Terra-Man

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Terra-Man (real name Toby Manning) is a fictional character and supervillain who appears in Superman stories published by DC Comics. Terra-Man first appeared in Superman (volume 1) #249, March 1972.

Terra-Man is noted for using futuristic weapons modeled after those used in the American Old West, as well as riding a winged horse. He obtained these weapons from an alien that had raised him from childhood (after the death of his father by the alien) and taught him in the weapons' use; after Manning had grown to adulthood and learned what he could, he killed the alien and returned to Earth to start his villainous career as "Terra-Man" (a name chosen to refer to Manning's Earthly origins).

1 Post-Crisis
- 1.1 Latest appearance
2 Other media
3 External links

[edit] Post-Crisis

The Post-Crisis version of the Terra-Man was a businessman who took conscience about the damage he was causing to the Earth's environment. He decided to save Earth and attacked enterprises which were dangerous to the environment. Though this version has a different origin, his name (Tobias Manning) remains the same, and he still retains a western theme, including a thick accent and the cowboy-esque way that he handles his guns. His weapons now focused mainly on turning the environment against his opponents (ie: plants and the earth element). Like his modus operandi, his new background is ecological, and because of that he calls himself the Terra-Man. The weapons and equipment he has developed enable him to use a pair of jet packs mounted on his armor for flight, create a teleportation vortex resembling a small tornado, and guns which can cause shockwaves and earthquakes, or fire specially tailored flora at a target. He has engineered numerous forms of plant life specialized for his needs, including one that can feed off of sunlight, meaning that it drained power from Superman when in contact with him, and ones that can liquify organic material. Both of these plants have been shown to be possibly used as ammunition for his firearms. He's also developed a process to quickly and cleanly remove all dangerous poisons from toxic sites and renew nutrients in soil.

Although Manning may lack their mutations and telepathic control over the earth and plant elements, his knowledge of their sciences is arguably on par with the likes of Poison Ivy or the Floronic Man. At times, Manning respects Superman's common desire to preserve nature, while other times, the Terra-Man fears that Superman may be contaminating the Earth with extraterrestrial germs and viruses, and thus wishes to end the Man of Steel's life before any more "harm" can be done to the environment.

[edit] Latest appearance

Two weeks and a day after the end of Infinite Crisis, Terra-Man is still up to no good. He hijacks Ferris Air Flight 456 over the middle of the Mediterranean Sea, and Power Girl gives chase until they reach the nation of Khandaq. Terra-Man then escapes capture thanks to Black Adam, who forbids Power Girl from entering Khandaq's airspace. Later, Terra-Man appears to ally himself with Black Adam. However, when Black Adam later appears to address the media in front of Khandaq's embassy in New York City, he suddenly rips Terra-Man in half at his pelvis, killing him.

This incarnation of the Terra-Man is inexplicably much more like his Pre-Crisis embodiment than he had ever been shown to be before Infinite Crisis (obviously lacking his environmentally linked personality), and his reveling in, and enjoyent of his own villainous activities severely contradicts his past Post-Crisis personality, who would not endanger an innocent life unless it was necessary for the betterment of the environment.

[edit] Other media

Tobias Manning has appeared in the Justice League Unlimited episode "The Once and Future Thing Pt 1: Weird Western Tales" where he steals Chronos' time-traveling gear to use for ruling a western town. Batman, Wonder Woman and Green Lantern (John Stewart), who were pursuing Chronos, teamed up with Bat Lash, Jonah Hex, El Diablo and Sheriff Ohiyesa Smith to defeat him and take back the town. Tobias Manning is played by Ed O'Ross.