MAN-FISH

Real Name: None

Identity/Class: Genetically-engineered creature

Occupation: Servant of Arnim Zola

Group Membership: None

Affiliations: Arnim Zola (creator)

Enemies: Captain America (Steve Rogers), Donna Maria Puentes, the Swine (Hector Santiago)

Known Relatives: None

Aliases: "A murder machine" (as called by Captain America)

Base of Operations: Rio De Muerte ("River of Death"), Central America

First Appearance: Captain America I#208 (April, 1977)

Powers/Abilities: Having a mouth filled with razor-sharp teeth, the amphibious Man-Fish possessed the ability to breathe underwater. It had great strength (at least Class 10) and endurance. Its armored hide made it impervious to conventional gunfire.

Height: Unrevealed (6' 8"; by approximation)
Weight: Unrevealed (500 lbs.; by approximation)
Eyes: Red
Hair: None

History:
(Captain America I#209 (fb)) - At some point, geneticist Arnim Zola created the Man-Fish in his laboratory (see comments).

(Captain America I#208 (fb) - BTS) - Under unrevealed circumstances, Zola transported his amphibious creation to Central America, then released it into the murky waters of the Rio De Muerte.

(Captain America I#208) - Captain America had been abducted to the Central American prison fortress of the Swine, but he escaped into the surrounding jungle; the hero followed the course of the river, in the hopes that there would be a town somewhere along its banks -- not far behind, the Swine's prison guards were in pursuit of Cap.

   The Man-Fish surfaced and came upon Captain America, then engaged him in battle. It nearly defeated Cap, but the prison guards arrived and fired a hail of bullets at the creature to drive it away -- although the projectiles couldn't penetrate its armored skin, the sound of the gunfire disturbed the Man-Fish, so it returned to the depths of the river.

   The guards momentarily recaptured Captain America, who was weakened after his struggle with the savage monster -- the guards believed that the Man-Fish served their interests, as it had often helped prevent their prisoners from escaping. But Cap quickly recovered and fought his way past his captors, only to fall into a concealed pit.

   Afterward, the Swine arrived and confronted the trapped Captain America, then he threw the interfering Donna Maria Puentes into the pit with Cap. As the Swine was about to roast the two of them with a flame-thrower, the Man-Fish returned from the waters and battled the Swine's forces -- the monster apparently ripped the dictator in half, and also killed his men.

   When Captain America and Donna Maria managed to climb out of the pit, they found no survivors, and the Man-Fish then turned its attention to them. The two briefly engaged in battle with the monster, and although they held their own, the Man-Fish seemed too powerful for them, and they only seemed to make it angrier.

   But suddenly, the Man-Fish halted its rampage as its mood changed, for it heard a sound not made for human ears. Much like a guard dog obeying an ultra-sonic whistle from its master, the Man-Fish returned to the waters of the Rio De Muerte -- Zola had arrived, and he had ordered his creation to return to the river until he needed it again.

Comments: Created by Jack Kirby.




A single flashback panel in Captain America I#209 depicted Arnim Zola working on one of his creations -- although the creature was never actually identified in the story's narration, Captain America: Official Index to the Marvel Universe confirms that it was the Man-Fish. -- Ron Fredricks

Profile by Prime Eternal. Expansion by Ron Fredricks.








CLARIFICATIONS:
The Man-Fish/"a murder machine" should not be confused with:


images: (without ads)
Captain America I#208, p2-3, pan1 (Main Image - Man-Fish attacks Captain America)
Captain America I#208, p1, pan1 (Headshot - Man-Fish (right profile))
Captain America I#208, p15, pan2 (Man-Fish, holding body of prison guard; Donna Maria Puentes (background); Captain America (foreground))
Captain America I#208, p16, pan3 (after hearing signal, Man-Fish returns to river; Donna Maria Puentes, Captain America (background))
Captain America I#209, p12, pan3 (in flashback, Arnim Zola works on Man-Fish)


Appearances:
Captain America I#208 (April, 1977)
- Jack Kirby (writer/pencils/editor), Frank Giacoia (inks), George Roussos (colors), Jim Novak (letters), Archie Goodwin (consulting editor)
Captain America I#209 (May, 1977) - Jack Kirby (writer/pencils/editor) Frank Giacoia (inks), George Roussos (colors), Jim Novak (letters), Archie Goodwin (consulting editor)


First Posted: 07/07/2004
Last updated: 03/12/2022

Any Additions/Corrections? please let me know.

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