ZAWADI

(Marvel Universe#4 (fb) - BTS / Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe: Golden Age Marvel 2004) <1956> - In his guise as the National Security Agency's Jake Curtiss and (aka Michael "Mac" Curry), the Eternal Makkari summoned the supernatural investigators Ulysses Bloodstone, Dr. Anthony Ludgate Druid, and Zawadi of Wakanda to a meeting at the Explorers' Club to discuss a number of recent encounters with monstrous creatures. (Marvel Universe#4 (fb) - BTS) - While awaiting the arrival of Druid, Zawadi waited in the meeting room with Ulysses Bloodstone and "Curtiss." (Marvel Universe#4 (fb) - BTS) - Ulysses told Zawadi that Druid was well-traveled. (Marvel Universe#4) - As Zawadi noted her disappointment that their New York City was disappointing in having so many people living so crowded together, Hathaway brought Druid to the room and then departed. Curtiss then introduced everyone to each other, and Druid complimented Zawadi, telling her she was lovely in name as well as countenance while noting her name to be Swahili for "Precious Gift." She in turn noted that Ulysses had said that he was well traveled.     After Ulysses related the story of how he had met Zawadi, Druid noted how impressive it was to take on a Tyrannosaur armed only with a spear, and she told him that firearms were rare in Wakanda and that they had had to that they had to develop other skills.

As Druid related his story of his encounter with Gorgilla, Zawadi smelled the breath of Harvey Elder who was spying on them from below a grate. Suddenly opening the grate and lifting Elder into the air, she asked who he was and why he spied on them. After she dropped him to the ground, Druid hypnotized Elder into thinking he had not seen or heard anything of interest, after which Elder departed.

    Curtiss then related his encounter with the Molten Man-Thing, explaining to her the nature of a wind tunnel, and he then noted that his investigations indicated a common source behind all of these monsters (though he did not reveal it at the time, Makkari suspected this to be the Deviant Kro). When Curtiss proposed that they united to investigate the cause, Ulysses readily agreed, and Zawadi noted that if Ulysses was interested, so was she. Zawadi considered that this would be an adventure, although she wondered how far she and Ulysses could trust Druid and Curtiss.

(Marvel Universe#6) - En route to an airfield, Gorgilla became restless under the tarp under which was hidden, and Druid had Zawadi take the wheel while he climbed to the back and mentally calmed Gorgilla; unbeknownst to them, they were followed by Elder. Meanwhile, Druid shared his suspicions regarding "Curtiss"/"Adam Clayton."     They soon departed from Lakehurst Naval Air <Sta>tion, where orders from high-ranking officials had granted them every consideration. As they reached the Pacific ocean, Zawadi kept Gorgilla calm by feeding him a series of melons. When Druid noted that it should be safe to leave Gorgilla alone, Zawadi joined the others for a briefing while the auto-pilot brought them toward Borneo's Midnight Mountain. As Curtiss continued to relate how the monster encounters were all linked to Subterranean origins and to the man who supplied the Russian spies with Gorgilla, they were interrupted as Gorgilla discovered the stowaway Harvey Elder. As he accused them of working against him and foiling his attempts to join the Explorers' Club.     After Zawadi subdued Elder with a nerve pinch that make him sleep for hours, Ulysses suddenly restrained "Curtiss," and while Zawadi brandished her knife, Druid noted that the real Adam Clayton was dead and demanded to know the truth. The discussion was interrupted by an assault by a Deviant ship that took out a pair of their engines, and Zawadi was shocked as "Curtiss" dove out the window, only returning after using his winged "lifters" to support the damaged engines. "Curtiss" then revealed that he had been the hero known as both Mercury and Hurricane, and that his old enemy, who frequently posed as a demon, was the man behind the monster attacks. After Druid confirmed that he was telling the truth, Zawadi and the others accepted his apologies and reaffirmed their commitment to the mission.     After they landed at Midnight Mountain and led Gorgilla back home, both Zawadi and Druid sensed a nearby presence seconds before they were confronted by the Lizard-Men. Zawadi dodged a blast that struck Gorgilla instead, but the Lizard-Men accomplished their mission in capturing Hurricane via a Bloodhound missile containment module, and he was taken aboard a ship commanded by Kro. Zawadi was shocked when Ulysses' pursuit of one of the Lizard-Men -- during which he wildly fired his weapon's explosive rounds -- caused both he and his quarry to be buried under large rocks. Druid doubted Ulysses could have survived, but Zawadi insisted that they must dig him out, and Gorgilla swiftly did just that. They were surprised to find Ulysses alive and well and hefting a massive boulder over his head. Seeing the massive gem imbedded in his chest, Zawadi asked Ulysses if he was alright, but he assured her that the Bloodstone had been part of him for a long-time.     After Druid revealed that his telepathic probes on one of the Lizard-Men had revealed the location of their base, Zawadi and the others prepared to rescue Hurricane and take down his abductor. (Marvel Universe#7) - Zawadi departed Midnight Mountain aboard Makkari's jet along with Ulysses and Druid. At Zawadi and Druid's query, Ulysses revealed his origins. Zawadi asked why he hadn't told her before, and he asked if she would have believed him, to which she replied, "Yes." As they set course for Monster Island in the sea of Japan, Ulysses told everyone to hold onto their hats, although he had to explain to Zawadi that this was just an expression. (Marvel Universe#7 - BTS) - Kro confirmed to Makkari that the monsters had been Deviant mutate creations. (Marvel Universe#7) - When a recovered Elder attempted to ambush the others with a fire extinguisher, both Zawadi and Druid sensed her approach, and Zawadi struck with her dagger, displaying her accuracy/control as she completely sliced off the right side of his moustache without cutting him. She warned the little pest that next time she would shave off more than that. When he cowered and begged her not to hurt him, Zawadi wondered what they would do with him. (Marvel Universe#7 - BTS) - Druid put Elder in a parachute and cast him out of the jet; he landed on a dock, but he noted the coordinates of where they were going and vowed to track them down.

(Marvel Universe#7) - As they approached the island, they were confronted by the immense Gigantus, whom Ulysses blinded by shifting the engines to VTOL (Vertical Take-Off and Landing) and then landed the jet. They had barely deplaned and made their way into the island than a wave from Gigantus' sinking took away their jet. Ulysses advised Zawadi to stay close to him and assured that he would get them through. When a rock creature attacked, Ulysses blew it up with his artillery, and Zawadi acknowledged his having saved them while Druid sensed and located Hurricane. (Marvel Universe#7 - BTS) - Druid made plans with the others to rescue Hurricane. (Marvel Universe#7) - As Druid generated the illusion of Gorgilla attacking, Zawadi attacked the Lizard-Men with her spear, while Ulysses knocked a monster back into the equipment restraining Makkari, freeing him.     Summoning the fire-breathing Tricephalous, Kro fled in some craft after setting off his failsafe weapons. As the entire chamber quaked, Makkari pulled the others with him to safety. After Makkari vowed to not keep any more secrets from them, Zawadi and the others agreed to work with him as the Monster Hunters. Makkari then levitated the others and flew them back...presumably to the Explorers' Club. (Marvel Universe#7 - BTS) - Arriving soon after and destroying his skiff and his glassed in the process, Elder fell into a cave-in and blinded in the Valley of Diamonds...he then resolved to live out his days as a mole man. (Marvel: The Lost Generation#2 (fb) - BTS) - Namora joined the Monster Hunters. (Marvel: The Lost Generation#2 (fb) - BTS) - The Skrull Velmax, in the guise of FBI agent Jacob Scott, discovered some security breaches at the Long Island factory in which his ship was being held; unbeknownst to Velmax, the breaches were the result of Velmax's former commander, Zuhn, who was seeking to reclaim it.

    "Scott" recruited aid from his associates the Black Fox, Liberty Girl, and the Yankee Clipper to investigate the facility.

(Marvel: The Lost Generation#2 (fb) - BTS) <1958> - Simultaneously, Dr. Druid sensed some strange psychic emanations -- that might be associated with a monster -- to a Long Island factory, and Zawadi and the others investigated.

(Marvel: The Lost Generation#2) - Outside the facility, Ulysses noted from his perspective on a tree branch that while he couldn't see any monsters, his extrasensory "third eye" picked up some strange auras on the grounds. Zawadi advised Ulysses to come down as he was soaked to the skin.

    Zawadi then noted that if the strangeness was within, that that is where they should go. When Druid advised caution and stealth as this was a restricted area, Zawadi cast off her coat and leapt over the high-voltage fence, noting, "Really, doctor...is there any other way?" Landing gracefully, she rounded the building, but even her enhanced senses failed to detect the approaching Black Fox, who swiftly lifted her into the air as he told her trespassing was not allowed there.

    Considering that this confrontation eliminated the need for stealth, druid apparently tore upon the fence, and Makkari (in the form of Curtiss), rushed in and carried Zawadi away from the Fox while she confirmed she was OK.

    "Scott" came forth and defused the confrontation between the two groups, with Zawadi being surprised that "Curtiss" knew him. Zawadi remained silent during the subsequent discussions until Liberty Girl asked where were the big, bad monsters, at which point a monstrous creature -- actually investigator Dr. Earl Schreiber, mutated by Zhun via the ship's bio-molecularizer -- smashed through the factory's wall; Zawadi simply noted, "There."

(Marvel: The Lost Generation#2) - Schreiber soon reverted to normal, and the others took out Zuhn's agents, Blackjack and Scythe, while Zuhn blasted "Scott" with the bio-moleculizer, destabilizing his form and ultimately allowing Scott to claim he had gained metamorphic powers from the experience and to become the super hero known as Effigy. The group ultimately agreed to stay together as the First Line.

    Zawadi and the others accompanied the hospital, but the doors were closed when Nightingale arrived.

(Marvel Monsters: From the Files of Ulysses Bloodstone and the Monster Hunters#1 (fb) - BTS) - As the Monster Hunters kept files on the various creatures they encountered. Apparently in response to such a query, Zawadi sent a hand-written note to Ulysses, noting that she didn't see the need to bother with these trivial recounts of the creatures slain over the years, especially those dispatched by others. Noting specifically that Rorgg, the alleged King of the Spider Men had been killed by a child, she commented that in Wakanda, they stepped on spiders.


(Marvel Monsters: From the Files of Ulysses Bloodstone and the Monster Hunters#1 (fb) - BTS) - Reviewing Ulysses Bloodstone's article on the Brute that Walks, Zawadi was shocked that Ulysses had not informed Sally Barton (now Sally Avery) of the truth, that her husband (then fiancé), Howard, had been the Brute. Fearing that Howard Avery might become an abusive spouse, she suggested that Howard see a counselor.
    Ulysses left the matter in Zawadi's hands, but how she responded is unrevealed.

(Marvel Monsters: From the Files of Ulysses Bloodstone and the Monster Hunters#1 - BTS) - The Monster Hunters started drifting apart, and at some point, Zawadi mysteriously broke contact with everyone.

(Marvel Monsters: From the Files of Ulysses Bloodstone and the Monster Hunters#1 - BTS) - Elsa Bloodstone posted in her blog, asking if anyone knew how she could contact Zawadi or learn her fate.


What became of her after the team broke up is unrevealed. Zawadi was reportedly enhanced by consuming the sacred heart-shaped herb of Wakanda, giving her great speed, agility, endurance, etc. and enhanced human strength; the events that led to this are unrevealed. Elsa Bloodstone's research noted that Zawadi broke off all contacts with the Monster Hunters at some unrevealed point, then completely disappeared.

SECRET WARS III HAPPENED

(Spider-Man: Unforgiven#1 (fb) - BTS) - At some point Zawadi became the owner of the Kilimanjaro Imports store in New York City and moved into the apartment above it. She filled her home with items from her past as a monster hunter.

(Spider-Man: Unforgiven#1) - Zawadi was targeted by the Fallen Salomé, who sought to steal her eyes to be able to see the future again. Salomé broke into Zawadi's apartment, but was followed by Spider-Man, who planned to protect whoever the monstrous being was after. He encountered the elderly Zawadi, who knew that Spider-Man was one of the good guys. Zawadi knew who was after her and told Spider-Man to stay behind.

(Spider-Man: Unforgiven#1 - BTS) - While Spider-Man and the Forgiven fought against Salomé, Zawadi picked up a spear with a tip carved from Nephilim bone and bathed in the radiation of the Hellfire Helix.

(Spider-Man: Unforgiven#1) - Zawadi impaled Salomé through the back with her spear, which was poisonous to Salomé. Inka of the Forgiven recognized Zawadi. Zawadi drew a sign with chalk around Salomé, who was writhing in pain on the ground, spit on her and somehow caused her body to erupt in green flame. Zawadi then collapsed after telling the Forgiven and Spider-Man that Salomé wanted her eyes to see the evil that even she feared. Spider-Man called the emergency services to get Zawadi to a hospital.

(Captain America: Unforgiven#1 (fb) - BTS) - While recovering in a deep sleep Zawadi was shown the evil even Salomé feared by the spirits of her ancestors.

(Captain America: Unforgiven#1) - Zawadi tracked down Captain America and the Forgiven to tell them about Chthon's servant Geiomar, who apparently sought to take Chthon's place. According to her Geiomar needed to perform a blood sacrifice on winter solstice to create his new doctrine and Captain America was sure the sacrifice was Redblood, who had helped him reunite the Forgiven and got kidnapped. Zawadi didn't know Geiomar's modern identity or location, but Inka had learned about a secret hospital ward for vampire babies that had been taken over by a being known as the Leach, who later became Bobby Quench and turned the center into the Quench Center for the Self. They were sure Quench was Geiomar's present identity and armed with this information went after him. Zawadi provided the Forgiven and Captain America with a Wakandan plane.

   When they arrived at the Quench Center Zawadi used the tip of her spear to break the illusion and barrier around the Chthon temple hidden behind it and opened a portal for Captain America and the Forgiven. Zawadi kept it open while the others fought the vampires and Quench and rescued Redblood. After Quench was destroyed the temple turned to dust and the Forgiven, Captain America and the now homeless vampires stepped back through Zawadi's portal.

   Zawadi stayed with the Forgiven and gave the likes of Redblood combat training.

Comments: Created by Roger Stern, Bret Blevins, and Mike Manley.

    It seems likely to me that Makkari would not have known of Zawadi's existence and that Bloodstone had brought her to the USA and invited her to join him when he received his invitation. However, this is unconfirmed. She seemed to be with Ulysses, although there is nothing to indicate that their relationship was anything more than platonic.
    However, it would be cool to meet the son or daughter of Zawadi and Ulysses Bloodstone.

Thanks to Ron Fredricks for some of the cleaned up images.

This profile was completed 4/17/2021, but its publication was delayed as it was intended for the Appendix 20^th anniversary 's celebratory event.

Profile by Snood. Update by Markus Raymond (Unforgiven).

CLARIFICATIONS:
Zawadi should be distinguished from:

•  Zawadi of Earth-98 - apparent alternate reality counterpart, married to Zero Man, mother of N'Yami? Susan Richards--Fantastic Four 1998 Annual
• other
  

Marvel Universe#4 cover (full)
        pg. (profile)
        (T.rex);
       (holding Elder);
    #5, pg. , panel 2 (leaping out of helicopter with hypno-spear);
          panel 3 (spearing Gorgilla);
          panel 4 (tumbling down Gorgilla);
    #6, (knife)
    #7 (knife-strike)
Marvel: The Lost Generation#2 cover
       pg. 5, panle 4 (vaulting fence);
       pg. 6, panel 3 (face);
       pg. 8, panel 1 (full, rear view)
Marvel Monsters: From the Files of Ulysses Bloodstone and the Monster Hunters#1, last page, panel 1 (note to Ulysses)
Captain America: Unforgiven#1, p12, pan3 (modern era, head shot)
Captain America: Unforgiven#1, p28, pan3 (modern era, training Redblood)

Appearances:
Marvel Universe#4-7 (September-December, 1998) - Roger Stern (writer), Bret Blevins (pencils), Mike Manley (inks), Tom Brevoort (editor)
Marvel: The Lost Generation#2 (January, 2001) - Roger Stern (writer), John Byrne (pencils), Al Milgrom (inks), Ralph Macchio (editor)
Marvel Monsters: From the Files of Ulysses Bloodstone and the Monster Hunters#1 (January, 2006) - Michael Hoskin, Madison Carter, Jeff Christiansen, Sean McQuaid, Stuart Vandal, Eric Moreels, Ronald Byrd, Barry Reese (writers), Jennifer Grunwald & Michael Short (assistant editors), Jeff Younquist (editor)
Spider-Man: Unforgiven#1 (May, 2023) - Tim Seeley (writer), Sid Kotian (artist), Annalise Dissa (editor)
Captain America: Unforgiven#1 (June, 2023) - Tim Seeley (writer), Sid Kotian (artist), Annalise Dissa (editor)

First posted: 09/08/2021
Last updated: 08/27/2023

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!
Please visit The Marvel Official Site at: http://www.marvel.com

Special Thanks to www.g-mart.com for hosting the Appendix, Master List, etc.!

Back to Characters