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Shark (comics)
Encyclopedia
Shark is the name of three fictional characters in DC Comics
publications.
. 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
.
, 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.
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
and Black Condor
. 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. Aquaman is able to expose Karshon and forces the Shark to devolve.
During the Crisis on Infinite Earths
, the Shark joins Guy Gardner
's fight against the weaponers of Qward
.
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.
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. 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.
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.
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.
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...
publications.
Shark (World War II frogman)
The first Shark is a non-superpowered commandoCommando
In English, the term commando means a specific kind of individual soldier or military unit. In contemporary usage, commando usually means elite light infantry and/or special operations forces units, specializing in amphibious landings, parachuting, rappelling and similar techniques, to conduct and...
. Along with his other companions named Sardine and Whale, he is part of the World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
-era fighting unit called the Frogmen. His sole appearance is in Showcase #3 (July-August 1956). The story was written by Robert Kanigher
Robert Kanigher
Robert Kanigher was a prolific comic book writer and editor whose career spanned five decades. He was involved with the Wonder Woman franchise for over twenty years, taking over the scripting from creator William Moulton Marston. In addition, Kanigher spent many years in charge of DC Comics' war...
, and illustrated by Russ Heath
Russ Heath
Russell Heath, Jr. is an American artist best known for his comic book work — particularly his DC Comics war stories for several decades and his 1960s art for Playboy magazine's Little Annie Fanny featurettes — and for his commercial art, two pieces of which, depicting Roman and...
.
Gunther Hardwicke
The second Shark is the secret identity of criminal Gunther Hardwicke. He is a member of the Terrible TrioTerrible Trio
The Terrible Trio is a group of fictional characters, DC Comics supervillains. The Trio’s first appearance was Detective Comics #253, published in March 1958...
, along with Fox and Vulture. He wears a shark
Shark
Sharks are a type of fish with a full cartilaginous skeleton and a highly streamlined body. The earliest known sharks date from more than 420 million years ago....
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
Robin (comics)
Robin is the name of several fictional characters appearing in comic books published by DC Comics, originally created by Bob Kane, Bill Finger and Jerry Robinson, as a junior counterpart to DC Comics superhero Batman...
, and attempt to shoot the Dynamic Duo into space. The crimefighters are rescued by Batwoman
Batwoman
Batwoman is the name of several fictional characters, female counterparts to the superhero Batman. The original version was created by Bob Kane and Sheldon Moldoff. Her alter ego is Kathy Kane. This character appears in publications produced by DC Comics and related media beginning in Detective...
, and they capture the Shark and his associates.
The Shark and the rest of the Terrible Trio return in the Doctor Mid-Nite
Doctor Mid-Nite
Doctor Mid-Nite is a fictional superhero physician in DC Comics. The figure has been represented in the comics by three different individuals, Charles McNider, Beth Chapel and Pieter Anton Cross. Dr. Mid-Nite was originally created by writer Charles Reizenstein and artist Stanley Josephs Aschmeier...
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
Arkham Asylum
The Elizabeth Arkham Asylum for the Criminally Insane, commonly referred to simply as Arkham Asylum, is a fictional psychiatric hospital in the DC Comics Universe, usually appearing in stories featuring Batman...
. 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.
Karshon
The third Shark debuted in Green Lantern #24 (October 1963). He is a tiger sharkTiger shark
The tiger sharks, Galeocerdo cuvier, is a species of requiem shark and the only member of the genus Galeocerdo. Commonly known as sea tigers, tiger sharks are relatively large macropredators, capable of attaining a length of over . It is found in many tropical and temperate waters, and is...
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
Hal Jordan
Harold "Hal" Jordan is a DC Comics superhero known as Green Lantern, the first human shown to join the Green Lantern Corps and a founding member of the Justice League of America. Jordan is the second DC Comics character to adopt the Green Lantern moniker...
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
Coast City
Coast City is a fictional city created by John Broome and Gil Kane that appears in stories published by DC Comics. It is depicted most often as the home of the Silver Age version of the superhero Green Lantern, Hal Jordan.-Fictional history:...
aquarium.
Shark manages to return to his evolved state many times, and returns to fight the Green Lantern, as well as 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...
and Black Condor
Black Condor
Black Condor is the name of three fictional characters, DC Comics superheroes who have all been members of the Freedom Fighters. The first Black Condor, Richard Grey Jr., was originally a Quality Comics character.-Quality Comics:...
. 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
Aquaman
Aquaman is a fictional superhero who appears in comic books published by DC Comics. Created by Paul Norris and Mort Weisinger, the character debuted in More Fun Comics #73 . Initially a backup feature in DC's anthology titles, Aquaman later starred in several volumes of a solo title...
as the ruler of Atlantis. Aquaman is able to expose Karshon and forces the Shark to devolve.
During the Crisis on Infinite Earths
Crisis on Infinite Earths
Crisis on Infinite Earths is a 12-issue American comic book limited series and crossover event, produced by DC Comics in 1985 to simplify its then 50-year-old continuity...
, the Shark joins Guy Gardner
Guy Gardner (comics)
Guy Gardner is a fictional character, a comic book superhero published by DC Comics. He is a core member of the Green Lantern family of characters, and for a time was also a significant member of the Justice League family of characters.He was created by John Broome and Gil Kane in Green Lantern...
's fight against the weaponers of Qward
Qward
Qward is a fictional world existing within an antimatter universe that is part of the . It was first mentioned in Green Lantern # 2 .-Fictional history:...
.
The Shark briefly appears in Animal Man
Animal Man
Animal Man is a fictional character, a superhero in the . As a result of being in proximity to an exploding extraterrestrial spaceship, Buddy Baker acquires the ability to temporarily “borrow” the abilities of animals...
, described by author Grant Morrison
Grant Morrison
Grant Morrison is a Scottish comic book writer, playwright and occultist. He is known for his nonlinear narratives and counter-cultural leanings, as well as his successful runs on titles like Animal Man, Doom Patrol, JLA, The Invisibles, New X-Men, Fantastic Four, All-Star Superman, and...
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.
Shark appears in Infinite Crisis
Infinite Crisis
Infinite Crisis is a 2005 - 2006 comic book storyline published by DC Comics, consisting of an eponymous, seven-issue comic book limited series written by Geoff Johns and illustrated by Phil Jimenez, George Pérez, Ivan Reis, and Jerry Ordway, and a number of tie-in books...
, as part of the Secret Society of Super Villains
Secret Society of Super Villains
The Secret Society of Super Villains is a group of comic book supervillains that exist in the DC Universe...
's attack on Atlantis. Along with King Shark
King Shark
King Shark is a DC Comics supervillain. The character was introduced in Superboy vol.3, #0 in October 1994.-Origin:Born in Hawaii, Nanaue is a humanoid shark. His father is "The King of all Sharks"—also known as the Shark God...
, he kills Neptune Perkins. The Spectre
Spectre (comics)
The Spectre is a fictional character and superhero who has appeared in numerous comic books published by DC Comics. The character first appeared in a next issue ad in More Fun Comics #51 and received his first story the following month, #52...
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.
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 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.
Flashpoint
In the alternate timeline of the FlashpointFlashpoint (comics)
Flashpoint is an American comic book crossover story arc published by DC Comics. Consisting of an eponymous core limited series and a number of tie-in titles, the storyline premiered in May 2011...
event, Shark joined with the Atlanteans
Atlantis (DC Comics)
Atlantis is a fictional location in the DC Comics Universe. The very first DC Universe version of Atlantis debuted in Action Comics #18 , and was created by...
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.
Television
- A villain called Shark appears in The All-New Super Friends HourThe All-New Super Friends HourThe All-New Super Friends Hour is an American animated television series about a team of superheroes which ran from September 10, 1977, to September 2, 1978, on ABC...
episode "The Protector." It's uncertain which Shark it is, as his real name is never mentioned in the episode, but he most resembles the third Shark, but not very much. - The third Shark is seen as a member of Gorilla GroddGorilla GroddGorilla Grodd is a supervillain appearing in DC Comics, primarily as an enemy of The Flash. He debuted in Flash v.1 #106 , and was created by writer John Broome and artist Carmine Infantino....
's Secret SocietySecret Society of Super VillainsThe Secret Society of Super Villains is a group of comic book supervillains that exist in the DC Universe...
in Justice League UnlimitedJustice League UnlimitedJustice League Unlimited is an American animated television series that was produced by Warner Bros. Animation and aired on Cartoon Network. Featuring a wide array of superheroes from the DC Comics universe, and specifically based on the Justice League superhero team, it is a direct sequel to the...
. - The second and third Shark have appeared in Batman: The Brave and the BoldBatman: The Brave and the BoldBatman: The Brave and the Bold is an American animated television series based in part on the DC Comics series The Brave and the Bold which features two or more super heroes coming together to solve a crime or foil a super villain...
.