shepalev-gennadi-148611-pf23-full GENNADI SHEPALEV

Real Name: Gennadi Shepalev

Identity/Class: Alternate Reality (Earth-148611) human;
    citizen of the USSR (Union of Soviet Socialist Republics)

Occupation: Psychiatrist

Group Membership: Siberian Project (Dr. Timor Besedin, Gregirova, Petrov Szymanski, Sergei "Serge" Vladimiroff, Anya Zotov);
    his exact role and level of influence was unrevealed, but he was in the decision-making group

Affiliations: Red Sun Military Task Force (Coojeechiscue/Nadehzda, Dehman Doosha/"Johnny Do," Shivowtnoeh/Irina Mityushova, Sillatochca/Leonid Vishnevetsky);
    at least formerly, on the level that they were both associated with Siberian Project: Rodstvow;
    possibly Mindwolf (Michael Petrov),

Enemies: Psi-Force (Thomas Boyd, Lindsey Falmon, Tyrone Jessup, Kathy Ling, Wayne Tucker) likely perceived him as an enemy; he legitimately tried to help their recovery, although he also sought to guide them to serve the goals of the Siberian Project

Known Relatives: None

Aliases: None

Base of Operations: At least formerly the Siberian Project, Yamal Peninsula, Siberia, U.S.S.R.;

First Appearance: Psi-Force#17 (March, 1988)shepalev-gennadi-148611-pf23-face

Powers/Abilities: An experienced psychologist, Gennadi attempted to constructively work with those being studied at the Siberian Project to help them master their parabilities and to use them more effectively in combat situations.

    He was often disturbed by Anya Zotov's morbid sense of humor, and he tried to discourage the insulting behavior of administrative director Petrov Szymanski, noting it to be non-constructive.

Height: Unrevealed (approximately 6')
Weight: Unrevealed (approximately 180 lbs.)
Eyes: Brown
Hair: Black (including full beard)

History:shepalev-gennadi-148611-pf17-upper
(Psi-Force#17 (fb)) <8 months before the main story> - The Siberian Project's subject Rodstvow awakened from his coma, after which he used his powers over time to progressively slay a number of staff members.

(Psi-Force#17 (fb) - BTS) - The Siberian Project rapidly escalated from a scientific research testing center for paranormals to military training ground.

(Psi-Force#17) <October 19, 1987> - At the Siberian Project, Gennadi watched -- alongside Dr. Timor Besedin, Serge Vladimiroff, and Anya Zotov  -- a video recording of Gregirova interview with Rodstvow that culminated with Rodstvow incinerating Gregirova's flesh, leaving behind a clothed skeleton. After Vladimiroff instructed Zotov to rewind it back to review the death again, Anya asked if they were sure they wanted to go through this again, but Gennadi advised Anya that comrade Vladimiroff was due their complete cooperation.

    Besedin voiced his frustration that while "that...creature...devours my staff at his leisure we continue to talk!" Shepalev asked Besedin what he would have them do, and Besedin replied, "More than we have been, Gennadi! It's been eight months since it awoke from its comatose state! I have watched it whittle away at my entire psychiatric staff!" Zotov silenced them so they could watch the tape.

     After the tape played through again, Zotov commented that it loses something in the repetition, and Shepalev told her that her morbid sense of humor was not proper. Besedin countered that it was, in fact, proper, as what else could they do but laugh? Shepalev sympathized how difficult this had been for Besedin but advised that they had to be willing to make some sacrifices for the betterment of the state.

     Besedin retorted, "Betterment of the state! That barbaric freak of nature is eating everyone here, and you expect me to pretend IT is just another patient? Inhuman, disgusting..."

    Aware that Rodstvow could "hear" anything they said telepathically, Shepalev and Zotov whipped their heads around and looked at Besedin with concern. Appreciating this too late, as he was already sweating and with blood dripping from his mouth, Besedin only had time to say, "Oh, no.." before grunting and then making various sounds of pain; his body made abnormal sounds as well.

    As Besedin collapsed, Zotov called a medic to the communication center immediately. However, as she did, Besedin's audible heartbeat faded, and Shepalev pronounced him dead.

     Shepalev asked Vladimiroff what they should do about Rodstvow, and Vladimiroff replied, "We turn him loose."shepalev-gennadi-148611-pf17-faceob

(Psi-Force#17 (fb) - BTS) <November 11, 1987> - Rodstvow informed Shepalev in the middle of the night that he would speak with Vladimiroff.

(Psi-Force#17) - After Shepalev woke up Vladimiroff and informed him of this, Vladimiroff quickly put on his robe and glasses and raced down to Rodstvow's chambers. He ordered Shepalev to stay outside, and Shepalev was more than happy to comply. 

(Psi-Force#17 - BTS) - After meeting with Vladimiroff, Rodstvow departed for the USA to slay the Psi-Force members, despite Vladimiroff only wanting them captured.

(Psi-Force#23) - Vladimiroff returned to the Siberian Project where he met with Shepalev, noting that that he had been directed to oversee the rehabilitation of the Crasniye Solleetsi (see comments) following their "rather grueling assistance in the Afghan Affair." Shepalev assured Vladimiroff that his supervisors had nothing to worry about and that their operatives were suffering from nothing more than physical exhaustion. Vladimiroff then asked about the boy (the autistic "Dehman Doosha"), and Shepalev admitted that he had proved rather difficult to control, but that their psychiatric department had assured him that they were "taking the necessary steps to rectify his rather -- unstable -- nature."

    They then entered the monitor room where, and Anya delivered individual reports on the abilities and progress of Coojeechiscue, Sillatochca, Shivowtnoeh, and Dehman Doosha.

    Vladimiroff then asked about Rodstvow, and Shepalev admitted that they did not know where he was, as after extensive use of his powers he would recuperate on his own; they believed this to be in a private cabin in the Chersky Mountains but they feared to ask him.

(Psi-Force#27 (fb) - BTS) - After destroying the Psi-Hawk, Rodstvow teleported back to the Project grounds, bringing with him the four surviving but comatose teenagers whose parabilities had formed the Psi-Hawk mind gestalt: Thomas Boyd, Lindsey Falmon, Kathy Ling, and Wayne Tucker.

(Psi-Force#27 - BTS) - (Presumably) Anya Zotov reported to Shepalev that she did not know what was going on with (presumably "Dehman Doosha") and that he was the psychiatrist, but that she could report that the room had gone up 25 degrees in his room in the last two days.

(Psi-Force#27) - At Gennadi's request, Zotov reported that Boyd was doing the same thing he did everyday: "Hitting things, although she suspected he would rather be hitting them." At Gennadi's further query of "to what did he owe this clinical analysis of his patient," she explained that she saw him release his emotions when he was alone. She reminded Gennadi that he had seen the video tapes where Boyd howled louder than Shivotnoeh. When Gennadi asked what she thought they should do, she replied, "...I'd put a bullet through his head while he was sleeping..." Gennadi noted that to be rather an extreme action, and she countered that Boyd was an extreme individual.

    After Anya next reported that Falmon remained completely still in her bed and that one of the nurses repeatedly disrobed her, Gennadi ordered that nurse to be shipped out immediately.

    Anya subsequently showed Shepalev footage of Ling awakening to find her head shaved and then start screaming.

(Psi-Force#27) - Gennadi Shepalev attended a Siberian Project meeting attended by Serge Vladimiroff, Petrov Szymanski, Anya Zotov, and Red Sun's Coojeechiscue and Sillatochca. Shepalev and Szymanski discussed the danger of the young Dehman Doosha, and when Shepalev questioned whether Petrov was suggesting they murder the boy because of his handicap, Petrov clarified that the was suggesting that they murder him due to his parability. Anya mockingly replied, "Well as long as we're clear on that point," but Gennadi politely silenced her.

    Gennadi remained silent as Nadehzda contained Leonid during an escalating conflict with Vladimiroff and as Szymanski asserted his command position.

(Psi-Force#27 - BTS) - Learning that a lobotomy was planned for Dehman Doosha, Boyd interrupted the procedure, freed the boy, and reported to the Project leaders that he would be taking care of the boy (whom he named "Johnny").

(Psi-Force#27) - After Zotov confirmed that they could not override Boyd's control of the communications center, Gennadi asked what Boyd wanted. To force the Project's compliance, Boyd threatened to erase every file in their system, but he also offered to let them kill him if he failed to make progress with Johnny. Vladimiroff and Shepalev accepted the deal, but when Gennadi tried to explain that "Johnny" was not laughing at them as it seemed, Serge instructed him to stop with the analysis for one second. Vladimiroff subsequently advised the others that if Boyd succeeded, they would have a pyrokinetic solider of limited intelligence and that, if he failed, they would have resources with which to blackmail him into submission, namely the other Psi-Force youths.

(Psi-Force#28) <October 3, 1988> - Gennadi, Anya Zotov, and Serge Vladimiroff watched from the observation booth as Kathy Ling battled the active members of Red Sun (Coojeechiscue, Shivowtnoeh, and Sillatochca) in the Combat Situation Room. Gennadi noted Ling to have apparently completely recovered from her time spent in a coma, and he praised her improved control over her parabilities. After Ling crumbled when controlled by the monstrous Shivowtnoeh, Gennadi -- apparently speaking into an intercom that apparently went to an earpiece or something for Coojeechiscue -- said "End the session, please."

(Psi-Force#28) <October 4, 1988> - The next morning, Vladimiroff attempted to assert dominance and control over the rebellious Ling, which backfired as Ling defeated Shivowtnoeh and broke Vladimiroff's jaw and fingers.

(Psi-Force#29) <October 5, 1988> - Gennadi and Petrov Szymanski watched from the booth as Coojeechiscue, Shivowtnoeh, and Sillatochca engaged in "free-for-all" combat in the Combat Situation Room. Gennadi provided specific guidance to the combatants, advising Coojeechiscue to block a projectile hurled by Shivowtnoeh; instructing Sillatochca to act quickly before Shivowtnoeh smelled his motives; further advising Sillatochca that he had been too slow and instructing him to blow up the projectile Shivowtnoeh had hurled at him; reminding Sillatochca to watch his back as Coojeechiscue took advantage of his focus on Shivowtnoeh to take out his feet with an energy cube; and finally advising Sillatochca that he had left himself vulnerable from Coojeechiscue's assault and that "if Shivowtnoeh were in the mood, she would tear your throat out like a marshmallow."

    Szymanski then interrupted, noting the performance to have been absolutely pathetic. Gennadi recommended Szymanski curtail his aggressive tactics as they were counterproductive, but Szymanski disregarded this advice and rushed into the situation room, noting that -- despite a year's worth of intensive training -- it was the Red Sun operatives who were counter-productive. Szymanski continued, chastising the individual members. 

shepalev-gennadi-148611-pf29-face(Psi-Force#29) <October 5, 1988> - Gennadi, Petrov Szymanski, Anya Zotov, and Nadehzda (Coojeechiscue) met to review the status of things, and Gennadi noted that as Tucker had shown signs of awakening from his coma, his telepathic probes had decreased. After Szymanski expressed his opinion that it did not matter as the Americans (Psi-Force) could escape any time they wanted and that no one could stop them, Anya counteredthat they still had an option if they were crazy enough to use it. 

    Shepalev responded, "God have mercy...we still have Rodstvow..."

(Psi-Force#29 - BTS) - The Medusa Web liberated the Psi-Force group from the Siberian Project, with Sillatochca dying in the process, and Petrov Szymanski demanded the deaths of all involved with the escape.

Comments: Created by Fabian Nicieza, Ron Lim, and Romeo Tanghal.

    Gennadi's speech was always shown between brackets, indicating it was translated from Russian, and there is not evidence that he speaks English.

    See the New Universe primer.
    There was no sliding timescale in the New Universe, so KGB references are not topical, nor was Soviet-Afghan warring.

    I don't think Gennadi was seen following the invasion by the Medusa Web and the subsequent battle where the remaining members of Red Sun joined with the Psi-Force and Medusa Web members against Rodstvow.
    I would presume that after Rodstvow's destruction, Gennadi attempted to work with any who chose to remain at the Siberian Project.

    "Crasniye" means "red", but the "solleetsi" word doesn't exist. It seems to be a misspelling of "solntsa" - "suns".--Mike Castle

Me again...in Psi-Force I#27 and subsequent issues, the group name is confirmed to be Red Sun, although the above Russian (mis)spelling is repeated.

    I would really love it if the likes of Kurt Busiek, Mark Waid, Fabian Nicieza, or Saladin Ahmed would do a story that stayed true to continuity and followed the New Universe forward in real time over the last 37+ years.

    My scanner is not communicating well with my computer, and the software it will let me use only does very low-resolution scans. For issues that are not digitally available, this is the best I can do at this time.
Sorry.

Profile by Snood.

CLARIFICATIONS:
Gennadi Shepalev should be distinguished from:


images: (without ads)
Psi-Force#17, pg. 2, panel 2 (upper);
       pg. 3, panel 1 (face, oblique);
    #23, pg. 6, panel 2 (full);
       pg. 7, panel 6 (face);
    #29, pg. 9, panel 5 (extreme close-up)

Appearances:
Psi-Force#17 (March, 1988) - Fabian Nicieza (writer), Ron Lim (penciler), Romeo Tanghal (inker), Bob Budiansky & Howard Mackie (editors)
Psi-Force#23 (September, 1988) - Fabian Nicieza (writer), Graham Nolan (penciler), Mike Witherby (inker), David Wohl (assistant editor), Howard Mackie (editor)
Psi-Force#27-28 (January-February, 1989) - Fabian Nicieza (writer), Alan Kupperberg (penciler), Chris Ivy (inker), David Wohl (assistant editor), Howard Mackie (editor)
Psi-Force#29 (March, 1989) - Fabian Nicieza (writer), Rodney Ramos (penciler), Chris Ivy (inker), David Wohl (assistant editor), Howard Mackie (editor)

First posted: 05/26/2024
Last updated: 08/09/2024

Any Additions/Corrections? please let me know.

Non-Marvel Copyright info
All other 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!
Please visit The Marvel Official Site at: http://www.marvel.com

Special Thanks to www.g-mart.com for hosting the Appendix, Master List, etc.!

Back to Characters