This article has multiple issues. Please help improve it or discuss these issues on the talk page . (Learn how and when to remove these messages)
|
Puma | |
---|---|
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:
|
Puma is a character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by Tom DeFalco and Ron Frenz, he first appeared in The Amazing Spider-Man #256 (September 1984), as an adversary of the superhero Spider-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 of Thomas Fireheart, a Native 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 anthropomorphic mountain lion. He later became a businessman and the CEO of Fireheart Enterprises, as well as a mercenary.
Puma first appeared in The Amazing Spider-Man #256 and was created by Tom DeFalco and Ron Frenz. [1] The inspiration for the character comes from safari cards bought by DeFalco. [2]
In the Puma's earliest appearances, he acted as a mercenary, and an antagonist to Spider-Man, but soon came to respect him. Puma was then depicted as an ally of Spider-Man, assisting him on several occasions during The Spectacular Spider-Man series. He was associated with the superhero team known as the Outlaws for a time, and was later one of the main characters in the MODOK's 11 limited series.
Thomas Fireheart is of Native American descent and the latest in a line of warriors who were created via magic and selective breeding to combat the prophesied return of a powerful, world-ending being. [3] Despite not believing in the prophecy, Fireheart takes his duties as protector seriously, training in martial arts and mastering his powers of transformation.
Fireheart later becomes owner and CEO of a self-titled company that is headquartered near his tribe in Hartsdale, Arizona, and has establishments worldwide. However, he becomes bored with corporate life and becomes a mercenary to seek greater challenges.
Rose hires Puma to kill Spider-Man, but he is thwarted by the Black Cat. [4] [5] He again attempts to attack Spider-Man, but changes his mind and departs when he witnesses Spider-Man saving innocent bystanders. [6]
During the "Secret Wars II" storyline, Puma confronts the Beyonder in New York, but is transported to Tokyo. [7] He obtains a state of "harmonious enlightenment with the universe" and gains vast mystic powers, but soon loses them due to self-doubt. [8] Later, Puma learns Spider-Man's secret identity and attempts to offer him a job at his company, but he refuses. [9] Puma also attempts to clear Spider-Man of a crime he did not commit, during which he meets Silver Sable and the Outlaws. [10]
When Puma's friend Charles Little Sky manifests mutant teleportation abilities, he attempts to help him master them. However, Charles inadvertently returns the U-Foes to Earth, forcing Puma to work with the Avengers to stop them. [11]
Puma then battled Spider-Man in New York. [12] Fireheart purchased 51% of the Daily Bugle , made Robbie Robertson publisher, and began a pro-Spider-Man campaign in the publication, in an attempt to pay off his debt of honor. [13] During this time, he was nearly killed in an attack by the Hobgoblin, but was saved by Spider-Man. [14]
Fireheart agreed to join Spider-Man's rag-tag superhero group called the Outlaws, along with several other Spider-Man adversaries-turn-allies (including Sandman, Rocket Racer, and the Prowler). The group clashed with the Avengers, until it was revealed that both groups were actually being manipulated by the shapeshifting Space Phantom, whom Thomas exposed and defeated. [15]
He eventually sold the Daily Bugle back to J. Jonah Jameson for $1, and he and Spider-Man settled their debt of honor on a vision quest in New Mexico. [16]
Fireheart's Puma persona later consumed him and he attempted to assassinate a US Senator. Spider-Man stopped him, but not before the NYPD shot Fireheart several times. The Black Crow cast a magical spell that erased Fireheart's knowledge of Spider-Man's identity. [17] He was nursed back to mental and physical health by another character named Nocturne (not the Exiles character Nocturne). [18] [19]
Puma was seen in the Bloodsport competition. He made it to the semi-final round, but was defeated by Wolverine. [20]
He was next seen teaming up with Spider-Man and the Black Cat to stop Stegron from "de-evolving" the population of New York. [21] After this Puma began a relationship with the Black Cat, despite knowing that she still has feelings for Peter Parker. [22]
After the events of "Civil War", Puma was seen helping Spider-Man escort Prowler out of the Bar With No Name. [23] He has also been seen helping Black Cat from the sidelines. She has decided to help Peter Parker, who is on the run after the events of the Civil War. Together, Puma and Black Cat neutralize the drunken rampage of the Rhino, mostly through sheer bluffing. [22] Puma also attended training at Camp Hammond. [24]
Fireheart was then accused of federal bribery (which so far appears to be a frame job) and his assets frozen. Forbidden by his tribe from taking any contract kills, he has joined MODOK'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. [25]
Puma is among the villains contracted by the Assassins Guild to target Elektra's allies. [26]
During the "Secret Empire" storyline, Puma appears as a member of the Underground when Hydra takes over the United States. [27]
In the "Hunted" storyline, Puma is among the animal-themed characters captured by Taskmaster and Black Ant for Kraven the Hunter's Great Hunt. [28] He is then chased by Hunter-Bots before being freed when Kraven has Arcade destroy the forcefield trapping him in Central Park. [29]
During the "Venom War" storyline, Puma bonds with the Riot symbiote while battling the Zombiotes. [30]
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 of Native 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 additionally a skilled martial artist and experienced businessman with access to advanced technology and resources. [31]
When possessed by the Riot symbiote, Puma developed the powers and abilities of a symbiote. [30]
Fireheart, a member of the Hounds inspired by Puma, appears in the Spider-Verse storyline. [32] He is sent to hunt and kill Miles Morales before being killed by the Superior Spider-Man, Spider-Punk, and Assassin Spider-Man. [33]
A zombified alternate universe variant of Puma from Earth-13264 appears in Red Skull (vol. 2) #1. [34]
The Hobgoblin is the alias of several supervillains appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics, most of whom are depicted as enemies of the superhero Spider-Man and belong to the collective of adversaries that make up his rogues gallery, most of whom are brainwashed by the Winkler Device into becoming Hobgoblins. Created by writer Roger Stern and artist John Romita Jr., the first incarnation of the Hobgoblin was introduced in The Amazing Spider-Man #238 as a criminal mastermind equipped with Halloween-themed weapons similar to those used by the Green Goblin.
Electro is the name of two supervillains appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics.
Carnage is a supervillain appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics, usually as an adversary of Spider-Man and the archenemy of his father Venom, in particular the Eddie Brock incarnation of the character, although Carnage and Venom have joined forces when their goals have aligned. The character made its first appearance in The Amazing Spider-Man #361, and was created by writer David Michelinie and artist Mark Bagley, although the first published artwork of Carnage was penciled by Chris Marrinan. Stan Lee would also have some input in the character's name and attributes, pushing for a character who would be far darker and more vicious than Venom, due to the latter's more scrupulous character development.
MacDonald "Mac" Gargan is a supervillain appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by writer Stan Lee and artist Steve Ditko, the character first appeared in The Amazing Spider-Man #19. Mac Gargan is a recurring antagonist of the superhero Peter Parker / Spider-Man. He debuted as a private investigator hired by J. Jonah Jameson to learn how Peter Parker took pictures of Spider-Man. In the following issue, Jameson decided to turn Gargan into a deadly adversary for Spider-Man through a barely-tested procedure, which left Gargan with an irremovable scorpion-themed armor and the predatory instincts of the arachnid. Driven insane by his mutation, Gargan instead turned to a life of crime as the Scorpion, and went on to menace both Spider-Man and Jameson, whom he held responsible for his transformation. Since then, having finally removed the armor, Gargan has also served as the third host of the Venom symbiote, and a member of the Dark Avengers as Spider-Man, but eventually returned to his Scorpion alias as it kept him alive due to the strain both the neural-armors and symbiote put on his body.
Edward Charles Allan "Eddie" Brock is a character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character was created by David Michelinie and Todd McFarlane, making a cameo appearance in Web of Spider-Man #18, before making his first full appearance in The Amazing Spider-Man #300 as the most well-known host of the Venom symbiote. The character has since appeared in many Marvel Comics publications, including Venom. He has endured as one of Spider-Man's most prominent villains, and is regarded as one of his three archenemies, alongside the Green Goblin and Doctor Octopus. He later evolved into an antihero, slowly distancing himself from his initial goal to ruin Spider-Man's life to instead do good, even occasionally allying with Spider-Man.
Spider-Girl is a superheroine appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. She has been referred to as both Spider-Girl and Spider-Woman. The character appears in the MC2 universe. The character was created by Tom DeFalco and Ron Frenz as the teenage daughter of Peter Parker (Spider-Man) and Mary Jane Watson, and first appeared in What If #105. She later acquired her own ongoing comic book, Spider-Girl, written by DeFalco and drawn by Frenz and Pat Olliffe, which was the longest-running superhero book with a lead female character ever published by Marvel. The title was relaunched as The Amazing Spider-Girl, and later The Spectacular Spider-Girl.
Eugene "Flash" Thompson is a character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by writer Stan Lee and artist Steve Ditko, the character first appeared in Amazing Fantasy #15.
Black Cat is a character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by Marv Wolfman, Keith Pollard, and Dave Cockrum, the character first appeared in The Amazing Spider-Man #194. Felicia Hardy is the daughter of Walter Hardy, a world-renowned cat burglar. She trained herself in various fighting styles and acrobatics and, after deciding to follow in her father's footsteps, adopted the costumed identity of Black Cat. She has the subconscious ability to affect probability fields, producing "bad luck" for her enemies. Throughout her history, Black Cat has sometimes been an enemy, love interest, and an ally of the superhero Spider-Man.
Elizabeth "Liz" Allan, also known as Elizabeth Allan-Osborn and commonly misspelled as "Liz Allen", is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character was created by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko. In the character's earliest appearances, she was a popular girl at the high school Peter Parker attends. She has been a regular supporting character in the various Spider-Man, Daredevil, and Venom series in an on-and-off basis, and has ties to the Green Goblin and Molten Man. She is married to Harry Osborn, the mother of their son Normie Osborn, and the CEO of Alchemax. Liz Allan later becomes Misery after bonding to portions of the Anti-Venom and Carnage symbiotes.
The Tinkerer is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character is usually depicted as an adversary of the superhero Spider-Man and the father of Rick Mason. The character was created by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko, and made his first appearance in The Amazing Spider-Man #2. The Tinkerer is generally depicted as a genius in engineering who is able to create gadgets and other devices from nothing more than spare parts left over from ordinary household appliances. While in his initial appearances he sought to personally eliminate Spider-Man, more recent storylines depict him under the employ of other supervillains, whom he supplies with his gadgets for their personal vendettas against Spider-Man or other heroes.
The Klyntar, colloquially and more commonly referred to as symbiotes, are a fictional species of extraterrestrial parasitic life forms appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics, most commonly in association with Spider-Man. The symbiotes, as their alternative name suggest, form a symbiotic bond with their hosts, through which a single entity is created. They are able to alter their hosts' personalities and/or memories by influencing their darkest desires, along with amplifying their physical and emotional traits and personality and thereby granting them super-human abilities. The symbiotes are also weakened when in range of extreme sounds or sonic frequencies. There are more than 40 known symbiotes in the Marvel Universe.
Venom is a character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character is a sentient alien symbiote with an amorphous, liquid-like form, who survives by bonding with a host, usually human. This dual-life form receives enhanced powers and usually refers to itself as "Venom". The symbiote was originally introduced as a living alien costume in The Amazing Spider-Man #252, with a full first appearance as Venom in The Amazing Spider-Man #300.
The Looter, also known as the Meteor Man, is a fictional supervillain appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character primarily appears in comic books featuring Spider-Man. The character first appeared in 1966.
Sin-Eater is a name given to several fictional characters appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character usually appears in comics featuring Spider-Man and Ghost Rider.
Norman Virgil Osborn is a character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko, he first appeared in The Amazing Spider-Man #14 as the first and best-known incarnation of the Green Goblin. He has since endured as one of the superhero Spider-Man's most prominent villains and is regarded as one of his three archenemies, alongside Doctor Octopus and Venom.
Anti-Venom is a fictional antihero appearing in Comic books published by Marvel Comics. It first appeared in The Amazing Spider-Man #569, and was created by Dan Slott and John Romita Jr. The creature belongs to a race of amorphous extraterrestrial parasites known as the Symbiotes and is regarded as Venom's symbiotic brother. His physical features include white "skin", a black face, and spider symbol across his chest.
The Wild Pack is a fictional mercenary team appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The team is led by Silver Sable.
The Alien Costume Saga is a superhero comic book story arc published by Marvel Comics and centred on the character Spider-Man. It was originally published in the comic book series The Amazing Spider-Man #252–263, The Spectacular Spider-Man #90–100, Marvel Team-Up #141–150 and Web of Spider-Man #1 from May 1984 to April 1985. It features Spider-Man wearing the alien costume he brought home from Battleworld during the Secret Wars limited series and his subsequent discovery that the new costume is alive.