Who Is Ursa Major? Origin, Powers and Key Facts

Ursa Major is a Marvel comic book character, the alter ego of Mikhail Uriokovitch Ursus, with over 160 comic issue appearances. Ursa Major is a Russian mutant that transforms into a giant bear. He becomes a valuable member of the Soviet Super Soldiers and the Winter Guard.

Who is Ursa Major?

Origin Ursa Major transforming back into human form. Mikhail Ursus was one of the first known mutants born in the Soviet Union in the 20th Century to survive past childhood. Up until the time of his birth, the Soviet government had been performing euthanasia on all mutants at the first manifestation of their superhuman powers. The government was made to see the potential value of superhumans serving the state due to the efforts of scientist Pieter Phobos . Phobos opened a private school to train mutants and Mikhail was one of the first of many mutants to join the school. Unknown to the students and the government, Phobos had built a device to siphon the energy from his students to give himself artificial powers. The process was killing many students and Phobos would explain their deaths to the Soviet government as training casualties. Phobos had three students left, Mikhail and two siblings, Laynia Petrovna and Nikolai Krylenko who later be known as Darkstar and Vanguard when the second Red Guardian discovered Phobos's activities.

Key facts

Ursa Major is of mutant origin and first appeared in "...To Hunt the Hulk!". The character is published by Marvel. With 160 recorded issue appearances, Ursa Major ranks among the most featured characters in comics.