Puma (character)

Puma is a character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by Tom DeFalco and Ron Frenz, he first appeared in The Amazing Spider-Man #256 (September 1984), as an adversary of the superhero Spider-Man. Despite this, the character does not lack morals or a sense of justice, and eventually reforms and becomes an ally of Spider-Man. Puma is the alter ego of Thomas Fireheart, a Native American who was bred to be a perfect warrior prophesied to stop a future threat that might destroy the world, gaining the ability to transform into an anthropomorphic mountain lion. He later became a businessman and the CEO of Fireheart Enterprises, as well as a mercenary.

Puma
Puma. Art by Clayton Crain.
Publication information
Publisher	Marvel Comics
First appearance	The Amazing Spider-Man #256 (Sept. 1984)
Created by	Tom DeFalco (writer) Ron Frenz (artist)
In-story information
Alter ego	Thomas Fireheart
Species	Human mutate
Team affiliations	Daily Bugle Fireheart Enterprises The Outlaws MODOK's 11 Wild Pack
Partnerships	Spider-Man Black Cat
Notable aliases	Riot
Abilities	Expert hand-to-hand combatant Skilled businessman Access to advanced technology Use of personalized Lear Jet As Puma: Superhuman strength, speed, stamina, durability, agility, reflexes, healing, and longevity Superhumanly acute senses Razor-sharp claws and fangs

Publication history

Puma first appeared in The Amazing Spider-Man #256 and was created by Tom DeFalco and Ron Frenz. The inspiration for the character comes from safari cards bought by DeFalco.

In the Puma's earliest appearances, he acted as a mercenary, and an antagonist to Spider-Man, but soon came to respect him. Puma was then depicted as an ally of Spider-Man, assisting him on several occasions during The Spectacular Spider-Man series. He was associated with the superhero team known as the Outlaws for a time, and was later one of the main characters in the MODOK's 11 limited series.

Fictional character biography

Thomas Fireheart is of Native American descent and the latest in a line of warriors who were created via magic and selective breeding to combat the prophesied return of a powerful, world-ending being. Despite not believing in the prophecy, Fireheart takes his duties as protector seriously, training in martial arts and mastering his powers of transformation.

Fireheart later becomes owner and CEO of a self-titled company that is headquartered near his tribe in Hartsdale, Arizona, and has establishments worldwide. However, he becomes bored with corporate life and becomes a mercenary to seek greater challenges.

The Rose hires Puma to kill Spider-Man, but he is thwarted by the Black Cat. He again attempts to attack Spider-Man, but changes his mind and departs when he witnesses Spider-Man saving innocent bystanders.

During the "Secret Wars II" storyline, Puma confronts the Beyonder in New York, but is transported to Tokyo. He obtains a state of "harmonious enlightenment with the universe" and gains vast mystic powers, but soon loses them due to self-doubt. Later, Puma learns Spider-Man's secret identity and attempts to offer him a job at his company, but he refuses. Puma also attempts to clear Spider-Man of a crime he did not commit, during which he meets Silver Sable and the Outlaws.

When Puma's friend Charles Little Sky manifests mutant teleportation abilities, he attempts to help him master them. However, Charles inadvertently returns the U-Foes to Earth, forcing Puma to work with the Avengers to stop them.

Puma then battled Spider-Man in New York. Fireheart actually purchased 51% of the Daily Bugle, made Robbie Robertson publisher, and began a pro-Spider-Man campaign in the publication, in an attempt to pay off his debt of honor. During this time, he was nearly killed in an attack by the Hobgoblin, but was saved by Spider-Man.

Fireheart agreed to join Spider-Man's rag-tag superhero group called the Outlaws, along with several other Spider-Man adversaries-turn-allies (including Sandman, Rocket Racer, and the Prowler). The group clashed with the Avengers, until it was revealed that both groups were actually being manipulated by the shapeshifting Space Phantom, whom Thomas exposed and defeated.

He eventually sold the Daily Bugle back to J. Jonah Jameson for $1, and he and Spider-Man settled their debt of honor on a vision quest in New Mexico.

Fireheart's Puma persona later consumed him and he attempted to assassinate a US Senator. Spider-Man stopped him, but not before the NYPD shot Fireheart several times. The Black Crow cast a magical spell that erased Fireheart's knowledge of Spider-Man's identity. He was nursed back to mental and physical health by another character named Nocturne (not the Exiles character Nocturne).

Puma was seen in the Bloodsport competition. He made it to the semi-final round, but was defeated by Wolverine.

He was next seen teaming up with Spider-Man and the Black Cat to stop Stegron from "de-evolving" the population of New York. After this Puma began a relationship with the Black Cat, despite knowing that she still has feelings for Peter Parker.

After the events of "Civil War", Puma was seen helping Spider-Man escort Prowler out of the Bar With No Name. He has also been seen helping Black Cat from the sidelines. She has decided to help Peter Parker, who is on the run after the events of the Civil War. Together, Puma and Black Cat neutralize the drunken rampage of the Rhino, mostly through sheer bluffing. Puma also attended training at Camp Hammond.

Fireheart was then accused of federal bribery (which so far appears to be a frame job) and his assets frozen; forbidden by his tribe from taking any contract kills, he has joined MODOK's 11 to get the cash he needs to defend himself in court. However, he is soon stripped of his powers due to disobeying the tribal council's order to remain on the reservation. Deadly Nightshade later injects him with a serum that restores his powers.

During the "Secret Empire" storyline, Puma appears as a member of the Underground when Hydra takes over the United States.

In the "Hunted" storyline, Puma is among the animal-themed characters captured by Taskmaster and Black Ant for Kraven the Hunter's Great Hunt. He is then chased by Hunter-Bots before being freed when Kraven has Arcade destroy the forcefield trapping him in Central Park.

During the "Venom War" storyline, Puma bonds with the Riot symbiote while battling the Zombiotes.

Powers and abilities

Puma possesses a number of superhuman attributes that are a result of a combination of genetic engineering and mysticism. Thomas Fireheart is the latest in a line of Native Americans that were specially matched and bred to produce a perfect human being. That genetic manipulation was enhanced by an unknown supernatural process through which his tribe endowed him with magical abilities.

Puma possesses the ability to transform into an anthropomorphic feline form at will, gaining superhuman physical abilities and senses. He is additionally a skilled martial artist and experienced businessman with access to advanced technology and resources.

When possessed by the Riot symbiote, Puma developed the powers and abilities of a symbiote.

Other versions

Earth-001

Fireheart, a member of the Hounds inspired by Puma, appears in the Spider-Verse storyline. He is sent to hunt and kill Miles Morales before being killed by the Superior Spider-Man, Spider-Punk, and Assassin Spider-Man.

Secret Wars

A zombified alternate universe variant of Puma from Earth-13264 appears in Red Skull (vol. 2) #1.

In other media

• Puma makes a non-speaking appearance in the Spider-Man episode "Take Two". This version is a member of the Wild Pack who wields a clawed gauntlet on his left hand.
• Puma appears as a boss in the Game Boy Advance and PC versions of Spider-Man 2, voiced by Dee Bradley Baker.

External links

• Puma at Marvel.com
• SpiderFan.org profile Archived 2005-12-02 at the Wayback Machine
• Amazing Spider-Man Unofficial Fansite profile
• Samruby.com profile
• Unofficial Marvel Comics Reference HQ profile
• Puma against Spider-Man on Amazing #257