TIGER SHARK

 

TIGER SHARK

Real Name: Todd Arliss

First Appearance: Prince Namor, the Sub-Mariner (Vol. 1) #5, September 1968

Powers: Todd Arliss was left paraplegic after an accident at sea until criminal scientific genius Dr. Lemuel Dorcas guaranteed the restoration of Todd’s athletic prowess. Exposed to a great variety of experimental procedures involving electroshock treatments and high-frequency radiation therapy which gradually enhanced his physiology, restoring his damaged nerve tissue and ligaments. Arliss was then placed within the Morphotron, an experimental device that genetically re-engineered him with a combination of traits from Namor the Sub-Mariner and an actual shark. All of these procedures restored his mobility and transformed him into the power-mad amphibian powerhouse, Tiger Shark.

Arliss possessed at least Class 75 strength, superhuman swimming speed, agility, endurance, and reaction time. His vision and hearing were more acute than normal, and attuned towards underwater perception. He had both gills and lungs to breathe indefinitely on land or underwater. His entire body was strengthened and reinforced to withstand low temperature extremes and intense ocean pressure, giving him incredible durability. His teeth also became razor sharp. Although technically amphibious, Tiger Shark was even more vulnerable than Namor to drying out, quickly losing his strength and power on land. His costume was typically equipped with a recirculating water supply to keep him wet during surface activity. Over time, the Tiger Shark mutated into a more animalistic state. He developed predatory instincts, real shark-like skin, bulging red eyes, more pronounced fangs and finger talons, as well as an actual dorsal fin as opposed to a cosmetic one on his costume. He has fluctuated back and forth from this state over the years.

Todd Arliss was an Olympic champion swimmer before his accident and before he was superhumanly enhanced.