- "Water cannot defeat fire. Nor can your spirit. And I will break your spirit, I promise."
- —Benatu Eshu to Mari McCabe[src]
Benatu Eshu (died 2016) was a former warlord and later a Zambesi ambassador who sought the Totems of Zambesi. Desiring to take control over all amulets, he renounced his ambassador status and tried to burn down the city of Detroit, demanding to be given the Anansi Amulet.
Biography
Attack on Zambesi
Warlord Eshu demands the amulet.
As a warlord, Benatu Eshu learned about the totems of Zambesi Village and attacked the village, destroying it and killing nearly everyone who tried to stand up against him. He fought an unnamed woman, who possessed the Spirit Totem, but she managed to fend him off. She was seriously injured during the fight, forcing her to flee with her youngest daughter and the totem.[1]
Claiming the Fire Totem
Arriving in Detroit years later under the guise of a Zambesi ambassador, Eshu continued his search for the totem. Discovering there to be more than just the Spirit Totem in the vicinity of Detroit. A collector, Jones, stole the Fire Totem from the Detroit Museum, hoping to sell it to Eshu. He showed his collection of jewels to the man, before Eshu pushed all but the Fire Totem aside, placing it around his neck. He shot Jones with blasts of fire, pushing him out of the window, before Vixen showed up, fighting through his security. He remarked how much she looked like her mother,[2] before they began fighting.[3] While at first they were on equal footing, Mari became overpowered and was forced to flee.[1]
Some days later, with Mari out of town, Eshu began to go on a rampage throughout Detroit, setting buildings on fire.[4] Eshu began broadcasting to the entirety of Detroit, shedding himself of his ambassador title and announcing his search for Mari and her totem. From high on a skyscraper, Eshu jumped down, running at Mari and company. The Atom and Black Canary assisted Mari, but they were both knocked down. Suddenly, Kuasa appeared, possessing the Water Totem. Though determined, she was soon defeated, burnt to nothing along with the totem.[5] Vixen and Eshu continued fighting, taking it to the skies. The former redirected the combat to the ocean, which caused Eshu to lose his power. While there, Mari was able to steal his totem. Before Eshu could follow her to the surface, Vixen channelled the power of her totem and swinging kicked him in the head, sending him to the depths of the ocean.[6]
Powers and abilities
Powers
Former powers
Eshu channelling the power of the Fire Totem.
- Fire Totem:
- Pyrokinesis: The Fire Totem granted Eshu with the power to summon fire and manipulate flames, bending them in whichever way he wanted.[2][5]
Abilities
- Diplomacy: Benatu Eshu's legal trade was that of an ambassador in the United States (Earth One).[2]
- Leadership/Charisma: Eshu became a warlord in his home country,[1] and later an ambassador to the United States (Earth One).[2]
- Skilled swordsman: Benatu Eshu showed himself proficient with a blade, but it wasn't enough to defeat the amulet-using mother of Mari McCabe.[1]
Weaknesses
- Water: The fire totem somehow made Eshu himself susceptible to damage while submerged in water, allowing Mari to drown him in the channel's waters, presumably to his death.[6]
- Hydrokinesis: Kuasa was able to temporarily stop Eshu using the Water Totem.[5]
Equipment
Former equipment
- Fire Totem: All of Eshu's powers came from his necklace, which allow him to summon and manipulate fire.[2]
Appearances
Vixen
Behind the scenes
- In the DC comics, Eshu is a trickster god and one of the Gods of Africa, affiliated with Firestorm. Benatu Eshu appears to be based loosely on this character, bringing mischief and possessing the fire-based powers himself.
- In Yoruba religion, Eshu is an Orisha (a spirit that reflects one of the manifestations of the Supreme Divinity). The aforementioned DC comics character is based on this mythological character.