King Sharkis asupervillainappearing incomic bookspublished byDC Comics.The character, also known asNanaue,was created by writerKarl Keseland artistTom Grummett.King Shark's first key appearance was inSuperboy(vol. 4) #0 (October 1994) as a cameo before making his first full appearance inSuperboy(vol. 4) #9 (November 1994).[2]The character serves as an adversary toAquaman,Flash,Batman,andSuperboy.
| King Shark | |
|---|---|
 Textless cover ofAquaman: Sword of Atlantis#47 (January 2007). Art byJackson Guiceand Daniel Brown. | |
| Publication information | |
| Publisher | DC Comics |
| First appearance | Cameo appearance:Superboy(vol. 4) #0 (October 1994) Full appearance:Superboy(vol. 4) #9 (November 1994) |
| Created by | Karl Kesel Tom Grummett |
| In-story information | |
| Alter ego | Nanaue |
| Species | Demigodshark |
| Place of origin | Hawaii,New Earth |
| Team affiliations | Suicide Squad Secret Society of Super Villains Secret Six N.E.M.O. |
| Notable aliases | Trixie[1] |
| Abilities |
|
The character has been adapted from the comics into various forms of media, including television series, feature films, and video games. King Shark made his live-action debut in the television seriesThe Flash,voiced byDavid HayterwhileDan Payneportrayed his human form.Sylvester StalloneandRon Funchesvoice King Shark inThe Suicide SquadandHarley Quinnrespectively.
Fictional character biography
editBorn inHawaii,Nanaueis ahumanoidshark.His father is "The King of All Sharks" —also known as the Shark God.[3]Originally there were some doubts surrounding his origins, as other characters, such as special agent Sam Makoa, dismissed his origins as superstition and referred to him as a "savagemutation"and it was also implied that he was one of the" Wild Men ", evolved animals based on those inKamandi: The Last Boy on Earth,but the now-endedAquaman: Sword of Atlantisseries put an end to the controversy by firmly establishing him as the Shark God's son.
King Shark was responsible for a number of missing persons several years before Superboy arrived in Hawaii. Sam Makoa was responsible for bringing him in and bore the scars to prove it. King Shark is freed by the Silicon Dragons, who plan on hiring him.[4]Nanaue is not interested, and kills his liberators before heading to his mother's house. His mother allows him to bite her right arm off to feed. Superboy managed to take him down with his heat vision.[5]When Superboy and Makoa were assigned to theSuicide Squadto destroy the Dragons, Nanaue was forced to help. An explosive belt was strapped to his waist, set to detonate if anything happened to Makoa. Other members of the Squad includedKnockoutand Squad veteransDeadshotandCaptain Boomerang.[6]
Nanaue was a crazed fighting machine, shredding legions of the Dragons (and killing Sidearm too, when he betrays the team). Despite the belt detonating, King Shark survived the blast and the destruction of the lair.
After a research team sent to investigate the lair's remains went missing, King Shark was initially suspected, but it turned out to beBlack Manta.[7]King Shark fought Superboy, but he was defeated and driven out to sea.[8]
King Shark later turned up in the Wild Lands and fought Superboy and his allies. After a fierce battle, he was assumed killed, but no body was ever recovered.
He joinedManchester Black's Legion of Villains in the "Ending Battle".[9]He later turned up inMetropolisand attackedJimmy Olsen.Superman quickly took him down, knocking most of his teeth out (though they grew back). In all of his previous appearances he rarely spoke, but during this issue he was very verbose (although that may be because of Black's influence). He also was smaller and a long way from the water.
King Shark also made an appearance during theJoker'sLast Laughriot withOrca.
King Shark is recruited intoAlexander Luthor'sSecret Society of Super Villainsand is one of the many sent to attack Sub Diego. During the battle, he killsNeptune Perkins.
Nanaue reappearsone yearafter theInfinite Crisis,bearing a scar from a previous encounter with Aquaman. He is less violent and more talkative than in previous appearances. His origin has been definitely given as him being the son of the Shark God, due to the new Aquaman book being more magic-based than previous incarnations.[10]He is a major character in the series, acting as an unwilling caretaker forArthur Joseph Curry.Saved from a gang of marauders by the young man, he brought Curry to the mysteriousDweller in the Depths(the mutated, for unknown reasons, Aquaman) who gave him the role of assisting thenew Aquamanin filling his role. Albeit feigning disrespect, and often disappearing for a while, King Shark accepted, sharing his knowledge of the way of sea with his young savior. It is later revealed in a flashback sequence that he was asked to do so by his father:
The currents of destiny bend and twist around that young man. For good or ill, he will shape the coming oceanscape. You will protect him. You will be my agent in his camp. Close enough to guard against others who seek to control him. And close enough, when I decide the time is ripe...... to strike, and kill him without warning.
The following arc tells the first meeting between the original Aquaman and King Shark, which occurred several years ago. It took place in Reef's End, a little border town in the Coral Sea, distant from Atlantis. Orin — who was still the King of Atlantis at this time — fought King Shark because he murdered a priest of the Order of the Thorny Crown. King Shark had previously killed a number of members of this group, obeying his father's will. The Order was associated with an old prophecy:
When thorned crown lies shattered, she comes. Born of coral, of life-in-death, of long prayer. Shake the sea floor with her power, shall she, shake the destiny of all beneath the waves...
The Shark God believed that if the Order was destroyed, that would trigger the prophecy, birthing some great power in the process. However, King Shark was defeated by Aquaman before completing his father's goal. He then was imprisoned by priests of the Thorny Crown for three years before escaping; Nanaue mentions that he was tortured during his captivity.
Following theFinal Crisis,King Shark's jaw is broken after being cleaved wide open and later his left arm is ripped off his body during battle, but later grew back.[11]
King Shark is among Superboy's villains brought byKryptoto a hill near theSmallvillehigh school. However, he is either unconscious or stunned at the time.[12]
Most recently, he has joined the Secret Six[13]as a brawler. His tenure with the Six proves to be short-lived, as the team is soon captured by a large group of superheroes during a failed mission inGotham City.King Shark manages to briefly overpower his old foe Superboy during the battle, but is ultimately pummeled into unconsciousness bySupergirl.[14]
The New 52 - Infinite Frontier
edit
In September 2011, DC Comics rebooted its fictional continuity in an initiative called "The New 52".In this new timeline, King Shark now resembles a humanoidhammerhead shark.He was tortured and forced into theSuicide SquadbyAmanda Waller.[15]When he came to the Suicide Squad having to comply with Amanda Waller's demands, King Shark ended up eating his teammate Yo-Yo (it is later revealed that Yo-Yo survived).[16]During the 2013 "Forever Evil"storyline, King Shark is among the villains that theCrime Syndicaterecruited to join theSecret Society of Super Villains.[17]
In 2016, DC Comics implemented another relaunch of its books called "DC Rebirth"which restored its continuity to a form much as it was prior to" The New 52 ". King Shark is back in his great white shark appearance. King Shark began serving N.E.M.O underBlack Manta.He began terrorizingSan Franciscobefore being subdued by theTeen Titans.He also appears as one of the many villains attempting to kill Batman to halt Two-Face's data breach, attacking Batman on a train alongsideAmygdalaandKiller Croc.[18]After leaving the organization, King Shark attempted to live a more peaceful life, only to be captured by the Markovian military under allegations of cannibalizing a Markovian general.Wonder Womansoon arrived, doubting that he committed the crime, and used the Lasso of Truth on him to prove his innocence. She then left him in the hands ofAquaman,hoping to start anew in Atlantis.[19]
Following Aquaman's usurpation of the throne, King Shark returns as a crime lord of the Ninth Tride with plans to expand his empire to more regions of Atlantis. He has his minions capture Mera to use as a bargaining chip and has a run-in with the still alive Aquaman. He convinces King Shark to work with him at stopping King Rath's murderous ambitions on the condition that the Ninth Tride would receive better treatment by the new monarch. As a show of good faith, King Shark gives Mera back to Arthur. With their combined forces, they free Atlantis from the Crown of Thorns.[20]
Dawn of DC
editDuring the "Titans: Beast World"storyline, King Shark is exposed toBeast Boy's spores and temporarily transformed into a tiger hybrid.[21]
Powers and abilities
editNanaue's augmented flesh provides protection against underwater pressures and physical attacks. His shark-like physiology includes natural weapons, as well as gills that allows him to breathe underwater. He can swim at great speeds, regrow lost bodily tissues, or withstand cold temperatures. Nanaue has enhanced strength, stamina, and senses. King Shark was able to sense or call out his shark "cousins" for assistance, although he cannot actually control them, especially when they are filled withblood frenzy.His mystical nature means that his bite could even pierce the skin ofKryptonians.[22]
Other versions
editAn alternate reality variant of King Shark appears in theFlashpointtie-inDeadman and the Flying Graysons.This version works as astrongmanat Haley's Circus before he is killed during anAmazonattack.[23][24]
In other media
editTelevision
edit
- An original incarnation of King Shark namedShay Lamdenappears inThe Flash,voiced byDavid Hayterand portrayed byDan Paynerespectively.[25]This version is a marine biologist fromEarth-2who was transformed byHarry Wells' particle accelerator into an anthropomorphic shark and fell underZoom's control. Additionally, hisEarth-1counterpart is stated to have died following his version of the accelerator explosion.
- King Shark appears inHarley Quinn,voiced byRon Funches.[26]This version is a kind and peaceful tech genius who wears clothes and is shown to have a generally positive attitude. However, he occasionally goes berserk if he smells blood and is angered by fish-related insults. In the fourth season,Poison Ivyrecruits him into theLegion of Doomas the head of theirIT department.
- King Shark appears inYoung Justice,voiced byJames Arnold Taylor.[27][26]This version, also known asKing Nanaue Sha'ark,is the ruler of the Atlanteancity-stateof Nanauve and a former student of the Atlantean Conservatory of Sorcery.
- King Shark appears inTeen Titans Go!,voiced byEric Edelstein.
- King Shark appears inSuicide Squad Isekai,voiced bySubaru Kimurain the Japanese version[28]and Andrew Love in the English version.[29]
Film
edit
- King Shark makes a minor non-speaking appearance inSuperman/Batman: Public Enemies.[26]
- King Shark appears inBatman: Assault on Arkham,voiced byJohn DiMaggio.[26]This version is a mutant human who wields a metal mask that augments his biting capability and sports a red mohawk. He is recruited byAmanda Wallerto become a member of theSuicide Squad,who are tasked with killing theRiddler.During the mission, King Shark befriendsKiller Frostand is killed by a bomb Waller implanted into the squad members' necks to control them.
- King Shark appears inJustice League Dark: Apokolips War,voiced again by John DiMaggio.[26][30]This version is a member of the Suicide Squad andJohn Constantine's ex-boyfriend.[31]He and his team assist theJustice Leaguein an attempt to defeatDarkseidbefore being killed byParadooms.
DC Extended Universe and DC Universe
editNanaue / King Shark appears in media set in theDC Extended Universe(DCEU) andDC Universe(DCU). This version displays a childlike demeanor and speaks in simple sentences.
- Nanaue first appears in the DCEU filmThe Suicide Squad,voiced bySylvester Stallone[32]andmotion capturedbySteve Agee.[33][34][35]He is recruited into the titular team to infiltrate theCorto Malteseanresearch facility Jötunheim and destroy "Project Starfish",during which he befriends teammateRatcatcher 2.
- Nanaue makes a cameo appearance in theCreature Commandosepisode "A Very Funny Monster", voiced byDiedrich Bader.[36][26]By this time, he is recruited into the second iteration of theeponymous team.
Video games
edit- King Shark appears as a character summon inScribblenauts Unmasked: A DC Comics Adventure.[37]
- King Shark appears as a playableDLCcharacter inLego Batman 3: Beyond Gotham,voiced byTravis Willingham.[38]
- King Shark appears as an unlockable playable character inLego DC Super-Villains,voiced byFred Tatasciore.[39]
- King Shark appears inDC Universe Online,voiced byDale Dudley.[40][41]
- King Shark appears as a playable character inSuicide Squad: Kill the Justice League,voiced bySamoa Joe.[42][43]
Miscellaneous
edit- King Shark's sonKid Sharkappears in theBatman: Arkham Knightprequel comic.
- TheYoung Justiceincarnation of King Shark appears in the series' self-titled tie-in comic book.
- The Flash's Earth-1 incarnation of Shay Lamden / King Shark appears inThe Flash: Season Zero.He accepts Dr. Shults' offer to undergo an experimental procedure employing shark cells to regenerate his dying body, but is exposed todark matterduring the explosion of S.T.A.R. Labs' particle accelerator, which transforms him into an anthropomorphic shark. Developing a vendetta against those involved in the procedure, Lamden comes into conflict with the Flash and theSuicide Squad.
- King Shark appears inDC Super Hero Girls,voiced byKevin Michael Richardson.
References
edit- ^Suicide Squad(vol. 4)
- ^Cowsill, Alan; Irvine, Alex; Korte, Steve; Manning, Matt; Wiacek, Win; Wilson, Sven (2016).The DC Comics Encyclopedia: The Definitive Guide to the Characters of the DC Universe.DK mPublishing. p. 169.ISBN978-1-4654-5357-0.
- ^Greenberger, Robert; Pasko, Martin (2010).The Essential Superman Encyclopedia.Del Rey. p. 163.ISBN978-0-345-50108-0.
- ^Superboy(vol. 4) #0 (October 1994)
- ^Superboy(vol. 4) #9 (November 1994)
- ^Superboy(vol. 4) #13-15 (March–May 1995)
- ^Superboy(vol. 4) #20 (October 1995)
- ^Superboy(vol. 4) #32 (October 1996)
- ^The Adventures of Superman#608 (November 2002)
- ^Aquaman: Sword of Atlantis#40 (May 2006)
- ^Secret SixTPB 1:Unhinged
- ^Adventure Comics(vol. 2) #3 (December 2009)
- ^Secret Six(vol. 3) #21 (July 2010)
- ^Secret Six(vol. 3) #36 (October 2011)
- ^Suicide Squad(vol. 4) #1 (November 2011)
- ^Suicide Squad(vol. 4) #5 (March 2012). DC Comics.
- ^Forever Evil#1 (November 2013). DC Comics.
- ^All-Star Batman#2. DC Comics.
- ^Wonder Woman(vol. 5) Annual #1 (May 2017). DC Comics.
- ^Aquaman(vol. 8) #33 (February 2018). DC Comics.
- ^Titans: Beast World - Atlantis#1. DC Comics.
- ^Team Superman Secret Files and Origins#1 (May 1998)
- ^Flashpoint: Deadman and the Flying Graysons#1 (June 2011)
- ^Flashpoint: Deadman and the Flying Graysons#2 (July 2011). DC Comics.
- ^Hayter, David (October 28, 2015)."Okay, I can now officially confirm that I am the voice of #KingShark on #TheFlash. #AvoidTheWaterBarry".Twitter.RetrievedNovember 3,2015.
- ^abcdef"King Shark Voices (DC Universe)".Behind The Voice Actors.RetrievedJuly 5,2024.A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its credits or other reliable sources of information.
- ^Holub, Christian (February 10, 2022)."Young Justiceshowrunners tease the climactic second half ofPhantoms".Ew.com.RetrievedFebruary 27,2022.
- ^Hodgkins, Crystalyn (December 1, 2023)."Suicide Squad IsekaiAnime Reveals Main Cast in New Trailer ".Anime News Network.RetrievedDecember 1,2023.
- ^Andrew Love [@@AndrewLoveVA] (July 6, 2024)."Me play King Shark! You ENJOY!"(Tweet) – viaTwitter.
- ^Bernaschina, Michael (February 27, 2020)."Justice League Dark: Apokolips War's Massive Voice Cast Revealed ".CBR.RetrievedJuly 5,2024.
- ^Erao, Math (May 14, 2020)."WhyApokolips WarRevealed Constantine's Relationship With King Shark ".CBR.RetrievedJuly 5,2024.
- ^Haring, Bruce (November 14, 2020)."The Suicide SquadAdds Sylvester Stallone To Its Lineup, Confirmed By James Gunn On Instagram ".Deadline Hollywood.Archivedfrom the original on November 14, 2020.RetrievedNovember 14,2020.
- ^Sneider, Jeff (March 7, 2019)."Suicide Squad 2Exclusive: Meet the New Characters James Gunn Will Introduce in Sequel ".Collider.RetrievedMarch 7,2019.
- ^Gonzalez, Umberto (May 9, 2019)."The Suicide Squad:Michael Rooker as King Shark in the New Film? ".Thewrap.com.RetrievedMay 10,2019.
- ^D'Alessandro, Anthony (August 24, 2019)."Comedian Steve Agee Joining James Gunn'sSuicide SquadGang ".Deadline Hollywood.RetrievedAugust 24,2019.
- ^Erdmann, Kevin (January 9, 2025)."Creature CommandosEpisode 7 Expands The DC Universe With More Classic Comics Locations In These 11 Easter Eggs and References ".Screen Rant.Archivedfrom the original on January 9, 2025.RetrievedJanuary 9,2025.
- ^Eisen, Andrew (October 2, 2013)."DC Characters and Objects -Scribblenauts UnmaskedGuide ".IGN.RetrievedJuly 5,2024.
- ^Tran, Allen (March 3, 2015)."LEGO Batman 3: Beyond GothamThe Squad Pack DLC Available Today ".The Brick Fan.RetrievedJuly 5,2024.
- ^Michael, Jon; Veness, John (November 2, 2018)."Characters -LEGO DC Super-VillainsGuide ".IGN.RetrievedJuly 5,2024.
- ^"New Episode: ATLANTIS!".DC Universe Online.November 8, 2018.RetrievedNovember 13,2018.
- ^Dudley, Dale (November 13, 2018)."Want to thank all the great people at DC..."Facebook.RetrievedNovember 13,2018.
- ^@SamoaJoe (23 August 2020)."That Shark tho... #KTJL"(Tweet) – viaTwitter.
- ^Tassi, Paul (August 24, 2020)."Suicide SquadHas a Surprisingly Perfect WWE Star as King Shark ".Forbes.