15 notable Native superheroes from the Marvel Universe -- A universe overseen by the watcher himself, Stan Lee

As a kid, I would sit in my room for hours perusing the latest issues of X-Men, Daredevil, The New Mutants and think about my favorite characters in the Marvel Universe that took me away from it all. It was tough being a little underdeveloped brown kid that was bullied, degraded and made fun of … but comics gave me an escape from the world that was at times too much too handle.

I could escape thanks to the world created by Stan Lee.

Stan Lee helped me by creating a world where my imagination could roam free. Stan Lee, the giant name behind Marvel Comics, died this week at the age of 95. There is now an empty place in my heart where Stan Lee once resided.

Reaching back in my memories now, I don’t have many memories of Native characters in comics other than Danielle Moonstar who made her appearance in the New Mutants. I didn’t realize the hero Forge was Cheyenne because it was rarely mentioned. The only other character was Apache Chief from the DC universe.

But Stan Lee created a world that grew wings to fly higher I am sure than Stan Lee could ever have imagined, it wasn’t until the later years of his life Marvel Studios began running at breakneck speeds.

When he died earlier this week, I knew immediately that I would be writing a tribute to him with an emphasis on Native Characters. I have been scouring online and was shocked to discover nearly fifty resided in the Marvel Universe. Currently there are over 8,000 characters that can fly, bend steel or (hopefully anyway) turn an evil villain into a chicken.

In tribute to Mr. Excelsior himself, Stan Lee, I have compiled a list of several Native American superheroes that have appeared at some point in time within the confines of the Marvel Universe.

All images are from Marvel Comics.

American Eagle



Jason StrongbowNavajoSuper strength, speed, agility, stamina, near-invulnerability, super eyesight, increased senses, crossbow proficiency



Thunderbird

John Proudstar

Apache

Strength, Speed, Tracking Abilities, Enhanced insight and senses

Special note: John Proudstar now appears in the Fox Series ‘The Gifted’ executive-produced by Stan Lee, he is the leader of the resistance force of mutants that post-date the existence of the X-Men. The show airs on Tuesdays.



Warpath

James Proudstar

Apache

Strength, Healing factor, flying, shaman / medicine man powers

Special Note: John Proudstar’s brother that appeared in the Marvel movie “X-Men’s Days of Future Past” and was portrayed by Boo Boo Stewart.

Black Crow



Jesse Black CroweNavajoShape changer / transformation through the Earth-spirit, teleportation, dimension travel

Centurious



Prince of an Amerindian TribeA soulless immortal, supernatural abilities, magic, strength, controlling elements, telekinesis, levitation, mind control

Red Wolf

Johnny Wakeley (19th century)

Thomas Thunderbird (1970’s)

William Talltrees (Contemporary)

Cheyenne

Super strength, speed, senses, tracking ability, wolf companion Lobo

Special Note: Native artist Jeffrey Veregge brought the comic back to Marvel!



Forge

Cheyenne

Super genius inventor

Psyche / Mirage / Spellbinder / Dark Rider

Danielle Moonstar

Cheyenne

Telepath, Creates mirages or imagery of a person’s deepest fears or desires to control them, communicate or see through the eyes of animals, psionic bolts that stun the nervous system

Special Note: Blu Hunt, an actress of Native descent, will be portraying Moonstar in Marvel’s New Mutants in 2019.



Echo / Ronin



Maya LopezNative American / Father Willie ‘Crazy Horse’ LincolnThough Deaf, She has photographic reflexes - meaning she can immediately duplicate movements, thus her expertise in martial arts, acrobatics and dance.

Moonstalker



KianaInupiatRun, fly at super speed, athletic movements, super-camouflage, expert hunter and tracker

Puma



Thomas FireheartNative American descent, likely NavajoGenetically enhanced human abilities, transformation powers to become a humaniod Puma, increased senses, martial arts expert

Risque

Gloria Dolores Muñoz

Seminole and Cuban

Control gravity, control density of objects, concussion blasts, levitation of objects



Special Note: Risque was a love interest of Warpath as seen here. She has appeared in 89 issues.

Scalphunter

John GreyCrow

Comanche

Mutant that has super healing and regenerative powers, techno-morphing which means he can build electronic and mechanical devices from his bionic-style body gear, proficient with weapons of all types

Special Note: Not the most favorable of names for a Native character, but I do want to give a shout to Chris Claremont at Marvel, the creative force behind a majority of diverse characters at Marvel.

Shaman / Talisman



Michael TwoyoungmenCanadian First Nation / Tsuu T’inaNative medicine expertise as well as western medicine and surgical expertise, holder of medicine bag that holds all objects to summon into existence, can transform into an eagle, levitation

Silver Fox

Kayla

First Nation Blackfoot Confederacy

Super healing, will not age

Special Note: Silver Fox is a love interest of Wolverine.



Well, here is a decent list of ones that stuck out to me. Admittedly there are many more, feel free to take a look at the Wikipedia page, but be mindful Wikipedia is adjusted by the public, and I haven’t had a chance to verify all of the superheroes on the page.

I hope you found some inspiration as I have from years of loving the world championed by Stan Lee.

Thanks for everything Stan -- as you would always say on so many occasions: “Excelsior! ‘Nuff Said!”

Follow fellow Native Nerd, Vincent Schilling associate editor for Indian Country Today at @VinceSchilling - Make sure to use the Hashtag #NativeNerd

Email - vschilling@indiancountrytoday.com

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