Creeper (DC)
Creeper is a male comic superhero who features in DC Comics.
Contents |
Biography
Pre-Crisis
Jack Ryder
He gained a new job in network security investigations where he learnt of a Communist plot to kidnap Dr. Vincent Yatz. Ryder then looked to help stop the threat and to hide his identity he wore a costume. He used this to infiltrate a costume party in order to reach the basement holding Yatz where he battled several of the kidnappers. Despite his efforts, he was badly injured by the enemy spies and Yatz looked to hide his creation from the Communists. With no options, he decided to inject them into Jack Ryder where they imparted on him powers along with saving his life. (Showcase v1 #73)
A while later, Jack started having troubles with the transformation trigger until he couldn't return to normal and remained Creeper for longer than he wanted. Creeper sought help from Ishmael Yatz, the son of Vincent Yatz, in order to have a cure created for him, but Ishmael double-crossed him, leading to a brutal fight between them. They were eventually stopped by Batman and Creeper returned to normal as a result of Ishmael's own treachery. (Detective Comics v1 #418) Some time after this, Jack Ryder reported the apparent crimes of the Batman and he decided to bring the vigilante to justice by going after him as the Creeper. He confronted Batman at the Gotham Zoo, where after a brief struggle, they joined forces to fight some lions and interrogate the man who released them. It was then that Creeper realized Batman had been framed and they decided to work together to solve the case. (Detective Comics v1 #447) The two heroes discovered the secret hideout of the League of Assassins, who were behind the whole plot. Creeper provided vital assistance to Batman against the League and after the confrontation, the Dark Knight was able to clear his name. (Detective Comics v1 #448) Shortly after this, Creeper had to clear his name after he was falsely accused of a crime committed by the Joker. The confrontation with the Clown Prince of Crime caused Creeper amnesia, but upon reversing the transformation to Jack Ryder, he recovered his memory and captured the Joker, taking him to the authorities. (The Joker v1 #3) Creeper then assisted Batman in capturing a drug-lord kingpin, who was one of Jack Ryder's co-workers at the TV station. (The Brave and the Bold v1 #143) In a similar situation, Batman and Creeper teamed-up to stop a paper monster from terrorizing Gotham. (The Brave and the Bold v1 #178)
Post-Crisis
Following the Crisis on Infinite Earths, a new version of reality was created with a different history of events.
The Creeper was called in as a Justice League reservist to help in the battle against Amazo. As an android, Amazo was programmed to acquire the powers of the Justice League. Thus, the Creeper and a number of other heroes temporarily joined the League to battle him but it just made Amazo more powerful. Amazo decimated the reservist heroes, and was only defeated when Superman officially disbanded the Justice League, leaving Amazo powerless. (JLA v1 #27) The Creeper was among the legion of heroes summoned by the League to quell worldwide outbreaks of warfare that were incited by the Mageddon. (JLA v1 #38)
The Society massed in Metropolis, and Creeper and an army of virtually every hero on Earth confronted the villains and engaged in an epic battle with them. (Villains United: Infinite Crisis Special v1 #1)
The Sinestro Corps War raged on Earth, and while Creeper and an army of superheroes battled the Corps the Anti-Monitor prepared to unleash an anti-matter wave to destroy Earth. With Earth’s destruction, the entire 52 would fall, and he would once again rule all that was. The GLC ruptured the heart of Anti-Monitor’s Warworld, the Sinestro Corps central power battery, and created a shield around Warworld and the Monitor. The ensuing blast nearly destroyed the Anti-Monitor, and he was finished off by Superman-Prime, who betrayed him for having destroyed his home, Earth-Prime. GL Hal Jordan defeated Sinestro in personal combat, and the Sinestro Corps, lacking any leadership, fled Earth. The heroes rejoiced and began rebuilding the damage the Sinestro Corps did. (Green Lantern v4 #25)
Post-Flashpoint
Following the Flashpoint, a new version of reality was created with a different history of events.
Overview
Personality and attributes
Powers and abilities
One incarnation of himself was injected with a serum developed by Vincent Yatz that was an instant healing aid. It also provided greater strength and stamina where it gave him superhuman traits. (Showcase v1 #73)
This incarnation was exposed to miraculous self-replicating nanocell technology that was capable of remarkably regenerative feats. It was said that it grew new flesh from dead flesh but the nanocells reacted badly to stress causing unforeseen side effects. (Creeper v2 #1) This was part of a revolutionary smartskin technology that could grow with the wearer. (Creeper v2 #5)
Notes
- Creeper was created by Steve Ditko where he made his first appearance in Showcase v1 #73 (April, 1968).
- In Beware the Creeper v2 #1 (2003), a different character named Madeline Benoir operated as the Creeper in the 1920s in Paris. Madeline and her twin Judith lived through WWI, but their parents died in an airstrike. As adults Madeline became a playwright and Judith a painter, but while Judith pursued a purely bohemian lifestyle, Madeline kept a job as a seamstress to pay for their apartment. Madeline's work became more surreal under the influence of Andre Breton, and although her sister appreciated her work, she wished she'd keep her head out of the clouds. Judith was seeing Inspector Ric Allain, who Madeline also harbored feelings for, and was fending off the advances of wealthy Mathieu Arbogast, who wanted to possess her. Judity convinced Maddy to allow herself a little fun, and attend a surrealist party, where they hobnobbed with Man Ray and Ernest Hemingway. Judith returned to their apartment by herself, and was ambushed by Mathieu, who savaged her. Judith died in Maddy's arms, and Maddy snapped, losing the sister she'd taken care of their entire adult life. she dressed herself up as the nightmarish Creeper, based on the last painting Judith did, and began torment Mathieu. Maddy kept her own civilian identity, but also assumed Judith's and kept up her relationship with the surrealists. As the Creeper she stole the Abrogast family jewels and tossed them into a river. The Abrogasts had a lavish party on Bastille Day, and she slipped ipecac into their food. As the elite of Paris started vomiting she danced across their dining table and told them she'd made them as sick as they'd made Paris. The surrealists began to think of Creeper as the living embodiment of their movement. Creeper abducted the unloved infant child of Mathieu.
- In Katana v1 #3 (2013), the New 52 version of the Creeper was shown as a malicious and fearsome-looking oni who regularly 'rides' human hosts in order to cause chaos and violence.
Alternate Versions
In other media
Television
- In the DC Animated Universe, the Creeper made a number of appearances in the shared continuity setting:
- In The New Batman Adventures, the Creeper made his first appearance in the animated television series where he was voiced by actor Jeff Bennett. Jack Ryder was the co-anchor of Summer Gleeson's "Gotham Insider", covering and reporting various stories in Gotham. When he did an exposé on the Joker, the Clown Prince of Crime showed up and dosed Ryder and the crew with laughing gas. He then threw Ryder into the same vat of chemicals that transformed him.
Films
Video games
- In Batman: The Telltale Series, Jack Ryder appeared in the setting of the video game where he was voiced by actor Robert Clotworthy.
Appearances
- Showcase v1: (1968)
- Detective Comics v1:
- The Brave and the Bold v1:
- Beware the Creeper v1:
- Justice League v1:
- Creeper v2:
- Deathstroke:
External Links
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