Shark (comics)
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Shark is the name of three fictional characters in DC Comics publications.
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[edit] Shark (World War II frogman)
| Shark | |
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| Publication information | |
|---|---|
| Publisher | DC Comics |
| First appearance | Showcase #3 (July-August 1956) |
| Created by | Robert Kanigher (script) Russ Heath (art) |
| In story information | |
| Team affiliations | Frogmen |
The first Shark is a non-superpowered commando. Along with his other companions named Sardine and Whale, he is part of the World War II-era fighting unit called the Frogmen. His sole appearance is in Showcase #3 (July-August 1956). The story was written by Robert Kanigher, and illustrated by Russ Heath.
[edit] Powers and abilities
Shark is a highly skilled diver. He has no superhuman abilities
[edit] Shark (Gunther Hardwicke)
| Shark | |
 The Shark (right) with the Terrible Trio, on the cover of Detective Comics #253. Art by Sheldon Moldoff |
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| Publication information | |
|---|---|
| Publisher | DC Comics |
| First appearance | Detective Comics #253 (March 1958) |
| Created by | Dave Wood (script) Sheldon Moldoff (art) |
| In story information | |
| Alter ego | Gunther Hardwicke |
| Team affiliations | Terrible Trio |
| Notable aliases | Sherman Shackley The Fourth Man |
| Abilities | None |
The second Shark is the secret identity of criminal Gunther Hardwicke. He is a member of the Terrible Trio, along with Fox and Vulture. He wears a shark mask and uses fish-themed technology to commit crimes. This Shark and the Terrible Trio debuted in Detective Comics #253 (March 1958). They appear again in Detective Comics #321 (November 1963), this time running a smuggling ring. The Shark and his fellow Trio members capture Batman and Robin, and attempt to shoot the Dynamic Duo into space. The crimefighters are rescued by Batwoman, and they capture the Shark and his associates.
The Shark and the rest of the Terrible Trio return in the Doctor Mid-Nite three issue mini series (1999). The Trio have moved their operations to Portsmouth from Gotham City. As industrial leaders Fisk, Shackley, and Volper, the Trio head the investment firm Praeda Industries (Praeda meaning "spoils" or "booty", and sharing a root with the word "predator"). Their activities partially blinded Dr. Pieter Cross, causing him to take up the identity of Doctor Mid-Nite. Mid-Nite foils their plans for the city and captures the Trio.
The Shark's most recent appearance is in Detective Comics #832 (May 2007), where he is once again referred to as Sherman Shackley. The Shark has suffered a psychotic episode, and tries to disassociate himself from his criminal past. He fakes his own death, then attempts to kill the other members of the Terrible Trio. The Batman manages to subdue the Shark and sends him to Arkham Asylum. There, he is confronted by the other members of the Terrible Trio and Great White Shark, who inform him he can no longer be called the Shark.
[edit] Shark (Karshon)
| Shark | |
 The Shark |
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| Publication information | |
|---|---|
| Publisher | DC Comics |
| First appearance | Green Lantern Vol. 2 #24 (October 1963) |
| Created by | John Broome (script) Gil Kane (art) |
| In story information | |
| Team affiliations | Weaponers of Qward Guy Gardner Secret Society of Super Villains |
| Notable aliases | T.S. Shark Karshon |
| Abilities | Telepathy, telekinesis, energy bolts, ability to cause fear in others |
The third Shark debuted in Green Lantern #24 (October 1963). He is a tiger shark that rapidly mutated after exposure to nuclear waste. The rapid evolutionary growth gives him high intelligence, a humanoid appearance, and telepathic powers, but leaves him with his bloodthirsty shark instincts.
Shark's killer instincts drive him to seek out prey that he can terrify. He eventually seeks out Green Lantern when he learns that the hero is without fear. Even though he uses his telepathy to discover Green Lantern's vulnerability to yellow, the Shark is unable to overcome the Green Lantern's will power. Green Lantern uses his ring to devolve the Shark back into his primitive form, then places him under guard at the Coast City aquarium.
Shark manages to return to his evolved state many times, and returns to fight the Green Lantern, as well as Superman[1] and Black Condor[2]. At one point the Shark is able to evolve into a human form; now using the name "Karshon" he manages to temporarily depose Aquaman as the ruler of Atlantis.[3] Aquaman is able to expose Karshon and forces the Shark to devolve.[4]
During the Crisis on Infinite Earths, the Shark joins Guy Gardner's fight against the weaponers of Qward.[5]
Post-Crisis, the Shark returns in Green Lantern vol. 4 #5 to face Hal Jordan again. In his latest appearance, his form is more monstrous, with webbed fingers, claws, and a large fin on his back. His new appearance is caused by experiments performed on him by aliens known as the Gremlins.[6]
A further mutated Shark appears in Infinite Crisis, as part of the Secret Society of Supervillains's attack on Atlantis. Along with King Shark, he kills Neptune Perkins.[7] The Spectre soon devastates the entire area, seemingly killing everyone in the city and around it.
[edit] Powers and abilities
In his evolved state, the Shark possesses advanced mental powers, including telepathy, matter manipulation, and the ability to project bolts of energy. He can use his telepathic abilities to project fear into the minds of others. In some cases, the Shark has shown the ability o change his features to resemble a human male. Even in his evolved state, Shark retains some of his primitive shark abilities, including an enhanced sense of smell, and the ability to breathe underwater.
[edit] Appearances in other media
The second Shark appeared alongside his Terrible Trio teammates in Batman: The Animated Series, in the episode "The Terrible Trio." He is voiced by Peter Scolari. In this appearance, the Shark is Gunther Hardwicke, a young bored playboy. He and his friends form the Terrible Trio in order to commit robberies to alleviate their boredom. The Trio are caught by Batman.
The Trio also appear in The Batman as college students experimenting with animal DNA. This version of Shark is voiced by Googy Gress.
The third Shark is seen as a member of Gorilla Grodd's Secret Society in Justice League Unlimited.
[edit] Notes
[edit] External links
- Shark I at the Unofficial Guide to the DC Universe
- Shark II at the Unofficial Guide to the DC Universe
- Shark III at the Unofficial Guide to the DC Universe
- Shark III at the Book of Oa website
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