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The Wendigo are the result of an ancient curse laid down by the Elder Gods[2] (or forged by Tanaraq)[3] that transform any person who eats the flesh of another human being in the Canadian wilderness into a massive, fur-covered humanoid beast with fangs and razor sharp claws.[4] A person can also inherit the curse of the Wendigo if they are bitten by a Wendigo and survive.[5]

There is usually (or at least it is thought that) there is ever only one or two Wendigo at the time,[6] as a Wendigo is stated to be doomed to roam the woods until the curse is taken up by another,[7] though there have been more of them under certain circumstances.

History

1,000,000 BC[]

The earliest known Wendigo dates back at least a million years ago. Unlike other Wendigo, this one had control over his transformation and could shift between his man and Wendigo forms at will. He did battle with the earliest known Ghost Rider, which ended when he fell into a deep ravine but claimed that he would survive.[8]

Modern Age[]

In addition to the specific individuals, like Paul Cartier, who had been affected by the Wendigo curse, it was revealed that there are a tribe of Wendigo living in the wild in Canada. One such Wendigo attacked Red Hulk and was killed by him. Red Hulk then dumped his body near the Wendigo tribe where they ended up eating its remains.[9]

A group of these Wendigo later attacked Las Vegas, and were met by the Hulk who was in his Joe Fixit personality. Moon Knight then arrived to assist against the Wendigo, but ended up fighting Joe Fixit instead while the Wendigos rampaged inside of the The Strat. Ms. Marvel and the Sentry then arrived to apprehend the Hulk,[10] while Moon Knight returned to the Wendigo, realizing that the original few had turned the entire populace of Fremont Street into hundreds of Wendigo.[11] The Hulk, Ms. Marvel, and the Sentry then joined Moon Knight in fighting them, during which the Hulk was turned into a Wendigo himself, the Wendihulk. Eventually Doctor Voodoo arrived and cured them all, ending the threat.[12]

Another Wendigo was later summoned back to Las Vegas by Tyrannus in order to fight the Hulk with the help of Arm'Cheddon, Bi-Beast, Fin Fang Foom, and Umar. Bi-Beast and the Wendigo used the wishing well to grow thirty feet tall.[13] Both of them were defeated by Hulk and Umar imprisoned them and Arm'Cheddon in the Dark Dimension. When Tyrannus and Fin Fang Foom raided the Dark Dimension, Bi-Beast and the Wendigo escaped during the conflict.[14]

During the Chaos War storyline, the Great Beasts manipulated the curse of the Wendigo to transform people who had fallen into the eternal sleep into an army to fight with them. When the Beasts were killed by the Chaos King and the war ended, it is unknown if all those transformed were returned to normal.[15]

A Wendigo became a teacher in Kade Kilgore's Hellfire Academy, teaching young mutants of any kind how to use their powers for evil.[16]

At least one infestation was dealt with by Talisman.[6] At a meatpacking plant, two Canadian workers began fighting with each until one accidentally killed the other. Wanting to cover it up, the murderer put the dead body into the meat grinder. The meat would later be consumed by unsuspecting people, causing them transform into Wendigos. This outbreak began expanding as the Wendigos were able to transmit the curse to other people via bites.[17] Although the curse was prevented from expanding outside of Canadian borders,[6][18] Tanaraq was greatly empowered by this large amount of Wendigos and attempted to overthrow his fellow Great Beasts in order to spread the curse to the entire world.[19] Luckily, the Beasts allied with X-Men and Guardian and together were able to thwart Tanaraq's plan and defeat the Wendigos.[3]

An Ur-Wendigo attacked Ella Sterling of Roxxon Corporation during an archaeological expedition; however, she was saved by Weapon H.[20] It turned out that Mr. Banks had Philips eat Wendigo meat at the site of the Avington Party's shelter, which transformed him into an Ur-Wendigo. Using Doctor Strange's Axe of Angarruumus, Weapon H allowed himself to be swallowed by the Ur-Wendigo and killed him from within.[21]

Alternate Universes[]

Earth-TRN912[]

At some point, S.W.O.R.D. sent a group of Wendigos in space where they landed on Maklu-IV. There they began rapidly spreading, consuming the flesh of humanoid aliens, while fighting against the planet's natural predators.[22]

Powers and Abilities

Powers

  • Superhuman Strength: The average Wendigo possesses enough superhuman strength to lift at least 75 tons.[23]
  • Superhuman Stamina: Each Wendigo possesses extraordinary stamina.[24]
  • Superhuman Durability: Wendigos possess an high degree of resistance to injury and pain.[25]
  • Immortality: Wendigos are immune to aging and all diseases, the only way for them to die is if the curse is lifted.[25]
  • Regenerative Healing Factor: Wendigos can heal from injuries at an accelerated rate.[26]
  • Claws and Fangs: Wendigos possess razor-sharp claws and fangs.[24]
  • Superhuman Reflexes: All Wendigos possess enhanced reflexes.[24]
  • Superhuman Speed: All Wendigos possess enhanced levels of speed.[24]

Miscellaneous

Representatives

See Also

Links and References

References

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