Antaeus (comics)
Encyclopedia
Antaeus is the name of two fictional character
s from DC Comics
.
's New Olympians. His origin has never been revealed, but he has super-human strength and limited invulnerability as long as he stays in contact with the natural earth.
who injected Mark with experimental growth hormones as he grew up. Because of these hormones Mark pushed the boundaries of human
agility, strength and endurance although never becoming truly superhuman
.
Mark became a fireman
and a local hero
, idolising Superman
to the extent that he had a large 'S-shield' tattoo
across his back (This shield was the one worn by Superman in Kingdom Come
foreshadowing the dark turn Mark would take). After failing to rescue a family caught in a burning building Mark had something of a nervous breakdown
, disappearing for over two years. When he returned it was revealed he had volunteered to STAR Labs as a guinea pig
for cybernetic enhancements. Despite being horribly disfigured under his cybernetic armour the hero 'Antaeus' was blissfully happy to be able to help people and this small town hero's exploits came to the Justice League
's attention. He was quickly admitted to the JLA and shown to partake in many adventures (only within this book).
Antaeus' behaviour was somewhat erratic and he came into conflict with Green Lantern
, Kyle Rayner
who feels that he is unreasonably driven and dotes on his idol, Superman. He also draws away from his human life, cutting off his family and fiancee.
When the JLA refuse to step in to remove a middle-eastern despot, Antaeus goes against their wishes, overthrowing a hostile government and murdering their leader (who bears a striking resemblance to Saddam Hussein
). Antaeus then comes into direct conflict with the JLA, he puts up a good fight but his cybernetic systems are badly damaged and he retreats. Seeing that his actions have destabilized the country and ultimately made things worse for its citizens, Antaeus is consumed with grief and regret and lets his damaged nuclear reactor
(the source of his power) explode.
In an epilogue we see Superman's grief over his inability to help Mark and Mark's Helmet is placed in the JLA trophy room.
Apart from his starring role in the one shot JLA: Superpower, Antaeus' only other appearance was in the JLA/Avengers
crossover
in which all previous members of the JLA and the Avengers
appear.
Fictional character
A character is the representation of a person in a narrative work of art . Derived from the ancient Greek word kharaktêr , the earliest use in English, in this sense, dates from the Restoration, although it became widely used after its appearance in Tom Jones in 1749. From this, the sense of...
s from DC Comics
DC Comics
DC Comics, Inc. is one of the largest and most successful companies operating in the market for American comic books and related media. It is the publishing unit of DC Entertainment a company of Warner Bros. Entertainment, which itself is owned by Time Warner...
.
Antaeus (unnamed)
This Antaeus was seen as a member of Maxie ZeusMaxie Zeus
Maximillian "Maxie" Zeus is a fictional character in the DC Comics universe. He is a criminal mastermind who believes that he is the god Zeus from Greek mythology. He is an occasional enemy of Batman...
's New Olympians. His origin has never been revealed, but he has super-human strength and limited invulnerability as long as he stays in contact with the natural earth.
Mark Antaeus
Mark Antaeus was the son of a scientistScientist
A scientist in a broad sense is one engaging in a systematic activity to acquire knowledge. In a more restricted sense, a scientist is an individual who uses the scientific method. The person may be an expert in one or more areas of science. This article focuses on the more restricted use of the word...
who injected Mark with experimental growth hormones as he grew up. Because of these hormones Mark pushed the boundaries of human
Human
Humans are the only living species in the Homo genus...
agility, strength and endurance although never becoming truly superhuman
Superhuman
Superhuman can mean an improved human, for example, by genetic modification, cybernetic implants, or as what humans might evolve into, in the near or distant future...
.
Mark became a fireman
Firefighter
Firefighters are rescuers extensively trained primarily to put out hazardous fires that threaten civilian populations and property, to rescue people from car incidents, collapsed and burning buildings and other such situations...
and a local hero
Hero
A hero , in Greek mythology and folklore, was originally a demigod, their cult being one of the most distinctive features of ancient Greek religion...
, idolising Superman
Superman
Superman is a fictional comic book superhero appearing in publications by DC Comics, widely considered to be an American cultural icon. Created by American writer Jerry Siegel and Canadian-born American artist Joe Shuster in 1932 while both were living in Cleveland, Ohio, and sold to Detective...
to the extent that he had a large 'S-shield' tattoo
Tattoo
A tattoo is made by inserting indelible ink into the dermis layer of the skin to change the pigment. Tattoos on humans are a type of body modification, and tattoos on other animals are most commonly used for identification purposes...
across his back (This shield was the one worn by Superman in Kingdom Come
Kingdom Come (comics)
Kingdom Come is a four-issue comic book mini-series published in 1996 by DC Comics. It was written by Alex Ross and Mark Waid and painted in gouache by Ross, who also developed the concept from an original idea...
foreshadowing the dark turn Mark would take). After failing to rescue a family caught in a burning building Mark had something of a nervous breakdown
Nervous breakdown
Mental breakdown is a non-medical term used to describe an acute, time-limited phase of a specific disorder that presents primarily with features of depression or anxiety.-Definition:...
, disappearing for over two years. When he returned it was revealed he had volunteered to STAR Labs as a guinea pig
Guinea pig
The guinea pig , also called the cavy, is a species of rodent belonging to the family Caviidae and the genus Cavia. Despite their common name, these animals are not in the pig family, nor are they from Guinea...
for cybernetic enhancements. Despite being horribly disfigured under his cybernetic armour the hero 'Antaeus' was blissfully happy to be able to help people and this small town hero's exploits came to the Justice League
Justice League
The Justice League, also called the Justice League of America or JLA, is a fictional superhero team that appears in comic books published by DC Comics....
's attention. He was quickly admitted to the JLA and shown to partake in many adventures (only within this book).
Antaeus' behaviour was somewhat erratic and he came into conflict with Green Lantern
Green Lantern
The Green Lantern is the shared primary alias of several fictional characters, superheroes appearing in comic books published by DC Comics. The first Green Lantern was created by writer Bill Finger and artist Martin Nodell in All-American Comics #16 .Each Green Lantern possesses a power ring and...
, Kyle Rayner
Kyle Rayner
Kyle Rayner is a fictional comic book superhero appearing in books published by DC Comics, usually in those starring the Green Lantern Corps, an extraterrestrial police force of which Rayner is a member. Created by writer Ron Marz and artist Darryl Banks, Rayner first appeared in Green Lantern vol...
who feels that he is unreasonably driven and dotes on his idol, Superman. He also draws away from his human life, cutting off his family and fiancee.
When the JLA refuse to step in to remove a middle-eastern despot, Antaeus goes against their wishes, overthrowing a hostile government and murdering their leader (who bears a striking resemblance to Saddam Hussein
Saddam Hussein
Saddam Hussein Abd al-Majid al-Tikriti was the fifth President of Iraq, serving in this capacity from 16 July 1979 until 9 April 2003...
). Antaeus then comes into direct conflict with the JLA, he puts up a good fight but his cybernetic systems are badly damaged and he retreats. Seeing that his actions have destabilized the country and ultimately made things worse for its citizens, Antaeus is consumed with grief and regret and lets his damaged nuclear reactor
Nuclear reactor
A nuclear reactor is a device to initiate and control a sustained nuclear chain reaction. Most commonly they are used for generating electricity and for the propulsion of ships. Usually heat from nuclear fission is passed to a working fluid , which runs through turbines that power either ship's...
(the source of his power) explode.
In an epilogue we see Superman's grief over his inability to help Mark and Mark's Helmet is placed in the JLA trophy room.
Apart from his starring role in the one shot JLA: Superpower, Antaeus' only other appearance was in the JLA/Avengers
JLA/Avengers
JLA/Avengers is a comic book limited series and crossover published in prestige format by DC Comics and Marvel Comics from September 2003 to May 2004. The series was written by Kurt Busiek, with art by George Pérez...
crossover
Fictional crossover
A fictional crossover is the placement of two or more otherwise discrete fictional characters, settings, or universes into the context of a single story. They can arise from legal agreements between the relevant copyright holders, or because of unauthorized efforts by fans, or even amid common...
in which all previous members of the JLA and the Avengers
Avengers (comics)
The Avengers is a fictional team of superheroes, appearing in magazines published by Marvel Comics. The team made its debut in The Avengers #1 The Avengers is a fictional team of superheroes, appearing in magazines published by Marvel Comics. The team made its debut in The Avengers #1 The Avengers...
appear.