m (I'd rather use this photo if that's okay with everyone. This is how he's better known nowadays.) |
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Mark Shaw later reappeared and the Manhunter sect and was shown to be comprised of androids, created billions of years before by the [[Guardians of the Universe|Guardians]] of [[Oa]] to police the galaxy. For millennia, they served the Guardians well. However, the Manhunters became obsessed with the act of 'hunting' criminals. Their code, "No Man Escapes The Manhunters", became more important to them than seeing justice done. Eventually, the androids rebelled against the Guardians, but were swiftly defeated by their creators. Those that survived went into hiding.<ref>''[[Justice League of America]]'' #140</ref> |
Mark Shaw later reappeared and the Manhunter sect and was shown to be comprised of androids, created billions of years before by the [[Guardians of the Universe|Guardians]] of [[Oa]] to police the galaxy. For millennia, they served the Guardians well. However, the Manhunters became obsessed with the act of 'hunting' criminals. Their code, "No Man Escapes The Manhunters", became more important to them than seeing justice done. Eventually, the androids rebelled against the Guardians, but were swiftly defeated by their creators. Those that survived went into hiding.<ref>''[[Justice League of America]]'' #140</ref> |
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| − | The latter-day Manhunters attempted to disgrace the Guardians with Mark Shaw at their side. They were opposed by the [[JLA]], especially by League member [[Green Lantern (Hal Jordan)|Green Lantern]]. Shaw realized that he had been duped by the Manhunters and turned on them, killing the Grand Master, who was revealed to be a robot. Mark Shaw quickly returned as a new hero called the '''Privateer''', but it was soon revealed that he was also working as a villain called the '''Star-Tsar''', in league with the [[Key]]. The [[Red Tornado (John Smith)|Red Tornado]] discovered this deception and Shaw went to prison<ref>''[[Justice League of America]]'' #143</ref> on federal extortion charges.<ref>''[[Manhunter |
+ | The latter-day Manhunters attempted to disgrace the Guardians with Mark Shaw at their side. They were opposed by the [[JLA]], especially by League member [[Green Lantern (Hal Jordan)|Green Lantern]]. Shaw realized that he had been duped by the Manhunters and turned on them, killing the Grand Master, who was revealed to be a robot. Mark Shaw quickly returned as a new hero called the '''Privateer''', but it was soon revealed that he was also working as a villain called the '''Star-Tsar''', in league with the [[Key]]. The [[Red Tornado (John Smith)|Red Tornado]] discovered this deception and Shaw went to prison<ref>''[[Justice League of America]]'' #143</ref> on federal extortion charges.<ref>''[[Manhunter Vol 1 11|Manhunter #11]]</ref> |
| − | When the [[Millenium]] event occurred Mark was still serving his sentence. Due to his familiarity with the Manhunter cult, Shaw was offered the chance to accompany the [[Suicide Squad]] on a mission as the Privateer, and was released when the mission was completed.<ref>''Suicide Squad |
+ | When the [[Millenium]] event occurred Mark was still serving his sentence. Due to his familiarity with the Manhunter cult, Shaw was offered the chance to accompany the [[Suicide Squad]] on a mission as the Privateer, and was released when the mission was completed.<ref>''[[Suicide Squad Vol 1 8|Suicide Squad #8]] through [[Suicide Squad Vol 1 10|#10]]''</ref> Mark donned a new costume to distance himself from the Manhunter cult, moved home to [[New York City]] (specifically [[Manhattan]]) and began hunting costumed criminals for the bounty. He chose to use the name Manhunter as a way of redeeming his earlier actions.<ref>''[[Manhunter Vol 1 1|Manhunter #1]]''</ref> Although he consistently insisted he was a businessman, he often acted as a hero. Among the notable villains he captured are: [[Leonard Snart (New Earth)|Captain Cold]],<ref>''[[Manhunter Vol 1 1|Manhunter #1]]''</ref> [[Thomas Blake (New Earth)|Catman]],<ref>''[[Manhunter Vol 1 13|Manhunter #13]]''</ref> [[Werner Vertigo (New Earth)|Count Vertigo]],<ref>''[[Manhunter Vol 1 7|Manhunter #7]]''</ref> and [[Oswald Cobblepot (New Earth)|Penguin]].<ref>''[[Manhunter Vol 1 1|Manhunter #1]]''</ref> He also got involved in numerous other adventures such as protecting [[Anna-Marie Vere (New Earth)|Anna-Marie Vere]] and the subsequent take down of her team known as [[Argent (Team)|Argent]],<ref>''[[Manhunter Vol 1 6|Manhunter #6]] and [[Suicide Squad Annual Vol 1 1|Suicide Squad Annual #1]]''</ref> "body-guarding [[Wallace West (New Earth)|Wally West]]" and disrupting a [[Durlans|Durlan]] infiltration plot during an [[Alien Alliance|Alien]] [[Invasion!]],<ref>''[[Manhunter Vol 1 8|Manhunter #8]] and [[Manhunter Vol 1 9|#9]]; [[Flash Vol 2 21|Flash #22]] and [[Flash Vol 2 22|#22]]''</ref> among others. |
During this time, he and his family were threatened by two shape-shifters named [[Stephen Forrest Lee (New Earth)|Dumas]]. Shaw killed the first Dumas and his battle with the second led him to give up the Manhunter identity. It was later revealed that Mark Shaw was actually himself Dumas and much of his history was actually the result of mental programming by the US Government.<ref name="Manhunter13">''Manhunter'' vol. 3 #13</ref> Shaw joined the [[Shadow Fighters]] in order to battle the supervillan [[Eclipso]]. It was assumed that Mark Shaw was killed opposing Eclipso alongside his other team members in the Shadow Fighters. This was soon revealed not to be the case.<ref name="Eclipso11">''Eclipso'' #11-13</ref> |
During this time, he and his family were threatened by two shape-shifters named [[Stephen Forrest Lee (New Earth)|Dumas]]. Shaw killed the first Dumas and his battle with the second led him to give up the Manhunter identity. It was later revealed that Mark Shaw was actually himself Dumas and much of his history was actually the result of mental programming by the US Government.<ref name="Manhunter13">''Manhunter'' vol. 3 #13</ref> Shaw joined the [[Shadow Fighters]] in order to battle the supervillan [[Eclipso]]. It was assumed that Mark Shaw was killed opposing Eclipso alongside his other team members in the Shadow Fighters. This was soon revealed not to be the case.<ref name="Eclipso11">''Eclipso'' #11-13</ref> |
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Revision as of 16:35, 22 November 2009
History
Mark David Shaw was born Mark Fletcher. His father, Hugh, was a criminal and died when Mark was very young. His mother, Rose, married Eliot Shaw and Mark was legally adopted. Eliot and Rose had two additional children (James and Eleanor).
As a young man, Mark was a public defender, unhappy about how easily criminals manipulated the system and got off without punishment. Shaw's uncle Desmond Shaw introduced him to an ancient sect of crime fighters called the Manhunters. Shaw contacted the Grand Master, the sect's leader, through a magical lion medallion. Shortly, he assumed the Manhunter name and costume from a previous Manhunter.[1],[2]
Mark Shaw later reappeared and the Manhunter sect and was shown to be comprised of androids, created billions of years before by the Guardians of Oa to police the galaxy. For millennia, they served the Guardians well. However, the Manhunters became obsessed with the act of 'hunting' criminals. Their code, "No Man Escapes The Manhunters", became more important to them than seeing justice done. Eventually, the androids rebelled against the Guardians, but were swiftly defeated by their creators. Those that survived went into hiding.[3]
The latter-day Manhunters attempted to disgrace the Guardians with Mark Shaw at their side. They were opposed by the JLA, especially by League member Green Lantern. Shaw realized that he had been duped by the Manhunters and turned on them, killing the Grand Master, who was revealed to be a robot. Mark Shaw quickly returned as a new hero called the Privateer, but it was soon revealed that he was also working as a villain called the Star-Tsar, in league with the Key. The Red Tornado discovered this deception and Shaw went to prison[4] on federal extortion charges.[5]
When the Millenium event occurred Mark was still serving his sentence. Due to his familiarity with the Manhunter cult, Shaw was offered the chance to accompany the Suicide Squad on a mission as the Privateer, and was released when the mission was completed.[6] Mark donned a new costume to distance himself from the Manhunter cult, moved home to New York City (specifically Manhattan) and began hunting costumed criminals for the bounty. He chose to use the name Manhunter as a way of redeeming his earlier actions.[7] Although he consistently insisted he was a businessman, he often acted as a hero. Among the notable villains he captured are: Captain Cold,[8] Catman,[9] Count Vertigo,[10] and Penguin.[11] He also got involved in numerous other adventures such as protecting Anna-Marie Vere and the subsequent take down of her team known as Argent,[12] "body-guarding Wally West" and disrupting a Durlan infiltration plot during an Alien Invasion!,[13] among others.
During this time, he and his family were threatened by two shape-shifters named Dumas. Shaw killed the first Dumas and his battle with the second led him to give up the Manhunter identity. It was later revealed that Mark Shaw was actually himself Dumas and much of his history was actually the result of mental programming by the US Government.[14] Shaw joined the Shadow Fighters in order to battle the supervillan Eclipso. It was assumed that Mark Shaw was killed opposing Eclipso alongside his other team members in the Shadow Fighters. This was soon revealed not to be the case.[15]
He was actually undercover at the time he was facing Eclipso, masquerading as his old enemy Dumas at the behest of Sarge Steel.[14]
Recently, Mark Shaw has been approached to take up the mantle of Azrael. It remains to be seen if he follows up on the offer.
Powers and Abilities
Powers
None
Abilities
- Manhunter Training: As part of the Manhunter Cult's training, Mark has learned the following skills:
- Fighting: Manhunter has learned numerous martial-arts styles and fighting techniques.
- Tracking: Manhunter is able to find and track people through various terrains.
Paraphernalia
Equipment
- Manhunter Mask: Manhunter wears a specially designed metallic face mask that contains equipment giving him the following abilities/uses:
- Automatic Activation: The mask's sensors automatically activate upon donning.
- Biological Scanning: The mask scans and records biological information including heart rates and voiceprints of those observed.
- Eye Beams: An attachment that allows periscopic vision.
- Gas Filter: The mask can filter disabling gases such as knockout gas.
- Magniscopic/Telescopic Vision: Lenses can magnify images.
- Sensors: The mask sensors include infra-red, heat and sound. The infra-red lenses only activate on command.
- Unidirectional Mike: The mask allows Mark to pick-up radio signals such as police scanners. It is possible the mask can amplify Mark's voice and magnify sounds as he was able to have a conversation with a person over 50 feet away.
- Power Baton: Manhunter modified, via modular attachments, the power baton given to him by the Manhunter cult. The original baton serves as a power source. Once completely drained the baton can replenish the energy in 3 hours. With the additions it provides him the following abilities/uses:
- Blade: A blade pops out of the end and can be used for fighting or cutting.
- Bo Staff: The baton can function as a weapon.
- Grappling Line: The baton can fire a several-dozen length of high-tensile cord which Manhunter can use as a swingline.
- Javelin/Spike: The end of the baton contains a retractable spike that enables the baton to be thrown much like a javelin.
- Magnetic Pulse: The baton can create a magnetic pulse (either with attractive or repulsive polarity) enabling him to pull/push items including himself.
- Nunchaka: The baton can be separated into two ends connected by a cord allowing the baton to function as nunchaka.
- Sonic Maser: The baton can emit a high-frequency, piercing soundwave that is similar to Black Canary's Sonic Cry.
- Manhunter Costume: The costume contains heavy padding in the upper torso and is made of a leathery material. It also contains numerous small devices such as:
- Cutting Tools
- Flash Discs: On the back of the hands are disks that create a blinding flash.
- Flashlight
- Lockpick Tools
Related
- 88 Appearances of Mark Shaw (New Earth)
- 31 Images featuring Mark Shaw (New Earth)
- 8 Quotations by or about Mark Shaw (New Earth)
- Character Gallery: Mark Shaw (New Earth)
External Links
- Manhunter at Wikipedia
Footnotes
- ↑ First Issue Special #5
- ↑ The unnamed Manhunter was created by Jack Kirby and first appeared in First Issue Special #5. He reappeared in Justice League of America #140 and in a flashback in Secret Origins vol. 1, issue 22. This Manhunter wore a costume similar to Paul Kirk's 1940's outfit.
- ↑ Justice League of America #140
- ↑ Justice League of America #143
- ↑ Manhunter #11
- ↑ Suicide Squad #8 through #10
- ↑ Manhunter #1
- ↑ Manhunter #1
- ↑ Manhunter #13
- ↑ Manhunter #7
- ↑ Manhunter #1
- ↑ Manhunter #6 and Suicide Squad Annual #1
- ↑ Manhunter #8 and #9; Flash #22 and #22
- ↑ 14.0 14.1 Manhunter vol. 3 #13 Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; name "Manhunter13" defined multiple times with different content - ↑ Eclipso #11-13
This page uses content from Wikipedia. The original article was at Manhunter (comics). The list of authors can be seen in the page history. The text of Wikipedia is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License.