Fictional character biography
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 a ranger in the Zambezi nation's new animal preserves.
When the private aircraft carrying Maxwell and Kenboya to Zambezi is struck by lightning and crashes at the top of Mount 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 is Djuba. 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 of Animal Man , B'wana Beast journeys to the United States to rescue Djuba, who has been captured by S.T.A.R. Labs scientists and infected with an experimental form of anthrax. He fails to save Djuba and is himself infected with the disease, [4] but he is cured by Animal Man, who mimics B'wana Beast's powers to merge his white blood cells into forms capable of fighting off the disease. [5] In Animal 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 name Freedom Beast. [6]
Mike Maxwell returns in Animal 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 following The New 52 continuity reboot. He is depicted as a rejected Justice League International applicant whose abilities are derived from the Red, a mystical force connecting animal life. [8]
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