Kirk Langstrom
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| Kirk Langstrom | |
|---|---|
| |
| Information | |
| Species: | Human |
| Hair: | Brown |
| Eyes: | Black |
| Relatives: | Francine Langstrom Dr. March (by law) |
| Base: | Gotham City |
| Voiced by: | Marc Singer |
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Kirk Langstrom was a scientist working in Gotham City. After exposing himself to an experiment, Langstrom was prone to transforming into the Man-Bat.
Contents |
[edit] History
While working at the Gotham Zoo, Kirk Langstrom ascribed to Dr. March's theories of bat evolution. Believing bats to possess the capability to make the next evolutionary step (a capability humans lacked), Langstrom set to work creating a formula that would allow humans to make this jump as well.
After imbibing the formula, Langstrom transformed into the monstrous Man-Bat (a creature that, as the name describes, possessed qualities similar to both human and bat). The serum, however, was incomplete; the transformation was only temporary, and needed further refining to become a permanent "solution." As Man-Bat, Langstrom began robbing chemical and pharmaceutical companies in his quest to achieve the perfect formula.
In a city as crime-laden as Gotham, Man-Bat was able to steal with relative ease. It wasn't until he assaulted a guard during a robbery that he attracted the attention of the Gotham Police Force. Luck, however, was on Langstrom's side; District Attorner Harvey Dent and Detective Harvey Bullock mistook the crime spree for the actions of Batman.
Setting out to clear his name, Batman tracked Man-Bat to the Gotham Zoo. There, he witnessed Langstrom's transformation. However, after a brief fight, Batman subdued the creature and injected Man-Bat with a counter-serum. As long as Langstrom refrained from imbibing the formula again, he would remain in his human form.
Months later, Batman turned to Langstrom for aid when Selina Kyle had been abducted by creatures exhibiting similar human-animal qualities.
Shortly thereafter, Man-Bat appeared once more. Langstrom professed to both Francine and Batman that he had not injected himself with the serum, but neither believed him. Francine, distraught over her husband's inability to control himself, separated from Kirk. Batman, however, investigated further. Upon conversing with Dr. March, he learned that the doctor had been working on Langstrom's Man-Bat formula, still maintaining it was the next evolutionary step. However, before he was able to inject himself, Francine interrupted his work and accidentally received a small dosage.
Batman found Francine (who had since transformed into Man-Bat) at the Gotham airport. He subdued her and injected her with the counter-serum. Francine then returned to Langstrom.
Sometime later, Dr. Milo acquired Langstrom's notes. Using the research, he began applying genetic splicing to the work of Project Cadmus.
[edit] Powers and Abilities
As a human, Dr. Langstrom is a scientist. His focus is in the area of bats, but he also specializes in genetic mutation, particularly DNA splicing.
As Man-Bat, Langstrom exhibits characteristics to both man and bat. His strength vastly increases, and he gains the ability to fly. However, his body undergoes a significant mutation, and he appears as a hulking monster. Fortunately, effects of the mutation do not seem to linger when the transformation wears off.
[edit] Appearances and References
Batman: The Animated Series
The New Batman Adventures
- "Chemistry" (Cameo)
Justice League Unlimited
- "The Doomsday Sanction" (Mentioned Only)
