Ursa Major

• In one bolded sentence, Mikhail Uriokovitch Ursus is the patriotic and powerful mutant known as Ursa Major, who serves Russia as the heavy-hitting heart of the Winter Guard, possessing the formidable ability to transform into a gigantic, sentient bear.
• Key Takeaways:
• Role in the Universe: Ursa Major is Russia's primary superhuman powerhouse, their direct answer to figures like the Hulk. He has been a stalwart member of nearly every incarnation of Russia's premiere super-teams, from the Soviet Super-Soldiers to the modern Winter Guard, embodying the nation's strength on the world stage.
• Primary Impact: Mikhail's story is a profound exploration of the conflict between national duty and personal identity. As a mutant in a country that has historically been deeply distrustful and oppressive towards his kind, his unwavering loyalty is a constant source of internal and external conflict, forcing him to question the government he serves.
• Key Incarnations: The divergence between the comic and film versions is stark. In the Earth-616 comics, he is a mutant whose core ability is the physical transformation into a massive bear. In the Marvel Cinematic Universe, he is depicted as a human inmate with immense strength, a former associate of Red Guardian, with his full capabilities and codename remaining largely unexplored, though it is implied he is a super-soldier rather than a mutant.

Ursa Major first charged onto the comic book scene in Incredible Hulk #258, published in April 1981. He was co-created by the prolific writer Bill Mantlo and veteran artist Sal Buscema. His creation was a direct product of the late Cold War era, a period when geopolitical tensions between the United States and the Soviet Union were a dominant cultural and political force. Marvel Comics, always a mirror to the real world, introduced a host of Soviet-themed characters during this time to serve as rivals, foils, and sometimes reluctant allies to their American-based heroes. Ursa Major, along with his teammates in the Soviet Super-Soldiers, was conceived to be a direct counterpart to American teams like the Avengers. He was designed as the “Russian Hulk”—a bestial force of immense power loyal to the state. His creators imbued him with a visual design that was both simple and intimidating: a man who becomes a colossal bear. This concept resonated with traditional Russian symbolism, where the bear is a potent national icon representing both brute strength and the spirit of the motherland. His introduction provided the Hulk with a formidable new physical challenge and added a layer of international political intrigue to the Marvel Universe.

The background of Mikhail Ursus differs dramatically between the primary comic continuity and his adaptation in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, reflecting the different narrative needs of each medium.

Mikhail Uriokovitch Ursus was born in the Soviet Union and is considered one of the first publicly-known mutants to emerge in the nation during the 20th century.¹⁾ His mutant power—the ability to transform into a massive bear—manifested during his youth, making him an outcast in his own community. Feared and ostracized, he was eventually discovered by the sinister Soviet scientist Professor Piotr Phobos. Phobos, himself a mutant with the power to radiate fear, was tasked by the Kremlin with assembling a team of super-powered individuals to serve the state. He approached the isolated Mikhail and, through manipulation and promises of purpose and acceptance, convinced him that his powers were a gift to be used in service of Mother Russia. Mikhail, desperate for a place to belong, agreed. He was taken to a secret state facility where he was trained to control his transformations and weaponize his incredible power. It was here that he met Laynia Petrovna (Darkstar) and her brother Nikolai Krylenko (Vanguard), fellow mutants who would become his lifelong comrades. Together, they formed the original core of the Soviet Super-Soldiers. Their initial missions were dictated by the Kremlin and often brought them into conflict with Western heroes. Their very first recorded mission involved investigating the radioactive Soviet exile known as the Presence, which led to a direct and brutal confrontation with the Incredible Hulk. This battle immediately established Ursa Major as a premiere powerhouse in the Marvel Universe, capable of trading blows with one of Earth's strongest beings. Over the years, Mikhail's origin has been colored by the revelation that Professor Phobos was a villain who sought to drain his students' power for his own ends, adding a layer of tragedy to Mikhail's unwavering loyalty to a state that initially saw him as little more than a living weapon.

The Marvel Cinematic Universe introduced Mikhail Ursus in the 2021 film Black Widow, portrayed by actor Olivier Richters. His origin and nature are significantly altered from the source material to fit the more grounded, espionage-focused narrative of the film. In this continuity, Mikhail is not presented as a mutant. Instead, he is a fellow inmate of Alexei Shostakov, the Red Guardian, at the Seventh Circle, a remote, high-security Russian prison. He is shown to possess formidable strength, easily winning an arm-wrestling match against multiple men simultaneously before being challenged by Alexei. His moniker, “Ursa Major,” is not used, and he never transforms into a bear on screen. His backstory is connected to the same Russian deep-cover program that created the surrogate family of Alexei, Melina Vostokoff, Natasha Romanoff, and Yelena Belova. While the specifics of his past are not detailed, his presence in a prison for high-value assets and his familiarity with Alexei suggest he was also a super-powered operative for the Russian government. The prevailing theory, supported by the film's grounded tone, is that this version of Mikhail is a product of a Russian super-soldier program, much like Alexei, and that his codename “Ursa Major” likely refers to a piece of equipment, such as a bear-themed powered exoskeleton or suit of armor, which has not yet been depicted. This adaptation strips away the mutant aspect of the character, reframing him as part of the MCU's ongoing exploration of various nations' attempts to replicate Captain America's Super-Soldier Serum. His personality is also shifted, presenting him as a stoic and intimidating prisoner rather than the conflicted patriot of the comics. His role in the film is minor, serving primarily to establish the prison's hierarchy and to showcase Red Guardian's strength and reputation before their escape. His future in the MCU, possibly as part of the announced Thunderbolts project, remains a subject of fan speculation.

The capabilities and characterization of Ursa Major provide a clear example of adaptation, with the comic version being a fully realized superhuman and the MCU version being a more mysterious, grounded figure.

Powers and Abilities Mikhail's mutant physiology grants him a singular, powerful ability which is the source of all his superhuman attributes.

• Metamorphic Transformation: Ursa Major's primary power is the ability to transform his body into that of a massive anthropomorphic bear. While often visually compared to a Great Brown Bear or a Kodiak Bear, the creature he becomes is significantly larger and more powerful than any terrestrial species.
  • Size and Mass: In his bear form, he stands over 9 feet tall and weighs approximately 2,000 lbs. His body is covered in thick brown fur and possesses razor-sharp claws and teeth.
  • Superhuman Strength: The transformation grants him immense physical strength. While the upper limits are variable, he is consistently classified in the same strength echelon as characters like Sasquatch, The Thing, and Colossus. He has proven capable of lifting well over 75 tons, and his strength is sufficient to engage the Savage Hulk in sustained physical combat.
  • Superhuman Durability: His transformed body is highly resistant to injury. His dense musculature, bone structure, and thick hide allow him to withstand high-caliber bullets, impacts from falls from great heights, and powerful energy blasts with little to no damage.
  • Superhuman Stamina: In bear form, Mikhail's musculature produces far fewer fatigue toxins than a normal human, allowing him to exert himself at peak capacity for many hours before tiring.
  • Enhanced Senses: His senses of smell and hearing are elevated to a superhuman level, comparable to those of a true bear, making him an excellent tracker.
  • Retained Intellect: Crucially, unlike other bestial transformers, Ursa Major retains his full human intelligence, personality, and memories while in his bear form. He is capable of complex speech, strategic thought, and operating complex machinery.

Weaknesses The primary drawback of his power is the immense strain it places on his body and mind.

• Mental Regression: If Ursa Major remains in his bear form for extended periods (typically several hours), his human consciousness begins to fade. He becomes more feral, aggressive, and instinct-driven, eventually losing the ability to speak and reason. Reverting to his human form is the only way to restore his mental faculties.
• Transformation Fatigue: The process of changing forms is physically draining. In his earliest appearances, reverting to his human form would often leave him unconscious. While he has gained more control over this with experience, it remains a taxing process.²⁾

Personality Mikhail is a man defined by a deep-seated, almost fanatical patriotism. He genuinely loves his country and believes in its potential, which is why he serves it without question, even when he privately disagrees with his government's often brutal or xenophobic policies. He is gruff, stoic, and possesses a soldier's pragmatism. To his enemies, he is a terrifying force of nature. To his teammates in the Winter Guard, he is the loyal and dependable anchor of the team. Beneath his bearish exterior lies a deep well of insecurity regarding his mutant nature, and he harbors a fierce, protective loyalty towards his friends, especially Darkstar and Vanguard.

Powers and Abilities The MCU's version of Mikhail has demonstrated a limited, but notable, set of abilities.

• Enhanced Strength: He is shown to possess strength far beyond that of a normal human. He effortlessly defeats several large men in an arm-wrestling competition simultaneously and is able to break a man's wrist with a single, sharp twist. The source of this strength is unconfirmed, but it is consistent with the results of a super-soldier serum variant. It is clearly far below the cosmic levels of his comic counterpart.

Equipment No specific equipment is shown in Black Widow. However, based on the conventions of the MCU and his association with a state-sponsored hero program, it is highly probable that his operational gear includes:

• Powered Exoskeleton (Implied): To justify the codename “Ursa Major” and to allow him to function as a heavy-hitter on a team with super-soldiers, it is speculated he would use a suit of powered armor, likely designed with a bear motif, to augment his strength and durability to superhuman levels.

Personality Mikhail in the MCU is depicted as a quiet and intimidating figure. During his time in the Seventh Circle prison, he carries an air of authority among the inmates, respected and feared for his strength. He is a man of few words, communicating more through action and presence. His relationship with Alexei seems to be one of professional respect between two powerful operatives from the same program. This interpretation is a significant departure from the more talkative and emotionally conflicted character from the comics, focusing instead on pure physical intimidation.

• Darkstar (Laynia Petrovna)

> Laynia was Mikhail's closest friend and teammate, and the two shared a deep, often romantic, connection. As founding members of the Soviet Super-Soldiers, they developed a powerful bond forged in countless battles. Mikhail was fiercely protective of her, and her death at the hands of Dire Wraiths during the Contest of Champions II storyline devastated him, sending him into a period of deep depression and rage. Her eventual resurrection was a source of immense relief for him, and their relationship remains one of the defining elements of his character.

• Vanguard (Nikolai Krylenko)

> As Darkstar's brother, Vanguard is another of Mikhail's oldest comrades. Their relationship is that of brothers-in-arms, built on decades of mutual trust and shared sacrifice. While Vanguard is often the field leader, he relies heavily on Ursa Major's power and unwavering loyalty. They have fought side-by-side through numerous team name changes and government upheavals, from the Soviet Super-Soldiers to the Winter Guard. The loss of Laynia bound them together in shared grief, strengthening their already solid friendship.

• Red Guardian

> Ursa Major has served with several individuals who have held the title of Red Guardian, Russia's counterpart to Captain America. His most significant partnership has been with Nikolai Krylenko, who also serves as Vanguard. In the modern Winter Guard, he serves under the current Red Guardian, recognizing the title as the symbol of Russian leadership. In the MCU, his relationship with Alexei Shostakov is more of a past association, two powerful men who likely worked together before being imprisoned.

• The Hulk

> Ursa Major's first and most frequent international adversary is the Incredible Hulk. Their conflict is rarely personal; instead, it is a clash of national symbols. When they fight, it is Russia's monster against America's monster. Their battles are cataclysmic displays of brute force, with Ursa Major being one of the few beings on Earth who can physically stand his ground against the Green Goliath, at least for a time.

• The Russian Government and Its Corrupt Elements

> Ironically, one of Mikhail's greatest antagonists has been the very government he serves. He has frequently clashed with corrupt officials, ruthless intelligence officers, and anti-mutant factions within the Kremlin. His loyalty is to the Russian people and the ideal of Russia, not necessarily to the individuals in power. This internal conflict is a constant theme, especially during storylines where the government enacts policies that harm mutants, forcing Mikhail to choose between his duty and his own kind. Professor Phobos, his original mentor, stands as the ultimate symbol of this betrayal.

• The Presence (Sergei)

> A Cold War-era nuclear scientist who became a being of immense radioactive power, the Presence is a recurring threat to Russia and the world. As the father of his creator, Professor Phobos, the Presence represents the dangers of the old Soviet super-weapon programs. Ursa Major and the Winter Guard have confronted him on numerous occasions to stop his attempts to transform Russia's populace into a collective radioactive consciousness.

• Soviet Super-Soldiers: The original team of superhuman agents serving the USSR. Ursa Major was a founding member.
• Siberforce/The People's Protectorate: Later names for the primary Russian super-team following the collapse of the Soviet Union. Mikhail remained a core member.
• The Winter Guard: The current and most prominent incarnation of Russia's state-sponsored superhero team, styled as “Russia's Avengers.” Ursa Major serves as the team's primary powerhouse.
• Exiles: For a brief period, a version of Ursa Major was drafted onto this reality-hopping team, working alongside heroes from across the multiverse.

In Incredible Hulk #258-259 (1981), Ursa Major made his debut alongside the Soviet Super-Soldiers. Tasked by their government to apprehend the radioactive figure known as the Presence, the team tracks him to the Forbidden Zone in Siberia. There, they encounter both the Presence and a wandering Bruce Banner. Mistaking Banner for a spy, the team attacks, prompting his transformation into the Hulk. Ursa Major was the first to engage the Hulk physically, shocking both the Hulk and readers with his ability to match the Green Goliath's strength. The ensuing battle was a massive brawl that showcased the full power of the Soviet team and cemented Ursa Major's status as a top-tier bruiser in the Marvel Universe.

The Winter Guard limited series from 2021 saw the team facing a threat of mythical proportions. The Slavic god of darkness, Chernobog, possessed a Russian citizen and began a monstrous rampage across the country. The Winter Guard was dispatched to stop him, a mission that tested their cohesion and power. Ursa Major was instrumental in the fight, using his raw strength to battle Chernobog's demonic hordes and directly confront the possessed god. The storyline highlighted his role as the team's unshakeable foundation and explored the dynamic of the modern Winter Guard as they struggled to protect Russia from threats both internal and external.

During the Empyre crossover event (2020), the plant-like aliens known as the Cotati launched a global invasion, targeting the Savage Land for its unique vibranium-infused flora. The Winter Guard, viewing the Cotati's presence in a region near Russian borders as a threat, intervened. This brought them into direct conflict with the Avengers, who were also there to fight the Cotati. The event featured a particularly brutal and controversial confrontation between Ursa Major and the Avenger Gorilla-Man. The fight concluded with Ursa Major savagely overpowering and seemingly eating his opponent, a shocking moment that underscored the brutal pragmatism of the Winter Guard and sparked considerable debate among fans.³⁾

• Ultimate Universe (Earth-1610)

> In the Ultimate Marvel universe, a version of Ursa Major, named Mikhail, appeared as a member of the Liberators, a multinational super-powered army that invaded and occupied the United States. This version was a former soldier from the Russian army who was altered to gain his bear-transformation powers. He was far more vicious and less noble than his 616 counterpart and was ultimately defeated during Captain America's counter-attack in Washington D.C.

• Marvel Zombies (Earth-2149)

> A zombified Ursa Major appears alongside the zombified Winter Guard in the Marvel Zombies series. He is seen attacking the Silver Surfer alongside other zombie heroes, showcasing the devastating and all-consuming nature of the hunger plague.

• Avengers Assemble (Animated Series)

> Ursa Major appears in the Avengers Assemble animated series as a member of the Winter Guard. This version is a faithful adaptation of his comic book persona, depicted as a powerful hero and a loyal servant of Russia. He confronts the Avengers but later allies with them to face greater threats, presenting a more heroic and less morally ambiguous version of the character for an all-ages audience.

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