Manhunters

Created by Robert Kanigher & Carmine Infantino

+ History

Mark Shaw also inherited the powers of the Wild Huntsman, which was what defined Chase Lawler's character. During that same issue, Lawler's suit was destroyed, as this was one of the things needed to kick in his abilities (it was part of some ritual thing). So last time Shaw was seen, he was wearing Dumas' costume, with the powers of the Huntsman.

Have to say I was really displeased with Lawler's death. I don't like it when a character has to be slighted (in this case killed), to establish the credibility of another. Grant told some interesting stories with the Lawler character - went out on a limb with some of his narrative sequences - and I always liked that. It made the stories different and engaging. His run on the Manhunter character wasn't simply a riff on the superhero theme. There was a really thoughtful dimension to it, and I always appreciated the fact that he allowed Lawler - who didn't want to be a hero - a graceful exit. There was something classy and respectful about his retirement (and humorous as well). So I'm really thrilled that Lawler was used as cannon fodder for the recent run. It really solidifies the new Manhunter's role as THE Manhunter.

I was sort of interested in this title until this issue. If they'd respected the "legacy" aspect of the character I would've probably started picking it up. But since they clearly intend to annihilate it - or a good portion of it - I'm out.

Dumas(1) was the same person as Oliva Vancroft (Manhunter -shaw series) #4

Later on, a ninja injected himself with Dumas DNA and claimed the name (Dumas 2) also in the shaw run, the last six issues 18-24.

Mark Shaw posed as Dumas 1 in Manhunter (zero hour incarnation) #12 as a 'deep cover agent' for Sgt Steel.

A Valid Critique/Complaint really (I'm not a big fan of character death as it's usually pretty gimmicky- The big names always come back to life, and the lower tiered characters are object lessons)even though I feel exactly opposite about Chase Lawler.

I always felt Lawler has less credibility as a Manhunter than any of the other guys we're seeing this go around (with the possible exception of the power company Manhunter who just seemed like a way to tie a character into simonsons version). I read lawler stories that had interesting characters, but they weren't Lawler himself- they were Malig or Goodish. In 13 issues, his only real threat was Scarth, and he was surrounded by IMAGE style opponents that were always throw aways. Maybe the Shaw run spoiled me (working so closely in the other ostrander titles at the time),but I hated Lawlers 'blank slate dcu' that only tied into the bigger picture with a forgettable captain atom half-fight and the final issue.

Lawler was deliberately created outside of the Manhunter legacy (while using the name) and was the epitome of the 90's hero (angst ridden, violent/conflicted, acting against his will) so I wasn't sad at all to see him go. His biggest strike against him in the letter cols (IIRC) was that he was the epitome of a whiner, and he was the first manhunter to follow Shaw's (low selling but beloved) run.

If anything though, you do have 12 issues and a zero issue to read until they're dog eared, and you never know when/if someone is just going to dust him off and decide to do something else with him.

The last 2 pages of Lawler's book were enjoyable to read, primarily because of the unique way he got his resolution (how many super heroes get paid off by a city to NOT be a hero?),but I always felt like the method used to show his adventures did nothing except generate excuses for half told stories about skeletal characters.

Dumas:

VERY complex character. you can probably pick up the Manhunter 1-4 issues that featured him (back in the early-mid 80s) for under 5 bucks online. The last issues of the run focus on a 'different' Dumas , and it doesn't stand on its own.His first appearance,origin, and MO are explained in detail there.

He was an assassin that could change his appearance to impersonate others, and he had a fixation on masks.

Mark Shaw killed Both Dumas 1 and 2. He's 2-2 on Dumas handling, no need to dust off Kirk.

http://www.angelfire.com/ar/hellUSA/Dumas.html

...

+ Powers

...

Appearances + References

...

...

...