In 1986 Marvel created a line of comics called the New Universe. The best NU series was D.P. 7, about a group of ordinary people who mysteriously gain superpowers. Another good one was Psi-Force, which featured a group of teens who could summon a Native spirit called Psi-Hawk with their combined abilities.

To commemorate the 20th anniversary of the New Universe, Marvel published several "Untold Tales of the New Universe" this year. The D.P. 7 issue told of a tribe threatened by one of its own, who gains the power to raise the dead. Here's the lowdown on the comic.

The good:

• The story takes place on an actual reservation--the Menominee--in an actual place--Keshena, Wisconsin.
• The Indians live in simple wooden homes on the rez. There are no teepees or totem poles.
• The Indians' names--Keso, Seka, Tomah--sound more real than contrived.

• The Indians' clothing is slightly stereotypical. A couple of the men wear headbands and Seka dons a buckskin outfit when she goes bad.
• The Indians refer to their medicine man as a "shaman."
• Seka's ability to raise the dead is related to the stereotypical Indian spirits and burial grounds. It's almost de rigueur for Indians in comics to contact their relatives or ancestors.
• The reservation seems set in a time warp. There's no mention of the tribal government, the BIA, or law enforcement when Seka attacks. Most of the tribe simply flees, leaving a few Indians and the heroes to face her.
• Other than mentioning clans and elders, the comic doesn't address Menominee culture. What do the Menominee believe about the afterlife? Do they have a taboo about dead bodies or references to the dead? How do they feel about destroying the mortal remains of their kin?

• The D.P. 7 smoke pipes, dress up in feathers and war paint, and hoist spears and tomahawks to battle Seka and her zombies. Hello? Why would non-Indians need or want these blatantly stereotypical accouterments? If their superpowers aren't enough to defeat some shambling corpses, how about trying guns? Or calling for reinforcements?

Related links
Comic books featuring Indians

Join our Native/pop culture blog and comment   Sign up to receive our FREE newsletter via e-mail   See the latest Native American stereotypes in the media   Political and social developments ripped from the headlines

. . .