Shaggy Man (comics)

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.[8]

A Shaggy Man's inert body is eventually recovered 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]