 Created by: Rodney Lockett Other pictures:   Art by Joe de Santos  | Real Name: James Martin Hair: Brown Eyes: Brown Height: 6'7" Age: 36 Born in: USA Ethical alliance: Evil History James is widely considered the leading expert on the American Bison. He is a professor of Bison Biology and Management, at South Dakota State University. James was following leads about Indian Burial grounds rumored to have information about a legendary half man, half bison creature, and it was in a remote cave in North Dakota that James finally found the remains of that legendary creature. He took the bones, as well as, pictures of the writings on the cave walls. Back at his lab, he had his computer analyze and decipher the writings, and it quickly became clear that they depicted some sort of ritual. James was holding one of the bones as he began to read the text. He whispered the words to get a feel for the language, and then spoke them out loud. He read them over and over, trying to get the correct pronunciation, and that is when something unexpected happened. A shiver ran down his spine as he felt something entering his body. He screamed out in pain and fear at the intense burning inside him, but no one came to his aid, as he was the only one around. He could feel his body changing. The hair on his flesh grew into a thick fur. He could feel his bones stretch as he grew in size, and suddenly, the pain stopped. He saw his reflection, and he passed out from the shock. When he awoke, he looked normal again. He wanted to believe that it had been a dream, but his torn clothes told another story. The face in the mirror had not been his. It had been that of a beast, half man, half bison. Needing to find answers, he returned to the computer to read the text once more. This time he would be ready. He read the ritual, but nothing happened. He walked over to the bones and sheepishly touched them again, still no change. Then he remembered that he was holding the bones the first time around, so he picked one up and began the recitation. It was only when he spoke the word "linniiwa", which translate as bison in the Blackfeet Indian language, that the transformation took place. This time he was prepared to see his appearance. He had indeed turned into that legendary creature. His appearance had changed, but he was glad to know that he had kept his normal intelligence. His strength, on the other hand, he could feel it pulsate through his body, and it was prodigious. James had not realized that morning had come, and when the janitor entered the lab and saw the hulking beast, he ran out in terror. James chased him down, wanting to stop him, but the janitor exited the building and James followed him into the street. The street was already filled with people heading to work, and traffic was heavy. The janitor escaped through the traffic, but was run down by a car. Tires screeched as drivers veered off course, trying to avoid the beast in their path. James came to his senses and saw the mayhem he had caused. Law enforcement was already on the scene and rifles came out. They fired at him, but James managed to flee the scene. Security footage from the lab had exposed his true identity. He was now a wanted man, blamed for the death of the janitor and the devastation he had caused. James laid low for several months, hiding among the homeless. Then, he saw that a circus had come to town. He decided to check it out, hoping it would help cheer him up. It did, so after the show, he went to the back area of the big top wanting to thank the performers. He was taken aback as he realized that some of the performers he had seen had not been wearing masks. What he had assumed were grotesque masks were actually their real faces. As they saw him, they encircled him and came towards him. James, feeling threatened, uttered the word "linniiwa", as he clutched the bone he carried in his pocket, and for the first time since the accident, transformed into Bison. The performers stopped in their tracks and smiled, realizing he was just like them. James was offered a place where he could hide in plain sight. James agreed to join them and, with their help, he returned to the lab and recovered the remains he had found, as well as, all the data. He would not let that power fall into anyone else's hands. James was gone. Only Bison remained, and the Freak Show was now his new home. Powers Transform: James can transform into Bison by saying the word "Linniiwa", while clutching a bone from the body of a dead half man/half bison creature. Super strength: Bison can lift around 68 tons. Speed: He can run as fast as 200 mph. Healing factor: His metabolism enables him to quickly recover from injuries. Weaknesses: Unknown Paraphernalia: James carries one of the bones with him at all time. He needs it to trigger the transformation. |
