Tygrus

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Tygrus is a character from Batman: The Animated Series. He premiered in the episode "Tyger, Tyger" and is voiced by Jim Cummings.

[edit] Bio

Doctor Emile Dorian was a scientist, whose life work involved genetic manipulation of creatures, specifically adding feline genes to other species making unusual hybrids. His early work added cat features to simple primates and leading up to an attempt to mutate Selina Kyle into an actual catwoman. Tygrus is his most perfect creation, and the doctor refers to him as "more advanced than any human being."

Tygrus appears as an estimated seven-foot tall mostly bipedal creature covered in grey fur, with a feline head on a humanoid frame. He has a tail, claws, and is able to speak. Tygrus is extremely naive, always referring to Dr. Dorian as "father". Tygrus does not want to take life without reason, and only longs for his creator's affection and for the love of Catwoman. In many ways, the character is reminiscent of Frankenstein's Monster.

In an attempt to test Tygrus's reflexes and feral instincts, Dr. Dorian sets Batman loose upon a deserted island with Tygrus in hot pursuit, offering Batman the antidote to Catwoman's mutation if he survives. Tygrus hunts Batman relentlessly, but does not fully understand the implications of what he is doing, as he falsely believes that defeating Batman will earn his "father's" respect and win the heart of Catwoman.

When faced with the true nature of his creator, Tygrus destroys the lab that made him, but shows restraint by saving Dorian. As the lab burns to the ground, he escapes with his father's body which he hands over to Batman for medical attention. Catwoman is distressed by the destruction of the lab because it means she is doomed to be trapped in her mutant form forever. Tygrus is struck hard by the realization that Catwoman would be unhappy as a half-cat similar to his own design. He leaves her the antidote he managed to rescue from the lab, and prepares to leave. Catwoman, sympathetic to his unique situation, tries to bring him back to civilization with them, saying there is nothing for him on the island. Tygrus replies, "There's nothing for me anywhere," and leaves to live out the remainder of his life alone on the island.

Tygrus resurfaces in "The Batman Adventures" issue titled "House of Dorian." He ends up under the control of Doctor Dorian again and helps Anthony Romulus and Man-Bat (Stefen Parry) to capture Selina again.