ghost_tiger-1496-kneesupGHOST TIGERghost_tiger-1496-face.jpg

Real Name: Unrevealed

Identity/Class: Human
    active circa late 15th century;
    presuimed Tibetan citizen

Occupation: Warrior, at least

Group Membership: Unrevealed

Affiliations: Captain Chau, Emperor Tong

Enemies: Spirit Leopard/bTsan Saa (Yao, later the Ancient One)

Known Relatives: None

Aliases: None

Base of Operations: Unrevealed;
    he was only seen to be active in Lang Kah, Tibet, but he was a stranger there, brought from an unidentified location (possibly the emperor's castle/whatever)ghost_tiger-1496-dodgekick

First Appearance: Epic Anthology II#1 (April, 2004)

Powers/Abilities: The Ghost Tiger is a highly skilled martial artist, with athletic or above strength, speed, agility and reflexes.

    On his right hand he wears a “claw” weapon, with three serrated blades that extend forward from over his metatarsophalangeal joints ("knuckles"), with a grip in the palm and a brace over the extensor ("top") surface.

Height: Unrevealed (approximately 5'8")ghost_tiger-1496-fight
Weight: Unrevealed (approximately 165)
Eyes: Dark, presumably brown
Hair: Black
Distinguishing Features: He has a stylized tiger tattoo on his anterior torso.
    He appears to have gray skin, although that may be body make-up/whatever.

History:
(Epic Anthology II#1/2 - BTS) <1496 A.D.> - As the bTsan Saa, aka the Spirit Leopard, Yao defeated and humiliated Captain Chau and some other agents of Emperor Tong, who were trying to levy heavy taxes on the locals of the village of Lang Kah.

(Epic Anthology II#1/2 (fb) - BTS) - Tong sent Ghost Tiger to accompany Chau and his men when they returned to Lang Kah to fight Spirit Leopard.

(Epic Anthology II#1/2) - When Chau and other soldiers returned to Lang Kah, Spirit Leopard confronted them, as expected, and Chau introduced him to Ghost Tiger. As Yao's lover and (future?) wife, Leung Tan, had previously advised him to use the name "Ghost" instead of "Spirit" as it was more intimidating, bTsan Saa remarked that Ghost was indeed scarier. '

    As Yao, whimsically requested they get started as dinner was waiting, Ghost Tiger bowed and stated that Spirit Leopard's flip attitude hurt him. Saa instructed Ghost Tiger to imagine how his boot to the head would feel, and he executed a high kick, but Ghost Tiger ducked beneath it. 

    As Ghost Tiger flashed at Spirit Leopard with his wrist claws, he advised Spirit Leopard that he should be honored that Tong respected Spirit Leopard enough to send him (Ghost Tiger), but Saa -- flipping over the attack -- replied that he was not honored but rather annoyed.

    After Ghost Tiger's next slash tore open the back of his costume, Saa caught him with a punch in the jaw, after which Ghost Tiger braced both hands on the ground and kicked Spirit Leopard off his feet and into a barrel of water, which shattered. ghost_tiger-1496-fight2

    As Ghost Tiger leapt at him, preparing to slash at his nearly prone form, Saa grabbed the barrel's lid and used it as a shield. After Ghost Tiger's claws slashed into the barrel, Saa rotated the lid 180 degrees; with his claws stuck in the lid, Ghost Tiger was flipped on his back. Saa then smashed the lid into the top ofGhost Tiger's head, apparently knocking him out.

    Spirit Leopard then mocked Chau's special measures and asked if they were done. Noting that Ghost Tiger had just been the warm-up, Chau then pulled out his "self-striking black powder blaster" (an early pistol) and fired it at Spirit Leopard's chest.

<"Mark of the Ancient Ones - Part 2 - script> - Via a spell from the chronomancer Sensang of the Order the Ancient Ones, the bullet and Chau were frozen in time, allowing Saa to dodge and then punch out Chau.

    Bound on horseback, Ghost Tiger (who had also been stripped of his claw by Saa), Chau and the others were riding through the forest when they were ambushed and captured by the carnomancer Mahgra's Empty Ones (zombies), who brought them before Mahgra (it took 4 of them to restrain Ghost Tiger).

    After Mahgra transformed one of Chau's men, a tax collector, into one of his Empty Ones, Mahgra realized that Ghost Tiger would fight him to the death, and so he instead had his Empty Ones pile on top of Ghost Tiger and pummel him into submission.

<"Mark of the Ancient Ones - Part 3 - script> - Alongside his associates Pabu and Sogma, bTsan Saa invaded Mahgra's pagoda, where they found Ghost Tiger, bruised from his recent beating. When Ghost Tiger gave his word of honor that they would help him, Saa released Ghost Tiger and Chau. Tsaa revealed that Mahgra had his wife, and he showed them the Shenpa Phurpa, a mystic dagger that could be used to slay Mahgra.

    Saa and Ghost Tiger subsequently engaged a group of Empty Ones, while Pabu and Sogma led the released prisoners to escape. Tiger pushed a zombie down with his foot, held a second zombie by the throat with his left hand and ran a third through the neck with a knife in his right hand.

<"Mark of the Ancient Ones - Part 3 - script - BTS> - Chau, however, encountered and alived with Mahgra.

<"Mark of the Ancient Ones - Part 3 - script> - Ghost Tiger and bTsan Saa finally encountered Mahgra, who had also capturede Leung and other women,

    As Saa eventually defeated Mahgra, trapping his spirit within the Shenpa Phurpa, Ghost Tiger located and slew Chau for his betrayal.

    Ghost Tiger reunited with the others as they torched Mahgra's pagoda, after which he told Saa that he had destroyed a great evil and fought with honor. Noting that Chau was no more, Ghost Tiger told Saa that he would tell Emperor Tong that the people of Lang Kah had no gold for him. Saa extended his hand in friendship, but Ghost Tiger told him that as he served the Emperor, he could have no friends. Ghost Tiger then departed with the remaining tax collectors.

Comments: Created by Rob Worley and Andy Kuhn.

    At the time of this story, Yao was only a martial artist, or at least he did not demonstrate significant mystical powers. He was planning to head to Kamar Taj thereafter, which is where he would encounter Kaluu (and perhaps the Order of the Ancient Ones).

    From the script for this story:

THE GHOST TIGER, a formidable fighting man. He wears classic, baggy kung fu pants and is bare chested. His chiseled arms and upper torso are covered in tattoos, the most prominent of which is a huge, Asian-style tiger painting across his chest. On his right hand he wears a “claw” weapon, two serrated blades that run along-side his hand, with a grip in the palm and a brace over the back. The Tiger grins, revealing a mouth full of teeth that have been sharpened to points.

Obviously, in the published story, Ghost Tiger lacks tattoos on is arms (beyond the tiger ears that stretch across his pectoral toward his shoulders), and his claw-gauntlet had three blades, not two.

Regarding Chau's pistol: This is a wheel-lock gun, slightly head of its time. It should be drawn somewhat fanciful, with the wheel lock/flint mechanism being of ornate, obviously oriental design.

I plugged "Ghost Tiger" into Google Translate: English to Tibetan, and this is what I got (I don't have the knowledge to comment on accuracy, etc.):ghost_tiger-1400s-translation





    It looks like in 1496, between the two dates shown, Tibet was both an independent nation and a lot bigger than it became in the 20th century, prior to China taking it over.
    --Loki

   This profile was completed 11/23/2024, but its publication was delayed as it was intended for the Appendix 25th anniversary 's celebratory event.

Profile by Snood.

CLARIFICATIONS:
Ghost Tiger should be distinguished from:

images: (without ads)
Epic Anthology II#1/2, story pg. 21, panel 5 (upper);
       pg. 22, panel 1 (face);
          panel 3 (dodging Spirit Leopard's kick);
          panel 4-5 (using claws);
       pg. 23, panel 1-2 (kicking and then diving at Spirit Leopard)
Appearances:
Epic Anthology II#1/2 "The Mark of the Ancient Ones Part 1" (April, 2004) - Rob Worley (writer), Andy Kuhn (artist), Teresa Focarile & Stephanie Moore (editor)

First posted: 09/11/2026
Last updated: 11/23/2024

Any Additions/Corrections? please let me know.

Non-Marvel Copyright info
All other characters mentioned or pictured are ™  and � 1941-2099 Marvel Characters, Inc. All Rights Reserved. If you like this stuff, you should check out the real thing!
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