Shark (comics)

Shark is the name of three fictional characters in DC Comics publications.

hark (World War II frogman)

Superherobox


caption =
character_name = Shark
publisher = DC Comics
debut = "Showcase" #3 (July-August 1956)
creators = Robert Kanigher (script)
Russ Heath (art)
alter_ego =
full_name =
species =
homeworld =
alliances = Frogmen
aliases =
supports=
powers = 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.

Powers and abilities

Shark is a highly skilled diver. He has no superhuman abilities

hark (Gunther Hardwicke)

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caption = The Shark (right) with the Terrible Trio, on the cover of "Detective Comics" #253. Art by Sheldon Moldoff
character_name = Shark
publisher = DC Comics
debut = "Detective Comics" #253 (March 1958)
creators = Dave Wood (script)
Sheldon Moldoff (art)
alter_ego = Gunther Hardwicke
full_name =
species =
homeworld =
alliances = Terrible Trio
aliases = Sherman Shackley
The Fourth Man
supports=
powers = NoneThe 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.

hark (Karshon)

Superherobox


caption = The Shark
character_name = Shark
publisher = DC Comics
debut = "Green Lantern" Vol. 2 #24 (October 1963)
creators = John Broome (script)
Gil Kane (art)
alter_ego =
full_name =
species =
homeworld =
alliances = Weaponers of Qward
Guy Gardner Secret Society of Super Villains
aliases = T.S. Shark
Karshon
supports=
powers = Telepathy, telekinesis, energy bolts, ability to cause fear in othersThe 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 ["Action Comics" #456 (February 1976)] and Black Condor ["Black Condor" #4 (September 1992)] . 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. ["Adventure Comics" #443 (January-February 1976)] Aquaman is able to expose Karshon and forces the Shark to devolve. ["Adventure Comics" #448 (November-December 1976)]

During the Crisis on Infinite Earths, the Shark joins Guy Gardner's fight against the weaponers of Qward. ["Green Lantern" Vol. 2 #198 (March 1986)]

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. ["Green Lantern" vol. 4 #6 (November 2005)]

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. ["Infinite Crisis" #3 (May 2006)] The Spectre soon devastates the entire area, seemingly killing everyone in the city and around it.

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.

Appearances in other media

The second Shark appeared alongside his Terrible Trio teammates in "", 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".

Notes

External links

* [http://www.dcuguide.com/who.php?name=shark Shark I at the Unofficial Guide to the DC Universe]
* [http://www.dcuguide.com/who.php?name=shark2 Shark II at the Unofficial Guide to the DC Universe]
* [http://www.dcuguide.com/who.php?name=shark3 Shark III at the Unofficial Guide to the DC Universe]
* [http://www.glcorps.org/shark.html Shark III at the Book of Oa website]