Bengal (character)

Bengal
Bengal. Art by Jim Cheung.
Publication information
Publisher	Marvel Comics
First appearance	Daredevil #258 (Sept. 1988)
Created by	Fabian Nicieza Ron Lim
In-story information
Alter ego	Duc No Tranh
Species	Human
Team affiliations	The Initiative Shadow Initiative
Abilities	Master martial artist Exceptional athlete Excellent acrobat Skilled archer and tracker Enhanced sense of smell

Bengal (Duc No Tranh) is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics.

Publication history

The character first appeared in Daredevil #258 and was created by Fabian Nicieza and artist Ron Lim.

Fictional character biography

Duc No Tranh was a boy growing up in a Vietnamese village during the Vietnam War. During the war, American soldiers, including William Talltrees, Willie Lincoln, and the future Reverend Michael Janes, massacre his village and parents. The boy tries to climb aboard the Americans' helicopter, but is kicked off by Private Janes, despite the pleas of the other soldiers on board.

Years later, the boy becomes the costumed Bengal and travels to America for revenge on the soldiers involved in the destruction of his village. Willie Lincoln seeks the protection of Daredevil, who defeats Bengal.

Bengal later attacks Janes and battles Silhouette and the New Warriors. After Punisher stops him, Bengal befriends the New Warriors and makes peace with Janes.

Despite this, Bengal still feels the need to avenge atrocities stemming from the Vietnam War. He comes to believe that Gai No Don, an acquaintance of Night Thrasher, is Li Pan, a Vietnamese general responsible for thousands of innocent deaths. Bengal battles security officers until he reaches Gai. He is confronted by Night Thrasher and Silhouette, whom Gai has hired. He is told Gai is not Li Pan. Bengal leaps out a window and escapes. Bengal later attacks the Poison Memories gang, a long time New Warriors enemy. He believes they have information on Li Pan. Again, Night Thrasher fights him. He is temporarily subdued and urged to move on.

Civil War/The Initiative

Bengal later appears as a member of the 50 States Initiative, training at Camp Hammond. During the World War Hulk event, the Hulk returns from deep space and battles many of Earth's heroes. Some of the Camp Hammond recruits are captured and kept imprisoned in Madison Square Garden before Bengal and other others free them.

Secret Invasion

During the Secret Invasion storyline, Bengal discovers that the Skrulls have taken over Camp Hammond. He and the Shadow Initiative attempt to assassinate Queen Veranke, but fail and are captured before eventually being rescued.

Siege

During the Siege storyline, Penance evades the guards and convinces Batwing, Bengal, and Butterball to help the Avengers Resistance. After Norman Osborn is defeated, Bengal moves to Brooklyn and opens a martial arts gym.

Powers, abilities, and equipment

Bengal is a martial arts master and an exceptional athlete. He is also an excellent acrobat, and a skilled archer and tracker. He typically fights with bow and arrows, or shuriken. His favorite weapons are paired sai-like weapons with blades that collapse or expand at the press of a button. He has an enhanced sense of smell and can track people by scent.

In other media

Bengal appears in Lego Marvel's Avengers.

External links

• Bengal at The Appendix to the Handbook of the Marvel Universe
• Marvel Database Bengal entry