Hellhound (comics)

Hellhound is the name of two fictional characters that are DC Comics supervillains. The first Hellhound appeared as an opponent of Catwoman.

History

Kai

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caption=
comic_color=background:#8080ff
character_name=Hellhound
real_name=Kai
publisher=DC Comics
debut="Catwoman vol. 1 Annual" #2 (1995)
creators=Jordan B. Gorfinkel and Jim Balent
alliance_color=background:#ffc0c0
alliances=
powers=|

Kai was the best student in the Armless Master's dojo in Gotham City. Kai was also a thief, which brought him into conflict with a young Selina Kyle, who "tainted" a religious ceremony he was performing by touching a religious artifact depicting Bast that he had intended to steal himself. After Kai severely beat her for her intereference, Kyle followed Kai back to the secret dojo, where the Armless Master welcomed her as a student. She began studying, and quickly showed Kai up in front of his master. Kai soon learned that Selina had taken on the identity of Catwoman, and, in religious zeal, took it as a sign. Adopting the identity of Hellhound he attempted to force Selina to kill him, believing this would finish the ceremony she had interrupted when they first met, and that he would be reborn as a "true hound of hell". Catwoman scarred his face instead, deepening his already great hatred of her.

In the years that followed Kai became a hired mercenary. Eventually he would get his wish and encounter Catwoman once more, coldly informing her that their master had been killed (although Catwoman is apparently unaware that Lady Shiva was the one to kill her sensei). Hellhound and Catwoman were forced to work together by an archeological relic connoisseur called the Collector, who wanted them to find him an artifact called the Wheel of Plagues. Unfortunately, the Wheel was also being sought by Ra's al Ghul, and Catwoman and Hellhound were forced into conflict with Bane. Bane bested them and took the Wheel, and the two fought once again. Catwoman again bested Hellhound, leaving him alive even though he again asked for death.

He was later employed by Jackie Pamerjanian, the drug kingpin of Rheelasia, to protect his crop. Hellhound was forced into conflict with another costumed hero, this time Black Canary. She also defeated Hellhound, and Pamerjanian lost his drugs as the government raided the compound. Hellhound was recently seen serving as the bodyguard of Lew Moxon at the summit of Gotham gang bosses, and was unable to save his boss from being killed by Zeiss, who killed him in the process.

Jack Chifford

A second Hellhound has appeared as a member of the supervillain Society in the "Villains United" mini-series. His real name is Jack Chifford and he bought his 'villain franchise' from the Calculator, who sold him the costume and right to use the name.

This version of Hellhound was among the exiled villains. In "Salvation Run" #2, he was badly wounded by one of the robotic creatures. His fellow villains were ready to abandon him, but the Body Doubles insisted he be brought along. They later feed him to a group of "Lion-lizards" so that the others could escape.

Later, a "title match" was held on earth, between Chifford's cousin, and an unnamed bipedal dog-like metahuman, over who should use the Hellhound identity. The fight was broken up by the Blue Beetle, leaving no clear victor. ["Blue Beetle" #29]

Powers and abilities

Hellhound was an excellent martial artist, although his opinion of his skills were not equal to them. He also trained dogs to serve as his hunting pack. Much of this applies to the second Hellhound as well.

References

Appearances

* "Batman: The 12 Cent Adventure"
* "Birds of Prey #1-3"
* "Catwoman (Vol.2) #33-36"
* "Catwoman Annual #2"

Other Media

Hellhound also appeared in "Justice League Unlimited". He was featured briefly in the opening of the episode "Grudge Match" and was portrayed as a D-List villain fighting in Roulette's cage matches. He was erroneously pointed out by some as Catman.