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| Puma | |
|---|---|
 Puma. Art byClayton Crain. | |
| Publication information | |
| Publisher | Marvel Comics |
| First appearance | The Amazing Spider-Man #256 (Sept. 1984) |
| Created by | Tom DeFalco (writer) Ron Frenz (artist) |
| In-story information | |
| Alter ego | Thomas Fireheart |
| Species | Human mutate |
| Team affiliations | Assassins Guild Daily Bugle Fireheart Enterprises MODOK's 11 Outlaws Wild Pack |
| Notable aliases | Riot |
| Abilities |
As Puma:
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Puma is a character appearing inAmerican comic books published byMarvel Comics. Created byTom DeFalco andRon Frenz, he first appeared inThe Amazing Spider-Man #256 (September 1984), as an adversary of thesuperheroSpider-Man. Despite this, the character does not lack morals or a sense of justice, and eventually reforms and becomes an ally of Spider-Man. Puma is the alter ego ofThomas Fireheart, aNative American who was bred to be a perfect warrior prophesied to stop a future threat that might destroy the world, gaining the ability to transform into an anthropomorphicmountain lion. He later became a businessman and theCEO of Fireheart Enterprises, as well as amercenary.[1]
Puma first appeared inThe Amazing Spider-Man #256 and was created byTom DeFalco andRon Frenz.[2][1] The inspiration for the character comes from safari cards bought by DeFalco.[3]
In the Puma's earliest appearances, he acted as a mercenary, and an antagonist toSpider-Man, but soon came to respect him. Puma was then depicted as an ally of Spider-Man, assisting him on several occasions duringThe Spectacular Spider-Man series.[1] He was associated with the superhero team known as the Outlaws for a time, and was later one of the main characters in theMODOK's 11 limited series.
Thomas Fireheart is ofNative American descent and belongs to a tribe who foretold the coming of a powerful being who may destroy the world for generations. Long ago, they began making preparations for this coming doom, creating a perfect warrior using mysticism and selected breeding. Fireheart is the latest in this line of men.[4][5] Despite not believing in the prophecy, Fireheart takes his duties as protector seriously, training in martial arts and mastering his ability to transform into a humanoid cat.
Fireheart becomes the owner and CEO of Fireheart Enterprises. Headquartered near his tribe in Hartsdale,Arizona, it is a multinational corporation involved in many different endeavors, with regional offices around the world. After becoming bored with corporate life, Fireheart becomes a mercenary to seek greater challenges.
Rose hires Puma to kill Spider-Man, but he is thwarted by theBlack Cat.[6][7] He again attempts to attack Spider-Man, but changes his mind and departs when he witnesses Spider-Man saving innocent bystanders.[8]
During the "Secret Wars II" storyline, Puma confronts theBeyonder in New York, but is transported to Tokyo.[9] He obtains a state of "harmonious enlightenment with the universe" and gains vast mystic powers, but soon loses them due to self-doubt.[10] Later, Puma learns Spider-Man's secret identity and attempts to offer him a job at his company, but he refuses.[11] Puma also attempts to clear Spider-Man of a crime he did not commit, during which he meetsSilver Sable and theOutlaws.[12]
When Puma's friendCharles Little Sky manifestsmutant teleportation abilities, he attempts to help him master them. Rejecting Fireheart's offers of aid, Little Sky flees toEllis Island, where Puma travels to find him. When Portal's powers activate again and return theU-Foes to Earth, Puma is forced to work with theAvengers as Puma to protect Little Sky, helping to defeat the villains.[13][14]
Fireheart purchases 51% of theDaily Bugle, makesRobbie Robertson publisher, and begins a pro-Spider-Man campaign in the publication, in an attempt to pay off his debt of honor.[15] He eventually sold theDaily Bugle back toJ. Jonah Jameson for $1, and he and Spider-Man settled their debt of honor on avision quest inNew Mexico.[16]
Fireheart agrees to join Spider-Man's rag-tag superhero group called the Outlaws, along with several other Spider-Man adversaries-turn-allies (includingSandman,Rocket Racer, andProwler). The group clashed with theAvengers, until it was revealed that both groups were actually being manipulated by the shapeshiftingSpace Phantom, whom Thomas exposed and defeated.[17]
Fireheart's Puma persona later consumes him and he attempts to assassinate a US Senator. Spider-Man stopped him, but not before theNYPD shot Fireheart several times.Black Crow casts a spell that erases Fireheart's knowledge of Spider-Man's identity.[18] He is nursed back to mental and physical health by Nocturne.[19][20]
Fireheart is accused of federal bribery (which appears to be a frame job) and his assets are frozen. Forbidden by his tribe from taking any contract kills, he joinsMODOK's 11 to get the cash he needs to defend himself in court. However, he is soon stripped of his powers due to disobeying the tribal council's order to remain on the reservation.Deadly Nightshade later injects him with a serum that restores his powers.[21]
During the "Venom War" storyline, Puma is seen with theWild Pack whenLiz Allan calls them in to help fight the Zombiotes unleashed byMeridius. Puma is equipped with a special high-tech armband whose Lethal Protector mode causes him to bond with theRiot symbiote.[22]
Puma possesses a number of superhuman attributes that are a result of a combination of genetic engineering and mysticism. Thomas Fireheart is the latest in a line ofNative Americans that were specially matched and bred to produce a perfect human being. That genetic manipulation was enhanced by an unknown supernatural process through which his tribe endowed him with magical abilities.
Puma can transform into an anthropomorphic feline form at will, gaining superhuman physical abilities and senses. He is a skilled martial artist and experienced businessman with access to advanced technology and resources.[23]
When possessed by theRiot symbiote, Puma gained the powers and abilities of a symbiote.[22]
Fireheart, a member of theHounds inspired by Puma, appears in theSpider-Verse storyline.[24] He is sent to hunt and killMiles Morales before being killed by theSuperior Spider-Man,Spider-Punk, and Assassin Spider-Man.[25]
A zombified alternate universe version of Puma from Earth-13264 appears inRed Skull (vol. 2) #1.[26]
Marvel fans quickly connected the design to the comic book character Puma, a shapeshifting antihero and occasional Spider-Man adversary who first appeared in The Amazing Spider-Man #256 in 1984. Known for his enhanced strength, speed, and senses, Puma (real name Thomas Fireheart) often operates in morally gray territory — sometimes working against Spider-Man, sometimes helping him. In the comics, Thomas Fireheart is of Native American descent and becomes owner and CEO of a company.
It seems like some of Spider-Man's greatest allies start off as enemies, and the same is true of Puma. This Native American-born man was trained to be a warrior and had the ability to morph into a humanoid werecat.
Puma is a great figure. He has needed a figure for a really long time, and Hasbro has given us the definitive Puma Marvel Legends figure.
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