History
Early Life
The story of the Living Mummy begins some three thousand years ago in ancient Egypt. During the reign of Pharaoh Aram-Set, Egypt enslaved hundreds of Africans belonging to the Swarili tribe. Among them, was the Swarili chieftain, N'Kantu.
N'Kantu was the son of the warrior chief, T'Chombi. By the age of twenty-one, N'Kantu endured a rite of passage known as the Test of the Lion. By single-handedly slaying a lion, he proved his mettle to the Swarili, and was considered a warrior. Upon T'Chombi's passing, N'Kantu succeeded him as chieftain.
Many months later, the armies of Aram-Set raided the Swarili villages, capturing hundreds of natives and pressing them into bondage. Being the strongest and heartiest among the Swarili, N'Kantu's lot was the hardest. He was kept in chains and forced to endure great hardship and labor. Aram-Set tried his hardest to break N'Kantu's spirit, but the chieftain's strength and resolve, established him as a veritable Moses to his people.
During this time, he ran afoul of the necromancer Rakses. Little is known of what transpired between the two, but they became bitter enemies, and Rakses would remember his old foe for centuries to come.
By night, N’Kantu would gather his tribe together, and raise them from their pain and despair with words of hope, and the promise of escape. Before long, he was ready to shake off the shackles of slavery forever. He led a bloody revolt against the armies of Aram-Set, personally slaying the Pharaoh with a thrust from his spear.
He entered the temple of Aram-Set where he confronted Nephrus, the royal wizard. Nephrus was prepared for N'Kantu's treachery and splashed him with a chemical agent that caused immediate paralysis of N'Kantu's limbs. He brought him down to a private dungeon laboratory where he bound him with linen, and injected him with a special fluid. This fluid granted N’Kantu immortality, but at the price of his mobility. Nephrus sealed him inside of a sarcophagus, promising that he would suffer as a Living Mummy for all eternity.
Moments after entombing N'Kantu, a great earthquake struck and devastated the temple, killing Nephrus and burying N'Kantu for centuries. Trapped and unable to move, N’Kantu gradually went insane as the centuries slowly passed.
21st Century
Several years ago, the fluid that kept the Mummy immobile began to wear off, and the crazed N'Kantu clawed his way to freedom. He began terrorizing the streets of Cairo until he came upon the home of archaeology professor, Doctor Alexi Skarab. There was something about Skarab that seemed familiar to N'Kantu, but it would be some time later, that he would discover that Skarab was actually the descendant of the wizard, Nephrus. Horrified, Skarab opened fire on the Living Mummy, but this only served to enrage N'Kantu, and he raced back out into the streets and went on a rampage.
The police tracked him down and opened fire on him, but bullets were barely enough to even slow the Mummy down. He fought back by tearing down a telephone pole, but the resulting backlash of electricity ravaged his body, seemingly killing him. Dr. Skarab took responsibility for the Mummy's remains and sold them to Dr. Carroll Harter, the curator of a museum in New York City.
At the museum, the Living Mummy revived once again, and broke free of the packing crate that he had been shipped in. He left the museum and began wandering the streets of Manhattan.
Howling Commandos
The Living Mummy was handpicked by Blade to join S.H.I.E.L.D.'s Howling Commandos.
Powers and Abilities
Powers
The alchemical formula that Nephrus subjected him to has granted N'Kantu various superhuman attributes.
Superhuman Strength: Despite millennia of inactivity and decay, the formula has fortified N'Kantu's musculature and skeletal structures, granting him superhuman strength. At his peak, N'Kantu possesses sufficient strength to lift approximately 4.5 tons.
Superhuman Stamina: N'Kantu's advanced musculature is more efficient than that of a normal human, producing less fatigue toxins during physical activity than the musculature of the finest human athlete. At his peak, he can exert himself physically for several hours before the build up of fatigue toxins in his blood begins to impair him.
Superhuman Durability: The tissues of N'Kantu's body have been reinforced by the alchemical formula, making them much harder and more resistant to conventional physical harm than the bodily tissues of normal humans. He has been shown to withstand powerful impact forces, falls from great heights, powerful energy blasts, and small calibre bullets without being injured.
Immortality: While not immortal in the strictest, most conventional use of the term, immortality does apply to N'Kantu. While it is possible for him to be killed through physical means, he is immune to the effects of further aging and decomposition. He is also immune to all known Earthly diseases and infections.
Self-Sustenance: The alchemical formula has negated N'Kantu's need for food, water, or air. He can withstand the rigors of a vacuum environment, such as being buried underground or under the water. Presumably, he could also survive in outer space for an indefinite period of time.
Soul Collection: After being charged by Anubis, N'Kantu has apparently gained the ability to draw souls from sentient beings. The exact nature of this ability isn't known. For instance, it isn't known if he can take just any soul or if specific circumstances are required. Since Anubis has charged N'Kantu with killing human beings if necessary, it is possible that he is able to collect a person's soul if he has taken his or her physical life.
Abilities
N'Kantu is a trained and skilled Swarili warrior and has gained further experience in various combat situations battling superhuman opponents.
Strength level
Unknown.
Weaknesses
While his physical strength, stamina and durability are superhumanly enhanced, N'Kantu's natural speed, agility, and reflexes are currently below normal human levels. This is due, in large part, to so many millennia of inactivity and decay. While he is able to understand the English language, N'Kantu himself can only speak with tremendous difficulty due to the severe dryness of his throat after so much time.
Paraphernalia
Equipment: None known.
Transportation: None known.
Weapons: None known.
Notes
- No special notes.
Trivia
- No trivia.
See Also
- Appearances of N'Kantu (Earth-1010)
- Character Gallery: N'Kantu (Earth-1010)
- Quotations by N'Kantu (Earth-1010)
Discover and Discuss
- Search News for: The Living Mummy · N'Kantu · N'Kantu (Earth-1010)
Links and References
- None.