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Bogatyri (comics)
Encyclopedia
The Bogatyri are a fictional team of Russian
superheroes published by Marvel Comics
. They first appeared in Avengers West Coast
#87 (October 1992), and were created by Roy Thomas
, Dann Thomas
and Dave Ross. "Bogatyri" is derived from the plural form of Bogatyr
, an Old Slavic word that means "Valiant Champion".
communists who mount a surprise attack on a D. E. W. Listening Station (Distant Early Warning
) located in Bathurst Inlet
, Northwest Territories
Canada
. The facility is operated and protected by a joint United States
and Canadian military force, all of whom are slaughtered by the Bogatyri and their support crew. The stated goal of their leader, Doctor Volkh, is to secure the incomplete Quick-Freeze Crystal, a warehoused experimental weapon, the product of a military weapons development program which lost its funding. The Quick-Freeze Crystal can generate intense cold and ice, enough to blanket the entire Northern United States and begin a new 'Cold War
'. U.S. Agent
, a member of Avengers West Coast, soon arrives at Bathurst Inlet. The Agent is acting under orders from the Commission on Superhuman Activities
to re-secure the facility, after a brief struggle Mikula uses his telekinesis to throw U.S. Agent into the inlet. At the same time Wolverine
is confronted and captured by Zvezda Dennista (Morning Star) and Svyatogor when he unwittingly crosses into their patrol perimeter. The Scarlet Witch
and Wonder Man
arrive in time to rescue U.S. Agent from a watery death.
After a series of encounters U. S. Agent, Wonder Man and Wolverine, assisted by United States and Canadian forces are able to distract the Bogatyri long enough for Scarlet Witch to destroy the Quick-Freeze Crystal, an event which also destroys the facility. The four Bogatyri make their escape during the confusion but their support staff including Comrade Miasnikov is captured by United States and Canadian soldiers.
. Zvezda Dennista was unable to get past her anti-Western sympathies, and so she resigned from the team and became a mercenary
. She later shows up on Demonica the island stronghold of Doctor Demonicus
where she serves alongside Demonicus' other enforcers Ulysses Klaw and the Pacific Overlords. When she discovers that Demonicus is under the thrall of a Rakshasa
, she and Klaw join forces with the Avengers to defeat Demonicus and the Pacific Overlords. Her current whereabouts and sympathies are unknown.
who was one of the first Russians to become a cosmonaut
. As a result of his time spent as a cosmonaut, he gained the ability to stretch his body in a manner similar to Mister Fantastic
of the Fantastic Four
. Vladimir named himself "Volkh" after a shapeshifter in an old East Slavic bylina
called The Volkh Vseslavevich (The retinue sleeps, but Volkh does not sleep he disguises himself as a grey wolf). According to the origin story he told Wolverine, his abilities can be directly attributed to cosmic ray
exposure. Volkh's independent development of technology similar to that used in the Quick-Freeze Crystal enabled him to easily modify the device.
with powers of telepathy
and telekinesis
. He wears a special harness on his shoulders, designed by Doctor Volkh; the harness boosts and focuses his psionic abilities. His parents named him for a Bogatyr from East Slavic folklore named "Mikula Selianinovich".
whose lungs and limbs were damaged by radiation from a nuclear power plant
accident. Sasha was rebuilt with special cybernetic prostheses
that covered his damaged face, and replaced his lost limbs and organs. His new cybernetic right arm has a built in gun
with upgradeable attachments. Sasha named himself "Svyatogor
," after one of the more famous Bogatyr.
who calls herself Morning Star (Zvezda Dennista, in Russian). Marya is a geologist
who unearthed fragments of the mysterious meteor
which arrived during the Tunguska event
. The event destroyed much of Tunguska Siberia
in 1908. The meteor fragment endowed her with abilities similar to those possessed by the Human Torch
, she can fly and generate focused maser
beams. (Note: She is not to be confused with Morning Star
, a Moon Knight
villain.)
Russians
The Russian people are an East Slavic ethnic group native to Russia, speaking the Russian language and primarily living in Russia and neighboring countries....
superheroes published by Marvel Comics
Marvel Comics
Marvel Worldwide, Inc., commonly referred to as Marvel Comics and formerly Marvel Publishing, Inc. and Marvel Comics Group, is an American company that publishes comic books and related media...
. They first appeared in Avengers West Coast
West Coast Avengers
The West Coast Avengers is a fictional group of superheroes that appear in publications published by Marvel Comics. The team first appear in The West Coast Avengers #1 and was created by Roger Stern and Bob Hall.- Publication history :...
#87 (October 1992), and were created by Roy Thomas
Roy Thomas
Roy William Thomas, Jr. is an American comic book writer and editor, and Stan Lee's first successor as editor-in-chief of Marvel Comics. He is possibly best known for introducing the pulp magazine hero Conan the Barbarian to American comics, with a series that added to the storyline of Robert E...
, Dann Thomas
Dann Thomas
Danette "Dann" Thomas is a comic book writer, the wife of comic book writer and editor Roy Thomas. She has at times collaborated with Thomas on All-Star Squadron, Arak, Son of Thunder, the Crimson Avenger miniseries and Avengers West Coast.She married Roy Thomas in May 1981 and legally changed her...
and Dave Ross. "Bogatyri" is derived from the plural form of Bogatyr
Bogatyr
The bogatyr was a medieval heroic warrior of Kievan Rus' and the Novgorodian Republic, akin to a Western European knight errant.- Kievan Rus' :...
, an Old Slavic word that means "Valiant Champion".
Villains
The Bogatyri first appear as a team of hardline pre-GlasnostGlasnost
Glasnost was the policy of maximal publicity, openness, and transparency in the activities of all government institutions in the Soviet Union, together with freedom of information, introduced by Mikhail Gorbachev in the second half of the 1980s...
communists who mount a surprise attack on a D. E. W. Listening Station (Distant Early Warning
Distant Early Warning Line
The Distant Early Warning Line, also known as the DEW Line or Early Warning Line, was a system of radar stations in the far northern Arctic region of Canada, with additional stations along the North Coast and Aleutian Islands of Alaska, in addition to the Faroe Islands, Greenland, and Iceland...
) located in Bathurst Inlet
Bathurst Inlet
Bathurst Inlet is a deep inlet located along the northern coast of the Canadian mainland, into which the Burnside and Western Rivers empty. The name, or its native equivalent Kingoak , is also used to identify the community of Bathurst Inlet located on the shore.-Plans for a deep-water port:A...
, Northwest Territories
Northwest Territories
The Northwest Territories is a federal territory of Canada.Located in northern Canada, the territory borders Canada's two other territories, Yukon to the west and Nunavut to the east, and three provinces: British Columbia to the southwest, and Alberta and Saskatchewan to the south...
Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
. The facility is operated and protected by a joint United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
and Canadian military force, all of whom are slaughtered by the Bogatyri and their support crew. The stated goal of their leader, Doctor Volkh, is to secure the incomplete Quick-Freeze Crystal, a warehoused experimental weapon, the product of a military weapons development program which lost its funding. The Quick-Freeze Crystal can generate intense cold and ice, enough to blanket the entire Northern United States and begin a new 'Cold War
Cold War
The Cold War was the continuing state from roughly 1946 to 1991 of political conflict, military tension, proxy wars, and economic competition between the Communist World—primarily the Soviet Union and its satellite states and allies—and the powers of the Western world, primarily the United States...
'. U.S. Agent
U.S. Agent
U.S. Agent is a fictional comic book superhero appearing in books published by Marvel Comics, usually those starring Captain America and the Avengers. He was created by Mark Gruenwald and Paul Neary in Captain America vol...
, a member of Avengers West Coast, soon arrives at Bathurst Inlet. The Agent is acting under orders from the Commission on Superhuman Activities
Commission on Superhuman Activities
The Commission on Superhuman Activities is a fictional government group from the Marvel Universe.-Publication history:...
to re-secure the facility, after a brief struggle Mikula uses his telekinesis to throw U.S. Agent into the inlet. At the same time Wolverine
Wolverine (comics)
Wolverine is a fictional character, a superhero that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. Born as James Howlett and commonly known as Logan, Wolverine is a mutant, possessing animal-keen senses, enhanced physical capabilities, three retracting bone claws on each hand and a healing...
is confronted and captured by Zvezda Dennista (Morning Star) and Svyatogor when he unwittingly crosses into their patrol perimeter. The Scarlet Witch
Scarlet Witch
The Scarlet Witch is a fictional comic book character that appears in books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appears in X-Men #4 and was created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby...
and Wonder Man
Wonder Man
Wonder Man is a fictional character, a superhero that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by writer Stan Lee and artists Don Heck and Jack Kirby, he first appeared in The Avengers #9 .-Publication history:Wonder Man debuted in the superhero-team title The Avengers #9 Wonder...
arrive in time to rescue U.S. Agent from a watery death.
After a series of encounters U. S. Agent, Wonder Man and Wolverine, assisted by United States and Canadian forces are able to distract the Bogatyri long enough for Scarlet Witch to destroy the Quick-Freeze Crystal, an event which also destroys the facility. The four Bogatyri make their escape during the confusion but their support staff including Comrade Miasnikov is captured by United States and Canadian soldiers.
Heroes
In time the Bogatyri reconcile with the new government, become the protectors of the Russian FederationRussia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
. Zvezda Dennista was unable to get past her anti-Western sympathies, and so she resigned from the team and became a mercenary
Mercenary
A mercenary, is a person who takes part in an armed conflict based on the promise of material compensation rather than having a direct interest in, or a legal obligation to, the conflict itself. A non-conscript professional member of a regular army is not considered to be a mercenary although he...
. She later shows up on Demonica the island stronghold of Doctor Demonicus
Doctor Demonicus
Doctor Demonicus is a fictional character, a supervillain in the Marvel Universe. He possess advanced knowledge of genetic engineering, though is not as versatile as Arnim Zola or the High Evolutionary...
where she serves alongside Demonicus' other enforcers Ulysses Klaw and the Pacific Overlords. When she discovers that Demonicus is under the thrall of a Rakshasa
Rakshasa (fiction)
The term Rakshasa, originally referring to a demon in Hindu mythology, has been used in western literature and culture. The following are some examples:-In Lord of Light:...
, she and Klaw join forces with the Avengers to defeat Demonicus and the Pacific Overlords. Her current whereabouts and sympathies are unknown.
Membership
Doctor Volkh
Doctor Vladimir Orekhov is a MutateMutate (comics)
The term Mutate refers to most non-mutant superbeings in the Marvel Comics universe. See below for other uses.-History:Mutate is a term used to refer to superhumans who acquired their superpowers by exposure to some mutagenic compound or energy...
who was one of the first Russians to become a cosmonaut
Astronaut
An astronaut or cosmonaut is a person trained by a human spaceflight program to command, pilot, or serve as a crew member of a spacecraft....
. As a result of his time spent as a cosmonaut, he gained the ability to stretch his body in a manner similar to Mister Fantastic
Mister Fantastic
Mr. Fantastic is a fictional character, a Marvel Comics superhero and a member of the Fantastic Four. Created by writer Stan Lee and artist/co-plotter Jack Kirby, he first appeared in Fantastic Four #1 ....
of the Fantastic Four
Fantastic Four
The Fantastic Four is a fictional superhero team appearing in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The group debuted in The Fantastic Four #1 , which helped to usher in a new level of realism in the medium...
. Vladimir named himself "Volkh" after a shapeshifter in an old East Slavic bylina
Bylina
Bylina or Bylyna is a traditional Russian oral epic narrative poem. Byliny singers loosely utilize historical fact greatly embellished with fantasy or hyperbole to create their songs...
called The Volkh Vseslavevich (The retinue sleeps, but Volkh does not sleep he disguises himself as a grey wolf). According to the origin story he told Wolverine, his abilities can be directly attributed to cosmic ray
Cosmic ray
Cosmic rays are energetic charged subatomic particles, originating from outer space. They may produce secondary particles that penetrate the Earth's atmosphere and surface. The term ray is historical as cosmic rays were thought to be electromagnetic radiation...
exposure. Volkh's independent development of technology similar to that used in the Quick-Freeze Crystal enabled him to easily modify the device.
Mikula
Mikula Golubev is a MutantMutant (Marvel Comics)
In comic books published by Marvel Comics, a mutant is an organism who possesses a genetic trait called an X-gene that allows the mutant to naturally develop superhuman powers and abilities...
with powers of telepathy
Telepathy
Telepathy , is the induction of mental states from one mind to another. The term was coined in 1882 by the classical scholar Fredric W. H. Myers, a founder of the Society for Psychical Research, and has remained more popular than the more-correct expression thought-transference...
and telekinesis
Psychokinesis
The term psychokinesis , also referred to as telekinesis with respect to strictly describing movement of matter, sometimes abbreviated PK and TK respectively, is a term...
. He wears a special harness on his shoulders, designed by Doctor Volkh; the harness boosts and focuses his psionic abilities. His parents named him for a Bogatyr from East Slavic folklore named "Mikula Selianinovich".
Svyatogor
Sasha Pokryshkin is a cyborgCyborg
A cyborg is a being with both biological and artificial parts. The term was coined in 1960 when Manfred Clynes and Nathan S. Kline used it in an article about the advantages of self-regulating human-machine systems in outer space. D. S...
whose lungs and limbs were damaged by radiation from a nuclear power plant
Nuclear power
Nuclear power is the use of sustained nuclear fission to generate heat and electricity. Nuclear power plants provide about 6% of the world's energy and 13–14% of the world's electricity, with the U.S., France, and Japan together accounting for about 50% of nuclear generated electricity...
accident. Sasha was rebuilt with special cybernetic prostheses
Prosthesis
In medicine, a prosthesis, prosthetic, or prosthetic limb is an artificial device extension that replaces a missing body part. It is part of the field of biomechatronics, the science of using mechanical devices with human muscle, skeleton, and nervous systems to assist or enhance motor control...
that covered his damaged face, and replaced his lost limbs and organs. His new cybernetic right arm has a built in gun
Gun
A gun is a muzzle or breech-loaded projectile-firing weapon. There are various definitions depending on the nation and branch of service. A "gun" may be distinguished from other firearms in being a crew-served weapon such as a howitzer or mortar, as opposed to a small arm like a rifle or pistol,...
with upgradeable attachments. Sasha named himself "Svyatogor
Svyatogor
Svyatogor is the name of a Kievan Rus' mythical bogatyr from bylinas. His name is a derivation from the words "sacred mountain"...
," after one of the more famous Bogatyr.
Zvezda Dennista
Marya Meshkov is a MutateMutate (comics)
The term Mutate refers to most non-mutant superbeings in the Marvel Comics universe. See below for other uses.-History:Mutate is a term used to refer to superhumans who acquired their superpowers by exposure to some mutagenic compound or energy...
who calls herself Morning Star (Zvezda Dennista, in Russian). Marya is a geologist
Geologist
A geologist is a scientist who studies the solid and liquid matter that constitutes the Earth as well as the processes and history that has shaped it. Geologists usually engage in studying geology. Geologists, studying more of an applied science than a theoretical one, must approach Geology using...
who unearthed fragments of the mysterious meteor
Meteoroid
A meteoroid is a sand- to boulder-sized particle of debris in the Solar System. The visible path of a meteoroid that enters Earth's atmosphere is called a meteor, or colloquially a shooting star or falling star. If a meteoroid reaches the ground and survives impact, then it is called a meteorite...
which arrived during the Tunguska event
Tunguska event
The Tunguska event, or Tunguska blast or Tunguska explosion, was an enormously powerful explosion that occurred near the Podkamennaya Tunguska River in what is now Krasnoyarsk Krai, Russia, at about 7:14 a.m...
. The event destroyed much of Tunguska Siberia
Siberia
Siberia is an extensive region constituting almost all of Northern Asia. Comprising the central and eastern portion of the Russian Federation, it was part of the Soviet Union from its beginning, as its predecessor states, the Tsardom of Russia and the Russian Empire, conquered it during the 16th...
in 1908. The meteor fragment endowed her with abilities similar to those possessed by the Human Torch
Human Torch
The Human Torch is a fictional character and superhero appearing in comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by writer Stan Lee and artist Jack Kirby, he is a member of the superhero team the Fantastic Four, debuting in The Fantastic Four #1...
, she can fly and generate focused maser
Maser
A maser is a device that produces coherent electromagnetic waves through amplification by stimulated emission. Historically, “maser” derives from the original, upper-case acronym MASER, which stands for "Microwave Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation"...
beams. (Note: She is not to be confused with Morning Star
Morning Star (comics)
Morning Star is the alias of Schuyler Belial, a fictional Marvel Comics villain and Satanist who was an enemy of Moon Knight and the Werewolf by Night. He first appeared in Moon Knight, Volume 1 #29...
, a Moon Knight
Moon Knight
Moon Knight is a fictional character, a mercenary-turned-superhero appearing in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character exists in the Marvel Universe and was created by Doug Moench and Don Perlin...
villain.)