Animal Man (July 29, 1965) This Day In Comics – Strange Adventures #180
As a result of being in proximity to an exploding extraterrestrial spaceship, Buddy Baker acquires the ability to temporarily “borrow” the abilities of animals (such as a bird’s flight or the proportionate strength of an ant). Using these powers, Baker fights crime as the costumed superhero Animal Man. Baker debuted in Strange Adventures #180 (July 29, 1965).
The majority of his initial appearances were as a member of the “Forgotten Heroes”. Baker’s post-Crisis origin was slightly altered, but retained the essence of the original. While hunting as a teenager, he encountered a crashed spaceship that apparently endowed him with his abilities. After an apparently unsuccessful stint as a superhero, followed by a hiatus where he utilized his powers to work as a film stuntman, Baker decided to restart and make a career out of it after being inspired by the headline-making Justice League International. Animal Man becomes a man of great compassion toward all creatures, an ardent animal rights activist, an environmentalist, and a vegetarian.
Created by writer Dave Wood and artist Carmine Infantino, Buddy Baker first appeared in Strange Adventures #180 (July 29, 1965) and adopted the name Animal Man in issue #190.
