B'wana Beast (Michael Payson "Mike" Maxwell) is a superhero appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. He is an African-themed hero who can communicate with and fuse animals. B'wana Beast has also appeared in various media outside comics. Kevin Michael Richardson and Peter Onorati voice the character in Batman: The Brave and the Bold and Justice League Unlimited respectively.

Publication history

Created by Bob Haney and Mike Sekowsky, B'wana Beast made his first appearance in Showcase #66 (January 1967). The character was an attempt to capitalize on Edgar Rice Burroughs' Tarzan, borrowing the African jungle setting and "Tarzan yell" which was created in the Johnny Weissmuller incarnation of Tarzan.

Fictional character biography

Michael Maxwell is a ranger in Zambezi's nature preserves who crashes on Mount Kilimanjaro after his plane is struck by lightning. He and his companions take refuge in the cavern home of Djuba, a mutant red gorilla. After drinking the cavern's mineral-rich water, Maxwell gains superhuman strength and defeats Djuba. Acknowledging Maxwell as its master, Djuba gives him a mystical helmet that enables him to communicate with and fuse animals. Later, S.T.A.R. Labs scientists infect B'wana Beast and Djuba with anthrax. Djuba dies, but Animal Man cures B'wana Beast by enhancing his immune system. In Animal Man #13 (July 1989), Maxwell retires and gives his helmet and elixir to South African activist Dominic Mndawe, who becomes Freedom Beast. Mike Maxwell returns in Animal Man #47 (May 1992), where the Antagon entity possesses him and transforms him into Shining Man. He wreaks havoc on Earth before being killed in a fight with Metaman. In The New 52 continuity reboot, B'wana Beast is a rejected Justice League International applicant whose abilities are derived from the Red, a mystical force connecting animal life.

Powers and abilities

B'wana Beast drinks an elixir that gives him superhuman strength, speed, hunting and tracking abilities. He also wears an ancient helmet that allows him to communicate with animals and merge them to form Chimeras.

In other media

Television

Film

B'wana Beast makes a cameo appearance in Teen Titans Go! To the Movies.

Video games

B'wana Beast appears as a character summon in Scribblenauts Unmasked: A DC Comics Adventure.

Miscellaneous

B'wana Beast appears in Justice League Unlimited #29.

Merchandise