IZANAMI
Real Name: Unrevealed (possibly Izanami); later possessed Naomi Chu
Identity/Class: Human mutate (enhanced by magic)
Occupation: Ninja warrior
Group Membership: Hand (Jonin, Jonin, others)
Affiliations: Baron Strucker (Wolfgang von Strucker), Beast of the Hand, Millie, Spear
Enemies: The Chaste (Flame, Star, Stone), Daredevil (Matt Murdock), Ghost Rider (Dan Ketch/Noble Kale), Christine Harris, Nomad (Jack Monroe), Punisher (Frank Castle), Romero, Jerry "The Whale" Sabini, Pamela Sennet, Derek Tully
Known Relatives: None
Aliases: None
Base of Operations: Mobile
First Appearance: (Unidentified) Daredevil I#293 (June, 1991); (name revealed) Daredevil I#294 (July, 1991)
Powers/Abilities: Izanami is a trained ninja with impressive bulk and strength. Capable of absorbing the life forces of others to increase her own strength and durability, Izanami has risen from the dead herself more than once. She is an expert in combat with swords.
After a more permanent death, Izanami returned as an energy source, possessing a mortal woman and taking over her normal form. In this form, she was the source of the Hand's mystical powers, but had to purge her own humanity to remain effective. When a deadline passed, Izanami withered away, leaving the mortal she had been possessing free of her effects.
Height: 6'3" (by approximation)
Weight: 300 lbs. (by approximation)
Eyes: Grey
Hair: Black
History:
(Daredevil I#295 (fb) - BTS) - Jonin (of the Hand) conducted business deals with criminals based in Hong Kong, seeking to expand their businesses to New York City. Working with the warrior woman Izanami, he hired criminals Tombstone and Taskmaster to kill assigned targets, seeking to sow unrest in the city's circles.
(Daredevil I#293) - Izanami stood by as Jonin got the news that Tombstone and Taskmaster had been defeated. Jonin prepared to launch the Hand's plans into full action.
(Daredevil I#294) - Jonin moved the Hand into an abandoned warehouse in New York City, where Izanami stood by as he sacrificed a man to the Beast. Jonin sent Izanami and ninjas to apprehend councilwoman Christine Harris, but Daredevil fought them and several of the ninjas vanished into smoke, with Izanami absorbing their life forces to increase her own strength. She jumped off the building and landed safely on the ground below, returning to Jonin, who honored her. Daredevil soon attacked.
(Daredevil I#295) - The Hand were shocked when Ghost Rider joined Daredevil in the attack. As ninjas dissipated into smoke, Izanami drew upon their life forces. Izanami sacrificed a few more ninjas herself, then escaped with Jonin and Harris. The Hand soon captured more targets, including Jerry "The Whale" Sabini, Derek Tully, and Pamela Sennet. Jonin and Izanami enjoyed causing fear in their captives, believing the Beast was pleased. Then Daredevil attacked.
(Daredevil I#296) - Izanami absorbed more life forces as the Chaste joined Daredevil in the attack, freeing the hostages. Jonin submitted himself to Izanami, who killed him and took his life force, then she drew her swords and turned to face the heroes. Izanami briefly sparred with Stone before the police arrived, and they shot and killed her in a hail of bullets. Izanami was delivered to the morgue, where she came back to live, killing autopsy specialist Romero by snapping his neck. Izanami tracked down the Chaste, and their member Spear turned against them, joining Izanami in her cause and helping defeat the other heroes. Spear demanded that Izanami place all of the energies she had absorbed into him, making him the one to lead the Hand, but Izanami instead chose Daredevil as her receptacle. Spear broke her contact with Daredevil, and the hero then threw a spear at Izanami, which somehow released all of the life energy she'd gathered. As it dissipated, she fell dead again.
(Daredevil I#309 (fb) - BTS) - Naomi Chu was an overweight Asian woman who enjoyed playing the slots in Las Vegas. Jonin planned to reanimate the essence of Izanami in her body.
(Daredevil I#307) - While gambling, Chu was yelled at by an old woman named Millie. The essence of Izanami took over her form. Izanami was summoned by the Hand and she rejoined Jonin to have her powers and personality reawakened. In a new costume, Izanami was restored by drawing upon the evil of Las Vegas, then she absorbed the life of some of the ninjas there. Baron Strucker stood over her, ready to command.
(Daredevil I#309) - Jonin explained to Izanami that she contained within her the power of the Beast that kept giving the Hand its mystic potential, but that she only had until midnight to purge the rest of her humanity out of her vessel or she would lose their power. Punisher, Nomad, and Daredevil learned the identity of Naomi Chu and began to close in on the Hand. Izanami prepared to take her own life to complete the ritual, but Tombstone stopped her, preparing to kill her himself to disrupt the Hand's plans. Daredevil stopped Tombstone. When midnight hit, the essence of Izanami left Naomi Chu, seemingly freeing her mortal form.
Comments: Created by D.G. Chichester (writer), Lee Weeks (penciler) & Al Williamson (inker).
Profile by Chadman.
CLARIFICATIONS:
Izanami should not be confused with:
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(Daredevil I#307) - At a Las Vegas casino, Millie was trying to get to a particular machine but was blocked by a heavyset Asian woman (Izanami). As Millie yelled at the woman, a man used Millie's machine and won the jackpot. (Daredevil I#308) - Millie was tossed out of a casino for using a fake coin in a machine, though she denied doing it. --Daredevil I#307 (Daredevil I#307-308 |
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images: (without ads)
Daredevil I#296, cover (main)
Daredevil I#307, p1, pan3 (face, civilian identity)
Daredevil I#307, p3, pan1 (Naomi Chu)
Daredevil I#308, p21, pan1 (Izanami energy)
Daredevil I#307, p1, pan2 (Millie)
Appearances:
Daredevil I#293-295 (June-August, 1991) - D.G. Chichester (writer), Lee Weeks (penciler), Al Williamson (inker), Ralph Macchio (editor)
Daredevil I#296 (September, 1991) - D.G. Chichester (writer), Ron Garney (penciler), Al Williamson (inker), Ralph Macchio (editor)
Daredevil I#299 (December, 1991) - D.G. Chichester (writer), Lee Weeks (penciler), Al Williamson (inker), Ralph Macchio (editor)
Daredevil I#307 (August, 1992) - D.G. Chichester (writer), Scott McDaniel (penciler), Bud LaRosa (inker), Ralph Macchio (editor)
Daredevil I#309 (September, 1992) - D.G. Chichester (writer), Scott McDaniel (penciler), Bud LaRosa (inker), Ralph Macchio (editor)
First Posted: 06/18/2019
Last updated: 06/18/2019
Any Additions/Corrections? please let me know.
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