Equus (comics)

Last updated
Equus
Superman206.jpg
Cover of Superman (vol. 2) #206, Equus' first appearance, by Jim Lee and Scott Williams
Publication information
Publisher DC Comics
First appearance Superman (vol. 2) #206 (August 2004)
Created by Brian Azzarello
Jim Lee
In-story information
Species Human Cyborg
AbilitiesVia cybernetics:
  • Superhuman strength, stamina, and durability
  • Regenerative healing
  • Razor-sharp retractable claws

Equus is a fictional comic book supervillain, a cyborg mercenary in the DC Comics universe who serves as an opponent of Superman. [1] Created by writer Brian Azzarello and artist Jim Lee, he first appeared in Superman (vol. 2) #206, which was published in June 2004 as part of the "For Tomorrow" storyline.

Contents

Fictional character biography

Equus first appears in the third issue of the "For Tomorrow" storyline that ran in Superman in 2004 and early 2005. A prototype for the OMAC Project, he comes into conflict with Superman when he traces "The Vanishing", an event in which one million people disappeared, to the Middle East. Investigating, Superman intervenes in a civil war by stealing all the guns from the combatants. During this time, Superman confronts Equus, a cybernetically enhanced creature whose claws are capable of piercing Superman's skin. [2]

Although Superman initially stands down, he later appears before Nox, who has stolen a device from the regime. Superman then appears, demanding to know of the weapon's origins, and when Nox informs him that the former king had intended to use it against him, Superman intervenes, feeling that the condemned men deserve a trial. Superman then returns to Nox's palace, confronting him with the question of what he intends to do with the weapon, but Equus also appears and ignores Nox's orders to stand down. Nox reminds him that Equus is there to aid him, but Equus brushes Nox aside, and attacks Superman. Superman is less forgiving in this rematch, using his enhanced vision to view and disable Equus' enhancements. Equus escapes by activating the weapon, causing himself and 300,000 other people to vanish. [3] Superman subsequently learns that Equus is working for a mysterious man named Mr. Orr, who financed Nox's war and loaned Equus to them. [4] Eventually, Superman tracks the victims of the Vanishing to the Phantom Zone and encounters Equus, who has allied with General Zod. [5]

Equus III later appears in Titans/Outsiders Secret Files 2005, stored alongside the Wildebeest, who had been captured in the same story.

Equus reappears in Countdown #36 (2007), where he battles Karate Kid and Una. The two eventually defeat Equus, disabling him and leaving him without an arm. The arm is retrieved for reattachment, and Orr sets the Legionnaires on Buddy Blank's tracks.

In the 2008 Cyborg miniseries, the Teen Titans battle fight numerous clones of Equus and Wildebeest to prevent them from helping Cyborg against the "Cyborg Revenge Squad". [6]

Powers and abilities

Equus is a human who has undergone extensive modification as part of the OMAC Project. [3] He possesses enhanced strength and durability, powerful claws, and a healing factor that enables him to regrow severed limbs. [2] [3] [5] [7]

In other media

A hologram of Equus appears in the Superman & Lois episode "Of Sound Mind".

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References

  1. ↑ Greenberger, Robert; Pasko, Martin (2010). The Essential Superman Encyclopedia. Del Rey. p. 85. ISBN   978-0-345-50108-0.
  2. 1 2 Superman (vol. 2) #206 (August 2004)
  3. 1 2 3 Superman (vol. 2) #207 (September 2004)
  4. ↑ Superman (vol. 2) #208 (October 2004)
  5. 1 2 Superman (vol. 2) #215 (May 2005)
  6. ↑ DC Comics Special: Cyborg #4-5 (October - November 2008)
  7. ↑ Countdown to Final Crisis #35 (August 2007)
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