fight with Metaman.[7]
B'wana Beast is resurrected followingThe New 52 continuity reboot. He is depicted as a rejectedJustice League International applicant whose abilities are derived from the Red, a mystical force connecting animal life.[8]
B'wana Beast drinks an elixir that gives him superhuman strength, speed, hunting andtracking abilities. He also wears an ancient helmet that allows him to communicate with animals and merge them to formchimeras.[1][9][10]
B'wana Beast makes a cameo appearance inTeen Titans Go! To the Movies.
B'wana Beast appears as a character summon inScribblenauts Unmasked: A DC Comics Adventure.[15]
B'wana Beast appears inJustice League Unlimited #29.[16]