Solomon Prey is a learned man, studying human nature closely and using it to his advantage. Seeking to augment his physical form, he undergoes an experimental surgery that gives him the wings to fly and the claws to fight his enemies.
As Wise as Solomon
Born in the small, technologically advanced African nation of Wakanda and educated at Harvard University in the USA, Solomon Prey has his name legally changed, choosing the name Solomon for the wisdom it represented. Solomon believes that his wisdom, however, does not come from his education. Instead, it stems from his ability to observe and understand human nature, and how to make his observations work for him.
Following his studies, he returns to Wakanda and romances Tanzika, an enemy of Wakanda’s king and tribal chief, T’Challa, AKA Black Panther. Prey also becomes a wealthy crime boss, starting a drug-trafficking ring by utilizing his contact in the Wakandan-American embassy, and gathering a gang of criminals and scientists loyal to him and Tanzika.
He then approaches Dr. Kaza and insists on an invasive operation involving an implant that would permanently alter and augment his body. Kaza surgically adds the implant to his body, which acts as a working organ over two months, attaching to his nerves. Kaza then uses a pulsar activator to facilitate the emergence of the implants. Going against the advice of his doctors, Solomon refuses anesthesia. Blowing a kiss to his love and Black Panther enemy Tanzika, who looks onto the lab through a window, he lays down on his stomach to prepare for the next phase. When the pulsar activator begins its work, Solomon experiences immense pain and from his back organic wings erupt, from his hands, claws. He also receives Crypt-Optics as part of the surgery, which grants him advanced stealth powers. Tanzika stays by Prey’s side, aroused by his new power and scars.
Bat-Like Augmentations
Solomon Prey possesses large leathery wings that allow him to fly at great speeds, as well as sharp claws capable of slashing through bone. Prey is a patient yet savage combatant.
Using Crypt-Optics, Prey can vanish from most forms of detection, evading both technology and human senses; even the Black Panther’s enhanced senses cannot detect him in this form. Prey may have also had enhanced senses, such as infrared or increased nocturnal detection.
Villainous Partners and Royal Foes
Solomon has a romantic relationship with Tanzika, an enemy of King T’Challa. He finds her passionate hatred of T’Challa attractive and wishes to please her by taking out her enemy, the king. Though she eventually admits she uses Prey to get revenge against T’Challa.
Solomon also works with the criminal Zambada, leader of the Lightning Lancers, whose use of the prehistoric Pteranodons is unmatched. Together with Tanzika, they plot to take down T’Challa’s kingdom by leading a drug trade, and trading in stolen Vibranium.
A History of Observation
After Solomon survived the surgery, his back became infected. Dr. Kaza was sure it would be weeks before he’d recover, but Tanzika licked her partner’s wounds and they healed in just two days, claiming it was the power of love that healed him. Once recovered, he and Kaza discussed Solomon’s need to meet with T’Challa. Solomon desired for the king to see him as a reasonable tormentor, not a villain without heart or individuality. Solomon then joined with Zambada, leader of the Lightning Lancers, who rode prehistoric and winged Pteranodons, controlling them with electrical shocks.
When Solomon finally met T’Challa as the Black Panther, he nearly killed him and used his powers of invisibility. Solomon rejoined his love Tanzika and he recounted the tale of his meeting with the king, and justified letting him live since Tanzika was not ready for him to die just yet. Tanzika was formerly one of the king’s handmaidens who had murdered a Wakandan Inner Court Tribunal member and framed the king’s fiancé Monica Lynne.
Solomon then directed a theft of unrefined Vibranium ore, Wakanda’s highly-valued natural resource and source of wealth. He coordinated with Zambada to use his Pteranodons to carry the cargo from the mining area and trade it for white powder (cocaine) from America. During their theft, one of the mine’s guards caught wind of the dinosaurs but it led to his undoing. Solomon gravely injured the man’s mouth with his talons.
When Solomon and Zambada met with their American buyers, Black Panther found them out but was too late to stop the ensuing violence. Solomon struck him down and killed the buyers, burying them all together underground. Solomon returned to Tanzika and flew her to the mountains where they planned to live together. They plotted to blow up the Vibranium Mound’s ground level and almost succeeded, that is until Black Panther and his allies foiled their plans. By striking down one of the Pteranodons, it flailed about and its talons pierced Solomon’s wings sending him tumbling to the ground where he perished.
