Manitou (DC Comics)
| Manitou | |
|---|---|
The current Manitou, Manitou Dawn. Art by Doug Mahnke, Tom Nguyen, and David Baron. | |
| Publication information | |
| Publisher | DC Comics |
| First appearance | Manitou Raven: JLA #66 (July 2002) Maniou Dawn: JLA #75 (January 2003) |
| Created by | Joe Kelly Doug Mahnke |
| In-story information | |
| Alter ego | Raven Dawn |
| Species | Homo Magi |
| Place of origin | North America (11th century BC) |
| Team affiliations | Justice League Justice League Elite League of Ancients Sisterhood of the Sleight Hand |
| Abilities | Both versions of the character are experts in magic drawn from Native American shamanism, other magical practices, and from various artifacts. |
The Manitou is the codename and title of Native American superheroes appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. With the original version of the character was created by Joe Kelly and Doug Mahnke and debuted in JLA #66 (July 2002), the second version debuted later in JLA #75 (January 2003). Inspired by Apache Chief, the characters are among notable Native American superheroes. They have been criticized as a caricature due to being an amalgamation of different tribes, common regulation of having supernatural powers, and confusion of different indigenous cultures.
A legacy hero role rooted within ancient Native Americans, Raven is a mystic master from the ancestral people who would become the Apache and inherited his role. Assisted by his wife, he was member of the a coalition of super-powered champions until an encounter with the 21st century Justice League, wherein he and his wife move into the future. Eventually killed, he is succeeded by his wife. Dawn, beginning as her rebellious woman who first challenged traditional norms and later wedded Raven despite a turbulent start, acts as his assistant as the pair settle in the future before she succeeds him. As the Manitou, she inherit his powers and becomes a philanthropist.
Thus far, the Manitou Raven version has only appeared as a playable character in Scribblenauts Unmasked: A DC Comics Adventure.