Terra-Man
Encyclopedia
Terra-Man is a fictional character
and supervillain
who appears in Superman
stories published by DC Comics
. Terra-Man first appeared in Superman (volume 1) #249, March 1972.
, as well as riding a winged horse
. It was revealed, in Superman #249, that Manning had in fact been born during the Old West era. After killing Toby's father Jess, an alien took young Toby as his ward, raising him from childhood and teaching him the use of alien weapons, which he created in imitation of the 19th century weapons Toby was familiar with. After Manning had grown to adulthood and learned what he could, he killed the alien and began a career as an interstellar outlaw, "Terra-Man" (a name chosen to refer to Manning's Earthly origins). Eventually his travels took him to Earth, where he became an enemy of Superman. Throughout his pre-Crisis
career, Terra-Man usually returned to Earth only in efforts to outfight or outwit Superman; otherwise he remained at large in outer space, committing crimes to carry the legend of the Wild West outlaw across the stars. Terra-Man spoke in an almost buffoonishly stereotypical "cowboy" drawl with liberal use of Old West slang and colloquialisms, lending a humorous air to his deadly activities.
version of the Terra-Man was a businessman who took conscience about the damage he was causing to the Earth's environment. He decided to save Earth and attacked enterprises which were dangerous to the environment. Though this version has a different origin, his name (Tobias Manning) remains the same, and he still retains a western theme, including a thick accent and the cowboy-esque way that he handles his guns. His weapons now focused mainly on turning the environment against his opponents (i.e.: plants and the earth element). He also had a robotic army dressed in western garb, called the Terra-Men.
Like his modus operandi, his new background is ecological, and because of that he calls himself the Terra-Man. The weapons and equipment he has developed enable him to use a pair of jet packs mounted on his armor for flight, create a teleportation vortex resembling a small tornado, and guns which can cause shockwaves and earthquakes, or fire specially tailored flora
at a target. He has engineered numerous forms of plant life specialized for his needs, including one that can actively drain other lifeforms of energy derived from sunlight, meaning that it drained power from Superman when in contact with him, and ones that can liquify organic material. Both of these plants have been shown to be possibly used as ammunition for his firearms. He's also developed a process to purportedly quickly and cleanly remove all dangerous poisons from toxic sites and renew nutrients in soil.
Although Manning may lack their mutations and telepathic control over the earth and plant elements, his knowledge of their sciences is arguably on par with the likes of Poison Ivy or the Floronic Man
. At times, Manning respects Superman's common desire to preserve nature, while other times, Terra-Man fears that Superman may be contaminating the Earth with extraterrestrial germs and viruses, and thus wishes to end the Man of Steel's life before any more "harm" can be done to the environment.
Apart from battling Superman, Terra-Man also assisted the Metropolis
Special Crimes Unit in their own miniseries.
, Terra-Man became a member of the Secret Society of Super Villains
.
Two weeks and a day after the end of Infinite Crisis
, Terra-Man is still up to no good. He hijacks Ferris Air Flight 456 over the middle of the Mediterranean Sea, and Power Girl
gives chase until they reach the nation of Khandaq. Terra-Man then escapes capture thanks to Black Adam
, who forbids Power Girl from entering Khandaq's airspace. Later, Terra-Man appears to ally himself with Black Adam. However, when Black Adam later appears to address the media in front of Khandaq's embassy in New York City
, he suddenly rips Terra-Man in half at his pelvis, killing him.
Terra-Man has been identified as one of the deceased entombed below the Hall of Justice
.
This incarnation of the Terra-Man is inexplicably much more like his Pre-Crisis embodiment than he had ever been shown to be before Infinite Crisis (obviously lacking his environmentally linked personality), and his reveling in, and enjoyment of his own villainous activities severely contradicts his past Post-Crisis personality, who would not endanger an innocent life unless it was necessary for the betterment of the environment.
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...
and supervillain
Supervillain
A supervillain or supervillainess is a variant of the villain character type, commonly found in comic books, action movies and science fiction in various media.They are sometimes used as foils to superheroes and other fictional heroes...
who appears in 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...
stories published by 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...
. Terra-Man first appeared in Superman (volume 1) #249, March 1972.
Pre-Crisis
The Pre-1985 Terra-Man is noted for using futuristic weapons modeled after those used in the American Old WestAmerican Old West
The American Old West, or the Wild West, comprises the history, geography, people, lore, and cultural expression of life in the Western United States, most often referring to the latter half of the 19th century, between the American Civil War and the end of the century...
, as well as riding a winged horse
Horse
The horse is one of two extant subspecies of Equus ferus, or the wild horse. It is a single-hooved mammal belonging to the taxonomic family Equidae. The horse has evolved over the past 45 to 55 million years from a small multi-toed creature into the large, single-toed animal of today...
. It was revealed, in Superman #249, that Manning had in fact been born during the Old West era. After killing Toby's father Jess, an alien took young Toby as his ward, raising him from childhood and teaching him the use of alien weapons, which he created in imitation of the 19th century weapons Toby was familiar with. After Manning had grown to adulthood and learned what he could, he killed the alien and began a career as an interstellar outlaw, "Terra-Man" (a name chosen to refer to Manning's Earthly origins). Eventually his travels took him to Earth, where he became an enemy of Superman. Throughout his pre-Crisis
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...
career, Terra-Man usually returned to Earth only in efforts to outfight or outwit Superman; otherwise he remained at large in outer space, committing crimes to carry the legend of the Wild West outlaw across the stars. Terra-Man spoke in an almost buffoonishly stereotypical "cowboy" drawl with liberal use of Old West slang and colloquialisms, lending a humorous air to his deadly activities.
Post-Crisis
The Post-CrisisCrisis 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...
version of the Terra-Man was a businessman who took conscience about the damage he was causing to the Earth's environment. He decided to save Earth and attacked enterprises which were dangerous to the environment. Though this version has a different origin, his name (Tobias Manning) remains the same, and he still retains a western theme, including a thick accent and the cowboy-esque way that he handles his guns. His weapons now focused mainly on turning the environment against his opponents (i.e.: plants and the earth element). He also had a robotic army dressed in western garb, called the Terra-Men.
Like his modus operandi, his new background is ecological, and because of that he calls himself the Terra-Man. The weapons and equipment he has developed enable him to use a pair of jet packs mounted on his armor for flight, create a teleportation vortex resembling a small tornado, and guns which can cause shockwaves and earthquakes, or fire specially tailored flora
Flora
Flora is the plant life occurring in a particular region or time, generally the naturally occurring or indigenous—native plant life. The corresponding term for animals is fauna.-Etymology:...
at a target. He has engineered numerous forms of plant life specialized for his needs, including one that can actively drain other lifeforms of energy derived from sunlight, meaning that it drained power from Superman when in contact with him, and ones that can liquify organic material. Both of these plants have been shown to be possibly used as ammunition for his firearms. He's also developed a process to purportedly quickly and cleanly remove all dangerous poisons from toxic sites and renew nutrients in soil.
Although Manning may lack their mutations and telepathic control over the earth and plant elements, his knowledge of their sciences is arguably on par with the likes of Poison Ivy or the Floronic Man
Floronic Man
The Floronic Man , also known as the Plant Master and Floro, is a fictional character in the DC Comics universe...
. At times, Manning respects Superman's common desire to preserve nature, while other times, Terra-Man fears that Superman may be contaminating the Earth with extraterrestrial germs and viruses, and thus wishes to end the Man of Steel's life before any more "harm" can be done to the environment.
Apart from battling Superman, Terra-Man also assisted the Metropolis
Metropolis (comics)
Metropolis is a fictional city that appears in comic books published by DC Comics, and is the home of Superman. Metropolis first appeared by name in Action Comics #16 ....
Special Crimes Unit in their own miniseries.
Infinite Crisis
In Infinite CrisisInfinite 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...
, Terra-Man became a member 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...
.
Two weeks and a day after the end of 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...
, Terra-Man is still up to no good. He hijacks Ferris Air Flight 456 over the middle of the Mediterranean Sea, and Power Girl
Power Girl
Power Girl is a DC Comics superheroine, making her first appearance in All Star Comics #58 ....
gives chase until they reach the nation of Khandaq. Terra-Man then escapes capture thanks to Black Adam
Black Adam
Black Adam is a fictional comic book character, created in 1945 by Otto Binder & C. C. Beck for Fawcett Comics. Originally created as a one-shot villain for Fawcett Comics' Marvel Family team of superheroes, Black Adam was revived as a recurring supervillain after DC Comics began publishing Captain...
, who forbids Power Girl from entering Khandaq's airspace. Later, Terra-Man appears to ally himself with Black Adam. However, when Black Adam later appears to address the media in front of Khandaq's embassy in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, he suddenly rips Terra-Man in half at his pelvis, killing him.
Terra-Man has been identified as one of the deceased entombed below the Hall of Justice
Hall of Justice (comics)
The Hall of Justice is the fictional headquarters of the Super Friends, in the eponymous animated series. It has subsequently been incorporated into the DC Comics main shared universe, the DC Universe as the new headquarters of the Justice League....
.
This incarnation of the Terra-Man is inexplicably much more like his Pre-Crisis embodiment than he had ever been shown to be before Infinite Crisis (obviously lacking his environmentally linked personality), and his reveling in, and enjoyment of his own villainous activities severely contradicts his past Post-Crisis personality, who would not endanger an innocent life unless it was necessary for the betterment of the environment.
Television
- Although not referred to as Terra-Man, Tobias Manning appears in the 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...
episode "The Once and Future Thing" voiced by Ed O'RossEd O'RossEd O'Ross is an American actor perhaps best known for playing the giggling spectacled gangster Itchy in Dick Tracy, ruthless Georgian mobster Viktor Rostavili in Red Heat, and tough-then-alien-possessed police detective Cliff Willis in The Hidden.-Early life:O'Ross was born Edward Oross in...
. He steals ChronosChronos (comics)Chronos is the name of several fictional characters of DC Comics, both supervillains who take their name from the Greek personification of Time and have the ability of time travel and can manipulate history.-David Clinton:...
' time-traveling gear to use for ruling a western town. BatmanBatmanBatman is a fictional character created by the artist Bob Kane and writer Bill Finger. A comic book superhero, Batman first appeared in Detective Comics #27 , and since then has appeared primarily in publications by DC Comics...
, Wonder WomanWonder WomanWonder Woman is a DC Comics superheroine created by William Moulton Marston. She first appeared in All Star Comics #8 . The Wonder Woman title has been published by DC Comics almost continuously except for a brief hiatus in 1986....
, and Green LanternGreen LanternThe 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...
(John StewartJohn Stewart (comics)John Stewart is a fictional character, a comic book superhero published by DC Comics. He first appeared in Green Lantern vol. 2, #87 , and was created by Dennis O'Neil and Neal Adams.-Publication history:...
), who were pursuing Chronos, team up with Bat LashBat LashBartholomew "Bat" Alouysius Lash is a fictional Western character in the DC Universe. A self-professed pacifist, ladies' man, and gambler, Bat Lash's adventures have been published by DC Comics since 1968.-Character origin:...
, Jonah HexJonah HexJonah Woodson Hex is a Western comic book antihero created by writer John Albano and artist Tony DeZuniga and published by DC Comics. Hex is a surly and cynical bounty hunter whose face is horribly scarred on the right side. Despite his poor reputation and personality, Hex is bound by a personal...
, El DiabloEl Diablo (comics)El Diablo is a name shared by several fictional characters published by DC Comics. Lazarus Lane the first El Diablo debuted in All-Star Western #2 , and was created by Robert Kanigher and Gray Morrow.-Publication history:...
, and Sheriff Ohiyesa SmithPow Wow SmithOhiyesa "Pow Wow" Smith is a fictional Western hero published by DC Comics. Created by writer Don Cameron and penciler Carmine Infantino, he is a Sioux who is the sheriff of the small Western town of Elkhorn, where he is known as a master detective...
to defeat him and take back the town.
- Terra-Man appeared in the Legion of Super-HeroesLegion of Super Heroes (TV series)Legion of Super Heroes is an American animated television series produced by Warner Bros. Animation that debuted on September 23, 2006, based on characters appearing in the DC Comics comic book series. The series centers on the young Superman's adventures in the 31st century, fighting alongside a...
episode "Unnatural Alliances" voiced by Jeff Black. Here, he was a self-repairing android (getting crushed by a planet forming around him couldn't kill him) created in the 41st-century by the sentient artificial intelligence known as K3NT (the same one who created Superman X). Terra-Man was sent back in time to kill a boy named Abel, who would one day invent the technology that would result in the creation of the warlord known as ImperiexImperiexImperiex is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by DC Comics. The character first appears in Superman #153 , and was created by Jeph Loeb and Ian Churchill...
. Ultimately, he was destroyed by the unlikely team-up of Superman X and Imperiex.