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Manhunter is a masked vigilante.

Next to nothing is known about this hero's background, not even her true face or secret identity. Though, the only known origin is that she was an orphan and survivor of the Czechoslovakian War in 1968. She began her career within a year of the emergence of the third Atom. Partnered with a cybernetic canine named Pooch, the Manhunter operated out of post-war Czechoslovakia, hunting down escaped war criminals and bringing them to justice.

According to one account, relating to the origins of the Green Lantern, one of the Manhunter's more notorious targets, was the brutal regime leader, Darkside. Years ago, Manhunter tracked Darkside's trail to an apartment complex in New Atlantis. Finding her inside, she executed her for crimes against humanity. However, the Manhunter soon discovered that the woman she murdered was actually Darkside's twin sister. Consumed by guilt over her misdeed, the Manhunter swore to avenge the woman's death, by executing the real Darkside. The spirit of the dead woman rose from her body, and accompanied Manhunter back to Czechoslovakia. Together, they faced off against Darkside. The Manhunter used a mystical green, Chinese lantern to destroy Darkside's mystical orb of power. With the orb destroyed, Darkside's waning power levels turned against her, destroying her in the process. Darkside's sister was grateful that the Manhunter helped her to find peace.[1]

While tracking down a lead to the mad scientist Dr. Aquadus, also known as Aquaman, Manhunter joined Plastic Man, Joker, Flash, Atom III and the Spectre to form a team called the Secret Six. However, when Superman took over the world, the team opposed him. In their one recorded encounter, Plastic Man was injured, Joker (Mary Marvel) were killed, and Atom was apprehended. Only Manhunter and the Spectre escaped and went underground.

Ten years later, Manhunter (accompanied by Pooch) and the Spectre broke into the Global Security Centre, north of New Atlantis, in the hopes of rescuing the Atom. However, she was killed by Powergirl, who actually disguised herself as the Atom in order to apprehend Manhunter's accomplices which include various heroes from New Earth. Manhunter was succeeded by Lori Lemaris, formerly the Joker, who carried on her namesake.[2]


Abilities


Weapons

Dual handguns

  • Manhunter's identity is heavily hinted to be the victimized child exposed to the Red Tornado warhead and mentioned to have a dog name "Pooch" depicted in Tangent Comics: Metal Men #1 before her costumed appearance in Tangent Comics: Secret Six #1.
  • According to Chuck Dixon, "We indicate that her suit does more than simply hide her identity. Sly hints that it's a bio-containment suit that protects anyone she comes into contact with from being exposed to a genetically engineered plague that she carries. That's her motivation for hunting down these criminals: revenge."[3]
  • While designing for Manhunter, Tom Grummett stated that "Manhunter really didn't click until (Chuck Dixon) came up with a sketch, which reminded me of police line tape - "Do Not Cross" - and you don't wanna cross her!"[3]

Related

Footnotes


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