| Shaggy Man | |
|---|---|
The Shaggy Man (background) on the cover of Justice League of America #45 (June 1966), art by Mike Sekowsky. | |
| Publication information | |
| Publisher | DC Comics |
| First appearance | Original: Justice League of America #45 (June 1966) |
| Created by | Gardner Fox (scripts) Mike Sekowsky (pencils) |
| In-story information | |
| Abilities |
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Shaggy Man is the name of several fictional characters which appear in comic books published by DC Comics.
The Shaggy Man debuted in Justice League of America #45 (June 1966) and was created by writer Gardner Fox and artist Mike Sekowsky.[1] That story also introduced a second Shaggy Man created to combat the first. The original Shaggy Man returned in Justice League of America #104 (Feb. 1973). The second character reappeared in a one-shot story in Justice League of America #186 (Jan. 1981). Then 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" after General Wade Eiling had his mind transplanted into the creature. 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).
Shaggy Man returned as a tool of Black Manta and N.E.M.O. in Aquaman: Rebirth #8-9 (2016).
Writer Mike Conroy noted that the Shaggy Man was "a mountainous cross between Frankenstein's monster and the Sasquatch".[2]
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.[3] The Justice League attempted to stop the creature, but the Shaggy Man held them all off until the Flash suggests that Zagarian create a second creature to fight the first. The League then sealed the two monsters inside a deep pit, where they could battle each other indefinitely.[4][5]
One Shaggy Man is eventually freed by villain Hector Hammond and transported to the JLA satellite; Green Lantern uses his power ring to shrink the monster to miniature size and imprison it.[6] 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.[7] The creature eventually returns, but is apparently destroyed by the hero Speedy with an explosive arrow, Speedy observing that since Shaggy Man isn't really alive he has no problem using such otherwise lethal methods.[8]
A Shaggy Man's inert body is eventually recovered from the depths of the ocean 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 the Ultramarines, the General is teleported into the Solar System's asteroid belt.[9] 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.[10]
A new version of Shaggy Man appears as a member of the Injustice League. This version was created by Lex Luthor to strengthen the ranks of the Injustice League.[11] Shaggy Man later assaults the hero Geo-Force.[12]
During the "Brightest Day" storyline, Simon Stagg performed a similar procedure to transfer the mind of his henchman Java into the body of a Shaggy Man. It is eventually defeated by Outsiders member Freight Train.[13]
In "The New 52" reboot, 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.[14]
This Shaggy Man reappears in the "DC Rebirth" storyline as a pawn of villain Black Manta. After a brutal battle, Aquaman finally defeats the creature by attaching his Justice League membership card to the Shaggy Man and ordering the Justice League satellite to transport it beyond Earth's orbit.[15]
The Shaggy Man is super strong and impervious to physical harm. In courtesy of retro-engineering with salamander DNA, the creature can regenerate itself almost spontaneously and does not need sustenance or rest.[16] Thanks to its synthetic physiology, the monster could adapt in harsh environments (such as both outer space and underwater). It was able to smell the adrenaline from its opponent's sweat. As a bio-organic lifeform, it no longer ages. Its mindlessness can be a disadvantage.[17]
In DC Super Friends #20, "A Hair Raising Tale", Dr. Andrew Zagarian creates the Shaggy Man, but he immediately breaks free from the lab and goes on a rampage. The Super Friends try to fight him, but find they are no match for his strength and resilience, not even Superman. Woman Woman then realizes that the Shaggy Man is essentially a newborn who is lashing out, due to being frightened by his surroundings and constantly being attacked. She convinces the Shaggy Man to stand down by being nice to him. After letting the Shaggy Man enjoy a parade, the Super Friends send him to a wilderness area where he can live his life in peace.
