Manitou Raven | |
---|---|
Publication information | |
Publisher | DC Comics |
First appearance | JLA #66 (July 2002) |
Created by | Joe Kelly Doug Mahnke |
In-story information | |
Alter ego | Raven |
Species | Homo Magi |
Team affiliations | League of Ancients Justice League Justice League Elite |
Partnerships | Manitou Dawn (wife) |
Notable aliases | The Manitou Manitou Raven |
Abilities |
|
Manitou Raven, also known as simply Raven or The Manitou, is a fictional superhero appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. Created by Joe Kelly and Doug Mahnke, he first appeared in JLA #66 (July 2002). [1]
The character is a recurring superhero of Native American descent within the DC Universe, originating thousands of years ago in North America as an ancestor of the Apache people. In the JLA: Obsidian Age storyline, the character initially serves as an antagonist, aligning with the sorceress Gamemnae and the League of Ancients. In later stories, the character is depicted as a heroic mystic consultant within the Justice League and Justice League Elite. Following his demise, Raven returns as a spirit and appoints his wife Dawn as his successor. He is eventually resurrected during the Lazarus Planet event.
Manitou Raven and his wife Dawn are ancient Homo magi and ancestors of the Apache people. The rulers of Atlantis, Rama Khan and Gamemnae, recruit them to become founding members of the League of Ancients. [2]
Unbeknownst to Raven, Gamemnae manipulates him into battling the Justice League in a bid to take over the world. After helping the League defeat her, Raven joins the group, replacing Jason Blood as a magic specialist, and is transported to the present day. [3]
Vera Black later recruits Raven and Dawn into Justice League Elite, a black ops team that combats paranormal threats. [4] Raven is killed in battle, but returns as a spirit. [5]
Manitou Raven's Homo magi heritage grants him an affinity for magic [6] and categorized as a "sorcerer," a specific class of magic practitioners who utilize enchanted objects to amplify their magical abilities and safeguard themselves from the inherent risks associated with magic. These enchanted objects serve a dual purpose, enhancing their magical powers while also providing protective measures. [7]
As a shaman, the character possesses extensive supernatural abilities primarily influenced by Native American shamanism. His skill set encompasses a broad range of powers, including traversing the astral plane through rituals, manipulating time, and necromancy. [1] Within the League of Ancients, his abilities rival those of its leader Gamemnae. [8] In addition to his mystic powers, Raven possesses a profound knowledge of the occult, drawing from both his own culture and outside sources. [9]
Manitou Raven possesses a collection of artifacts and resources that function as tools to complement and enhance his magical abilities, while protecting from the inherent dangers associated with practicing magic. These artifacts and resources includes:
Manitou Raven appears as a character summon in Scribblenauts Unmasked: A DC Comics Adventure . [13]
Zatanna Zatara, commonly known mononymously as Zatanna, is a fictional magician appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. The character was created by Gardner Fox and Murphy Anderson, and first appeared in Hawkman #4.
Ahri'ahn is a fictional sword and sorcery superhero published by American company DC Comics. He debuted in Warlord #55, and was created by Paul Kupperberg and Jan Duursema. A powerful, immortal wizard from ancient Atlantis centuries before it sunk, the character originally starred in his own series taking place outside the main continuity of DC Comics. After appearing in Crisis on Infinite Earths, the character's history was adopted into the Aquaman version of Atlantis, revised to be a demigod serving as a member of the fictional group of cosmic entities known as the Lords of Order. The character's magical and scientific exploits and heroism in the fictional mythology of Atlantis makes him both a reverred figure and the cultural progenitor of the Homo magi race and their descendants, the Atlanteans. Depending on continuities, he also serves as an ancestor to various characters in the DC Universe, including Zatanna, Aquaman, and Ocean Master.
Giovanni "John" Zatara, simply called Zatara, is a fictional magician and superhero appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. The character first appeared in Action Comics #1 in 1938 during the Golden Age of Comic Books, making him one of DC Comics' oldest characters.
Sebastian Faust, commonly known as Faust, is a fictional character in DC Comics. Created by Mike Barr and Paul Pelletier, he first appeared in the 1993 Outsiders comic series. The character draws inspiration from the German legend of a man who sold his soul to the Devil. Faust is the son of the supervillain Felix Faust and is depicted as both a superhero and an anti-villain.
Bloodwynd is a codename used by multiple superheroes who have appeared in American comic books published by DC Comics. The character initially debuted in Justice League America #61 and was created by Dan Jurgens. While the character's origins were initially portrayed as an alter-ego of Martian Manhunter, subsequent portrayals of Bloodwynd depicted them as distinct and independent characters.
Highfather (Izaya) is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. An integral part of Jack Kirby's Fourth World mythos, Highfather is a New God, the leader of the planet New Genesis, and the good counterpart of Darkseid.
Aztek is the name of two superheroes appearing in DC Comics. Both versions are based out of the fictional Vanity City, and are champions of the Aztec god Quetzalcoatl. The first Aztek first appeared in Aztek, The Ultimate Man #1 in August 1996, and was created by Grant Morrison, Mark Millar, and N. Steven Harris. Following the short run series, Aztek appeared in several issues of JLA also written by Morrison. The second Aztek, this one being a female version, appeared in Justice League of America vol. 5 #20 in December 2017, created by Steve Orlando and Ivan Reis, as the rival and later partner of the Ray.
Felix Faust is a supervillain appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. The character first appeared in Justice League of America #10 (1962), created by Gardner Fox and Mike Sekowsky. He is depicted as a mystic sorcerer, obsessed with restoring himself to his former might after being robbed of much of his power during a battle with Doctor Mist. While typically empowered by the demonic powers of a trio of brothers known as the "Demons Three", to whom he sold his soul in a faustian deal, the character also frequently targets other magical entities and objects to strengthen his power, putting him frequently at odds with numerous superhero teams.
Trigon is a supervillain appearing in media published by DC Comics. He is one of the most powerful beings in the DC Universe, having enslaved many worlds and dimensions. He is an adversary of the Teen Titans and the Justice League, the father and arch-enemy of the superheroine Raven, and husband of the human Arella.
Justice League Elite was a twelve-issue comic book limited series published monthly by DC Comics in 2004 and 2005. The title was created by writer Joe Kelly and penciller Doug Mahnke. The limited series is a spin-off from the JLA title.
Metron is a fictional antihero appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. A member of the New Gods, he is an amoral and neutral collector of knowledge. He is commonly seen in the Mobius Chair, which can travel across time and space.
Starro is a supervillain appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. The character first appeared in The Brave and the Bold #28, and was created by Gardner Fox and Mike Sekowsky.
Anton Arcane is a supervillain appearing in American comic books by DC Comics. The character first appeared in Swamp Thing #2, and was created by writer Len Wein and artist Bernie Wrightson. He is the archenemy of Swamp Thing, the protagonist of the comics.
Shaggy Man is the name of several fictional characters appearing in comic books published by DC Comics. Most of the Shaggy Men are depicted as artificial lifeforms with regenerating abilities and have been created by different people.
Manitou Dawn, known as simple Dawn or The Manitou, is a fictional superhero appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. She would first debut in JLA #75. The character is a recurring Native American superhero within the DC Universe and the wife of Manitou Raven. Similar to Raven, she hails from the tribe that serves as the ancestor to the Apache people. Despite their initial encounter being marked by turbulence, the two characters developed a deep affection for one another and eventually married. Following her husband's departure from the League of Ancients to join the Justice League and Justice League Elite, she would accompany him and provide assistance during ritualistic endeavors. After Raven's death, she is selected by his spirit to become the next Manitou, carrying on the legacy with her husband as her mentor and spiritual guide. Following DC Rebirth, the character is also revealed to have become a caretaker and is a member of the Sisterhood of the Sleight Hand, a mystic society dedicated to helping female practitioners practice magic under guidance and safety.
Traci Thirteen, also known as Girl 13 and Traci 13, is a superhero featured in American comic books published by DC Comics. Created by writer Joe Kelly and artist Dwayne Turner, she first appeared in Superman vol. 2 #189.
Dreamslayer is a fictional character, a powerful DC Comics supervillain and part of the evil gang called Extremists. Like the other Extremists, he is an homage to a Marvel Comics character, in this case Dormammu. He first appeared in Justice League Europe #15, and was created by Keith Giffen, Gerard Jones and Bart Sears.
The Red King is a supervillain appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. He first appeared in JLA Secret Files 2004 #1, and was created by Dan Slott and Dan Jurgens.
Rama Khan is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. He first appeared in JLA #62 and was created by Joe Kelly and Doug Mahnke.
Gamemnae is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. She was an enemy of the Justice League. Gamemnae first appeared in JLA #69 and was created by Joe Kelly and Doug Mahnke.