JOBU
Real Name: Jobu
Identity/Class: Normal human (Bantu tribe)
(1950s era? - see comments)
Occupation: Briefly ruler of the Bantu tribe
Group Membership: Bantu tribe
Affiliations: Most Bantu tribe members (Gukai (pawn), others))
Enemies: Waku, "fire god" (see comments)
Known Relatives: None
Aliases: None
Base of Operations: Bantu territory, Africa
First Appearance: Jungle Tales#3/2 (January, 1955)
Powers/Abilities: Jobu is a manipulative and cunning strategist. He has been raised in Bantu tribal ways and is confident fighting with a knife.
Height: 5'10" (by approximation)
Weight: 175 lb. (by approximation)
Eyes: Dark brown
Hair: Black
History:
(Jungle Tales#3/2 (fb) - BTS) - Jobu was raised a
member of the Bantu tribe, but had aspirations to lead. Seemingly loyal
to ruler Prince Waku, he bided his time.
(Jungle Tales#3/2) - A jungle fire near the Bantu
tribe caused panic. Old Gukai wanted to flee along with the jungle
animals but Waku ordered restraint, claiming their "fire god" was
peaceful to them. Jobu applauded Waku when the fire soon burnt out and
helped Waku and other men stop panicked animals jumping blindly off
cliffs. Jobu spoke condescendingly of Gukai but secretly tampered with
domestic fires to make it appear the fire god was no longer friendly to
the Bantu, all to foment discord among the tribe and make Waku appear
bad. Superstitious Gukai led the voices against Waku and Jobu
encouraged the prince to step aside as prince to let the situation
settle down. Jobu told Waku that Gukai sought leadership and suggested
Waku pass leadership to himself instead as a more reasonable voice, but
this was all part of Jobu's cunning plan and Waku let this play out as
per his own suspicions. Now leader, Jobu stopped the domestic fire
trouble and Waku was disregarded in his own tribe. The next night, Jobu
lay in wait with a cage of leopards to unleash against Waku when he
went to pray at the altar of the fire god. The two confronted each
other and Jobu let loose the leopards. Waku killed several, but the
fire god suddenly manifested as a wall, driving off the other leopards
and left only the two men. Jobu refused to fight the stronger Waku and
ran, but tripped and accidentally fell on his own dagger. The fire
god's face appeared in the flames, declaring he had come back to help
Waku in his time of need as he had kept faith in the fire god.
Comments: Created by Don Rico & Fred Kida.
So who is the Bantu tribe's "fire god"? Fire is
linked to the African god Ogun, but he had taken on a darker aspect by
the 20th Century, having been imprisoned for several centuries. So this
"fire god" may be another fire loa or younger fire spirit worshiped as
a greater deity. The Bantu's fire god returns every 50 years and
manifests as stronger altar flame when he is pleased with the rightful
Bantu ruler.
It's not revealed when Waku's reign of the Bantu tribe takes place. It could be assumed to be 1950s, like the other stories in Jungle Tales, but I can't be sure.
This profile was completed 7/31/2021, but its publication was delayed as it was intended for the Appendix 20th anniversary 's celebratory event.
Profile by Grendel Prime.
CLARIFICATIONS
:
Jobu has no known connections to:
Gukai was an older member of the Bantu tribe ruled by Waku. He felt the fire god was a vengeful one and he would flee when fire threatened the jungle, rather than let it burn out and prevent animals from jumping blindly into a gorge in panic. Jobu condescendingly spoke of Gukai as an old coward, but then manipulated the domestic fires in the camp to stoke the overly superstitious Gukai to foment discord and call for Waku's removal as prince.
--Jungle Tales#3/2
images:
(without ads)
Jungle Tales#3/2, p5, pan1 (main image)
p2, pan6 (headshot)
p3, pan4 (Gukai)
Appearances:
Jungle Tales#3/2 (January, 1955) - Don Rico (writer), Fred Kida (pencils & inks), Stan Lee (editor)
First posted: 09/08/2021
Last updated:
09/06/2021
Any Additions/Corrections? please let me know.
Non-Marvel Copyright info
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