MORNING STAR

Real Name: Marya Meshkov

Identity/Class: Human mutate, Russian citizen

Occupation: Former geologist and terrorist

Group Membership: Former member of the Bogatyri, Pacific Overlords

Affiliations: Avengers West Coast; possible romantic interest of US Agent
formerly: Dr. Demonicus, Klaw

Enemies: Avengers West Coast (former); Wolverine 

Known Relatives: None

Aliases: Zvezda Dennitsa (name in Russian)

Base of Operations: Currently unknown; formerly a U.S./Canadian Distant Early Warning base east of the Bathurst Inlet in the Northwest Territories, Canada; formerly the USSR; formerly Demonica

Appearances: Avengers West Coast#87 (October, 1992)

Powers: Morning Star is able to fly, as well as generate blasts of heat and/or light.  A single blast from her has killed a polar bear or knocked the nearly invulnerable Wonder Man unconscious.

History:
(Avengers West Coast#87 (fb)) - Marya Meshkov was a geologist investigating a site in Siberia where a huge explosion struck in 1908.  She uncovered glowing fragments, which, over time, granted her superhuman powers.  After the dissolution of the USSR, she joined with three others, Dr. Volkh, Mikula Golubev, and Svyatogor, in an effort to avenge themselves on the USA for the loss of the "Cold War."  The four took the name Bogatyri after the "Valiant Champions of Elder Days" in Russian Folklore.

(Avengers West Coast#87-88) - The Bogatyri attacked and overtook a D.E.W. base in Canada in an effort to set off Dr. Volkh's "Quick Freeze Crystal" as part of Operation: Polaris, a plan to cause the entire continent of North America to be covered with a never-melting ice.  Despite the initial defeat of Wolverine and the Avengers West Coast, the heroes rallied and the Scarlet Witch succeeded in destroying the "Quick Freeze Crystal."  All four of the Bogatyri managed to escape, but apparently disbanded soon afterwards.  Morning Star later claimed that the other Bogatyri had made too many accommodations to Boris Yeltsin, the new leader of Russia.

(Avengers West Coast#93-95) - Morning Star next allied herself with Dr. Demonicus and his Pacific Overlords.  She, alongside Klaw, was sent to recover the Overlord named Kuroko, who had turned against Demonicus and fled to warn the Avengers West Coast.  They successfully returned Kuroko to Dr. Demonicus, and she was brainwashed into serving him again.  Morning Star participated in a second successful battle against the Avengers, but she then turned against Demonicus when she learned his true loyalties were to the demon Raksasa.  When the Avengers escaped from Demonicus, she joined with USAgent in battling the Overlords.  Morning Star convinced Klaw to turn against Demonicus as well, and the entire island of Demonicus was sunk in the ensuing battle.  Morning Star left the Avengers on uncertain terms, but not before she planted a big kiss on the surprised USAgent.

Comments: Created by Roy and Dann Thomas, and David Ross.

I guess Morning Star joined Demonicus either for the money, or for other allies against the USA.

She seems like she'd make an interesting opponent or even partner of USAgent.

Boris Yeltsin as the new leader of Russia is topical.  This can be changed into any new Russian leader as time goes on. 

The Tunguska explosion of 1908 remains a popular mystery, and is involved with several characters in the Marvel Universe.

• The Dry Academy's arrival on Earth has been named as one cause.
• The experiments of Nikola Tesla have been named as another, both in the Captain America: The Medusa Effect,
  and in the Master of Kung Fu II (MAX) series.
• Members of the Shambler's alien race crashed on Earth at that time, killing all aboard.
• On Earth-Shadowline, it was the energy released by the vacuum effect of a Knight of the Order of Saint George, used against the future Dr. Zero.
• Details of the actual explosion can be found in this Straight Dope article.
• http://unmuseum.mus.pa.us/siberia.htm is a site on the great Siberian explosion-it happened in real life, not just the Marvel Universe.  Historically, we know it really happened, but not what really caused it. 

Profile updated/edited by Kyle Sims

Clarifications:
Morning Star is not to be confused with:

• The Human Torch (Jonathan Spencer Storm), whom Morning Star was based on @ Fantastic Four I#1
• Morningstar (Schuyler Belial), a satanist, @ Moon Knight I#29

images: (without ads)
Avengers West Coast#88, p1 (main image)
Avengers West Coast#87, p17 (upper body)

Appearances:
Avengers West Coast#87-88 (October-November, 1992) - Roy & Dann Thomas (writers), Dave Ross (pencils), Tim Dzon (inks), Nelson Yomtov (editor)
Avengers West Coast#93-95 (April-June, 1993) - Roy Thomas, Dann Thomas (#93-94) & Dave Ross (#93-95) (writers), Dave Ross (pencils), Tim Dzon & Aaron McClellan (#93) (inks), Nelson Yomtov (editor)

Last updated: 06/21/04

Any Additions/Corrections? please let me know.

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