Origin

The Kamekeri are a small South American tribe located in Costa Verde. Originally part of the Tahuantinsuyu, they worshipped both the Incan and their own local gods until missionaries convinced them to reject their old beliefs for modern ways. However, Peliali, the Volcano Goddess, swore never to leave her home or her people. Though the Kamekeri kept in touch with the outside world the Costa Verde government officially learned of their existence only recently. Years ago Jamie Santiago returned from one of many journeys into the Andes with an infant girl he claimed was his by Peliali. Revealed as a shape-shifter at her christening, Lupe grew up teased by other children. When her father died, Lupe was taken in by the Church orphanage, despite their misgivings about her “ungodly” powers. When a TV ad brought the orphanage a letter from Edwin Jarvis they decided to make Lupe his sponsor, believing that his connections to Iron Man might be able to help her someday. Lupe began a correspondence with Jarvis that lasted several years, though not revealing her birthright. Agents of Moses Magnum learned of her powers while traveling to America and forced her to fight the Avengers while they stole a seismic cannon being shipped through JFK Airport. Lupe cooperated on the condition that no hostages or bystanders were killed. Once Magnum Force escaped, Lupe, now called Silverclaw, helped the Avengers retrieve the cannon.

Creation

Maria De Guadalupe Santiago, the Silverclaw is a Marvel comics book character created by Kurt Busiek and George Perez. The character first appears in the third volume of Avengers, Avengers #8 released in 1998.

Major Story Arcs

College

Lupe attended college classes until a telegram warned her of an old Costa Verde prophecy coming true. Once Silverclaw and the Avengers arrived they discovered that sorcerer Kulan Gath had transformed the Kamekeri into Hyborian Era (circa 10, 000 B.C.) versions of themselves and was intending to sacrifice Peliali in order to attain godhood and destroy the Earth. The Avengers were able to distract Gath long enough for Silverclaw to channel the belief of the Kamekeri into Peliali allowing her to escape and leaving Gath to the mercy of his demonic masters.

An Avenger

Now an Avenger reservist, Silverclaw continued her studies while helping out against such foes as Ronan the Accuser, a homunculus of Estaban Diablo, and Kang. When the Avengers helped Mantis save her son Sequoia from one of the Thanosi (renegade Thanos duplicates), Silverclaw was attracted to the extra-dimensional Haywire, but his obsession with reviving his dead girlfriend Inertia ultimately destroyed him. Silverclaw also aided the Avengers when an extra-dimensional madman tried to merge their universe with his own and when an insane Scarlet Witch attempted to destroy the Avengers.

Civil War

During the Civil War, Silverclaw didn't register her identity as she was a citizen of South America and fought with Ms. Marvel before being taken into custody. After she was freed she was captured by the Puppet Master and forced to fight Ms Marvel yet again.

Powers and Abilities

Silverclaw can either partially or fully take the form and abilities of any jungle creature native to Costa Verde (possibly to all of South America), adopting a silver color in action. She also has the ability to mimic their powers without taking their shape. She has become animals such as a jaguar, a puma, and an anaconda which are native to South America, but has also transformed into a cockatoo and crocodile (Australia) a cheetah (Africa), and a giant sloth (which is extinct). She has a mystical link to the lands and peoples of Costa Verde, though the limits of this connection are as yet unexplored.

Physical Characteristics

• Height: 5' 7"
• Weight: 150 lbs
• Hair: Black with white tips.
• Eyes: Brown