Saturday Showcase: Man-Ape

    The Marvel Studios film, Black Panther, will be released in 6 days.  I thought their is no better way to show some love by doing my Saturday Showcase on someone from the world of the Black Panther.  Of course as you know, my goal in my Saturday Showcases are to spotlight those characters who I think we should hear more of and not necessarily the main stars.

    M'Baku was born in Wakanda, Africa and was a fierce warrior second only to the Black Panther.  M'Baku disagreed with the direction was going and joined the White Gorilla Cult in attempt to overthrow the reign of the Black Panther.  He killed a White Gorilla and bathed in it's blood which appeared to increase not only his strength but his agility.  To honor the slain gorilla, he skinned it and wore his fur into battle.  M'Baku became the White Gorilla and he is in a constant mission to overthrow T'Challa and takeover control of Wakanda.

    In his attempts to stop the Black Panther, the Man-Ape has even taken on the Avengers.  When he realized that a group of heroes was a little too much for him, he joined up with the Grim Reaper and his Lethal Legion.  After several failed attempts of stopping the Avengers, Man-Ape clashed with the Reaper and headed back to Wakanda to plot his next move.

   Man-Ape has made a few changes through the years, but the major change that fans will notice in the Black Panther film is the disappearance of the Gorilla Head  and chest piece of his costume.  In fact, he will not even go by the name the Man-Ape but only be known as M'Baku.  I can understand the flim maker's decision on changing that aspect of M'Baku's appearance with PETA and other organizations that may protest, but I don't understand why he can't use the name Man-Ape.  However, I am excited to see M'Baku's presence on teh screen and I know that Winston Duke will do justice to M'Baku and bring the great warrior to life.

Until next time, get your READ on! 

Oh, and as always, unleash your inner NERD!

First Appearance:

Avengers #62 (March '69)

Created by: Roy Thomas and John Buscema