Anthro (comics)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Anthro (comics) | |
 Anthro on the cover of Showcase #74. Art by Howard Post. |
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| Publication information | |
|---|---|
| Publisher | DC Comics |
| First appearance | Showcase #74 (May 1968) |
| Created by | Howard Post |
| In story information | |
| Alter ego | Anthro |
| Team affiliations | The Bear Tribe |
| Abilities | None |
Anthro is a fictional character in the DC Comics universe. Anthro was created by cartoonist Howard Post; his first appearance was in Showcase #74 (May 1968)
[edit] Publication history
After a single Showcase appearance, Anthro was given his own title, which lasted for 6 issues (1968-69). All six issues were written and drawn by Post, with Wallace Wood providing inking for the final issue.
Since the cancellation of his title, he has made minor appearances, most notably in Crisis on Infinite Earths #2. Recently, Anthro appeared in the 2006 revival of Tales of the Unexpected. He is also slated to appear in the upcoming 7 issue miniseries Final Crisis by Grant Morrison and J.G. Jones.
[edit] Fictional character biography
Anthro is the first Cro-Magnon boy born in the Stone Age. His father, Neanderthal caveman Ne-Ahn is the chief of his tribe, his mother a captive member of another tribe. Winning two competing cavegirls as his wives, Cro-Magnon women Embra and Nima, Anthro begins the human race, as Embra lives to bear his first child.
Justice League Europe Annual #2 features a version of Anthro. In an alternate time-line, an older Silver Sorceress, lost in time, is rescued from a large creature by Anthro. He exhibits great eagerness, smashing the beast long after it is subdued. A bored cavegirl, seemingly either Embra or Nima, joins the Sorceress in watching Anthro's 'battle'.
Comments by Grant Morrison at 2007's San Diego Comicon indicate that Anthro (the First Boy) will appear on the first page of Final Crisis, mirroring the appearance of Kamandi (the Last Boy) on the last page.
In preparation for his role in Final Crisis, Anthro had a supporting role in the Booster Gold series, starting with issue eight. This story takes place in a alternate time line, so it is unknown how it will relate to shared universe of DC comics. In this story, as in Tales of the Unexpected, Anthro wears a leather jacket that resembles Mr. Terrific's, but has Anthro's name on the sleeves instead of "FairPlay."
Issue one of Final Crisis features an extended introduction involving Anthro, where the New God Metron appears before the boy and gives him the knowledge and skill to make fire. This starts a sequence in which Anthro is able to fight off a group of savage raiders with a burning stick. In the closing pages, Anthro seems to have a vision of Kamandi. In this depiction, Anthro is much more caveman like in his attire, wearing only a loincloth and a satchel, and carrying stone and wood weapons, while his body looks more like a modern teenager rather than having a cro magnon appearance. In this issue, he only expresses himself with ! and ? signs, as he is apparently unable to speak, as are the rest of the cavemen characters in the book.
