THE BOOK OF MANY THINGS
Classification: Mystical book
Creator: Unrevealed
User/Possessors: Cult of Kâli, Master Khan, Ninja, Professor Wing
First Appearance: Marvel Premiere#19 (November, 1974)
Powers/Abilities/Functions: The Book of Many Things contains various mystical spells, but was primarily used to access the dimension of K'un-L'un. While the Ninja's spirit was imprisoned within the book, he could use its power to generate an astral form of himself to take possession of others, and could cause earthquakes by focusing his rage.
History: (Marvel Premiere#22 (fb) ) - The Book of Many Things was a mystical tome several centuries old. It was possessed at one time by Master Khan, who presented it to the Ninja. The Ninja used it to access K'un-L'un, and assaulted the people there. Their leader, Yu-Ti, punished the Ninja by sealing his soul within the Book of Many Things.
Eventually, a visitor to K'un-L'un stole the Book of Many Things, and brought it back to Earth with him. He was slain by a robber, and the tome eventually fell into the possession of the Cult of Kara-Kai, worshippers of Kâli. They called the book "the Sacred Volume of Kâli," and placed it within one of their temples. Eventually, the Ninja's rage within the book caused an earthquake which buried the temple.
(Marvel Premiere#19 (fb) ) - A century later, the book was found by the archaeologist Professor Wing, and he was immediately marked for death by members of the Cult of Kara-Kai. Unknown to him, because he had the book in his possession, the Ninja would take possession of his body to perform assassinations.
(Marvel Premiere#21) - The cultists eventually stole the book back, along with Professor Wing and his daughter Colleen, and brought it to their temple. When Iron Fist came to rescue the Wings, he fought the cult alongside the Ninja, and during the melee, the book was accidentally flung into a brazier, destroying it. The Ninja then turned on Iron Fist, no longer fearing his own destruction.
Comments: Created by Doug Moench, Larry Hama and Dick Giordano.
by
CLARIFICATIONS: Images taken from:
First Posted: 11/15/2004 Any Additions/Corrections? please let me know.
Non-Marvel Copyright info
The Book of Many Things should not be confused with:
Marvel Premiere#21, page 16, panel 1
Marvel Premiere#21 (March, 1975) - by Tony Isabella (writer), Arvell Jones (pencils), Vince Colletta (inker), Roy Thomas (editor)
Marvel Premiere#22 (June, 1975) - by Tony Isabella (writer), Arvell Jones (pencils), Aubrey Bradford (inks), Len Wein (editor)
Last updated: 11/15/2004
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