M’Shulla first appeared in Amazing Adventures Vol. 2 #19 (April 1973), created by Roy Thomas, Gerry Conway, and Howard Chaykin. He was introduced as a gladiator for the Martian Masters, who had invaded and conquered Earth in 2001. He was paired with Killraven, another gladiator, and they became friends and allies. They escaped the Martians and formed a group of rebels called the Freemen, who fought against the alien oppressors.
M’Shulla was a skilled fighter, especially with a crossbow that he called Bloodarrow. He was also loyal, brave, and compassionate. He fell in love with Carmilla Frost, a scientist who joined the Freemen after betraying her former employer, Dr. Arthur Nagan. Carmilla was white, and M’Shulla was black, making them the first interracial couple in a mainstream-color comic book. Their relationship was portrayed as natural and respectful, without any stereotypes or prejudices.
M’Shulla and Carmilla were part of Killraven’s adventures across America, facing various dangers and enemies, such as mutants, robots, dinosaurs, and human collaborators. They also encountered other characters from the Marvel Universe, such as Spider-Man, Deathlok, and Doctor Doom. Some of the most notable storylines that M’Shulla was involved in were:
– The Battle of Washington D.C., where the Freemen attacked the Martian headquarters and confronted their leader, the High Overlord.
– The Death-Birth Saga, where the Freemen discovered a secret facility where the Martians were breeding human slaves and experimented on them.
– The Martian War Chronicles, where the Freemen learned more about the history of the Martian invasion and their plans for Earth.
M’Shulla’s last appearance was in Killraven Vol. 2 #6 (May 2003), where he and Carmilla were reunited with Killraven after being separated for years. They helped him defeat Skar, a renegade Martian who wanted to destroy Earth. M’Shulla and Carmilla decided to stay with Killraven and continue their fight for freedom.
M’Shulla has not appeared in any other media besides comics. However, he was mentioned in Marvel: Ultimate Alliance 2 (2009), a video game where Killraven was an alternate costume for Spider-Man. He was also referenced in Marvel Zombies 5 (2010), a comic book series where Killraven traveled to different realities infected by zombies.
M’Shulla is a fascinating character who deserves more recognition and appreciation. He is a brave warrior, a loyal friend, and a pioneer of diversity and representation in comics. He is part of a rich and imaginative world that explores themes such as freedom, resistance, and hope.