Michael Payson Maxwell (also known as B'wana Beast) is a superhero in the DC Universe with the powers to combine animals. Likewise, he is a jungle hero who got strange powers from radiation.
Origin[]
After graduating from college with highest honors, Mike Maxwell declined his millionaire father's offer to join the family business and instead decided to join his college roommate, Rupert Kenboya, in Africa becoming a game warden and head of the Zambesi nation's new animal preserves.
When the private aircraft carrying Maxwell and Kenboya to Zambesi was struck by lightning and crashed atop mount Kilimanjaro, the two injured men took refuge in the cavern home of a mutant red ape. While drinking rainwater that had been filtered through the cavern's mineral laden walls, Maxwell suddenly found he was growing larger, stronger and more ferocious, and was able to subdue the attacking red ape with ease.
Acknowledging Maxwell as its master, the red ape retrieved an ancient helmet from the depths of the cave and placed it on Maxwell's head. Through the helmet, Maxwell was able to read the ape's mind and discovered its name was Djuba. He also discovered that the helmet enabled him to control the actions of all other animals. Agreeing these new powers must be used for the good of all Africa, Maxwell created the identity of B'wana Beast, and became the Dark Continent's super troubleshooter.
Story[]
The early years of Michael Maxwell remain unknown. It is known that he was the son of Gilbert Maxwell and eventually graduated from university with highest honors. However, Michael declined his place in the family business, instead deciding to travel with his roommate, Rupert Kenboya, to become an animal preserve ranger in Zimbabwe. However, Mike's plane to Zimbabwe was struck by lightning, causing it to crash into Mount Kilimanjaro, leaving him and Rupert the only survivors and stranded on the mountain. There, the two found a cave and sought refuge, only to find the cave was also home to a large, red mutant ape.
With the help of his gorilla companion, Djuba, in a secret hideout at the top of Mount Kilimanjaro, ranger Mike Maxwell drinks the aforementioned elixir and dons the helmet to become B'wana Beast. In the origin issue, he fights Hamid Ali, "He Who Never Dies."
In Animal Man #13 (July 1989), written by Grant Morrison, Maxwell performs a ceremony to find a successor, and he passes the helmet and elixir on to a South African named Dominic Mndawe, who assumes the more politically correct name Freedom Beast.
Mike Maxwell returns in Animal Man #47 (May 1992), corrupted and possessed by the destructive force called the Antagon and transformed into the evil Shining Man. In the ensuing battle, Maxwell is killed.
Powers & Abilities[]
Thanks to the elixir B'wana Beast drinks, he gets super speed and strength of the strongest of Africa's wildlife. With strength greater than an adult gorilla (able to lift/press in excess of 2 tons), and with the speed of a cheetah (more than 60mph sprints), B'wana Beast's physicality is more than a match for most baseline humans. The elxir also granted him the ability to telepathically control all wildlife. His main power was the ability to fuse two animals into a chimera, which used the greatest strengths of both animals. At most he can fuse four animals and even humans, but that requires great concentration. These transformations are of a limited duration, and afterwards the animals would be separated and unharmed.
Other Portrayals[]
Justice League Unlimited[]
B'wana Beast in Justice League Unlimited
B'wana Beast makes several appearances in Justice League Unlimited. He was present at Superman's speech to the newly expanded Justice League. He was standing to the left of Doctor Light.
When Wonder Woman was transformed into a pig, Batman called for B'wana Beast for his expertise in tracking down animals. He was about to get a hold on Wonder Woman, but then lost track of her in a pigsty. B'wana Beast was present on the Watchtower when it was invaded by the Ultimen. He was seen rushing at one of the Juice clones.
B'wana Beast witnessed Superman's speech announcing the next reformation of the Justice League and the addition of the Metro Tower. He stood behind the Ray.
With the Question, Metamorpho, and Steel, B'wana Beast was one of the first heroes to chase after the defunct Secret Society members after Batman gave them a "head start".
Batman: The Brave and the Bold[]
B'wana Beast in Batman: The Brave and the Bold.
B'wana Beast also appears in Batman: The Brave & The Bold's first season episode "Enter The Outsiders" as part of the teaser, where he teams up with Batman to take down the Black Manta. He created two fusion animals by fusing together a spider with a horse and a pelican with a shark. B'wana Beast later appears in the Season Two episode "Gorillas in our Midst!" where he is one of the major guest stars, helping Batman when Gorilla Grodd, along with other super-evil gorillas, tries to take over Gotham City. In this episode, B'wana Beast is romantically involved with Vixen, who proposes to him at the end. He spends much of the episode uncertain of himself and the usefulness of his powers, but in the end, it his determination and powers that win the day. B'wana Beast also appears in both parts of the two-part episode, "The Siege of Starro!" where he is one of the few heroes left to defend Earth from Starro's invasion. He gave his life to save the world and his friends from Starro. They had a memorial for him as all the superheroes attended to pay their respect to him for saving their lives in the fight and battle with Starro.
A running gag in his appearances is that other characters find his powers to be 'creepy', as shown by Batman and Booster Gold's spoken reactions, and Firestorm's expression. Billy Batson, however, is an exception.
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