Kirk Langstrom
Kirk Langstrom is a male comic character who features in DC Comics.
Contents |
Biography
Origin
Kirk Langstrom
When Kirk Langstrom was a young boy, he fell into a deep cavern and was lost for more than six weeks. Police conducted a massive search for the child, and were nearly ready to give up when they finally found him. Though his parents were overjoyed to see their son returned to them, Kirk seemed almost sorry to leave the cave. He silently waved goodbye to the "friends" he left behind. By this point, the police were ready to give up their active efforts at finding the boy and instead resort to weekend searches on a more voluntary basis. As they were ready to leave, the young Kirk emerged from the caves and was re-united with his family though he was saddened at having to leave the area. Afterwards, he attended the cinema with his parents where he grew bored over the movie and ended up backstage. Whilst there, he met a 6 year old Bruce Wayne where the two bonded after finding a dead bat there. He then told Bruce a story about how he got lost in secret caves for six months and met a race of batmen. (Secret Origins v2 #39)
Post-Flashpoint
Following the Flashpoint, a new version of history was created with a different series of events.
Wishing to continue making amends, he continued working for the government when A.R.G.U.S. received bodies mutilated by magic. Etta Candy had Langstrom sent to aid a new incarnation of the Justice League Dark led by Wonder Woman in combating this threat. This saw the scientist travel to the chamber underneath the Hall of Justice where he went to assist as scientific expert and became fascinated at the discoveries he could find as a team member. (Justice League Dark v2 #1.)
Overview
Personality and attributes
It was known that as a boy that he had been a good storyteller. (Secret Origins v2 #39)
Kirk was shown as being the son of noted businessman Abraham Langstrom who was strict on him. (Batman: The Dark Knight v2 #28) He was said to have had a deaf sister named Lisa Langstrom with part of his research based on helping her. (Man-Bat v4 #1)
For a time, he came to believe that love had passed him by until he met Francine where he decided to resist falling in love with her at first. (Man-Bat v4 #1)
Powers and abilities
Notes
- Kirk Langstrom as the Man-Bat was created by Frank Robbins and Neal Adams where he made his first appearance in Detective Comics v1 #400 (June, 1970).
Alternate Versions
In other media
Television
- In the DC Animated Universe, Man-Bat made multiple appearances in the shared continuity setting:
- In Batman: The Animated Series, Kirk Langstrom first appeared in the animated television series starting in the episode "On Leather Wings" where actor Marc Singer voiced the character while sound effects portrayed the Man-Bat's sounds.
- In Justice League Unlimited, the character did not appear but was referenced in the animated television series in the episode "The Doomsday Sanction". Professor Milo mentioned Langstrom's research in hybridization as part of his own efforts in creating weapons for Project Cadmus.
- In The Batman, Kirk Langstrom appeared in the setting of the animated television series where he was voiced by actor Peter MacNicol.
Films
- In Son of Batman, Kirk Langstrom appeared in the animated film where he was voiced by actor Xander Berkeley. He was shown as being a white haired scientist married to Francine Langstrom with the couple having a teenage daughter named Rebecca Langstrom. His specialty was in genetics where he was studying the means of creating human-bat hybrids with this attracting the attention of Ra's al Ghul. The leader of the League of Assassins forced Langstrom to comply with him in creating Man-Bat soldiers for him. After Ra's was killed, Deathstroke usurped the League and created a new arrangement with Langstrom in the completion of his project by keeping his family hostage. Langstrom was later successful in creating Man-Bat assassins that served Deathstroke who deployed them in various operations. Batman and Robin were later able to free both Francine and Rebecca Langstrom from Deathstroke where they reunited the pair with Kirk Langstrom.
- In Justice League: Gods and Monsters, an alternate version of Kirk Langstrom featured in the animated film where he was voiced by actor Michael C. Hall. This version was a scientist who came to be afflicted by a rare type of cancer. During his college years, he was close friends with fellow student Will Magnus and had a friendship with his girlfriend Tina who he secretly loved. In an effort to cure himself, Langstrom tested a formula on himself turning him into a vampiric creature that could be sustained by drinking blood. He retained a humanoid form and somewhat managed to control his hunger where he served as a super-powered vigilante called the Batman. Eventually, he encountered his world's Superman and Wonder Woman where they formed the Justice League that used lethal force in dealing with threats.
Video games
- In Batman: Arkham Knight, Kirk Langstrom appeared in the setting of the video game in the Arkhamverse where he was voiced by actor Loren Lester.
Appearances
- Detective Comics v1: (1970)
- Secret Origin v2:
- Detective Comics v2:
- Batman: The Dark Knight v2:
- Justice League Dark v2:
- Man-Bat v4: (2021)
External Links
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