ABDULLAH RAZMUZ

Real Name: Abdullah Razmuz

Identity/Class: Human magic user (circa 1054 BC and 1946);
   citizen of Egypt

Occupation: Seeker of vengeance; former Egyptian Pharoah

Group Membership: None

Affiliations: Isiris (Osiris), unidentified bedouin, unidentified night watchman

Enemies: Landa Fey, Sidi Fey, Human Torch (Jim Hammond), Toro (Thomas Raymond), a group of archeologists (Sconia, Abbot and "Costella");
formerly Prince Aba Fey

Known Relatives: None

Aliases: None

Base of Operations: Museum of Natural History in New York City, New York;
   formerly Ancient Egypt circa 1054 BC

First Appearance: Marvel Mystery Comics#78/1 (November, 1946)

Powers/Abilities: Razmuz possesses several mystical powers that were amplified by the Scarab of Isiris such as hypnotic mind control, induce sleep on others, speak and understand foreign languages, enhanced physical attributes providing him with near superhuman strength and endurance. While in the presence or holding the Scarab of Isiris he became immortal and unable to be killed by physical means. The Scarab could regenerate his body from any injury and return him to life even after his mummified body had decomposed. He probably did not require the need for food or water for sustenance and no longer required to breathe as he was basically a magical form of undead.

Height: Unrevealed (5'6"; by approximation)
Weight: Unrevealed (140 lbs.; by approximation)
Eyes: White with no pupils
Hair: Bald

History:
(Marvel Mystery Comics#78/1 - BTS) - Abdullah Razmuz ruled as Pharaoh 3000 years ago. Razmuz acquired under unknown circumstances the Scarab of Isiris (Osiris) a mystical object that granted him immortality when he held it or was in sight of it.

(Marvel Mystery Comics#78/1 - BTS) - Pharoah Abdullah Razmuz was an evil tyrant towards his people and a revolt led by Prince Aba Fey erupted bringing chaos to the kingdom. Unable to kill Razmuz by normal means, his scarab was stolen, reducing his powers greatly. With the magic scarab no longer in his possession, Prince Aba Fey led a successful attack and managed to usurp the throne and Razmuz was captured and as punishment was entombed alive within a sarcophagus. Many years later after Prince Fey's death, Razmuz's sarcophagus was placed within a hidden room within his tomb as a means of watching over the evil Razmuz and preventing him from returning to life. The Scarab of Isiris was placed inside a magical metal box and sealed with a warning for others that it contained both life and death to those who open it.

(Marvel Mystery Comics#78/1 - BTS) - A trio of American archeologists (Sconia, Abbott, and "Costella") discovered Prince Fey's tomb in Egypt and removed Razmuz's sarcophagus and brought it back to their camp for further study but somehow became lost in the nearby Egyptian hills. They were then rescued by the Human Torch and Toro who were sent by Morse Kenyon the director of the archeological department at the Museum of Natural History in New York City who lost contact with the three archeologists. The archeologists were about to inspect their recent find, the sarcophagus belonging to Razmuz, when Sconia found a hidden compartment at its base with a metal box inside, but the Human Torch suggested that they should wait to open the mummy and box after they were X-rayed to determine if the two objects had any hidden traps and if any Egyptian curses could be removed safely. A little while later, being overly curious, Abbot, being alone in the tent with the sarcophagus, opened the box to reveal that it contained the Scarab of Isiris which unintentionally returned Razmuz to life. The terrified Abbott began to scream in fear as Razmuz began to strangle him, but the noise alerted the Human Torch, Toro and the other two archeologists who rushed inside to find Razmuz standing over the dazed body of Abbott and holding the Scarab. Torch tried to tackle the mummy and momentarily knocked Razmuz to the ground with a punch, but the ancient Pharaoh retaliated by casting a sleep spell on the group and wandered off.

(Marvel Mystery Comics#78/1) - After waking up in a strange world without camels and caravans, Razmuz, while wandering away from the archeologist's camp, came across an Egyptian bedouin exiting his car and hypnotised him into becoming his slave. He then ordered the man to provide him with shelter, information and clothes. Seeking revenge on Prince Fey, Razmuz learned of his enemy's last two living descendants and sought to kill them, and he ordered the bedouin to use a phone he considered an instrument of laziness to contact Sidi Fey and arrange a meeting. Later that night, Razmuz was about to harm Sidi Fey when the Human Torch and Toro entered the room and knocked the Scarab from his hands. The Human Torch told Toro to burn the Scarab, but it proved to be resistant to his flames. Seeing his master in danger the bedouin, holding a potion, tossed it into the room and a puff of smoky fumes rendered the two heroes unconscious. Leaving the bedouin behind to deal with the Torch and Toro, Razmuz took Sidi Fey prisoner and under hypnosis made him reveal that Landa Fey, the last descendant of his enemy Prince Aba Fey was married and living in New York City. Razmuz then entombed him alive inside a glass sarcophagus at a location called the Valley of the Seven Gods and set off to New York City to find Landa.

   Razmuz used magical hypnosis to mesmerize a pilot and crew and boarded a plane in Cairo that was bound for New York City. Unknown to him the Torch and Toro rescued Sidi Fey at the Valley of the Seven Gods and learned of Razmuz's plan to find Landa in New York City.

   Marvelling at how tall the buildings were in New York City, Razmuz mused that he would have to visit the great tombs (pyramids) once his sacred mission of revenge was done. Entering the Museum of Natural History, Razmuz mesmerized a night watchman and began a ritual prayer in front of the statue of Isiris (Osiris) in the Egyptian exhibit which was observed by the Torch and Toro. The Human Torch educated Toro that the eyes of Osiris were said to flash if the god was angry. The two heroes attempted to capture Razmuz but the ancient king momentarily stunned the duo by tossing a heavy clay pot at them and bound them with rope, sealed them inside a replica tomb chamber and escaped. The Torch somehow managed to summon the watchman using a hypnotic chant he had heard previously uttered by Razmuz (Huh?) who unsealed the door allowing the two to escape.

   Making his way inside the apartment of Landa, Razmuz attacked her and rendered her unconscious on the floor. The Torch having snuck the statue of Isiris (Osiris) to Landa's apartment began a loud angry sounding chant "Isiris forbid, Isiris strikes you down, Re Isiris hara calmus." The distraction brought Razmuz into another room to investigate where he witnessed the statue's eyes began to glow (a trick by Torch using a pair of flashlights) and fearing his god's wrath dropped to his knees and momentarily placed the Scarab on the floor where it was taken away by the Human Torch and tossed out a window by Toro, allowing the Torch to punch Razmuz in the face and capture him. No longer immortal without the Scarab, Razmuz reverted to his previous dead state and his body was once again placed within his sarcophagus that was now on display in the Museum of Natural history.

Comments: Created by uncredited writer and Charles Nicholas Wojtkoski.

Razmuz's reign in ancient Egypt is a bit problematic due to the timeline not adding up historically. It was stated as occurring 3000 years ago which set it during 1054 BC as of the story's date being set in 1946. During this period Egypt was ruled by the pharaoh Menmaatre Ramesses XI who reigned from 1107 BC to 1078 BC. Maybe Razmuz was simply a corrupted form of the name Ramesses, and they could be one and the same much like the name Isiris in this story was different to the actual god Osiris. Maybe Razmuz could be retconned as being Rama Tut's court wizard Shamaz (similar sounding names) who maybe became pharaoh after Rama Tut departed Egypt for the 20th Century. This would mean the archeologists that uncovered his tomb were mistaken about how long ago his reign began and ended. Dating things from this period could be tricky due to lack of known identifiable artifacts, papyrus and hieroglyphic records that could verify his place within the Egyptian Dynasty.

The third archeologist was not given a name and to distinguish him from anyone else I gave him the name Costella. This is my attempt at humor as a play on the comedic actors Abbott and Costello from the 1940's and 1950's.

Profile by AvatarWarlord.

CLARIFICATIONS:
Razmuz has no known connections to:

Scarab of Isiris

The Scarab of Isiris' origin was unrevealed. It was a mystical ankh-shaped ruby artifact fashioned with a handle and a large beetle on top. It was fire resistant and apparently indestructible. The scarab's magic powers were attuned to Razmuz, who, when in near proximity, was granted invulnerability, immortality and enabled his long dead body to return to life. The Scarab appeared to have other undefined powers that also enhanced Razmuz's own innate magic abilities. The fate of the Scarab of Isiris after Toro tossed it out the window from Landa's apartment remains unrevealed.

--Marvel Mystery Comics#78/1

Statue of Isiris

A statue of Isiris (Osiris) that was on display in the Museum of Natural History in New York City was said to have its eyes glow when the god was angry. The statue's mythic ability to do so was the cause of Razmuz's downfall when the Human Torch used a pair of flashlights to simulate the god's anger towards the evil pharaoh. The distraction allowed the Torch to separate the Scarab of Isiris from his grasp and being tossed out a window rendering the ancient Razmuz to weaken and return to his previous mummified state.

--Marvel Mystery Comics#78/1

Morse Kenyan

He was head of the department of antiquity in the Egyptian wing within the Museum of Natural History in New York City. He sent fellow archeologists Sconia, Abbot and "Costella" on an expedition to Egypt but lost contact with them. He sent the Human Torch and Toro to Egypt to find them.

--Marvel Mystery Comics#78/1

Sconia, Abbot and "Costella"

This trio of archeologists were sent by the Museum of Natural History on an expedition to Egypt and discovered the long-lost tomb of Prince Aba Fey. While exploring the tomb, they discovered a hidden chamber containing the sarcophagus of Abdulla Razmuz and after bringing it to their camp became lost somewhere in the nearby hills. They were later rescued by the timely appearance of the Human Torch and Toro who were sent to locate them. After discovering a hidden compartment containing a small metal box at its base, the archeologists debated about waiting to X-ray the sarcophagus to deem if it was safe and free of traps or curses. Sconia and "Costella," took the Torch and Toro to the location where they found it, leaving Abbot behind. A little while later, being overly curious, Abbot, being alone in the tent with the sarcophagus, opened the box to reveal that it contained the Scarab of Isiris which unintentionally returned Razmuz to life. The terrified Abbott began to scream in fear as Razmuz began to strangle him, but the noise alerted the Human Torch, Toro and the other two archeologists who rushed inside to find Razmuz standing over the dazed body of Abbott and holding the Scarab. Torch tried to tackle the mummy and momentarily knocked Razmuz to the ground with a punch, but the ancient Pharaoh retaliated by casting a sleep spell on the group and wandered off.

Images from left to right: Abbot, Sconia, "Costella"

--Marvel Mystery Comics#78/1

unidentified bedouin

After Waking up in a strange world without camels and caravans, Razmuz, while wandering away from the archeologists' camp came across an Egyptian bedouin exiting his car and hypnotised him into becoming his slave. He then ordered the man to provide him with shelter, information and clothes. Seeking revenge on Prince Fey, Razmuz learned of his enemy's last two living descendants, sought to kill them and he ordered the bedouin to use a phone he considered an instrument of laziness to contact Sidi Fey and arrange a meeting. Razmuz was about to harm Sidi Fey when the Human Torch and Toro entered the room and knocked the Scarab from his hands. The Human Torch told Toro to burn the Scarab, but it proved to be resistant to his flames. Seeing his master in danger the bedouin, holding a potion, tossed it into the room and a puff of smoky fumes rendered the two heroes unconscious. Leaving the nedouin behind to deal with the Torch and Toro, Razmuz took Sidi Fey prisoner. The bedouin was then subdued by the now awake Human Torch and forced to reveal Razmuz's evil plans.

--Marvel Mystery Comics#78/1

Prince Aba Fey

3000 years ago Prince Aba Fey led a revolt against the evil tyrant Pharaoh Razmuz. Unable to kill Razmuz by normal means, his scarab was stolen, reducing his powers greatly. With the magic scarab no longer in his possession, Prince Aba Fey led a successful attack and managed to usurp the throne. Razmuz was captured and as punishment was entombed alive within a sarcophagus. Many years later, after Prince Fey's death, Razmuz's sarcophagus was placed within a hidden room within his tomb as a means of watching over the evil Razmuz and preventing him from returning to life.

--Marvel Mystery Comics#78/1

Sidi Fey

Sidi Fey was one of Prince Aba Fey's last living relatives and lived in Cairo. When Razmuz returned to life, he was contacted by the Human Torch who offered to protect him. Razmuz ordered his bedouin servant to contact him via phone to set up a meeting and later attacked him in his home. Razmuz was about to harm Sidi Fey when the Human Torch and Toro entered the room and knocked the Scarab from his hands. The Human Torch told Toro to burn the Scarab, but it proved to be resistant to his flames. Seeing his master in danger the bedouin, holding a potion, tossed it into the room and a puff of smoky fumes rendered the two heroes unconscious. Leaving the bedouin behind to deal with the Torch and Toro, Razmuz took Sidi Fey prisoner and under hypnosis made him reveal that Landa Fey, the last descendant of his enemy Price Aba Fey, was married and living in a city called New York. Razmuz then placed him alive inside a glass sarcophagus at a location called the Valley of the Seven Gods and set off to New York to find Landa. After being rescued by the two fiery heroes, he recovered in a hospital and revealed that Razmuz was now enroute to New York to find Landa so he could take his revenge on Aba Fey's last known descendant.

--Marvel Mystery Comics#78/1

Landa

The last known descendant of Prince Aba Fey was married and living in New York City. She was attacked and left unconscious on the floor of her apartment by Razmuz, but was rescued by the timely arrival of the Human Torch and Toro who used a pair of flashlights that tricked Razmuz into believing that his god Isiris was angry, separating him from his Scarab of Isiris which was then tossed out a window. With Razmuz's defeat, she quickly recovered from her unconsciousness and thanked the Human Torch for saving her.

--Marvel Mystery Comics#78/1

images: (without ads)
Marvel Mystery Comics#78/1, p6, pan6 (main)
Marvel Mystery Comics#78/1, 4, pan7 (head shot)
Marvel Mystery Comics#78/1, p8, pan2 (modern garb)
Marvel Mystery Comics#78/1, p5, pan4 (Scarab of Isiris)
Marvel Mystery Comics#78/1, p12, pan5 (Statue of Isiris)
Marvel Mystery Comics#78/1, p2, pan1 (Morse Kenyan)
Marvel Mystery Comics#78/1, p3, pan5 (archeologists)
Marvel Mystery Comics#78/1, p7, pan1 (bedouin)
Marvel Mystery Comics#78/1, p7, pan5 (Sidi Fey)
Marvel Mystery Comics#78/1, p12, pan2 (Landa)

Appearances:
Marvel Mystery Comics#78/1 (November, 1946) - unidentified writer, Charles Nicholas Wojtkoski (pencils & inks), Stan Lee (editor)

First Posted: 08/11/2021
Last updated: 08/11/2021

Any Additions/Corrections? please let me know.

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