Comic Title: Showcase #66
Publisher: DC (National Periodical Publications, Inc.)
Address: 575 Lexington Avenue, New York, NY
Cover Date: Jan/Feb 1967
On Sale Date: November 22, 1966 Newsstand Date November 22, 1966
Source: House Ad, Superman #192, Page 9

Newsstand Date November 22, 1966
Source: Direct Currents, Aquaman #31, Page 11

Copyright Date November 22, 1966
Source: Library of Congress, Periodicals 1966

Frequency: Bi-monthly
Cover Price: $0.12
Page Count: 32
Editor: George Kashdan

Title: "The Birth of B'wana Beast"
Pages: 24

Feature(s):
B'Wana Beast (of Earth-1)

Writer: Bob Haney
Penciller: Mike Sekowsky
Inker: George Roussos

Feature Character(s)

• B'Wana Beast (Michael Payson Maxwell; origin revealed; next appearance in Showcase #67)

Supporting Character(s)

• Rupert Kenboya (next appearance in Showcase #67)
• Djuba (next appearance in Showcase #67)

Villain(s)

• Hamid Ali and his followers (Torka named; next appearance in Showcase #67)

Other Character(s)

• Kilo Kenboya (Rupert's father; next appearance in Showcase #67)
• Members of Rupert's tribe (Naga and Mondoko named; next appearance in Showcase #67)

Comments:
This story continues in Showcase #67.

Synopsis:
After graduating from college, Mike Maxwell travels to Africa with his friend Rupert Kenboya. When their plane crashes on Mount Kilimanjaro, the men take refuge in a cavern. Mike drinks rainwater from the cave walls. He suddenly gains super strength and is able to fight off a red ape that lives in the cave. After the ape is subdued, it retrieves a helmet from deeper inside the cave. When placed on Mike's head, he gains the ability to communicate with and control animals. Mike uses his powers to defend Africa as B'wana Beast.

Rupert returns to his tribe where his father is leader of a fledgling nation. Rupert is appointed police commissioner and defends the land against Hamid Ali, "He Who Never Dies", a seemingly immortal poacher. Though officially branded an outlaw, B'wana Beast helps his friend battle Ali.

When Ali disrupts a shipment of ore from the mines, B'wana Beast goes into battle. He uses his new powers temporarily merge a rhino and buffalo into a giant mutant creature. Then riding the newly created beast, B'wana Beast fights a robotic dinosaur controlled by Hamid Ali.