Bova (comics)

Bova
Publication information
PublisherMarvel Comics
First appearanceGiant-Size Avengers #1 (Aug. 1974)
Created byRoy Thomas
Rich Buckler
In-story information
Full nameBova Ayrshire
SpeciesUplifted Guernsey cattle
Team affiliationsNew Men

Bova is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. She is an anthropomorphic cattle who was evolved into her current form by the High Evolutionary. The character is connected to the New Men and the heroes Scarlet Witch and Quicksilver, having worked as a nanny to them all.

Publication history

Bova first appeared in Giant-Size Avengers #1 (August 1974), and was created by writer Roy Thomas and artist Rich Buckler.

Fictional character biography

Bova is a Guernsey cattle and one of the New Men (creatures genetically engineered and altered into an anthropomorphic form by the High Evolutionary).[1][2]

A woman named Magda—pregnant with twins Pietro Maximoff and Wanda Maximoff—takes sanctuary at Mount Wundagore in Transia, the home of the High Evolutionary, after seeing her husband Magnus use his magnetic powers for the first time. Fearing that Magnus would discover the children, Magda leaves the sanctuary and dies of exposure to the elements. The twins are attended by Bova. Bova soon assists the World War II superheroine Miss America through labor, but the birth results in a stillborn child and Miss America dies.[3][4][2][5] Bova hides the truth from her husband Robert Frank and claims that only the mother has died, and that he now has twin children. Frank is shocked at the death of his wife and flees.[6][7][8] Bova therefore serves as the foster mother to Pietro and Wanda.[9] The High Evolutionary also had Bova raise and nurture the young New Men as their nanny.[1][10]

Wanda and Pietro—as adults, now known as the superheroes the Scarlet Witch and Quicksilver—are abducted by Django Maximoff and taken to Wundagore. Wanda is temporarily possessed by the demon Chthon; after being freed, she is told by Bova that she is not related to Django or Robert Frank.[6]

Bova is among the New Men who are killed by the High Evolutionary after he learns that the Celestials are coming to Earth to judge it.[11][3][2]

Powers and abilities

As a cattle, Bova possesses physical abilities superior to that of a human. She is a skilled nurse and caretaker who has fostered several superheroes.

In other media

Bova appears in the X-Men: The Animated Series episode "Family Ties", voiced by Shirley Douglas.[12]

References

  1. ^ a b Thomas, Roy (w), Buckler, Rich (p), Adkins, Dan (i). "Nuklo-- The Invader That Time Forgot!" Giant-Size Avengers, vol. 1, no. 1 (August 1974).
  2. ^ a b c Yezpitelok, Maxwell (February 8, 2021). "5 Real-But-Bananas Plots You Won't See On 'Wandavision'". Cracked.com. Archived from the original on February 8, 2021. Retrieved March 23, 2026.
  3. ^ a b Meisfjord, Tom (January 16, 2021). "What WandaVision's Auntie A And Bova Milk Ads Really Mean". Looper. Archived from the original on May 19, 2021. Retrieved March 23, 2026. As guests of the High Evolutionary, the couple experienced a top-tier delivery when Miss America went into labor, complete with Jack Kirby-esque sci-fi surroundings and, most pertinently, an anthropomorphized cow named Bova lending a hoof...While the character was murdered gruesomely in the pages of New Warriors a few years back, her backstory remains largely unexplored.
  4. ^ Burack, Emily (February 16, 2021). "Is Wanda Jewish in 'WandaVision'?". Hey Alma. Archived from the original on February 16, 2021. Retrieved March 23, 2026. From a sentient cow named Bova the Midwife, we find out that Quicksilver and the Scarlet Witch were born at a place called Wundagore Mountain. Their mother, Magda, had come to the mountain pregnant and looking for help, and Bova was there to assist.
  5. ^ Smail, Gretchen (January 14, 2021). "'WandaVision' May Finally Reveal Wanda's Origin Story From The Comics". Bustle. Archived from the original on January 16, 2021. Retrieved March 23, 2026. Writers David Michelinie, Steven Grant, and Mark Gruenwald explained that Wanda and her twin brother Pietro were born at a place called Wundagore Mountain and birthed by a sentient cow named Bova the Midwife.
  6. ^ a b Gruenwald, Mark; Grant, Steven; Michelinie, David (w), Byrne, John (p), Green, Dan (i). "The Yesterday Quest!" The Avengers, no. 185 (July 1979).
  7. ^ Gruenwald, Mark; Grant, Steven; Michelinie, David (w), Byrne, John (p), Green, Dan (i). "Nights of Wundagore!" The Avengers, vol. 1, no. 186 (Aug. 1979).
  8. ^ Gruenwald, Mark; Grant, Steven; Michelinie, David (w), Byrne, John (p), Green, Dan (i). "The Call of the Mountain Thing!" The Avengers, no. 187 (Sept. 1979).
  9. ^ Harth, David (September 30, 2022). "The High Evolutionary & 9 Other Weird Characters Who Could Define The MCU's Phase 5". CBR. Archived from the original on October 3, 2022. Retrieved March 23, 2026. At Mount Wundagore, the High Evolutionary mutated a bunch of animals into humanoids. Among these humanoids, Bova would help take care of young Wanda and Pietro Maximoff.
  10. ^ Knight, Rosie (January 15, 2021). "Will WANDAVISION Introduce Wanda's Cow Mom?". Nerdist. Archived from the original on January 15, 2021. Retrieved March 23, 2026.
  11. ^ To, Marcus (w), To, Marcus (p), To, Marcus (i), Caramagna, Joe (let). New Warriors, vol. 5, no. 1 (April 2014).
  12. ^ "Family Ties". X-Men: The Animated Series. Season 4. Episode 17. May 4, 1996. Fox Broadcasting Company.
  • Bova at The Appendix to the Handbook of the Marvel Universe
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