Bushman (comics)

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Bushman


Bushman
art by David Finch

Publisher Marvel Comics
First appearance Moon Knight (Vol.1) #1 (Nov 1980)
Created by Doug Moench
Characteristics
Alter ego Raoul Bushman
Affiliations Mark Spector
Abilities Peak human physical condition,
Razor-sharp metal teeth,
Carries various weapons

Raoul Bushman is a fictional character appearing in the Marvel Universe. He is the oldest nemesis of Marc Spector, whose secret identity is Moon Knight. He is interchangeably also known as Roald Bushman. His first appearance was in Moon Knight (Vol.1) #1.

[edit] Character biography

Bushman was a former mercenary in the Sudan with Spector as his former right hand man. Bushman and his men came upon Dr. Peter Alruane and his daughter Marlene and attempted to kill both in order to steal the Egyptian gold Alruane had discovered. When Spector, disgusted by Bushman's senseless murder, tried to save Alruane and his daughter, Bushman beat Spector and left him for dead. It was while lying near death that Spector encountered the spirit of Khonshu and adopted the identity of Moon Knight. In this new guise, Spector defeated Bushman and rescued the Alruanes and their discovered Egyptian gold.

Much later, Bushman would attempt revenge against Spector while he was in the states. Failing that, he set himself up as General and President for life in the African Republic of Burunda. He funded his campaign on coca plant cultivation (for cocaine production). Defeated by Moon Knight once again, Bushman was deposed from his position in Burunda. Still, later, Bushman would engage in a quiet assassination attempt on Russian ambassadors in an attempt to end Glasnost. He was defeated by Moon Knight and taken into police custody where he presumably remains.

Bushman is easily recognized by the white tattooed Death's Head mask on his face and the steel fangs that he sometimes employs. When Bushman appeared in his undercover attempt to assassinate Russian ambassadors, the Death's head tattoo seemed to be gone and it's only remainder a dark, less conspicuous, manta ray-like design on the forehead.

In the 2006 Moon Knight series by Charlie Huston, Bushman is seemingly killed by Moon Knight after a brutal rooftop battle. In an insane attempt to bring their feud to an end, Moon Knight uses the sharp end of his crescent dart to carve off Bushman's face.

After this Khonshu takes the form of Bushman with is face torn off to talk to Mac and remind him of his "finest work".

[edit] Powers and abilities

Bushman has no superhuman powers, but he is an expert in guerilla warfare and highly proficient in the use of most conventional firearms. He has peak human physical strength and is highly athletic and agile. He sometimes uses metal teeth so that in hand-to-hand combat he can draw his enemy in close to him to tear the enemy apart with his teeth.