Nightspawn (Earth-616)

History

The creature that became known as the Nightspawn or the Vampire Zuvembi was a vampire that was summoned by Mi'chi'li, a voodoo practitioner who sought to wipe out his father's village. It stalked the villages of an emerging African nation near Uganda. The creature was opposed by W'Sulli, Mi'chi'li's father and the tribal witch doctor. W'Sulli summoned the eternal warrior known as Sar'wa who utilized his godly powers to defeat the Nightspawn and slay Mi'chi'li.^[1] W'Sulli then used his power over voodoo to turn the vampire into his zombie slave. Not long after, Ugandan criminal Kinji Obatu, was to be executed for his past crimes but managed to escape the firing squad and fled to W'Sulli's village. There he saw the Vampire Zuvembi and decided to utilize it to curry favor of the President of Uganda by utilizing it to steal prominent African-Americans and force them to live in Uganda.^[2]^{[note 1]}

In the United States the Vampire Zuvembi carried out Obatu's plan, but it attracted the attention of the Black Panther and his ally the Thing. Although they stopped the Vampire Zuvembi from kidnapping noted composer C.L. Wadsworth, the Thing was unable to prevent the creature from kidnapping the Black Panther in his stead.^[3] With the aid of Brother Voodoo, the Thing traveled to Uganda and helped liberate the Black Panther and the other captives. Attacking the President's compound, the heroes smashed the a Govi containing the souls of those under W'Sulli's control, including the Vampire Zuvembi. Freed from W'Sulli's control, the vampire slew W'Sulli and knocked Obatu from a balcony and fled into the sky.^[2] The creature's subsequent fate is unknown.

Attributes

Powers

The Vampire Zuvembi had abilities that are common among vampires including the ability to transform into a bat or mist, fangs that allows him to draw blood, as well as immortality, enhanced strength, and resistance to damage. While under W'Sulli's spell, the Vampire also received the enhanced strength and additional imperviousness to harm granted to those who are under a Voodoo spell of zombiesm.

Weaknesses

Like all vampires this creature needed to subsist off the blood of others in order to survive. Direct sunlight was also lethal, and during the day the vampire needed to be away from the sun. A stake to the heart would stop it dead in its tracks, however unless the vampire was beheaded, it would come back to life should the stake be removed. While under the zombie spell, the vampire lacked free will of its own, which hindered its ability to do its job.

Notes

↑ This story depicts the late Idi Amin as the President of Uganda. Per the Sliding Timescale of Earth-616 this should be considered a topical reference relative to the era of publication.

Links and References

References

[3] This story depicts the late Idi Amin as the President of Uganda. Per the Sliding Timescale of Earth-616 this should be considered a topical reference relative to the era of publication.

[Marvel_Preview_Vol_1_12-1] Marvel Preview #12

[Marvel_Two-In-One_Vol_1_41-2] 2.0 ^2.1 Marvel Two-In-One #41

[Marvel_Two-In-One_Vol_1_40-4] Marvel Two-In-One #40

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[2]

[note 1]

[3]