BENIN DAGGER

Classification: Possible Magic item

Creator: Unrevealed

User/Possessors: Orleans Cooper, "Fast" Jack Jessup

First Appearance: Gambit IV#1 (November, 2004) (November, 2004)

Powers/Abilities/Functions: The Benin Dagger was used for ritual sacrifice to summon and bind Vodū gods into service. It also worked to stab people or objects.

History:
(Gambit IV#1 (fb) - BTS) - The Benin Dagger was apparently created in the 15th century. Known as a Prayer Blade, it was used for sacrifice, usually of children. Blood from these sacrifices was spilled into the Okpara river to summon ancient Vodū gods to bind them into servitude.

(Gambit IV#1 (fb) - BTS) - The Benin Dagger became part of the exotic art collection of Orleans Cooper.

(Gambit IV#1 (fb) - BTS) - Thief "Fast" Jack Jessup stole the Benin Dagger from Cooper during a meeting when Cooper glanced out a window to watch Gambit fight some young men harassing a young woman.

(Gambit IV#1) - Jessup offered to trade the dagger (as well as Cooper's wallet and Hydra-designed twin-laser hand cannon, which he had also stolen) to the bartender at Cooper's Club Orleans in exchange for an expensive 60 year old bottle of single malt private reserve McCallam whiskey. After explaining the dagger's origins, Jessup stabbed the bartender in the hand with it, then told him to tell Cooper that he was going to steal the Inficio Aquilus for him, even though Cooper had taken him off the job, and that he would kill anyone who got in his way (meaning primarily Gambit).

 

 

 

Comments: Created by John Layman, Georges Jeanty, and Don Hillsman II.

    It's possible that the dagger Lili Penrose used on Gambit was the Benin Dagger, but they didn't look the same. Then again, different artists for issue #6.

(Gambit IV#6) - Lili stabbed Gambit in the chest with her sacrificial dagger, which bent in half upon hitting the magical card.

Profile by Snood.

CLARIFICATIONS:
The Benin Dagger should be distinguished from:

images: (without ads)
Gambit IV#1, last page, panels 1 & 3

Appearances:
Gambit IV#1 (November, 2004) - by John Layman (writer), Georges Jeanty (penciler), Don Hillsman II (inker), Stephanie Moore & Sean Ryan (assistant editors), Mike Marts (editor).
Maybe Gambit IV#6 (March, 2005) - by John Layman (writer), Roger Robinson (penciler), James Pascoe w/ Don Hillsman II (inker), Stephanie Moore & Sean Ryan (assistant editors), Mike Marts (editor).

Any Additions/Corrections? please let me know.

Last Updated: 07/04/07

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