Silverclaw

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Silverclaw
Silverclaw of the Avengers
Publication information
PublisherMarvel Comics
First appearanceAvengers vol. 3 #8 (September 1998)
Created byKurt Busiek (writer)
George Pérez (artist)
In-story information
Alter egoMaria De Guadalupe "Lupe" Santiago
Team affiliationsAvengers
Empire State University
Notable aliasesLa Garra Argentado, Daughter of the Volcano God
AbilitiesAbility to change into various metal were-animal forms

Silverclaw (Maria De Guadalupe "Lupe" Santiago) is a superhero appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character is depicted as a reserve member of the Avengers and regards Edwin Jarvis as an uncle figure.

Publication history

Silverclaw first appeared in Avengers vol. 3 #8 (September 1998) and was created by writer Kurt Busiek and illustrator George Pérez.

Fictional character biography

Maria de Guadalupe Santiago was born near the village of the Kamekeri in the (fictional) South American nation of Costa Verde. The Kamekeri are a simple people whose ancestors worshipped the ancient gods until the arrival of the Spaniards. The Spanish missionaries helped to modernize the Kamekeri's lives and taught them their Christian beliefs. The conversion of the Kamekeri led to an abandonment of the ancient beliefs and gods. Legends say the Kamekeri's gods left for the heavens, except for one. Peliali, the Volcano goddess, vowed to stay among her chosen people and to provide them with her protection.[volume & issue needed]

Silverclaw's father, Jaime Santiago, was a Kamekeri villager who studied the ancient beliefs and pantheon. He travelled into the mountains where Peliali was said to dwell and returned with stories of encountering the volcano goddess. Santiago was ridiculed and denounced by the church for his reports of Peliali, but he continued to visit her mountain despite the mocking of the Kamekeri. Months passed, and Santiago returned with an infant who he claimed was his daughter and the daughter of Peliali. The child was given a Christian name and baptized. During the baptism, little Lupe's ability to transform into were-forms manifested. Due to her bizarre and often uncontrolled transformations, she was the target of constant teasing and whispered fear from the Kamekeri.[volume & issue needed]

As she grew up, Lupe's father taught her of her heritage and told her stories of her mother. But each time he would take her to visit Peliali's mountain home, there was no sign of the volcano goddess. When Lupe was still a child, her father died, and she was taken in by the local church orphanage, which was funded by ChildCare, an American charity for international orphans. The sisters who ran the orphanage were nervous about Lupe's strange powers and considered them ungodly. When

Tony Stark and the world-famous Avengers, saw a commercial for the charitable organization ChildCare, he decided to use part of his salary to sponsor a needy child. Jarvis wrote to ChildCare and was assigned to the orphanage in the Kamakeri village. The sisters at the orphanage had heard of Jarvis' employer and knew of his connection to Iron Man. Knowing this, they assigned Jarvis to be the sponsor of Lupe Santiago. They hoped that if any problems relating to Lupe's strange powers arose, Jarvis and his connections to the Avengers might help.[volume & issue needed
]

Over the years, Lupe frequently wrote to Edwin Jarvis and marvelled at his tales of the Avengers, coming to regard him as an uncle. Lupe rejected her past and deeply desired to be modern and worldly. She was always the first to try new things, like piercing her nose and buying CDs from America. She dreamed of visiting the US and attending University there. Despite all this, she never forgot her father's teachings and kept the ceremonial garb he designed as a reminder of her heritage and destiny.[1]

Meeting the Avengers

Years later, Lupe journeyed to America to attend Empire State University and finally meet her "Tio Edwin".

Moses Magnum. Lupe used her powers to try to stop the terrorists, but when they took hostages, Silverclaw was forced into helping them. At the airport, Jarvis arrived to meet his long-time sponsored child. When the airport was attacked, he summoned the Avengers. The Avengers then arrived and battled Magnum's men, led by Silverclaw. After a brief tussle with Captain America and Triathlon, Silverclaw was defeated. The battle was, however, merely a distraction; Magnum and his men managed to make good on their plans to steal a seismic cannon. Silverclaw quickly reappeared and revealed herself to be Jarvis' ward. She explained she was forced into helping the terrorists. She accompanied the Avengers back to the mansion. Silverclaw helped the Avengers in stopping Magnum. She then began her studies at Empire State University, helping the Avengers whenever needed.[3]

Kulan Gath

The second adventure was initiated by Silverclaw herself. Silverclaw receives an urgent message from Costa Verde. Fearing the worst, she sought the Avengers' help. The team accompanied her to Costa Verde and discovered Silverclaw's village had been conquered and transformed by

Triathlon- venture into the Kamekeri village, which had been mystically transformed into a grand city from the Hyborian age. Kulan Gath's magic had transformed and ensorceled the villagers, and it was only through the sorcerous aid of the Scarlet Witch, using communication chips from Iron Man's armour to focus her spell, the Avengers were able to infiltrate the city without being affected by the spell themselves. Having captured Peliali, Kulan Gath's plans were near fruition when the Avengers arrived. Kulan Gath's forces were easily able to overwhelm the assembled heroes, who were captured and forced to watch as Kulan Gath performed the ceremony necessary to kill Peliali. With her death, Kulan Gath intended to open a gate to the nether realms where he would ascend to power, with Peliali's life as the toll for his passage into power.[4]

Using the electrically charged weapons of the guards to provide Warbird with a power boost, the Avengers were able to free themselves. Silverclaw attacks Kulan Gath but soon realizes her only hope is Peliali herself. Seeking to increase her mother's power to enable her to escape Kulan Gath, Lupe appeals to the Kamekeri in an attempt to restore their faith in Peliali. Her efforts succeed, and Peliali escapes Gath's initial murder attempt. Gath's dark masters claim Gath instead, and the village is restored. Peliali did not fare quite so well as her beloved village. Gath's blow hadn't killed her directly but was soon fatal. Silverclaw gets a chance to say goodbye before Peliali dies.[5]

Silverclaw returns to the ESU and focuses on studying topics she believes will help her people. The Scarlet Witch offers her an Avengers reserve slot. Silverclaw accepts the membership and joins the Avengers in responding to the

Master of the World,[7] Quicksilver commenting that she reminded him of his sister, the Scarlet Witch, back when Wanda was Silverclaw's age.[volume & issue needed
]

Silverclaw was also in the Avengers: Celestial Quest eight-issue limited series. (November 2001 - June 2002).

Civil War

Silverclaw was seen fighting Ms. Marvel, who was attempting to get her to join the heroes supporting the Superhuman Registration Act during the Civil War. Silverclaw was vehemently against the SHRA because, as she says, it is not the law in her country. As a result, a pitched battle between the two occurred.[8] It is later confirmed that she was captured.[9] Tony Stark states that despite her tenure with the Avengers, he does not consider Silverclaw a likely participant in the 50 States Initiative, given her original resistance to the SHRA and her status as a citizen of another country.[10]

Silverclaw, along with fellow superheroes

Stature, and Araña, was next seen captured by the Puppet Master.[11] She was subsequently freed by Ms. Marvel.[12]

Powers and abilities

Silverclaw possesses the superhuman ability to mimic the physical characteristics of various animals native to rainforests and jungles. Thus far, Lupe has demonstrated the following animal aspects:

. Each of these forms grants Silverclaw additional abilities. Silverclaw has demonstrated enhanced strength, speed and agility, claws, flight and enhanced senses while transformed. She has also shown the ability to alter her size to some degree, as when she transformed into a giant sloth.

In her powered form, Silverclaw's skin assumes a silvery quality. This silver skin also manifests whenever Silverclaw assumes an animal form. It has not been revealed if Lupe's silver skin is merely cosmetic or if it possesses superhuman qualities of its own. As a shape-shifter, Lupe has complete control of her form. Through force of will, she has overcome powerful transformative enchantments and reverted to her true form, such as when Diablo attempted to turn her into salt.

Reception

Newsarama ranked Silverclaw as the sixth worst Avengers member describing her story as "a little better than Triathlon's, but the character was infinitely lamer" and that she had the power to "dress like an extra from a Tarzan film".[13]

References

  1. ^ Avengers, Vol. 3 #28
  2. .
  3. ^ Avengers Vol. 3, #8
  4. ^ Avengers Vol. 3, #28
  5. ^ Avengers Vol. 3, #29
  6. ^ Avengers Vol. 3, #39-40
  7. ^ Avengers Vol. 3, #48
  8. ^ Fantastic Four #538
  9. ^ Civil War Files one-shot
  10. ^ Civil War Battle Damage Report one-shot
  11. ^ Ms. Marvel #18
  12. ^ Ms. Marvel #20
  13. ^ "The 10 WORST AVENGERS of All Time". Newsarama. Retrieved 2 September 2017.