Antaeus (comics)

Antaeus is the name of a DC Comics superhero. Mark Antaeus vies for the title of shortest JLA tenure appering only in a one shot prestige format comic book titled JLA:Superpower.

History

Mark Antaeus was the son of a scientist who injected Mark with experimental growth hormones as he grew up. Because of these hormones Mark pushed the boundries of human agility, strength and endurance although never becoming truly superhuman.

Mark became a fireman and a local hero, idolising Superman to the extent that he had a large 'S-shield' tattoo across his back (It should be noted that this shield was the one worn by Superman in Kingdom Come foreboding the dark turn Mark would take). After failing to rescue a family caught in a burning building Mark had something of a nervous breakdown, dissappearing for over year. When he returned it was revealed he had volunteered to Star-labs as a ginea pig for cybernetic enhancements. Despite being horribly disfigured under his cybernetic armour the hero 'Antaeus' was blissfully happy to be able to help people and this small town hero's exploits came to the Justice League's attention. He was quickly admitted to the JLA and shown to partake in many adventures (only within this book).

Anteus behaviour was somewhat erratic and he came into conflict with Green Lantern, Kyle Rayner who feels that he is unreasonably driven and doted on his idol, Superman. He also draws away from his human life, cutting off his family and fiancee.

When the JLA refuse to step in to remove a middle-eastern despot Antaeus goes against their wishes, overthrowing a hostile government and murdering their leader (who bears a striking resemblence to Saddam Hussein). Antaeus then comes into direct conflict with the JLA, he puts up a good fight but his cybernetic sytems are badly damaged and he retreats. Seeing that his actions have destablised the country and ultimately made things worse for it's citizens Antaeus is consumed with grief and regret and lets his damged nuclear reactor (the source of his power) explode.

In an epilogue we see Superman's grief over his inability to help Mark and Mark's Helmet is placed in the JLA trophy room.

Trivia

Antaeus was also the name of one member of Maxie Zeus's New Olympians.

Apart form his staring role in the one shot JLA:superpower Anteus only other appearence was in the JLA/Avengers crossover in which all previous members of the JLA and the The Avengers appear