Zebra-Man

Zebra-Man is the name of three DC Comics supervillains.

Publication history

Jacob Baker first appeared in Detective Comics #275 and was created by Bill Finger and Sheldon Moldoff.

Kobra's Zebra-Man first appeared in Outsiders #21 and was created by Mike W. Barr.

Fictional character biography

Jacob Baker

Zebra-Man
Publication information
Publisher DC Comics
First appearance Detective Comics #275 (1960)
Created by Bill Finger
Sheldon Moldoff
In-story information
Alter ego Jacob Baker
Abilities Can magnetize anything

The first Zebra-Man was a high-tech scientist whose machinery irradiated his entire body. It also gave him superpowers that enabled him to attract and repel anything besides metal (referred to within the story as "Diamagnetism"). With his body covered by black and white stripes and highlighted by a glowing aura, he became Zebra-Man. He went on a crime spree before where he encountered Batman and Robin. During the first fight, Batman was accidentally irradiated by the same energy. Without an inhibitor belt, Batman was out of control with his diamagnetism causing Robin to go on without him. Batman soon took advantage of the diamagnetism and used it to attract Zebra-Man to himself and then attract both of them to Gotham City Police Department.[1]

Kobra's Zebra-Man

Zebra-Man
Publication information
Publisher DC Comics
First appearance Outsiders #21 (1987)
Created by Mike W. Barr
In-story information
Alter ego Unknown
Team affiliations Strike Force Kobra
Secret Society of Super Villains
Abilities Can magnetize anything

When Kobra creates a strike-force called Strike Force Kobra to usurp Stagg Enterprises in his goal of world domination, one of the villains he creates is patterned after the original Zebra-Man. Unlike the previous Zebra-Man, this version lacks the aura of the first Zebra-Man and has a mohawk that evoked the image of his equine namesake. Kobra's Zebra-Man, alongside the other Strikeforce Kobra members, fights the Outsiders to a draw, but Zebra-Man escapes with Elemental Woman, Planet Master, Lady Eve, and Kobra. His colleague Spectrumonster does not survive the battle. When Strikeforce Kobra is reassembled, Zebra-Man is not seen.[2]

He has been sighted in Alexander Luthor Jr.'s Secret Society of Super Villains.[3]

Vortex

Vortex
Publication information
Publisher DC Comics
First appearance Batman: The Dark Knight Vol. 2 #1 (2011)
Created by Paul Jenkins
David Finch
In-story information
Alter ego Unknown
Abilities Can magnetize anything

In September 2011, The New 52 rebooted DC's continuity. In this new timeline, a version of Zebra-Man first appears as an inmate of Arkham Asylum, currently going by the moniker "Vortex." He is one of the many prisoners attempting to escape in a massive breakout attempt, which is stopped by Batman.[4] He later appears attempting to help Catwoman escape her incarceration in the asylum, but is physically beaten by her.[5]

Vortex appears in DC Rebirth reboot, but is renamed Zebra Man. This version sports short hair with black leather gloves, boots, and shorts. Zebra Man is one of the many villains taken down by Batman and Catwoman after he takes her along with him on an average night of his job.[6]

Menagerie's Zebra-Man

During the "Forever Evil" storyline, a different Zebra-Man appears as a member of Cheetah's Menagerie. He was among those frozen by Killer Frost.[7]

Powers and abilities

Zebra-Man I and II have the ability of diamagnetism which enables them to attract and/or repel matter besides metal. Both used an inhibitor belt to control their diamagnetism.

In other media

  • The Jacob Baker version of Zebra-Man appears in the Batman: The Brave and the Bold. In this show, his powers actually work on metal. Zebra-Man appears in "Legends of the Dark Mite" as an illusion created by Bat-Mite when he "becomes" Batman. Zebra-Man is defeated when the real Batman steals his stripes causing him to become embarrassed and leave.[8] Zebra-Man later appears in "Duel of the Double Crossers" violating his parole by using his magnetic powers to rob an armored truck. He is easily defeated by Batman. The "Zebra Batman" appearance which Batman had during his first battle with Zebra-Man in the comics is also shown in the previous episode. In "A Bat Divided", Zebra-Man was also seen in a bar where the bad guys hang out when Firestorm and the three Batmen show up.
  • The second Zebra-Man appears in The Lego Batman Movie. He is among the villains that assist Joker in his attack on Gotham City.

See also

References

  1. ↑ Detective Comics #275. DC Comics.
  2. ↑ Outsiders #21-22. DC Comics.
  3. ↑ Infinite Crisis #7. DC Comics.
  4. ↑ Batman: The Dark Knight #1 (2011). DC Comics.
  5. ↑ Catwoman #19 (2011). DC Comics.
  6. ↑ Batman vol. 3 #14. DC Comics.
  7. ↑ Forever Evil: A.R.G.U.S. #5. DC Comics.
  8. ↑ "Comic-Con International - Batman: The Brave and the Bold". Comics Continuum. 2008-07-25. Retrieved 2010-12-30.
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