DEVIL BIRD
Classification: Terrestrial technology (1950s era)
Creator: Unrevealed communist nation (possibly Russia)
User/Possessors: Barlov, Gregoff
First Appearance: Lorna, the Jungle Girl#9/1 (September, 1954)
Powers/Abilities/Functions: Built in the form of a monstrous bat-like creature, the Devil Bird was an aircraft with a helicopter rotor. Its control cockpit was large enough to accomodate two pilots. While it hovered, its right claw could be extended by cables to snare people and objects. Its flight specifications (air-speed, range, etc.) are unknown.
History:
(Lorna, the Jungle Girl#9/1 (fb) - BTS) - An unidentified communist nation wanted to establish an air base in the jungles of Africa, to bring in supplies to their underground forces for a coming revolt. To accomplish this goal, they constructed a bat-like aircraft, piloted by Barlov and Gregoff, to frighten the inhabitants out of the jungle district.
(Lorna, the Jungle Girl#9/1) - Lorna and her monkey, Mikki, were in the jungle tree-tops when they saw a stampede of animals fleeing in panic, followed by an equally frightened group of natives; one of the natives called up to Lorna, warning her of the approaching "devil bird". Just then, Lorna heard the noise of the aircraft's rotor and looked up to see the flying monstosity; she narrowly avoided being grabbed by its extended claw. Inside the cockpit of the Devil Bird, Barlov and Gregoff realized Lorna didn't scare as easily as the natives and beasts, so they would have to make special arrangements to eliminate her.
The next day, after trying to track down the strange Devil Bird, Lorna went to the camp of of her friend, hunter Greg Knight; Barlov was meeting with Greg, under the false pretense that he wanted to hire Greg as his safari guide. While Lorna and Greg were conversing with their backs turned to him, Barlov saw this as his chance to kill the two of them and raised his hunting rifle; fortunately, Mikki leaped on Barlov's head and threw off his aim.
Hearing Barlov's gunshot, Gregoff flew the Devil Bird to the campsite and hovered overhead. As Barlov retrieved his rifle and held Lorna and Greg at bay, he told them about his country's intentions. Then Mikki once again distracted Barlov, giving Lorna the opportunity to attack the communist agent.
As the jungle girl and Barlov struggled on the ground, Gregoff lowered the Devil Bird's claw and grabbed both of them with the talon. While Barlov was accidentally squeezed to death, Lorna managed to wriggle free, then she climbed up the cables to the Devil Bird's cockpit to confront Gregoff. Gregoff leaned outside the cockpit and fired several shots at Lorna, so she leaped back downward and landed on the trailing claw. Lorna then swung on the talon, building up enough momentum to swing it upward and over the Devil Bird's rotor blades and back down upon Gregoff, apparently killing him (see comments), even as Lorna leaped off and landed on the aircraft's bat-wing.
A little later, Lorna successfully landed the comandeered aircraft in a jungle clearing.
Comments: Created by Don Rico (writer) and Werner Roth (artist).
When Lorna landed the Devil Bird, Barlov's body could still be seen in its talon, but Gregoff's final fate wasn't clearly shown or even mentioned in the story, so I'm only assuming he died.
I guess Lorna must have had some piloting skills, considering she landed the Devil Bird successfully (not to mention the aircraft's instruments were probably labeled in a foreign language).
Profile by Ron Fredricks.
CLARIFICATIONS:
The Devil Bird has no known connections to:
Barlov has no known connections to:
Gregoff has no known connections to:
Two agents of an unidentified communist nation, the bald Gregoff and mustachioed Barlov piloted the Devil Bird. Their mission was to scare everyone out of the Mamau district of the African jungle so their country could establish an air base to bring supplies to underground forces for a coming revolt. Although they were initially successful, their plans would be ended by the jungle girl Lorna; Barlov was later caught in the Devil Bird's extended talon and was squeezed to death; Gregoff was apparently killed when he was struck by the same talon.
--Lorna, the Jungle Girl#9
images: (without ads)
Lorna, the Jungle Girl#9, p2, pan2 (Devil Bird hovering above Lorna and Mikki)
Lorna, the Jungle Girl#9, p6, pan4 (Lorna swinging on claw towards Gregoff)
Lorna, the Jungle Girl#9, p6, pan5 (Lorna leaping on wing, Barlov in claw, claw apparently striking Gregoff)
Lorna, the Jungle Girl#9, p2, pan6 (Gregoff and Barlov in cockpit of Devil Bird)
Appearances:
Lorna, the Jungle Girl#9 (September, 1954) - Don Rico (writer), Werner Roth (artist), Stan Lee (editor)
Any Additions/Corrections? please let me know.
Last Updated: 10/03/10
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