Black Bison's Talisman



Official Name: Talisman of the Black Bison Cult Nicknames: No known nicknames

Origin
Origin of item unknown. Place of Creation: Place of creation unknown; likely the New York area of the 1800s. First Appearance: Firestorm (Volume 2) 01

History
Previous Owners: Bison-Black-As-Midnight-Sky Current Owner: Black Bison

History: The talisman was one of two mystical items wielded by the super-villain known as Black Bison (the other item being the Bison Cult coup-stick. It was constructed some time in the late 1800s by the grandfather of Bison-Black-As-Midnight-Sky – a Native American shaman responsible for the creation of the inter-tribal Black Bison Cult. The shaman infused the talisman with mystical properties relating to nature. The talisman was passed down to his son, who in turn passed it down to his own son, Red-Desert-And-Night-Wind. Red-Desert-And-Night-Wind passed the talisman to his son, Thunder Arrow. Upon the death of Thunder Arrow, the talisman returned to the ownership of Bison-Black-As-Midnight-Sky. Bison reluctantly bestowed the talisman to his great-grandson, John Ravenhair. He resented John for adapting himself to the modernized ways of the white man, and used the talisman as a means of gaining control over him.

Bison-Black-As-Midnight-Sky walked to Central Park in New York, where he created a mystic ritual binding his soul to the talisman. Moments after completing the spell, two thugs named Beanbag and Zero mugged him, resulting in the old man's death. However, his spirit was now housed inside the talisman. Through this artifact, he was able to take possession of his great-grandson, transforming him into the super-villain known as Black Bison. Declaring vengeance against those who had shamed the tradition of his people, he kidnapped Lorraine Reilly – the daughter of New York senator, Walter Reilly. The super-hero known as Firestorm attempted to stop Black Bison's rampage, but was ineffective against the villain's supernatural powers. Ravenhair's girlfriend, Vanessa Tremont, was able to reawaken the spirit of John Ravenhair, granting him the fortitude to overcome his great-grandfather's spirit. Firestorm pulled the talisman from Black Bison's chest and threw it into a stream at a nearby zoo.

Characteristics
Dimensions: The Bison Cult talisman was a gold-colored circular medallion, approximately eight inches in diameter. Weight: Unknown

Powers

 * Through the power of the talisman, Bison-Black-As-Midnight-Sky was able to successfully transfer his spirit inside the device. Through this, he was able to take physical possession over the talisman’s wearer. The power of the talisman works in concert with the Bison Cult coup-stick and is capable of producing a variety of supernatural effects, including animating material objects and control over the weather. These effects cannot be accomplished by using the talisman alone. As this is a mystical artifact, it can be assumed that only one schooled in the traditions of the Black Bison Cult can effectively harness its powers.

Recommended Readings

 * Firestorm (Volume 2) 01
 * Firestorm (Volume 2) 02

Related Articles

 * Black Bison
 * Black Bison's coup-stick
 * Bison-Black-As-Midnight-Sky
 * Firestorm (Ronnie Raymond/Martin Stein)