Freedom Beast

Freedom Beast was born Dominic Mndawe in South Africa. His first appearance was in Animal Man #13 which occurs during the rule of apartheid in South Africa. Dominic was under arrest for taking pictures of racially motivated acts of violence being committed by white Afrikaner policemen. In a cell, Dominic was about to be killed by his captors when he is rescued by Animal Man and B'wana Beast (Mike Maxwell), Mndawe's predecessor and future mentor.[1] After the rescue, Maxwell gives Mndawe the elixir and helmet that confer powers on their owner. The two briefly had a disagreement as Mndawe was adamant to continue his political resistance to the South African government and its policy of apartheid with while Maxwell was insistent that the calling is apolitical. However, they eventually reconciled on this point. Mndawe continued pursuing his political objectives which he justified with the personal maxim, "Today's politics is tomorrow's mythology". Animal Man and Freedom Beast then prevent the massacre of a group of peaceful demonstrators by Afrikaner police. Animal Man returns to the US, while Maxwell and Freedom Beast remain in South Africa.[2]

Mike Maxwell returns where he was being controlled by an evil force called the Antagon and transformed into the Shining Man. He perishes in the ensuing battle.[3]

Animal Man and Dominic team up once again during the Day of Judgement incident, protecting African wildlife from the murderous intentions of demon invaders.

Freedom Beast appears in the Day of Vengeance Infinite Crisis Special, in which he was possessed by Rage, one of the Seven Deadly Sins.[4] He is also seen at the gathering of mystics at Stonehenge.[5]

Freedom Beast reappeared as South Africa's representative in the reformed Global Guardians.[6] He and his teammates were brainwashed by the Faceless Hunter and used as weapons against Green Lantern (Hal Jordan). The Global Guardians were eventually freed, and Freedom Beast returned with them.[7]

During the "Final Crisis" crisis, Freedom Beast was seen fighting off Gorilla Grodd (who was turned into a Justifier) on Watchtower 4 in Gorilla City.[8]

Freedom Beast is killed by minions of Prometheus. Dominic's partner Congorilla discovers his dying friend and vows to find justice for his murder.[9] Prometheus is subsequently killed by Green Arrow who avenges his death.[10]

Congorilla mentions that he still has Dominic's helmet and elixir in his possession. Seeking to honor the memory of his old friend, Congorilla ultimately resigns from the Justice League and goes to find a worthy candidate to become the new Freedom Beast.[11] In Justice League International #1, a character alongside Congorilla appears wearing the mask, referencing Congorilla had found a successor. The identity of this character is unknown.[12]

Freedom Beast possesses super-strength, a healing factor, and mind-control. Like B'wana Beast, he can merge some animals into Chimeras.

Freedom Beast appears in the Titans episode "Dude, Where's My Gar", portrayed by Nyambi Nyambi. This version lost his sister and her children to a disease made by scientists that were associates of Chief. Freedom Beast pulled Beast Boy out of the Red and served as his guide about it while wanting him to embrace his destiny into aiding the Red. While introducing Beast Boy to a Chimera that he made from a lion and a bat, he tells Beast Boy about his powers when B'wana Beast gave him his helmet. He then takes Beast Boy into his flashback where he raided the facility where Freedom Beast's gorilla friend Djuba was held. When he confronted the scientist Dr. Myers, Freedom Beast put his dying Djuba out of his misery by fusing Dr. Myers with it. After the flashback, Beast Boy traverses the Red to get back to the Titans and sees Freedom Beast, who nods back at him.

• African characters in comics

• World of Black Heroes: Freedom Beast Biography
• Museum of Black Superheroes entry