SAMBOUKA
Real Name: Sambouka (presumably, see comments)
Identity/Class: Human
Occupation: Protester
Group Membership: None
Affiliations: Phil Chang, Flash Thompson, Mary Jane
Parker, Peter Parker
Enemies: None
Known Relatives: None
Aliases: None
Base of Operations: New York City, New
York
First Appearance: Amazing Spider-Man I#326
(December, 1989)
Powers/Abilities: Sambouka possessed no known
superhuman abilities. Engaged and concerned, Sambouka was quick to
champion causes and would vocally protest anything she felt was either
barbaric or unjust.
Height: 5'7" (by approximation)
Weight: 125 lbs. (by approximation)
Eyes: Brown
Hair: Black
History:
(Amazing Spider-Man I#326 (fb) - BTS) - Sambouka met Flash Thompson
during a rally to save the Ecuadorian mealy-bug. The two hit it off and
started dating.
(Amazing Spider-Man I#326 - BTS) - To protest the slave-like oppression
of her brothers and sisters among the South African people, Sambouka
decided to start fasting (see comments).
(Amazing Spider-Man I#326) - Sambouka accompanied Flash to Soho where
they attended Peter and Mary Jane's house warming party. Flash
introduced her to his friends, but Sambouka kept her polite distance,
reminding them she was fasting when offered a snack by Phil Chang. She
guilt tripped Flash into declining the treat as well. At the end of the
party, Sambouka and Flash accompanied Peter who had to go to the Daily
Bugle. Making their way uptown, Flash invited his friend to come see his
boxing match the next night, leading Sambouka to dryly comment that
boxing is barbaric. She kept quiet as Peter and Flash got into an
argument about Thompson's decision to become a professional fighter,
with Flash angrily declaring he was tired of being a loser in life and
that he was just using his best asset in life: physical strength.
Sambouka remained quiet as they reached the Bugle and Peter promised to
attend the fight.
(Amazing Spider-Man I#327 - BTS) - Flash and Sambouka broke up.
Comments: Created by David Michelinie (writer), Colleen Doran
(pencils), Andy Mushysnky (inks)
Sambouka was part of a running gag involving Flash Thompson's terrible
luck with (and taste in) women David Michelinie introduced when he was
on Amazing Spider-Man. For a few issues, poor Flash would
introduce Peter and Mary Jane to the newest love of his life, all women
who were clearly a terrible match for him but the love struck Flash was
always blind to their obvious faults. None of the women stuck around for
more than an issue and the revolving door of love interests seemed an
innocent gag until Flash showed up with Felicia Hardy in #329.
Sambouka claimed to be fasting because her South African brothers and
sisters were still suffering under the regime. Now, given that this
comic was published in 1989, she was refering to Apartheid. But even
though she has what looks like an afro and wears African inspired
clothes and earrings, she's clearly white. Guess she was so taken with
the cause, she dressed the part. Who knows, maybe that's where the name
"Sambouka" comes from. Which still sounds a lot like the very offensive
"sambo".
Profile by Norvo.
CLARIFICATIONS:
Sambouka should not be confused with
images: (without ads)
Amazing Spider-Man I#326, p2, pan3 (mainimage)
Amazing Spider-Man I#326, p2, pan4 (closeup)
Appearances:
Amazing Spider-Man I#326 (December, 1989) - David Michelinie (writer),
Colleen Doran (pencils), Andy Mushynsky (inks), Jim Salicrup (editor)
First Posted: 05/12/2018
Last Updated: 05/12/2018
Any Additions/Corrections? please let me know.
Non-Marvel
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