King Shark has to be one of the most bizarre and out-there comic book characters ever created. Born in Hawaii, Nanaue is a humanoid shark who first appeared as a cameo in DC Comics' Superboy #0 before making his first full appearance in Superboy #9. He usually serves as an antagonist and has been part of the Secret Society of Super-Villains, the Secret Six, and, of course, the Suicide Squad.

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The character made its live-action debut in the second season of The Flash, where he acts more as a tragic antihero than a villain. King Shark will also appear in the upcoming The Suicide Squad, voiced by Sylvester Stallone. With renewed interest in the unique character, it's the perfect time to dive into his comic book history and discover a thing or two about his journey through the pages of DC.

He's The Son Of A God

Cover for Aquaman: Sword of Atlantis

Like many other comic book characters, King Shark's origin went through a few revisions over the course of DC continuity. Some believed him to be a mutation of some sort, while others assumed he was one of the "Wild Men," evolved animals first featured in Kamandi: The Last Boy on Earth.

Aquaman: Sword of Atlantis finally confirmed the legends surrounding the character. He is indeed the son of an aquatic deity, the Shark God, the King of All Sharks. His mother is a human and the mechanics of his conception are best left to the imagination.

His Mother Allowed Him To Bite Her Hand Off

King Shark rages through the sea in DC Comics

During his time in Hawaii, long before Superboy's arrival, King Shark fed on numerous people, viciously killing them before devouring them. He received help from his mother, who cared about her son's survival more than about the well-being of Hawaii's inhabitants and visitors.

FBI agent Sam Makoa eventually succeeds in capturing him, not before the shark heavily damages him. King Shark is then released by the Silicon Dragons, whom he also kills. He then heads to his mother's home, where she nurses him back to health and even allows him to feed on her arm. Nothing beats a mother's love.

His Appearance Changes In The New 52

King Shark and Yo-Yo in the DC comics.

Arguably King Shark's most popular appearance, the hammerhead look first debuted in 2011 as part of the rebooted DC continuity, The New 52. In this new reality, he joins the Suicide Squad after Amanda Waller subjects him to considerable torture. It is during this continuity that King famously eats his teammate, Yo-Yo.

The New 52 wasn't exactly well-received, but King Shark's new appearance quickly became popular. The new eyes enhance his deranged savagery, confirming his status as a raging killing machine.

First Suicide Squad Mission

King Shark attacks along with the Suicide Squad

To destroy the Silicon Dragons, both Superboy and Makoa join the Suicide Squad, which now includes King Shark. Waller recruits him thinking that his knowledge about Hawaii and the Dragons will be valuable. She straps an explosive belt around his waist to ensure his cooperation.

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Veteran Squad members Deadshot and Captain Boomerang join the mission, which of course ends with King Shark betraying the group and making a run for it. Waller detonates the belt and believes King dead. The truth, however, is very different.

He Survived Multiple Attacks And Battles

King Shark devours a fallen foe

Besides surviving the aforementioned explosion, King Shark is famous for being constantly maimed and nearly killed. He always survives, though, thanks to his enhanced regenerative capabilities.

Superboy thought he killed King Shark more than once but never actually succeeds. Following the Final Crisis event, during his tenure with the Secret Six, King Shark gets his jaw broken and his left arm ripped off during different battles. He eventually grows the latter back, though.

He Fought Superman

Superman and Jimmy Olsen in a high-rise, staring out at the city together

In The Adventures of Superman #608, King Shark joins Manchester Black's Legion of Villains. He goes to Metropolis and attempts to kill Jimmy Olsen. Superman soon rescues his friend and engages in battle with King, quickly beating him and knocking nearly all his teeth out.

Under Black's influence, King becomes more talkative and much less aggressive. Even with his full rage restored, it's unlikely he could beat Superman in hand-to-hand combat, though.

He Killed Neptune Perkins

neptune perkins swimming

A minor character in DC comics, Neptune Perkins is basically a human dolphin. He first appears in Flash Comics #66 before gaining more prominence as a focal point of the Young All-Stars. He eventually becomes a US Senator for Hawaii, acting as a government contact for Aquaman and Young Justice.

King kills Neptune in Infinite Crisis #3. As part of Alexander Luthor's Secret Society of Supervillains, he attacks Atlantis and partially devours Neptune, alongside the similarly-themed villain, the Shark.

He Acted As Aquaman's Caretaker

King Shark and Aquaman explore a wreckage

During the Aquaman: Sword of Atlantis storyline, as part of the One Year Continuity, King Shark acts as a caretaker for Arthur Curry. His father, the Shark God, instructs him to protect Arthur and teach him the ways of the ocean.  King will then kill Arthur when the time is right.

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King had a prior altercation with the original Aquaman, known as the Dweller in the Depths in this story. The fight ends with Aquaman's victory and King's imprisonment under King Orin. King later reveals to Arthur the torture he endured at Orin's hands. This story could easily appear in future installments of the DCEU, especially if the character is successful after The Suicide Squad.

He Almost Always Acts As A Henchman

King Shark menacingly introduces himself to Black Manta In DC Comics

Despite, or perhaps because of his aggressive and raging tendencies, King Shark rarely acts on his own. Instead, he often receives orders from others and executes their will.

Over the course of his comic book history, King Shark acted as henchman to Amanda Waller, Manchester Black, Black Manta, Alexander Luthor, and the Crime Syndicate. King Shark's appearance and abilities fit the role of bodyguard and muscle much better than mastermind or evil genius.

Powers And Abilities

King Shark making "rawrr" noise in DC Comics

King Shark has several special abilities that make him a dangerous threat. On top of his strength and durability, King also possesses regenerative qualities that make him extremely hard to kill. He also has many shark-like traits, like sharp teeth and claws, and gills that allow him to breathe underwater.

King is also an excellent and fast swimmer who is resistant to cold. His flesh provides him protection against pressure and most physical attacks, and at times it can even resist bullets and other human-made weaponry.

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