Shaman (comics)
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Shaman (Dr. Michael Twoyoungmen) is a
Publication history
This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (March 2015) |
Shaman was created by John Byrne and first appeared in Uncanny X-Men in the 120th issue of the comic in April 1979.[1]
Fictional character biography
Michael Twoyoungmen is from
His grandfather, elderly and near death, asks him to become his mystical apprentice. Twoyoungmen, not believing in magic, refuses. At around the same time, his wife Kathryn Twoyoungmen becomes terminally ill. Twoyoungmen desperately seeks a cure but, despite promising his daughter Elizabeth he would find one, Kathryn dies; his grandfather passes away on the very same day.
Grief-stricken, Twoyoungmen secludes himself in a cabin in Banff National Park, leaving Elizabeth to be raised by family friends the McNeils (whose daughter Heather will one day become Alpha Flight leader Vindicator). Twoyoungmen's failure to save Kathryn kindles a deep-seated resentment and anger in Elizabeth. In his cabin, Twoyoungmen receives the skull of his grandfather and experiences a vision of the man. Twoyoungmen studies Sarcee magic, eventually becoming strong enough in his beliefs to draw mystical items from his enchanted medicine bag at will. He adopts the title and regalia of a shaman.
Several years later, Shaman assists in the birth of
A few years after Shaman joins Alpha Flight, his daughter Elizabeth discovers a skull at an archeological site and experiences a vision of
Shaman's failure to save his daughter leads to a crisis of faith and Shaman is unable to draw mystical items from his medicine bag. Shaman embarks on a vision quest and learns anew the secrets of mysticism from the spirit of his grandfather. Shaman gains the power to beseech nature spirits for aid, although he can not command them as Elizabeth does. He also receives a staff and an eagle helm, which can transform into a
When a pregnant Snowbird is about to give birth to her first child and the birth needs to happen at a place of power, Shaman beseeches the spirits to lead him to such a place. However, Talisman, corrupted by her power and fueled by her rage, compels the spirits to unknowingly lead Shaman and Alpha Flight to a place of evil instead. Snowbird's child is possessed by the spirit of a sailor who has lain under the
Much later, time-displaced versions of Alpha Flight are brought forward in time and remain in the present, assuming the mantle of Alpha Flight while the original Alpha Flight depart Earth to return a clutch of Plodex eggs to the Plodex homeworld.[volume & issue needed]
Shaman, along with
During the "
Shaman later represented the Canadian government when he attended
Powers and abilities
During his initial training with the spirit of his grandfather, Shaman underwent intensive physical and mental training and discipline. He gained the understanding of the Sacree medicine men was able to concentrate to the point of not just thinking of objects, but feeling or knowing them in order to draw them out of his medicine pouch. He was also able to run at full speed through the forest without disturbing the wildlife that lived there.
Shaman, as a fully trained doctor, also has knowledge of anatomy and intricate surgical and medical procedures. Before his training as a mystic, he was referred to as the best surgeon in Canada. Due to his training, he recognized that his grandfather's skull had had the flesh boiled from it.
Shaman is a magic-wielder who carries a medicine bag which contains a pocket dimension known as the Void. He can summon all manner of physical and mystical objects and potions from the bag.
Following his vision quest, Shaman gains the power to beseech spirits to fulfill his requests. He cannot force the spirits to obey. In this incarnation, Shaman carries a "spirit staff," which glows when he summons the spirits. He wears an "eagle helm," which can transform into an eagle which serves as his
Shaman can levitate by manipulating ambient mystical energy, and fly riding the winds. He seemed to be mostly adept at flying vertically.
When Shaman takes on the role of
Other versions
Earth-2530
On Earth-2530, Shaman is a member of Alpha North America.[6]
Earth X
In the "
Ultimate Marvel
The Ultimate Marvel version of Shaman appears at a friendly baseball game with other Alpha Flight members in Ultimate X-Men #94. This version of Shaman is a mutant who possesses enhanced strength, speed, agility, and senses which have been enhanced through the drug Banshee instead of the magical abilities of his Marvel Universe counterpart. This version of Shaman is an alternate version of John Proudstar instead of Michael Twoyoungmen.[8]
What If
Shaman was featured in an issue of What If that asks "What If The All-New All-Different X-Men Had Never Existed?" He is seen as a member of Alpha Flight led by Wolverine.[9]
In other media
Shaman appears in the X-Men: The Animated Series episode "Repo Man", voiced by Don Francks.
References
- ISBN 978-1-4654-7890-0.
- ^ The New Avengers #16. Marvel Comics.
- ^ Chaos War: Alpha Flight #1. Marvel Comics.
- ^ Chaos War #5. Marvel Comics.
- ^ Avengers Vol. 8 #11. Marvel Comics.
- ^ Alpha Flight Vol. 3 #10. Marvel Comics.
- ^ Mutant X #3. Marvel Comics.
- ^ Ultimate X-Men #94. Marvel Comics.
- ^ What If? #23. Marvel Comics.