Zebra Man

Publication history

Jacob Baker first appeared in Detective Comics #275 and was created by Bill Finger and Sheldon Moldoff.

Kobra's Zebra-Man first appeared in Outsiders #21 and was created by Mike W. Barr.

Jacob Baker

The first Zebra-Man was a high-tech scientist whose machinery irradiated his entire body. It also gave him superpowers that enabled him to attract and repel anything besides metal (referred to within the story as "Diamagnetism"). With his body covered by black and white stripes and highlighted by a glowing aura, he became Zebra-Man. He went on a crime spree before where he encountered Batman and Robin.

During the first fight, Batman was accidentally irradiated by the same energy. Without an inhibitor belt, Batman was out of control with his diamagnetism causing Robin to go on without him. Batman soon took advantage of the diamagnetism and used it to attract Zebra-Man to himself and then attract both of them to Gotham City Police Department.

Kobra's Zebra-Man

When Kobra creates a strike-force called Strikeforce Kobra to usurp Stagg Enterprises in his goal of world domination, one of the villains he creates is patterned after the original Zebra-Man. Unlike the previous Zebra-Man, this version lacks the aura of the first Zebra-Man and has a mohawk that evoked the image of his equine namesake.

Kobra's Zebra-Man, alongside the other Strikeforce Kobra members, fights the Outsiders to a draw, but Zebra-Man escapes with Elemental Woman, Planet Master, Eve, and Kobra. His colleague, Spectrumonster, does not survive the battle. When Strikeforce Kobra is reassembled, Zebra-Man is not seen.

He has been sighted in Alexander Luthor, Jr.'s Secret Society of Super Villains.

Vortex

A version of Zebra-Man appears in the New 52 (a reboot of the DC Comics universe) as an inmate of Arkham Asylum, currently going by the moniker "Vortex." He first appears as one of the many prisoners attempting to escape in a massive breakout attempt, which is stopped by Batman. He later appears attempting to help Catwoman escape her incarceration in the asylum, but is physically beaten by her.

During the "Forever Evil" storyline, Vortex appears as a member of Cheetah's Menagerie. He was among those frozen by Killer Frost.

DC Rebirth

Zebra-Man is alive once again the DC Rebirth reboot universe, but his name is now spelled Zebra Man. This version sports short hair with black leather gloves, boots, and shorts. His real name is unknown. Zebra Man is one of the many villains taken down by Batman and Catwoman after he takes her along with him on an average night of his job.

Powers and abilities

Zebra-Man I and II have the ability of diamagnetism which enables them to attract and/or repel stuff besides metal. Both used an inhibitor belt to control their diamagnetism.

Television

The Jacob Baker version of Zebra-Man appears in the Batman: The Brave and the Bold. In this show, his powers actually work on metal. Zebra-Man appears in "Legends of the Dark Mite" as an illusion created by Bat-Mite when he "becomes" Batman. Zebra-Man is defeated when the real Batman steals his stripes causing him to become embarrassed and leave. Zebra-Man later appears in "Duel of the Double Crossers" violating his parole by using his magnetic powers to rob an armored truck. He is easily defeated by Batman. The "Zebra Batman" appearance which Batman had during his first battle with Zebra-Man in the comics is also shown in the previous episode. In "A Bat Divided", Zebra-Man was also seen in a bar where the bad guys hang out when Firestorm and the three Batmen show up.

Film

The second Zebra-Man appears in The Lego Batman Movie