Kirk Langstrom (DCAU)

Man-Bat
Real Name	Kirk Langstrom
Main Alias	Man-Bat
Relatives	Francine Langstrom (wife), Robert March (father-in-law)
Base Of Operations	Gotham City · Gotham Zoo
Status
Alignment	Neutral
Identity	Public Identity
Citizenship	American
Marital Status	Widowed
Occupation	Scientist
Characteristics
Gender	Male
Eyes	Black
Hair	Brown
Origin
Universe	DCAU · Earth 12
Creators	Frank Robbins · Neal Adams · Julius Schwartz
First Appearance	"On Leather Wings" (September 6, 1992)
Appearance of Death	Batman Beyond Universe #8 (May, 2014)

I knew we've discovered a formula to create a totally new species, neither man nor bat. Once I started taking it, I couldn't stop. I desperately wanted to, but it took over.

— Kirk Langstrom

Scientist Kirk Langstrom becomes Man-Bat a winged menace who frequently goes on rampages that are stopped by Batman.

History

Kirk Langstrom was a scientist who worked on the Gotham Zoo researching bat DNA, hoping to implement some of its characteristics on humans. He abstracted a serum, which he tried on himself - to devastating effect, as he (temporarily) transformed into a large bat-like creature. After commiting crimes across Gotham City, Batman managed to capture him and he restored him to his human form.

When Kirk's wife, Francine was infected with the Man-Bat Serum, Kirk tried to help her, but Batman was responsible for curing her and ending the threat of the Man-Bat.

Langstrom later became a friend of both Batman and Bruce Wayne, even attending his "marriage" to Susan Maguire.

Powers and Abilities

Powers

• Transformation (Formerly): Upon injection of his bat gland extract, Kirk Langstrom can transform himself into a half-human/half-bat creature. Once the serum wears off, the Man-Bat returns back to human form.
  • Wings
    • Flight: Man-Bat can fly by way of genetically generated leather wings.
  • Claws: The Man-Bat has sharpened claws which are strong enough to easily tear through flesh and muscle.
  • Echolocation: Man-Bat can navigate through the air by way of echolocation, similar in function to a bat's radar.
  • Superhuman Strength
  • Superhuman Speed
  • Superhuman Stamina

Abilities

• Science

Notes

• This version of the character is exclusive to the continuity of the DC Animated Universe and is an adaptation of Man-Bat. The original character was created by Frank Robbins and Neal Adams and first appeared in Detective Comics #400.
• Kirk Langstrom was voiced by Marc Singer.
  

Recommended Reading

• Batman (1992 TV Series) Episode: On Leather Wings
• Batman (1992 TV Series) Episode: Terror in the Sky

Related

• 13 Appearances of Kirk Langstrom (DCAU)
• 4 Images featuring Kirk Langstrom (DCAU)
• 3 Quotations by or about Kirk Langstrom (DCAU)
• Character Gallery: Kirk Langstrom (DCAU)

External Links

• Kirk Langstrom at the DC Animated Universe Wiki

Footnotes

Batman Villain(s) This character, team or organization, is or was primarily an enemy of the Batman, or the Batman Family as a whole. This template will categorize articles that include it into the category "Batman Villains."