Silverclaw
Silverclaw is a female comic superhero who features in Marvel Comics.
Contents |
Biography
Maria de Guadalupe Santiago
A man of the Kamekeri tribe began studying the ancient Kamekeri legends and ventured up into the mountains where the ancient Kamekeri goddess Peliali was said to dwell. Despite being mocked and denounced by the Christian churches among the Kamekeri tribe, the man began paying regular visits to the mountain and one day, after months of trips, the man returned to the Kamekeri tribe with an infant that he claimed was his daughter with Peliali. Given the Christian name of Maria de Guadalupe Santiago, the infant girl was raised with a Christian upbringing but occasionally noticed strange occurrences that seemed to support her father's claims that she was the daughter of Peliali, such as her unwitting shapeshifting during her Baptism. As Maria grew up, she was unable to maintain full control of her shapeshifting abilities, causing her to become something of an outcast. Despite this, her father continued to teach her about the ancient Kamekeri ways and her heritage, which helped to calm Maria's emotions and aided in giving her a semblance of control over her powers. Her father also took her to visit the mountain caves said to contain Peliali but each time they visited, Maria found the caves empty and began dreading the visits to the cave. Eventually, her father grew ill and died and Maria was taken into the local church orphanage that was supported by the American Child-Care charity. Some time later, a letter came to the church from Edwin Jarvis, the Avengers' butler, who wished to sponsor a child through Child-Care. The church recommended Maria for sponsorship in hopes that if Maria got into trouble, Jarvis' employers could help. Determined to be modern and reject the legends her father had told her of, Maria began writing to Jarvis, informing him of her life but not of her powers or heritage. Despite still recalling her father's teachings and keeping the ceremonial garb her father had made for her, Maria became the first to sneak out of her orphanage, where she got her nose pierced and learned about American culture and music. Bringing it with her during her first visit to America, Maria was captured at the Costa Verde National Airport and coerced by Moses Magnum's terrorist Magnum Force soldiers, who had her stories of Maria's powers, into doing their bidding. While being forced to aid Magnum Force, Maria constantly remembered her father's warnings of a prophecy about the coming of a great threat from the past and that, as the only child of the Kamekeri gods, she would have to stand against it. (Avengers v3 #28)
Her remote village in Costa Verde agreed for Maria to travel to New York City as part of a school trip where she intended to meet her sponsor Edwin Jarvis at the airport. Whilst on the flight, the passengers were taken hostage by a mercenary unit led by Moses Magnum who forced Santiago to comply with them. She agreed to help but on the condition that none of the hostages were harmed with the plane starting its journey. Upon arriving at the airport, the mercenaries attacked with the commotion drawing the attention of the Avengers. Silverclaw was forced to battle the heroes to protect the hostages with the Avengers fighting against the Magnum Munitions group. The attack ultimately proved to be a distraction for Magnum to enact their plans whereupon they retreated from the scene. In the commotion, Jarvis was with the airport staff to inquire about the status of Santiago with Maria revealing herself to him and that she was Silverclaw. She apologised for attacking the Avengers and revealed the blackmail by Moses Magnum where she was forgiven for her transgressions. (Avengers v3 #8) She was later awarded a position on the Avengers and helped in the hunt for Moses Magnum. As Silverclaw, she helped strike at the villains base where he was attempting to use stolen equipment to better control his unstable seismic powers. In the fight, the Scarlet Witch was wounded leading to Wonder Man manifesting where he battled the supervillain with the Avengers arriving to confront him. Rather than face them, Magnum formed a fissure in the earth and fell through the gap before closing it behind him. In the aftermath, the heroes gathered at Avengers Mansion where Maria Santiago bid farewell as she intended to continue her education with her going to the dormitory at Empire State University but promised to visit them when she had the chance. (Avengers v3 #9)
Overview
Personality and attributes
Jarvis commented that Lupe had charm and vivacity. (Avengers v3 #9)
Powers and abilities
In her village, she regarded as the daughter of the Volcano God and gained shapeshifting powers that were part of her birthright. This allowed her to command all the abilities of jungle beasts. (Avengers v3 #9)
Notes
- Silverclaw was created by Kurt Busiek and George Pérez where she made her first appearance in Avengers v3 #8 (September, 1998).
Appearances
- Avengers v3: (1998)
- Civil War Files v1:
External Links
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