MANHUNTER II (Paul Kirk)	BIOGRAPHY
Created by Jack Kirby

PERSONAL DATA

Real Name: Paul Kirk
Occupation: Socialite, big-game hunter, adventurer, government agent
Status: Deceased (though clones survived)
Marital Status: Presumed Single
Known Relatives: None
Base of Operation: Mobile
Group Affiliation(s): Manhunters, All-Star Squadron
Gender: Male
Height: 5'11"
Weight: 191 lbs.
Eyes: Blue
Hair: Brown
First Appearance: Adventure Comics #73 (April 1942)
Creators: Jack Kirby

OVERVIEW

A big game hunter who became a member of the Manhunters organization and later a costumed hero and government agent. He died destroying the Council, a criminal organization that had cloned him for nefarious purposes.

[NOTE: This is not the same character as Paul Kirk, Manhunter]

HISTORY

During the 1920s and 1930s a new type of hero was appearing in the newsreels, the African big game hunter. Among the most notable of these were Frank Buck, Clyde Beatty and Paul Kirk. As a young man, Kirk made a reputation as a big-game hunter and tracker. Boasting superior tracking skills, Kirk lead game safaris and captured animals for zoos around the world in the late 1930s. He tired of the life, seeking greater challenges. His abilities came to the notice of a group of alien hunters known as The Manhunters, who track down criminals. Shortly after the United States entry into World War II, Kirk was tricked into joining the society of Manhunters by tracking down the murderer of his friend Police Inspector Donovan (himself a Manhunter Agent). Taking the name Manhunter and the costume as his own, Kirk had little contact with other Manhunter agents, including Dan Richards, who also calling himself Manhunter.

As World War II progressed, Kirk began working for OSS, an American Intelligence group, usually not in costume. Kirk undertook many brutal missions behind enemy lines, and by the time of the war's end, tired of the senseless brutality and took to Africa to try and heal the wounds his hunting had created on his soul.

In 1946, weary of living, Kirk was accidentally trampled by an elephant. Near death, his body was taken by a group called The Council, a eugenics group bent on world domination. Over the decades, while in suspended animation, Kirk's body was repaired and altered, giving him greater reflexes and the ability to heal wounds instantaneously. His genetic template was used in the ground forces of The Council, its soldiers were Kirk's clones.

Learning of The Council's plans for world conquest, Kirk shattered The Council and destroyed much of its resources, at the cost of his life. During his battles with the Council, he believed he destroyed all of his clones. There were two known survivors, however; one of the clones became a hero of sorts, infiltrating the Darkseid-led Secret Society of Super-Villains and smashing its plans for a time, at the cost of his own life. The other went back to Africa and became a mercenary, years later being shamed by Nightwing into funneling his talents towards helping others, though for a price as a member of The Power Company.

POWERS AND WEAPONS

Manhunter was a faultless tracker, though wilderness or urban surroundings. His skills with firearms was above-average, as was his hand-to-hand skills.

After his restructuring by the Council; Kirk's strength and agility were enhanced to human perfection. His recuperation abilities were enhanced to be able to recover from nearly any injury, including those that might be fatal to other humans.

CHRONOLOGY

For a definitive list of appearances of Manhunter in chronological order click here

PROFILE REFERENCES

Who's Who: The Definitive Directory of the DC Universe #14 (April 1986)