Shark is the name of three fictional characters in DC Comics publications.
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| Shark | |
|---|---|
| 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.
Shark is a highly skilled diver. He has no superhuman abilities.
| 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.
| 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 Secret Society of Super Villains |
| Notable aliases | T.S. Shark, Karshon |
| Abilities | Telepathy, telekinesis, energy bolts, force fields, ability to cause fear in others; mind absorption |
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]. In Green Lantern 175-176, the Shark returns surrounded by a yellow force field. During this battle, he uses his ability to absorb (devour) people's minds to temporarily defeat Green Lantern. He is later defeated and Green Lantern's mind restored when Hal Jordan uses his power ring to flood the Shark's mind with green energy.
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]
The Shark briefly appears in Animal Man, described by author Grant Morrison as an animal-themed villain that Animal Man could have fought.
Shark reappears to menace Coast City and clashes with his old enemy, the newly returned Green Lantern. He acts more like an actual shark, and has been experimented on by the Kroloteans. He now bears webbed fingers, claws, and a large fin on his back.[6]
Shark appears in Infinite Crisis, as part of the Secret Society of Super Villains'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.
While his current status remains unknown, Shark is mentioned by Black Hand in The Book of the Black.[8]
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 his first appearance, he created a forcefield large enough to cover a city. In some cases, the Shark has shown the ability to 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.
In more recent appearances, the Shark appears to have lost most of his powers (demonstrating just super strength), but retains his natural instincts and enhanced senses. He also displays a more animal-like intelligence and lacks the ability to speak. The cause of this change is unknown.
In the alternate timeline of the Flashpoint event, Shark joined with the Atlanteans at some point. He attacks two F-22 Raptors of Hal Jordan and Carol Ferris for entering Western Europe territory. Shark was killed when Hal forces him to crash his jet into Carol's jet, with both Hal and Carol barely escaping using the ejection system.[9]