8 Comic Heroes who’d Celebrate Hanukkah
It’s the holiday season, and one of those holidays is the eight night celebration of Hanukkah. So here’s a nod to some comicbook characters who might be lighting their menorahs.
From Marvel:
Kitty Pryde aka Shadowcat (among others)
Evolution of Kitty’s Costume (Invincible Iron Man 504 Variant)
Whether on Earth 597, 616, or 1610, 11052 or 12131 Kitty has cast a large shadow across the Marvel verse. Her first appearance was in January 1980 in X-Men 129 where her series of headaches with strange side effects caught Charles Xavier’s attention. This led to an invitation to Xavier’s School for Gifted Youngsters. Working with various teams, including Excalibur, she’s even been the Headmistress of the Jean Grey School.
Benjamin Grimm aka The Thing
After a turbulent youth with the gangs of New York, Benjamin earn a football scholarship and eneded up rooming with Reed Richards…and we all know how that went. On going member of the Fantastic Four.
Image Alpha Flight #9 1984 – and for the uber fans, I know this isn’t Ben.
Dr. Walter Langkowski aka Sasquatch
After gaining his powers through gamma radiation experimentation, Walter (then Wanda, then Walter) was a key member of Alpha Flight, when not teaching physics at various Canadian Universities.
Ruth Bat-Seraph aka Sebra
Art by Mike Perkins
Sabra, or Ruth Bat-Seraph, seen in Incredible Hulk in the early 1980s she does end up working for X-Corporation and works with many in the Marvel verse. She was born in Isreal and raised on a kibbutz and first worked for the Mossad as one of their first superhuman agents. Her mutant power enhances all her body’s physical abilities to superhuman levels (strength speed, reflexes etc).
And from DC:
Kate Kane aka Batwoman
Katherine (Kate) Kane – Another character with an angst filled backstory. Kate was introduced to us as a cadet at West Point, where she had high marks but was dishonourably discharged under Don’t Ask Don’t Tell for being in a lesbian relationship. After a spin at being a party girl, she funneled her disappointment into becoming Batwoman.
Felicity Smoak
From Green Arrow 35 – art by Daniel Sampere
Felicity Smoak while she has really been brought to prominence by the television show, where she mentions Hanukkah, this super hacker is a long history in the DC verse. She was first introduced in 1984 as a moral compass for Firestorm, mostly by suing him on behalf of those who were mere “collateral damage”, but even then she was running her own soft ware company. She was reintroduced in the New 52 as a hacker for hire, who switches to Team Arrow, and is much closer to the tv version.
Eric Strauss aka 1/2 of Doctor Fate
One of DC’s stranger ‘re-incarnation’ characters is Doctor Fate. And at least one of those incarnations was Jewish! Based on the powers of an Egyptian sorcerer, Nabu, Eric Strauss and his step mother Linda Strauss merge together becoming Doctor Fate. Nabu continued to advise them, and they were joined by a demon named Petey during the 1987-88 run of Doctor Fate.
Dr. Harleen F. Quinzel aka Harely Quinn
Harley’s backstory, cover by Bruce Timm
Harley Quinn was introduced into the Bat-verse via the animated series in 1992, and entered the comic world in 1993 (Batman Adventures #12). Her origins were revealed in the 1994 one-shot “Mad Love” (Paul Dini and Bruce Timm) where we learn that Dr. Harleen Frances Quinzel, MD was a psychiatrist at Arkham Asylum. Not sure if her “Mr. J” gives her holidays off, but I’m sure she’d throw a great party to celebrate the military victory, the miracle of the oil, but mostly the gold coins, chocolate or otherwise.
To all those who celebrate, happy Hanukkah!
