PEKO
Real Name: Peko
Identity/Class: Simian, pet
Occupation: Pet of Dr. Fu Manchu
Group Membership: None
Affiliations: Fu Manchu Enemies: Sir Lionel Barton, Dr. Petrie Known Relatives: None Aliases: None Base of Operations: The many bases of Fu
Manchu, including those in London and China First Appearance: (literary) The
Mystery of Fu-Manchu (1913); Powers: Lifespan increased due to
ingestion of the Elixir Vitae serum. History: I stifled a cry that rose to my lips;
for, with a shrill whistling sound, a small shape came
bounding into the dimly lit vault, then shot upward. A
marmoset landed on the shoulder of Dr. Fu-Manchu and peered
grotesquely into the dreadful yellow face. The Doctor raised
his bony hand and fondled the little creature, crooning to
it. "One of my pets, Mr. Smith,"
he said, suddenly opening his eyes fully so that they blazed
like green lamps. "I have others, equally useful. My
scorpions- have you met my scorpions? No? My pythons and
hamadryads? Then there are my fungi and my tiny allies, the
bacilli. Have you ever visited Molokai, the leper island,
Doctor? No? But Mr. Nayland Smith will be familiar with the
asylum at Rangoon! And we must not forget my black spiders,
with their diamond eyes- my spiders, that sit in the dark and
watch- then leap!" (The Mystery of Fu-Manchu) - After being
drugged and captured by Fu Manchu, Sir Denis Nayland Smith and
Dr. Petrie first encountered Peko, Fu Manchu's pet
marmoset. They were later set free by Dr. Fu's treacherous
servant, Karamaneh. Later, Fu Manchu sent Peko to the window of
Frank Norris West, inventor of the aero-torpedo. Peko drove West
to mad distraction to allow his master entry into the apartment.
Fu Manchu hypnotically forced West to give him the combination to
his vault, and he and Peko left with the plans. (The Devil Doctor) - Held captive by
Fu Manchu again, and handcuffed, Dr. Petrie noticed Peko playing
with the keys to the locks. He tried to get the keys from the
marmoset, but failed. Once again, Karamaneh set him free. (Si-Fan Mysteries) - While walking the
streets of London, Dr. Petrie had a chance encounter with Peko,
and by following him, found himself able to eavesdrop on a
meeting of the Si-Fan, Fu Manchu's organization. (The Drums of Fu Manchu) - Peko accompanied Fu
Manchu in a meeting with Smith and his ally, Bart Kerrigan. Fu
Manchu revealed in the course of discussion that Peko was a
recipient of his Elixir Vitae, and was much older than he
appeared to be. (The Island of Fu Manchu) - Peko was captured by
Fu Manchu's enemy, Sir Lionel Barton, and held hostage by him,
Smith, and Bart Kerrigan. Fu Manchu made two attempts to rescue
his beloved pet, but failed. Concerned for its well-being, he
sent a tube of Elixir Vitae with a tape recording to Kerrigan, so
as to instruct him how to inject Peko, keeping him alive.
Although Fu Manchu proposed to trade Kerrigan's lover Ardatha in
exchange for his pet, he ultimately sent men of the Si-Fan to set
Peko free while Smith and Kerrigan made an attempt at freeing
Ardatha themselves. (Emperor Fu Manchu) - Peko accompanied Fu Manchu
to China, and annoyed his ally General Huan by repeatedly drinking his wine.
(The Wrath of Fu Manchu) - Peko began to waste
away, needing more of the Elixir Vitae; to nurse his pet back to
health, Fu Manchu withdrew from the Si-Fan for a time to care for
his beloved pet. (Deadly Hands of Kung Fu#11 (fb)) - Peko played with Ducharme as Shang-Chi met with his father.
(Master of Kung Fu I#17) - Peko rested upon Fu Manchu's shoulder as he denied his
wrestler Tak's request to finish off his son, Shang-Chi.
(Master of Kung Fu I#18) - Peko was present with Fu
Manchu during his plot to contaminate the USA's gasoline supply
with his will-stealing mimosa chemical. (Giant-Size Master of Kung Fu#1) - Peko was present
with Fu Manchu as he assembled the Council of Seven, his seven
most powerful warriors, to kill his son Shang-Chi on his
birthday. When Shang-Chi appeared there in the chambers,
disguised as one of the Council, Peko scampered away. (Giant-Size Master of Kung Fu#1/2) - Peko was present
with Fu Manchu when he destroyed a priceless oriental statue,
just to cheese Shang-Chi off. (Master of Kung Fu I#21) - Peko was present with Fu Manchu
when he had casino owner Demmy Marston killed by a venomous snake
for trying to kill Shang-Chi. Fu Manchu intended to save the
honor of killing Shang for himself. (Giant-Size Master of Kung Fu#2) - Peko was present with
Fu Manchu when one of his agents from America arrived, with a
report on Shang's encounter with Sandra Chen. (Deadly Hands of Kung Fu#2) - Peko was present with Fu Manchu as he
plotted against a group of his former agents. (Deadly Hands of Kung Fu#4) - Peko rested upon Fu Manchu's shoulder as he disciplined his lackey Chow Loo.
(Master of Kung Fu I#117) - Peko was present with Fu Manchu as he schemed to drain Shang-Chi's blood to prolong his own life.
Comments: Created by Sax Rohmer, but not
named until The Return of Dr. Fu-Manchu; adapted by Steve
Englehart, Jim Starlin and Al Milgrom. Peko only appeared in the earliest
stories, although Mike Zeck remembered to include him in the
pin-up of Shang's enemies in Master of Kung Fu I#102 (aw, I bet
Peko could take 'em!). In addition to the many Fu Manchu films and
television programs, you can also hear Peko in the radio
serial, The Shadow of Fu Manchu, the first 12 chapters of
which are available at the Greater Philadelphia Old-Time Radio Club. Or you can buy all 40 chapters for just $5 at OTR Cat. It's now a well-worn cliche for a criminal
mastermind to have a pet that he gently caresses while sending
men to their dooms, but Fu Manchu must certainly have been one of
the earliest. I can't say that I've ever understood monkey
jokes. You see them all the time in Wizard magazine, and on The
Simpsons. What's so funny about monkeys? I don't get it. Now,
sloths-- sloths are funny! I've never heard an unfunny sloth
joke. For further information on Fu Manchu, try the
Page of Fu Manchu. And for more
information on marmosets, try the
marmoset page. by Prime Eternal CLARIFICATIONS: images: (without ads) Other appearances:
First Posted: 02/17/2002 Any Additions/Corrections? please let me know. All characters mentioned or pictured are
™ and © 1941-2099 Marvel Characters, Inc. All Rights
Reserved. If you like this stuff, you should check out the real
thing! Special Thanks to www.g-mart.com for hosting the Appendix, Master List, etc.!
(Marvel) Master of Kung Fu
I#17 (April, 1974)
Sandra Chen should not be confused with:
Master of Kung Fu#17 (April, 1974) - Steve Englehart & Jim Starlin (writers), Jim Starlin (pencils), Al Milgrom (inks)
Master of Kung Fu#18 (June, 1974) - Steve Englehart (writer), Paul Gulacy (pencils), Al Milgrom (inks), Roy Thomas (editor)
Deadly Hands of Kung Fu#2 (June, 1974) - Steve Englehart & Alan Weiss (writers), Alan Weiss (pencils), Al Milgrom (inks), Roy Thomas (editor)
Giant-Size Master of Kung Fu#1 (September, 1974) - Doug Moench (writer), Paul Gulacy (pencils), Dan Adkins (inks), Roy Thomas
Deadly Hands of Kung Fu#4 (September, 1974) - Doug Moench (writer), Mike Vosburg (pencils), Al Milgrom (inks), Tony Isabella (editor)
Master of Kung Fu#21 (October, 1974) - Doug Moench (writer), Ron Wilson (pencils), Al Milgrom (inks), Roy Thomas (editor)
Giant-Size Master of Kung Fu#2 (December, 1974) - Doug Moench (writer), Paul Gulacy (pencils), Jack Abel (inks), Roy Thomas (editor)
Deadly Hands of Kung Fu#11 (April, 1975) - Doug Moench (writer), Mike Vosburg (pencils), Jack Abel (inks), Don McGregor (editor)
Master of Kung Fu#117 (October, 1982) - Doug Moench (writer), Gene Day (artist), Ralph Macchio (editor)
Last updated: 11/12/2005
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