Sasquatch (comics)
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This article is about the mainstream, Earth-616 Marvel Comics Sasquatch. For the Exiles character formerly known as Sasquatch, please see Heather Hudson (Exiles).
Sasquatch is a fictional character in Marvel Comics' universe. He first appeared in Uncanny X-Men #120 and was created by Chris Claremont and John Byrne.
Character biography
Dr. Walter Langkowski is a member of Alpha Flight, a native of British Columbia, Canada of Polish origin and a renowned physicist. He is also a former linebacker for the Green Bay Packers.He possesses the ability to transform into a super-strong, orange-haired beast resembling the legendary Sasquatch or Bigfoot. This transformation is triggered by willpower. In his transformed state, Langkowski has increased strength, stamina and resistance to injury. He also has sharp claws and is able to leap incredible distances.
These powers come as a result of Langkowski's own doing. In an attempt to become like the Hulk, Langkowski bombarded himself with gamma radiation at his laboratory near the Arctic Circle. As a proposed explanation for why he transformed into an orange instead of green behemoth (as gamma-irradiated persons are usually affected), Langkowski assumed it had something to do with the Aurora Borealis.
However, unbeknownst to Langkowski, it was not the gamma rays that turned him into Sasquatch, but the fact that his lab equipment opened a doorway between our world and the "Realm of Great Beasts." When this portal was opened, a mystical beast called Tanaraq invaded Langkowski's body and granted him his powers. Langkowski had to learn to maintain his own personality and intelligence when in the form of Sasquatch, and was very successful for a time. But Tanaraq eventually took control of Sasquatch, forcing Snowbird to slay Langkowski.
A new body and a new identity
Sasquatch was subsequently brought back to life, free of the influence of Tanaraq, by inhabiting the body of the then-deceased Snowbird. At first limited to transforming between Snowbird's human form and a white-furred version of his Sasquatch form, he called himself "Wanda Langkowski" and fought to be recognized as legally alive. This body was later altered to be identical to his original body.The true Sasquatch
Another Sasquatch, this one a barely intelligent monster, appeared in Alpha Flight volume 2. Although his teammates believed this Sasquatch to be a highly degenerated Langkowski, it was an actual sasquatch that had been captured by Department H. This Sasquatch died in the final conflict with Department H's corrupt leadership and the Zodiac. Langkowski soon returned to active membership in Alpha Flight.In Alpha Flight volume 3 issue #1, Sasquatch assembled another incarnation of Alpha Flight, with entirely new members, in order to rescue the original team from an alien race known as the Plodex. Sales were poor, and the series was canceled with issue #12.
Along with Major Mapleleaf, Puck I and II, Vindicator, Sasquatch, and Shaman, Guardian was among the Alpha Flight members to be seemingly killed by The Collective in New Avengers #16. It has been hinted on recent fan message boards that the members of Alpha Flight are in fact NOT dead. Popular Scottich comic writer Mark Millar has professed his interest in the characters of Alpha Flight, and has suggested that a new Alpha Flight series could emerge from Marvel's 2006 Civil War storyline. (In fact, both Guardian and Puck are seen on Steve McNiven's promotional drawing for Marvel's up-coming Civil War.) Also, Marvel Comics Editor-in-Chief Joe Quesada hinted that fans of Alpha Flight should not despair at their apparent death in New Avengers, suggesting that there is more to come from Canada's premier super team.
Powers and abilities
In his Sasquatch form Langkowski possesses vast superhuman strength in the 100 ton class and heightened endurance. When completely possessed by Tanaraq, Sasquatch was several times as powerful. Sasquatch is also highly agile and able to jump great distances. His resistance to conventional injury is superhuman in this form.Early in his career, changing from his human form into his Sasquatch form caused Langkowski extreme phyiscal discomfort. To alleviate the pain, Langkowski recites a slow mantra which serves the same purpose as a yoga practitioner concentrating on his/her craft, to calm the body and to divorce pain from the physical body. Since taking over Snowbird's original body, he can now achieve his Sasquatch form with relative little pain or effort.
Langkowski is a professionally trained scientist with experience dealing with many forms of experimental radiation and their mutagenic effects on lifeforms under controlled settings. As a former professional football player, Langkowski has highly athletic physical strength and endurance, though he is no longer in the peak condition of his life.
External links
- [AlphaFlight.Net Alphanex Entry on - Sasquatch I]
- [AlphaFlight.Net Alphanex Entry on - Sasquatch II]
- [UncannyXmen.net, Spotlight feature on Sasquatch]
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