Zabu

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Zabu
Publication information
PublisherMarvel Comics
First appearanceX-Men #10 (March 1965)
Created byStan Lee (writer)
Jack Kirby (artist)
In-story information
Full nameZabu Plunder
SpeciesSmilodon
Place of originSavage Land
Team affiliationsAgents of Wakanda
Pet Avengers
PartnershipsKa-Zar
Shanna the She-Devil
Abilities
  • Smilodon physiology granting:
    • Razor-sharp claws and teeth
    • Heightened sense of smell
    • Remarkable hearing
    • Two elongated front canine teeth ("saber-teeth")
    • Night vision
  • Near-human intellect
  • Slowed aging

Zabu is a fictional saber-toothed cat appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Zabu is connected primarily to the Savage Land, and the X-Men, and most recently the Avengers (by way of the "Pet Avengers"). He is the last known living Smilodon and is a companion and ally of Ka-Zar.[1][2]

An earlier version was known simply as Zar, in the pulp version of Ka-Zar the Savage, featured in the Ka-Zar magazine.

Publication history

He first appeared in X-Men #10 (March 1965),[3] created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby. Zabu starred in the Pet Avengers series.

Fictional character biography

Zabu was born in the Savage Land. While still a cub, his mother and siblings were killed by human hunters. He wandered the Savage Land on his own, teaching himself how to survive as he grew to adulthood. His mate was among the Smilodons killed by a Man-Ape tribe led by Maa-Gor. Zabu encountered a young boy named Kevin Plunder as he was about to be attacked by a group of Man-Apes. Zabu saved Kevin, and the two became companions. Zabu protected the boy as he grew to adulthood, and eventually took on the name Ka-Zar, which means "Son of the Tiger". Zabu was brought to near-human intelligence due to exposure to radioactive mists.

Zabu helps Ka-Zar battle many enemies. For example, in Ka-Zar: Lord of the Hidden Jungle #3 they confront El Tigre and Maa-Gor's Man-God form. This particular battle resulted in El Tigre mentally controlling Zabu for a time, causing him to attack Ka-Zar. El Tigre lost control before any serious injuries happened. The assistance of Bobbi Morse was vital in rescuing Zabu's mind.[4] Later, Zabu is involved with one of the earlier confrontations with the demonic Belasco. This involves the seeming death of a good friend, 'Dherk'.[5] Zabu teams up with the X-Men to root out villains in the Savage Land.[6]

Zabu's family grows by two when Ka-Zar marries Shanna the She-Devil and they later have a son named Matthew. Zabu befriends the Savage Land native, Zira, who becomes Matthew's nanny. He also assists when Gregor, a hunter, kidnaps Matthew.[7]

New York, New York

Zabu left the Savage Land in at least one instance, venturing to New York City with Ka-Zar during marital difficulties; his master was having difficulty controlling an addiction to outside technology. Zabu had many adventures in New York City, as he assisted Ka-Zar and Shanna against Parnival Plunder, who wished to kill them all.[8] In a follow-up to these sequence of adventures, as Kevin attempts to clear out their New York holdings, Zabu is forced to act as a seeing eye tiger. His master had been temporarily blinded and deafened in a subway shoot-out, framed for it and pursued by the police and the Punisher. During this, Zabu practices his jumping, as he keeps blowing them, causing property damage.[9]

Amazing Spider-Man

In a Spider-Man family one-shot in issue #6, the secondary story is about Zabu having emotional troubles, knowing that he has no family left. Ka-Zar asked Peter to watch Zabu while he attends a world summit on global warming. Later, Peter's Aunt May (completely unaware that Zabu is hiding in the garage, because after Uncle Ben was killed, she tries to stay away from there) told Peter that this is how she felt, knowing she has outlived her friends, husband, and relatives. Peter uses this to bond with Zabu. Peter took Zabu to a museum to interact with the fake saber-toothed cats on display, and they were almost caught by a guard. Peter told Zabu to pull a "Calvin and Hobbes" maneuver, to which he played as though he were a stuffed animal, leaving Peter stunned at Zabu's intelligence. Afterward, Zabu felt better and Ka-Zar picked him up from Spider-Man.[volume & issue needed] Zabu and Ka-Zar returned apparently months later, and teamed up with Spidey to fight Sauron. Zabu jumped on Peter/Spider-Man and seemed to be hugging him; Ka-Zar said this was a sign that he was part of Zabu's family, and that he had not seen Zabu do this for quite some time.[volume & issue needed]

Around this time, hyper-evolved dino-humanoids try to take the entirety of the Savage Land. Zabu fights in a resistance cell with an array of inhabitants, hampered by the fact that Ka-Zar is psychically bonded to the forces controlled by the evil Brainchild. In the end, involved X-Men make friends with the humanoids.[10]

Avengers

Zabu is part of the resistance army when the Savage Land comes under attack by resource-stealing Skrulls disguised as S.H.I.E.L.D. agents. An array of Avengers help beat back this invasion, unaware of the Skrull involvement.[11]

During the "Secret Invasion" storyline, Zabu was present when the Skrull ship landed in the Savage Land. He helped Shanna and Ka-Zar battle the Skrulls, killing the Skrull pretending to be Jessica Jones.[12] Tie-in issues at this point flashback to Zabu assisting his family in battling the murderous S.H.I.E.L.D. impostors.[13]

Zabu joined with other animal sidekicks to form the Pet Avengers. Mentally linked to each other by one of the Infinity Gems, they joined to fight Thanos. The gems were noted for increasing the intelligence of the animals. The mental link also includes President Obama's dog, Bo, an honorary member of the team. During the series, Zabu survives a confrontation with Devil Dinosaur and being swallowed by the monster Giganto.[14] In another incident, Zabu and his fellow Pet Avengers travel to China to confront a small group of ancient dragons. This incident leads to them fighting the human Avengers. The confrontation ends well, earning Zabu and the others their own personal home-away-from-home on the grounds of the Avengers Mansion.[15]

Zabu becomes involved in the fight when a zombie infestation, caused by the infected alternate reality version of Deadpool, reaches his homeland.[16]

Zabu and the Pet Avengers become involved in a power struggle in the land of Asgard; this situation could lead to the end of all reality.[17]

During the "Empyre" storyline, Zabu and Ka-Zar later work for the Avengers as part of the Agents of Wakanda.[18] Ka-Zar's son Matthew has matured enough to join the family in defense of the Savage Land against the Cotati.[19]

Powers and abilities

Zabu possesses the natural abilities associated with saber-toothed cats like Smilodon. The character has razor sharp claws and teeth, heightened sense of smell, remarkable hearing, two sabre-teeth, night vision.[20] Zabu ages at a slow rate as well.[21] The character developed near human intelligence because of a mutation caused by radioactive mists.[22]

Reception

Critical response

Kevin Lee of Screen Rant included Zabu in their "10 Best From DC & Marvel" list,[23] while Bradley Prom included him in their "10 Best Animal Characters Who Should Join The MCU" list.[24] Darby Harn of CBR.com ranked Zabu 10th in their "10 Most Iconic Pets In Marvel Comics" list,[25] while Kevin Shaffery ranked him 8th in their "15 Coolest Pets In Comic Books" list,[26] and Michael Austin ranked him 10th in their "10 Most Powerful Animals In Marvel Comics" list.[27] The A.V. Club ranked Zabu 21st in their "21 Top Superhero Pets" list.[28]

Other versions

House of M

In the House of M reality, Zabu appeared as a picture in a Daily Bugle article about Ka-Zar and his seeking of asylum in the United States.

Marvel Zombies

Zabu and Ka-Zar are seen infected with the zombie virus, eating Barbarus and other super-powered inhabitants of the Savage Land.[29]

Ultimate Marvel

In this reality, Zabu is actually a tiger with Smilodon-like fangs rather than looking like a traditional Smilodon as he looks in the main Marvel universe. Flashbacks reveal that Zabu, Shanna, and Ka-Zar have been together since childhood.[30]

In other media

Television

Video games

Merchandise

  • Zabu received a figure in Toy Biz's "X-Men: Savage Land" set alongside Ka-Zar.
  • Zabu, alongside Ka-Zar, received a 7-inch statue from sculptor Mark Newman.
  • Zabu received a figure in HeroClix's "The Incredible Hulk" expansion set alongside Ka-Zar.

References

  1. ^ Wilson, John (2020-02-16). "Marvel: 10 Things Everyone Forgets About Lockjaw, Zabu, & The Pet Avengers". CBR. Retrieved 2023-03-31.
  2. ^ Morris, Bryce (2023-01-09). "Who Are Ka-Zar & Zabu: Origin & Powers of Marvel's Superpowered Tarzan". ScreenRant. Retrieved 2023-03-31.
  3. ^ DeFalco, Tom; Sanderson, Peter; Brevoort, Tom; Teitelbaum, Michael; Wallace, Daniel; Darling, Andrew; Forbeck, Matt; Cowsill, Alan; Bray, Adam (2019). The Marvel Encyclopedia. DK Publishing. p. 436. ISBN 978-1-4654-7890-0.
  4. ^ Ka-Zar: Lord of the Hidden Jungle #2-4 (1974). Marvel Comics.
  5. ^ Ka-Zar the Savage #12 (March 1982). Marvel Comics.
  6. ^ Marvel Fanfare #4 (September 1982). Marvel Comics.
  7. ^ Ka-Zar (vol. 3) #1-3 (May–July 1997). Marvel Comics.
  8. ^ Ka-Zar (vol. 3) #3-9 (1997-1998). Marvel Comics.
  9. ^ Ka-Zar (vol. 3) #14-16 (1998). Marvel Comics.
  10. ^ The Uncanny X-Men #457-459 (May–July 2005). Marvel Comics.
  11. ^ The New Avengers #4-5 (April–May 2005). Marvel Comics.
  12. ^ Secret Invasion #5 (2008). Marvel Comics.
  13. ^ The New Avengers #38-39 (2008). Marvel Comics.
  14. ^ Lockjaw and the Pet Avengers #2-4 (2009). Marvel Comics.
  15. ^ Pet Avengers Vs. Avengers #1-4 (2010-2011). Marvel Comics.
  16. ^ Deadpool: Merc with a Mouth #1 (September 2009). Marvel Comics.
  17. ^ Thor and the Warriors Four #4 (September 2010). Marvel Comics.
  18. ^ Empyre: Avengers #1 (2020). Marvel Comics.
  19. ^ Empyre: Avengers #2 (2020). Marvel Comics.
  20. ^ Raguparan, RaguVarman (2022-12-20). "10 Scariest Pets In Marvel Comics". CBR. Retrieved 2023-03-31.
  21. ^ Marvel Pets Handbook #1. Marvel Comics.
  22. ^ Shaffery, Kevin (2020-06-04). "Which Superhero Pet Are You, Based On Your Zodiac?". CBR. Retrieved 2023-03-31.
  23. ^ Lee, Kevin (2022-04-26). "Super-Pets: The 10 Best From DC & Marvel". ScreenRant. Retrieved 2023-03-31.
  24. ^ Prom, Bradley (2022-08-12). "10 Best Animal Characters Who Should Join The MCU". ScreenRant. Retrieved 2023-03-31.
  25. ^ Harn, Darby (2020-05-11). "10 Most Iconic Pets In Marvel Comics, Ranked". CBR. Retrieved 2023-03-31.
  26. ^ Shaffery, Kevin (2019-08-05). "The 15 Coolest Pets In Comic Books, Ranked". CBR. Retrieved 2023-03-31.
  27. ^ Austin, Michael (2020-03-01). "The 10 Most Powerful Animals In Marvel Comics, Ranked". CBR. Retrieved 2023-03-31.
  28. ^ "Best in show: The 21 top superhero pets". The A.V. Club. 2022-07-30. Retrieved 2023-03-31.
  29. ^ Marvel Zombies vs. The Army of Darkness #3 (2007). Marvel Comics.
  30. ^ Ultimates (vol. 3) #3 (2008). Marvel Comics.
  31. ^ "Every Non-Mutant Superhero That's Ever Appeared in X-Men: The Animated Series". Comicbook.com. 5 September 2017. Retrieved 2023-03-31.
  32. ^ "Comics Continuum". Archived from the original on 2009-07-31. Retrieved 2009-09-10.
  33. ^ Gallagher, Brian (2016-08-31). "Squirrel Girl Is Coming to TV in Marvel's New Warriors Series". MovieWeb. Retrieved 2023-03-31.
  34. ^ Cipriano, Jason (16 February 2011). "Every 'Marvel VS. Capcom 3' Cameos - Worlds Truly Colliding". MTV News. MTV. Archived from the original on December 11, 2021. Retrieved 6 November 2021.
  35. ^ "Marvel Snap Decks - Best Zabu Decks". GameSpot. Retrieved 2023-03-31.
  36. ^ Velde, Issy van der (2023-01-10). "Marvel Snap Will Feature Warrior Falls Less Amid New Balance Changes". TheGamer. Retrieved 2023-03-31.
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