Shaggy Man is the name of several fictional characters that appear in comic books published by DC Comics. The character was created by writer Gardner Fox and artist Mike Sekowsky.
Publication history
The Shaggy Man debuted in Justice League of America #45 (June 1966) and returned in Justice League of America #104 (Feb. 1973). The character reappeared a one-shot story in Justice League of America #186 (Jan. 1981). The original Shaggy Man reappeared in Crisis on Infinite Earths #9-10 (Dec. 1985-Jan. 1986).
Another version) returned in JLA #24 - 26 (Dec. 1998 - Feb. 1999) and was updated and rechristened "The General". The General reappeared in the "World War III" storyline JLA #36 - 41 (Dec. 1999 - May 2000). Another Shaggy Man was created and debuted in Justice League of America Wedding Special (Nov. 2007), the first chapter of a storyline that continued in Justice League of America #13-15 (Nov. 2007 - Jan. 2008).
Writer Mike Conroy noted that the Shaggy Man was "A mountainous cross between Frankenstein's monster and the Sasquatch".
Fictional character biographies
First Shaggy Man
The Shaggy Man is the creation of Dr. Andrew Zagarian, a scientist who invented "plastalloy", a synthetic human tissue substitute that can be used for organ transplants. Dr. Zagarian built the Shaggy Man by splicing his material with salamander DNA, and as a result accidentally created an artificial lifeform that can rapidly regenerate. Essentially mindless, the creature then attacked anything that moved. The Justice League attempt to stop the creature, but the Shaggy Man holds them all off until the Flash suggests Zagarian create a second creature to fight the first. The League then seals the two monsters inside a deep pit, where they can battle each other indefinitely.
One Shaggy Man is eventually freed by villain Hector Hammond and transported to the JLA satellite, but is defeated when Green Lantern uses his power ring to shrink the monster to miniature size and imprison it. The second is later discovered to be rampaging across Russia, and is finally tricked by Batman and via a rocket is sent into outer space. The creature eventually returns but is apparently destroyed by hero Speedy.
A Shaggy Man's inert body is eventually recovered by General Wade Eiling and his Ultramarine Corps. Eiling, diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumour, transfers his mind into the creature's body, shaves off the body hair, and refers to himself as the General. After a battle with the JLA and Ultramarines, the General is teleported into the solar system's asteroid belt. Marooned in space, the General is eventually rescued by Lex Luthor's new Injustice League and they again battle the JLA. After a skirmish with Superman, Orion and the Martian Manhunter, the General falls into the "Ghost Zone", a void which the villain Prometheus uses as a hideout.
Second Shaggy Man
Simon Stagg performed a similar procedure to transfer the mind of his henchman Java into the body of a Shaggy Man.
Third Shaggy Man
A new version of Shaggyman is created by Lex Luthor to join the Injustice League. Shaggy Man later assaults the hero Geo-Force.
Fourth Shaggy Man
In The New 52 (a reboot of the DC Comics universe), a Shaggy Man appeared as a member of the Secret Society of Super Villains. Created by Professor Ivo, this version battled the Justice League of America.
Powers and abilities
The Shaggy Man is a super-strong creature that courtesy of retro-engineering with salamander DNA is capable of almost instantaneous regeneration, and does not require food or rest.
In other media
Television
- Shaggy Man appears in the Batman: The Brave and the Bold episodes "Legends of the Dark Mite!" and "Long Arm of the Law!".
References
External links
- Shaggy Man I's bio
- Shaggy Man II's bio
- Shaggy Man I at DC Comics Wiki
- Shaggy Man II at DC Comics Wiki
- Shaggy Man III at DC Comics Wiki
- Shaggy Man at Comic Vine