LIVING BUDDHA
Real Name: Unrevealed
Identity/Class: Human magic user;
citizen of Tibet
Occupation: Lord of the Crypts of Kaa-U
Group Membership: Ruler of the Shadowmen
Affiliations: Cagliostro, Shuma-Gorath, unidentified mindless servants
Enemies: Ancient One (Yao), Doctor Strange (Stephen Strange)
Known Relatives: None
Aliases: Lord of the Crypts
Base of Operations: The Crypts of Kaa-U in Tibet
First Appearance: Marvel Premiere I#9 (July, 1973)
Powers/Abilities: The Living Buddha wields magical power, allowing him to fire mystical bolts from his hands, and he commands the resources of the Crypts of Kaa-U, as well as commanding the savage green-skinned Shadowman. Either unwilling to or unable to move, the Living Buddha is carried about by his servants while he remains seated.
Height: Unrevealed (6'8"; by approximation)
Weight: Unrevealed (510 lbs.; by approximation)
Eyes: Blue
Hair: Black
History:
(Marvel Premiere I#9 (fb) - BTS) - Under unrevealed circumstances, the
Living Buddha was appointed to be the Lord of the Crypts of Kaa-U,
where for thousands of years the skeletons of former Sorcerer Supremes
had been kept. The Living Buddha was doted on by mindless servants, and
he kept the green and demonic Shadowmen contained, to be used if the
Crypts were ever attacked.
(Jean-Marc Lofficier's unpblished Book of the Vishanti / Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe A to Z HC#2: Cagliostro entry) - Cagliostro traveled the world to expand his arcane knowledge, including the Crypts of Kaa-U in Tibet where he was taught by the Living Buddha.
(Marvel Premiere I#10 (fb) - BTS) - The extradimensional Shuma-Gorath contacted Living Buddha, who believed that Shuma-Gorath was going to take over the universe, and thus he agreed to serve Shuma-Gorath, who was feeding on the energy of the Ancient One and would soon have enough power to invade the realm. The Ancient One, realizing that his power was feeding Shuma-Gorath, came to the Crypts of Kaa-U, where he planned to die so that Shuma-Gorath would no longer have power. The Living Buddha made plans to trick the Ancient One into using his power again.
(Marvel Premiere I#9) - After undergoing days worth of tests on his journey to find the Ancient One, Doctor Strange arrived at the Crypts of Kaa-U, and he was greeted by the Living Buddha, who promised him enlightenment. The Living Buddha pointed Strange to a door, behind which waited the Ancient One. The Ancient One told Strange that he wished to die and ordered Strange to leave before Shuma-Gorath attacked, but Strange refused. Knowing that the Ancient One could not explain his reasons, and that Strange would not leave his master, the Living Buddha ordered his mindless servants to free the Shadowmen, then ordered the Shadowmen to kill Strange. Fooled into defending Strange, the Ancient One chose to use his power against the Shadowmen, which then allowed Shuma-Gorath to take over the Ancient One's form.
(Marvel Premiere I#10) - The Living Buddha had the Shadowmen carry him over to the Ancient One's form, and he realized that somehow Doctor Strange was holding Shuma-Gorath back. Soon, the Ancient One perished as Shuma-Gorath was defeated, and Doctor Strange saw the Crypts of Kaa-U collapse, with the Living Buddha and the Shadowmen still inside.
Comments: Created by Steve Englehart and Frank Brunner.
Info from Cagliostro's entry added by Markus Raymond.
This profile was completed 6/15/2021, but its publication was delayed as it was intended for the Appendix 20th anniversary 's celebratory event.
Profile by Chadman.
CLARIFICATIONS:
Living Buddha has no known connections to:
images: (without ads)
Marvel Premiere I#9, p14, pan2 (main)
Marvel Premiere I#9, p16, pan5 (face)
Appearances:
Marvel Premiere I#9 (July, 1973) - Steve Englehart (writer), Frank Brunner (artist), Roy Thomas (editor)
Marvel Premiere I#10 (September, 1973) - Steve Englehart (writer),
Frank Brunner (penciler), Ernie Chan (inker), Roy Thomas (editor)
First Posted: 09/05/2021
Last updated: 09/01/2021
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.!