Ogre (DC Comics)
Ogre is a fictional supervillain that appears in comic books published by DC Comics. The Ogre is primarily an enemy of Batman.
Ogre | |
---|---|
Publication information | |
Publisher | DC Comics |
First appearance | Batman #535 (October 1996) |
Created by | Doug Moench (writer) Kelley Jones (artist) |
In-story information | |
Alter ego | Michael Adams |
Team affiliations | Ogre and the Ape |
Supporting character of | Batman |
Notable aliases | Ogre of Wrath |
Abilities | Super-strength |
Ogre appeared on the first season of Gotham and was played by Milo Ventimiglia as original character Jason Lennon.
Publication history
The Ogre debuted in Batman #535, published in October 1996.
While that is his only appearance in the mainstream DC Universe continuity, a version of the Ogre later appeared in a story arc in the non-canon series Batman Confidential.
Fictional character biography
The Ogre was once Michael Adams, a homeless man who volunteered for a scientific experiment, dubbed "Project Mirakle", in return for money. Five doctors, led by endocrinologist Dr. Winston Belmont, performed cruel experiments upon Adams' body and mind in order to turn him into a devolved "missing link", with the ultimate goal of enhancing man's evolutionary process. The doctors used Adams and a gorilla as guinea pigs, dramatically increasing Adams' strength and the gorilla's intelligence. Adams was the 23rd subject the doctors experimented upon that was the only survivor - the other 22 had died during the testing. Adams escaped with his gorilla "brother" and vowed revenge. With his "brother" in tow, and calling both of them the Ogre and the Ape, the Ogre systematically tracks down and murders four of the five doctors, with the Ape injecting them with sedatives so they would not feel the torture they inflicted upon him. With help from the Oracle, Batman finds the Ogre before he can kill his final intended victim, Dr. Gould. When Gould shoots and kills the Ape, the Ogre flies into a rage and tries to kill him without using the sedative, intent on Gould suffering even more than he had. When Batman assures the Ogre that Gould will be prosecuted for what he has done, the Ogre relents and spares Gould's life. He then disappears into the night.[1]
Other versions
Batman Confidential
In the Batman Confidential universe, the Ogre character is re-imagined as O.G.R.E., a mechanical armour and disaster-rescue system developed by Waynetech. During Bruce Wayne's second year as Batman, the O.G.R.E. system goes haywire and rampages through Gotham City. The O.G.R.E system attacks Lex Luthor, but Wayne saves him. It is eventually revealed that the pilot of the machine is dead and his mind is lost in the machinery. After defeating O.G.R.E., Batman vows to restore the pilot back to life if possible.[2]
In other media
The Ogre character appears in the Fox Network live-action series Gotham, portrayed by Milo Ventimiglia. This version is reimagined as a handsome and seductive serial killer named Jason Lennon (born Jason Skolimski), who underwent cosmetic surgery to repair a facial disfigurement after murdering his father's employer, a wealthy heiress, in a fit of rage. Lennon lures women and subjects them to so-called "tests" as he searches for the perfect mate, and kills them when they fail to meet his impossible standards.[3] No one in the Gotham City Police Department dares to go after him because he kills the loved ones of any officer who tries. Detectives James Gordon and Harvey Bullock try to arrest him after he threatens Gordon's girlfriend, Leslie Thompkins. He then kidnaps Gordon's ex-fiancée Barbara Kean, having initially intended to kill her. Upon learning that she and Gordon ended their relationship, however, Lennon spares her life, considering her a kindred spirit. He drugs and terrorizes her before taking her to her parents' house. By the time Gordon discovers their location, he finds Barbara's parents dead and Lennon holding Barbara at knifepoint. In the ensuing struggle, Gordon shoots Lennon in the head, killing him and ending his reign of terror for good. It would be revealed in the season finale that Barbara murdered her parents and not Lennon.
See also
References
- Batman #535
- Batman Confidential #1-6
- "Milo Ventimiglia to Visit 'Gotham' for Grisly Guest Arc". Variety. February 4, 2015. Retrieved February 10, 2015.