SILVER ONE

Real Name: Unrevealed

Identity/Class: Human Werewolf, 16th Century

Occupation: Predator

Group Membership: Member of a pack of werewolves, possibly known as the Creatures of the Night

Affiliations: Possibly associated with the Wolf Demon

Enemies: Solomon Kane, Gideon Harkins

Known Relatives: None;
She posed as the sister of Gideon Harkins

Aliases: Miss Harkins

Base of Operations: mobile across the countryside of England; a village outside of Torkertown, England (?), 16th Century

First Appearance: Savage Sword of Conan#14/4 (September, 1976)

Powers/Abilities: The Silver One had the standard powers of a werewolf, with some minor variations. She could transform at will into a wolf, and perhaps into a wolf-human hybrid. She did not automatically transform under the light of the moon like most other werewolves. As a werewolf, she possessed enhanced human strength, speed, reflexes, stamina, durability, and senses (hearing, smell, and infra-red vision). Her claws were strong enough to rend substances as strong as wood or soft metal.
In werewolf form, she retained control of her normal mental acuity. She could speak, although she may have become more inherently savage and violent in that form. Her werewolf curse could be spread to a victim of her claws or bite. She was highly resistant and nearly immune to most forms of injury, with the major exception of silver, which could cause mortal wounds. Apparently, in human form, she could handle silver without discomfort.
She could be identified in both human and wolf form by her silver hair color, although in human form she sometimes wore a dark wig to disguise her distinctive color.

History: The origins of the Silver One are unrevealed. Her abilties surpassed that of a normal werewolf, so she may have been a sorceress, or perhaps even a descendent of the Wolf Men.

(Savage Sword of Conan#14/4 (fb)) <mid 16th Century> - The Silver One attacked and slew the parents of Gideon Harkins.

(Savage Sword of Conan#14/4 (fb)-BTS) <12 years later> - Gideon Harkins began wandering from village to village, in search of the Silver One, to gain vengeance.

(Savage Sword of Conan#14/4 (fb)) <8 years later> - Harkins located the village of the Silver One and her fellow creatures of the night. However, she got the jump on him, carving him up with her claws.

(Savage Sword of Conan#14/4) - As Harkins became a werewolf, the Silver One posed as the sister of Harkins, seeking protection from her now monstrous brother. She was believed by Solomon Kane, who fought off Harkins. Kane was in danger of being overcome, but she threw a silver knife to him, with which he slew Harkins. However, Kane then investigated Harkins' living quarters and read his journal. He was confronted by Harkins' "sister," whom he correctly identified as the Silver One. Exposed, she transformed into a wolf and leapt at Kane. However, having realized the effects of silver against Harkins, and suspecting that there might be mroe werewolf fighting to be had, Kane had melted down the knife into silver bullets. With a single shot he ended the life and threat of the Silver One.

Comments: Created by Doug Moench and Mike Zeck.

This story had a slight variation on the werewolf theme, with the victims of werewolves dying, and then rising three days later, more like the change for a vampire. I think it's usually only survivors of werewolf attacks that become vampires, while those killed more stay dead. Artistic license, variation associated with the Silver One, or just bad memory on Harkins' part? You be the judge.

Of all of the Howard characters, I like Solomon Kane the best.

Also, for the record, "were-woman" is not a particular accurate term. "Werewolf" means man-wolf, with perhaps the connotation of transformation. "Were" means man, so were-woman means man-woman, so it could be used to refer to Cloud, the Ozma of Oz, or perhaps even Starhawk/Aleta and other such mergers. However, it does not mean "woman who transforms into a wolf or another such creature" as it is often used (as with Tigra and other such animal-women). However, it will continue to be used incorrectly, much like the incorrect dating of the new milennia at 2000, rather than 2001. Peter David's with me on this one!

CLARIFICATIONS:
No known connection to:

Appearances:
Savage Sword of Conan#14 (September, 1976) - Doug Moench (writer), Mike Zeck (artist), Roy Thomas (editor)

First Posted: 10/25/2002
Last updated: 10/25/2002

Any Additions/Corrections? please let me know.

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