Killer Croc

Template:Short description Template:Infobox comics character Killer Croc (Waylon Jones) is a supervillain appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. Created by Gerry Conway, Don Newton and Gene Colan, the character was introduced in Detective Comics #523 (February 1983). He has become one of the most enduring enemies of the superhero Batman and belongs to the collective of adversaries that make up his rogues gallery.

In his comic book appearances, Killer Croc is depicted as a former sideshow wrestler who suffers from a rare genetic condition that gives him a reptilian appearance and superhuman strength. Driven insane by this, he turned to a life of crime, over time developing animalistic tendencies. The character has also been a member of the Suicide Squad, debuting in the fifth volume of the comic series revolving around the team, and a romantic interest of Enchantress. While typically portrayed as a supervillain, he has also been occasionally depicted as an antihero.

The character has been adapted into various media, most revolving around Batman. Killer Croc made his live-action debut in the 2016 DC Extended Universe film Suicide Squad, portrayed by Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje. A version of the character appeared in the third season of the Arrowverse series Batwoman, performed by Heidi Ben.

Publication history

Killer Croc was created by writer Gerry Conway and artist Gene Colan. The character made cameo appearances in Detective Comics #523 (February 1983) and Batman #357 (March 1983), with his full first appearance in Detective Comics #524 (March 1983).

Fictional character biography

Pre-Crisis

Waylon Jones was born with a rare form of atavism that imparted him with reptilian traits with his birth causing the death of his mother. He was raised by his aunt, an abusive alcoholic who called him names like "lizardboy" and "reptilian freak". Croc eventually killed his aunt and became a criminal in Gotham City. After committing several murders, he faced off against Batman and the new Robin, Jason Todd, who defeated him.

In these original, Pre-Crisis appearances, Killer Croc resembled a powerfully built man covered entirely in green scales, but was still basically human in his facial proportions and build. He was also originally depicted as killing Jason Todd's parents (this was later retconned to make Two-Face their murderer).

Post-Crisis

Killer Croc escaped custody and sought revenge on Harvey Bullock and two other criminals who got him in jail. Batman tracked him down and Croc went into a homicidal rage. When new water tunnels were built, which would flood Killer Croc's new home, Croc seemingly sacrificed himself to hold the water back when they finally were open.

In reality, Croc was buried under rubble and was freed from his prison by storm drains. Killer Croc survived on rats and was isolated for months, driving him further into madness. Croc later went on a rampage after a confrontation with a vagrant, and winds up in a shopping mall. After delivering several blows to Croc, Batman is distracted by a glimpse of Bane. Croc then grabs Batman and tries to break his back. He fails, and Bane pits himself against Croc, breaking his arms. Croc is then put back into Arkham Asylum.

When Bane breaks the inmates out of Arkham Asylum in the Knightfall saga, Croc attempts to get revenge on Bane. While in the sewers, he smells Bane and goes after him and the two fight each other atop a ledge. Bane casually breaks one of Croc's arms again, but Croc fights until the ledge they are standing on breaks and the two fall into the sewers. The fight ends up as a draw. Croc later returns, attacking the docks to try to lure Bane out for a rematch, but is defeated by Dick Grayson (now acting as Batman after Bruce defeated Valley before taking time off for self-analysis) without the villain realizing that he is facing a new Batman. Killer Croc is left for the police in a fishing net all bruised up with a broken arm.

Killer Croc is summoned by a paranormal force to break out of Arkham and make his way to the Louisiana swamps. Batman follows him there, only to find that the mysterious force is actually the Swamp Thing, who offers Croc a place in the swampland where he can finally give in to his animal side, live free from human persecution and have a peaceful and joyous life.

Killer Croc has appeared in both the "Hush" storyline and its chronological follow-up, Broken City. In the former, he is infected with a virus that greatly increases the rate of his devolution, 'overseeing' a kidnapping for Hush before Batman defeats him; this provides Batman's first clue that someone else is orchestrating events, as he knows that Croc is too stupid to attempt a complex scheme like a kidnapping on his own due to the many variables. Though Killer Croc was briefly restored to his original form, the Mad Hatter, under Black Mask's orders, implanted Killer Croc with a device that made him loyal to Black Mask and caused the virus to return. Batman freed Croc from Black Mask's control. Croc attempted to take revenge on the Mad Hatter, but was stopped by Batman. Croc then escaped.

When an attempt at a cure fails, Killer Croc devours the involved doctor and retreats to the sewers, vowing vengeance on Batman and Black Mask.

In Infinite Crisis, Croc becomes a member of Alexander Luthor, Jr.'s Secret Society of Super Villains.

One Year Later during the "Face the Face" storyline, Killer Croc is shown to have been feeding on the dead body of an orca. He next shows up in Countdown where he breaks free from his shackles in Arkham Asylum and attempts to kill Jimmy Olsen, who uses elastic powers to escape. Killer Croc is then subdued.

He is later seen among the exiled supervillains in "Salvation Run." After the Martian Manhunter is defeated and imprisoned in a fiery cage, Croc suggests that he will eat the Martian. Lex Luthor forbids it.

During the "Final Crisis" storyline, Killer Croc can be seen as the member of Libra's Secret Society of Super Villains. Killer Croc is later turned into a Justifier.

In the "Battle for the Cowl" storyline, Killer Croc is recruited by a new Black Mask to be a part of a group of villains aiming to take over Gotham and Bludhaven.

During the events of Brightest Day, Killer Croc is intentionally released from his cell by a guard whom Osiris kills when Deathstroke and his band of Titans infiltrate Arkham. While attempting to flee from the facility, he is attacked by Osiris who mistakes Killer Croc for his old enemy Sobek.

The New 52

In the continuity of DC's 2011 reboot The New 52, Killer Croc is established to have fought Roy Harper in Hell's Kitchen in a flashback seen in Red Hood and the Outlaws. He is then passingly referenced by Roy, as he is Roy's current sponsor for his alcoholism at the time when Roy was in a bar with Jason Todd. Roy is only drinking water, but knows that Waylon would disapprove.

During the 2013–2014 Forever Evil storyline, Croc began ruling over Gotham's lower class. He murders a corrupt S.W.A.T. team that murdered one of the few people who were nice to him. When the Crime Syndicate invades Earth, Croc takes over Wayne Tower. He is confronted by the villain Bane, who injects Croc with Venom, turning Croc into a hulking giant, whom Bane then defeats.Template:Volume needed

While institutionalized in Arkham, Killer Croc meets Sybil Silverlock, a woman with dissociative identity disorder. He bonds with her softer personality, and she shows him a picture of her daughter, Olive. Sybil has him promise to look after Olive if he ever gets out. After the destruction of Arkham Asylum, Killer Croc escapes and travels to Gotham Academy, where he watches over Olive, and tells her about her mother, who was rendered comatose by the asylum's destruction. After Batman confronts them, Olive and Killer Croc escape to a swamp. Before parting, he tells her that, if she is like her mother, to come and find him one day.

He recently helped Harley Quinn and her friends fight a gang of other Batman villains in Coney Island.

DC Rebirth

In the pages of DC Rebirth with the Suicide Squad, Killer Croc and the Squad go on a mission to retrieve a "cosmic item" from a Russian undersea prison, revealed to be a portal to the Phantom Zone, and come face-to-face with General Zod. He attacks the Squad and, when spotting Zod about to kill June Moone/Enchantress, Croc saves her just in time. After the mission, back in their cells, June Moone and Croc have a heartfelt conversation and embrace each other. Killer Croc and June Moone enjoy New York City and decide to explore their romance in the future. Croc encourages her to try, but later expresses fear and sheds tears that he will lose her if she is able to achieve her dream. Enchantress's rampage in New York City lasts until it is revealed that it is an editor from a magazine company who rejected June. After being convinced by Croc to reevaluate her, he decided to give her some freelance work. Moved by Waylon's actions, June reigns in the Enchantress and thanks her love for helping her. Wall escapes the battle after downloading the file. Two days later in the cell, Croc mourns, and breaks down in tears over June Moone's "death", as Rick told him that June Moone is the only one who did not see him as monstrous. He eventually leaves the Squad.

In Harley Quinn's series, Killer Croc joined the Penguin's plans to take over New York, but went off on his own to take Coney Island, revealing that he was on display there in a freak show as a kid driving out the other villains. After it was all torn down, Harley convinced him to join her side and help take it all back from the Penguin.

Killer Croc, deciding to go by his first name Waylon, later took over Tusk's hotel in Monster Town, granting second chances to any monster in need.

In Joker War event tie-in, the Joker and his goons assaulted Monstertown. He decided to create a new one in the sewers of Gotham, hoping that he and the others would be left alone and wanting no involvement in the war. Batman attempts to warn Croc of the dangers of the chemicals in the water, but doesn’t believe him. He makes a deal with Batman to fight him, only to lose. Although Croc and his gang are later taken to jail, he promises them the best of care, including a reversal of their conditions, if a cure can be found.

Infinite Frontier

In Infinite Frontier, Killer Croc, Firefly, Knockout, and Cheshire are brought together by Clayface as potential allies hoping to seek a second chance by defending Allytown.

Red Hood is on a mission to tracking down Bane until Croc goes after him for ruining his operation and costing him millions of dollars. However, after Red Hood proves unable to hurt him, Croc decides to settle the matter another time. Jason give a French book to him while they chat.

Dawn of DC

Croc, along with Man-Bat, the Orca and the Terrible Trio kidnap a doctor at Gotham Zoo, and encounter Batman and Robin. He decides to quit and check on Poison Ivy, whom Croc helps escape from a collapsing abandoned building. Later, helping Ivy look for a cure, she works with Croc since he is immune to Lamia mushroom due to his natural immunity as a crocodile. Although he wants to help with his blood, he starts to freak out at the sight of the needle because he has been scared of needles since he was a kid; doctors could not penetrate his armored skin, and the experience was traumatic for him. When a zombie-like creature is found attacking Ivy, Croc goes to her defense. Solomon Grundy arrives and grabs Ivy by the neck, but Croc rescues her. They end up fighting until Ivy stops them, realizing they have an even bigger problem to deal with. While sharing a meal with Ivy's friend Janet, Ivy starts to bleed. Floronic Man then arrives, and Croc defends Janet and Ivy.

During the "Titans: Beast World", Croc is exposed to one of Beast Boy's spores and temporarily mutated further.

All In

Croc and Janet investigate to find out why Green Order of the Green Knight fame Ivy didn't commit crime they found few clues in sewer. Later Janet kisses Croc.

Characterization

Powers and abilities

Killer Croc's backstory explains that he was born with a condition resembling epidermolytic hyperkeratosis, a disfiguring skin disorder. However, it is actually a form of regressive atavism, meaning that he has inherited traits of ancestral species of the human race, such as reptiles. This condition has been augmented by the presence of a metagene. Consequently, he has several extraordinary physical abilities relating to his endurance, speed, and strength.

His skin is hardened to the degree that it is nearly impenetrable to ordinary forms of abrasion or penetration, including high caliber weapons fired from a distance. He also possesses an extraordinary amount of super-strength; for example, he was able to tear a bank vault door off of its hinges with minimal effort. He has demonstrated regenerative powers, allowing him to heal and restore lost limbs and teeth. He possesses superhuman reflexes and speed, especially while he is moving underwater. He can also see through his crocodile eyelids. Killer Croc also has an enhanced sense of smell. Once he has become familiar with a person's scent, he can track them from miles away. As his appearance and personality has grown more and more bestial, his misanthropy has increased dramatically. He is jealous and hateful of "normal" people and often lashes out violently without provocation. As a result of these feelings of jealousy, Croc will often entertain himself by grabbing hold of small, pointy objects as a source of comfort.

Croc's main weakness is consistently portrayed in most adaptations, aside from The Batman series, as being his low intellect. He typically resorts to brute force to solve most problems, allowing Batman to outmaneuver him in combat by thinking his way through the problems he faces in defeating the powerful Croc. Batman regularly describes his foe as an animal rather than a man. He acts almost solely on instinct and hardly ever takes the time to plan or rationalize his actions. This is a departure from his initial portrayal, where he was shown to be a ruthless and intelligent criminal who was able to plot his ascent from henchman to The Squid to perhaps the most powerful force in Gotham organized crime before being defeated by the Batman.

Appearance

In recent years, Killer Croc has been portrayed as being much more reptilian than in past incarnations. An action figure made by Kenner in 1998 featured a tail and dinosaur-like feet. When Mattel got the license to make DC products in the early 2000s, they released their own version of Killer Croc, sculpted by Four Horsemen Studios. This version also featured a tail and dinosaur feet. In late 2005, a re-release of this figure was modified so that the tail, along with his shirt, was removed. This version also sports a more "human" head.

The 2002-2003 Batman storyline Hush featured a more bestial Croc who had been mutated against his will to appear more reptilian. This version of the character was drawn by artist Jim Lee. In The New 52, he is shown to have a crocodile-like head, though how this came to be has not yet been revealed. Such a design had previously appeared in Red Hood and the Outlaws, drawn by Kenneth Rocafort.

Alternative versions

• An alternate universe variant of Killer Croc appears in Joker. This version is a member of the Joker's gang and sports a more humanoid appearance.
• An alternate universe variant of Killer Croc appears in Batman/Aliens 2.
• An alternate universe variant of Killer Croc appears in Batman: Crimson Mist. This version is a serial killer and member of Two-Face's gang who later works with Commissioner Gordon and Alfred Pennyworth to stop a vampiric Batman.
• An alternate universe variant of Killer Croc appears in the Flashpoint storyline.
• An alternate universe variant of Killer Croc appears in Batman: Earth One. This version is an ally of Batman and member of the Outsiders who was previously sold to Haly's Circus as a child.
• An alternate universe variant of Killer Croc appears in DC Bombshells. This version is a member of the Suicide Squad who was transformed into a crocodile monster by the Enchantress' magic.
• An alternate universe variant of Killer Croc appears in Batman/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.
• An alternate universe variant of Killer Croc appears in Batman: White Knight.
• An alternate universe variant of Killer Croc appears in Batman: Reptilian. This version was mutated after his mother was exposed to an alien mutagen while pregnant with him.
• An alternate universe variant of Killer Croc appears in Batman: The Audio Adventures. This version was mutated by Hugo Strange, from whom he sought a cure for his skin condition. Instead, Strange overdosed him with his "Monster Man" formula and revived him using a Lazarus Pit, turning him into a monster. Lost and distraught, Croc is taken in by the Penguin and joins his gang.
• An alternate universe variant of Killer Croc appears in Batman: The Doom That Came to Gotham. This version is Ludvig Prinn, a wizard who was imprisoned underneath Gotham City and mutated by the fungi that grew there, later joining Ra's al Ghul's League of Assassins.
• An alternate universe variant of Killer Croc appears in Absolute Batman. This version is a human gym owner and childhood friend of Bruce Wayne.

In other media

Television

File:Killer Croc (Batman- The Animated Series).png

Killer Croc as he appears in Batman: The Animated Series (left) and later in its revival series The New Batman Adventures (right).

• An original incarnation of Killer Croc, "Killer Croc" Morgan, appears in series set in the DC Animated Universe. This version is a former pro wrestler who turned to crime.
  • Croc first appears in Batman: The Animated Series, voiced by Aron Kincaid. For this series, he sports lumpy, grey skin.
  • Croc returns in The New Batman Adventures, voiced by Brooks Gardner. For this series, he has been redesigned to have a more reptilian appearance with green scales and claws.
  • An android replica of Croc appears in the Batman Beyond episode "Terry's Friend Dates a Robot". Writer Stan Berkowitz originally had plans to bring back Croc for the series, as reptiles have long lifespans, but the idea was dropped.
• Killer Croc appears in The Batman, voiced by Ron Perlman. This version is a crime boss who speaks with a Cajun accent and possesses greater intellect than traditional interpretations of the character. Additionally, his origins are unknown, though rumors have spread that he is a genetic experiment gone awry who then turned mercenary, someone who dealt with voodoo magic, or simply a circus freak. In issue #25 of the series' tie-in comic The Batman Strikes!, Croc is shown in flashbacks to have been both a lab experiment and a circus act.
• Killer Croc appears in Batman: The Brave and the Bold, voiced by Stephen Root.
• Killer Croc appears in Beware the Batman, voiced by Wade Williams. This version speaks with a Cajun accent, is implied to be a cannibal, and led a group of Blackgate Penitentiary prisoners while incarcerated there.
• Killer Croc appears in Harley Quinn, voiced by Matt Oberg. This version is a member of the Legion of Doom in the first season and the Suicide Squad's "A-team" in the third who later enters a relationship with squad-mate the Enchantress.
• An original incarnation of Killer Croc appears in the Batwoman episode "Loose Tooth", portrayed by Heidi Ben. This version is a teenager named Steven, who found one of Killer Croc's teeth and cut himself with it, which caused him to transform into a new Killer Croc.
• Killer Croc appears in Suicide Squad Isekai, voiced by Tarō Kiuchi. This version is a rogue member of the Suicide Squad.
• Waylon Jones appears in the Batman: Caped Crusader episode "Nocturne", voiced by Cedric Yarbrough. This version works for a circus.

Film

File:Killer Croc (Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje).jpg

Killer Croc in the DC Extended Universe, portrayed by Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje.

• Killer Croc appears in the Batman: Gotham Knight segment "In Darkness Dwells". This version is a cannibalistic serial killer who is rumored to have been born with epidermolytic hyperkeratosis and abandoned in Gotham City's sewers. As an adult, he filed his teeth into sharpened points, became a circus sideshow performer, and went on a killing spree that eventually got him incarcerated at Arkham Asylum, where Jonathan Crane experimented on Croc for his fear aversion program, worsening his homicidal impulses. Croc subsequently escaped and fled into the sewers, but Crane injected him with his fear toxin, giving Croc a fear of bats and the ability to transfer the toxin to others via his bite.
• Killer Croc appears in Son of Batman, voiced by Fred Tatasciore. This version uses a genetic mutagen supplied by Kirk Langstrom to increase his abilities, granting himself extra muscle mass and a tail, though it eventually causes his body to fall apart.
• Killer Croc appears in Batman Unlimited: Animal Instincts, voiced by John DiMaggio. This version is a member of the Penguin's Animalitia.
• Killer Croc appears in Suicide Squad, portrayed by Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje. This version previously lived in Gotham City and fought Batman before he was imprisoned at Belle Reve. He is recruited into Task Force X and accompanies a SEAL scuba team to recover a bomb that was lost in a flooded tunnel to kill the Enchantress. Following the Enchantress' defeat, Croc is returned to prison and given a reduced sentence and improved cell conditions as a reward.
• Killer Croc appears in Batman Unlimited: Mechs vs. Mutants, voiced again by John DiMaggio.
• Killer Croc appears in The Lego Batman Movie, voiced by an uncredited Matt Villa.
• Killer Croc appears in Lego DC Comics Super Heroes: The Flash, voiced by Nolan North.
• Killer Croc appears in Lego DC Batman: Family Matters, voiced again by Nolan North.
• Killer Croc appears in Injustice, voiced by Edwin Hodge.
• Killer Croc appears in Justice League x RWBY: Super Heroes & Huntsmen, voiced by Maxwell Jacob Friedman.
• The Batman: The Doom That Came to Gotham incarnation of Killer Croc appears in the book's film adaptation.
• Killer Croc makes a non-speaking appearance in Justice League: Crisis on Infinite Earths.

Video games

Lego Batman

• Killer Croc appears as a playable character in Lego Batman: The Videogame, voiced by Steve Blum. This version works for the Penguin and possesses immunity to toxins.
• Killer Croc appears in Lego Batman 2: DC Super Heroes, voiced by Fred Tatasciore.
• Killer Croc appears as a playable character in Lego Batman 3: Beyond Gotham, voiced again by Fred Tatasciore. This version has a Cajun accent.
• Killer Croc appears in Lego DC Super-Villains, voiced again by Fred Tatasciore.

Batman: Arkham

Killer Croc appears in the Batman: Arkham series.

• Croc first appears in Batman: Arkham Asylum, voiced by Steve Blum. This version is a cannibalistic serial killer and gangster who has been charged with racketeering and smuggling illegal drugs and holds a grudge against Aaron Cash after eating his left hand amidst a failed escape attempt.
• Croc makes a cameo appearance in Batman: Arkham City, voiced again by Steve Blum. As of this game, he was transferred to the titular super-prison and has taken refuge in its maze-like sewer network.
• A young Croc appears as the first boss of Batman: Arkham Origins, voiced by Khary Payton. After being hired by the Joker posing as Black Mask to kill Batman, Croc helps the Joker kidnap and kill Commissioner Gillian B. Loeb before fighting Batman, who defeats him.
• Croc appears as a boss in the Batman: Arkham Knight "Season of Infamy" DLC, voiced again by Steve Blum. After being captured by Warden Ranken of Iron Heights Penitentiary, Croc is experimented on for his regenerative capabilities, which cause him to mutate further. Eventually, Croc mounts a breakout attempt and joins forces with the other inmates to seek revenge on Ranken, only to be defeated by Batman and Nightwing and transferred to the Gotham City Police Department (GCPD)'s custody.
• Croc appears as a playable character in Batman: Arkham Underworld, voiced again by Khary Payton.
• Croc makes a cameo appearance in Batman: Arkham VR, voiced again by Steve Blum.
• Croc appears in Batman: Arkham Shadow, voiced again by Khary Payton.

Other games

• Killer Croc appears in Batman: Dark Tomorrow, voiced by Richardo Ferrone.
• Killer Croc appears in DC Universe Online, voiced by Edwin Neal.
• Killer Croc makes a non-speaking cameo appearance in Injustice: Gods Among Us via the Arkham Asylum stage. Additionally, he appears as a playable character in the mobile version, in which he is voiced again by Steve Blum.
• Killer Croc appears as a character summon in Scribblenauts Unmasked: A DC Comics Adventure.
• Killer Croc makes non-speaking cameo appearances in Injustice 2 via the Batcave stage and Bane's ending.
• Killer Croc appears as an alternate skin for Baraka in Mortal Kombat 11 via the "DC Elseworld" DLC pack.

Miscellaneous

• Killer Croc appears in the novel Batman: Knightfall and Beyond. This version is said to have suffered from aggressive skin cancer that turned the outer layers of his flesh into a hardened covering when he was younger.
• Killer Croc appears in the Injustice: Gods Among Us and Injustice 2 prequel comics. In the latter, he becomes a member of Ra's al Ghul's Suicide Squad who goes on to marry squad-mate Orca, who becomes pregnant with his child, and leaves the squad with her to raise them.
• Killer Croc appears in Batman '66 #28. This version is a former henchman of King Tut whose reptilian form and strength are derived from an elixir. With help from his girlfriend Eva, Croc goes on a crime spree in the hopes of becoming Gotham's biggest crime lord until he is defeated by Batman and Robin and handed over to the police.
• Killer Croc appears in DC Super Hero Girls, voiced by Fred Tatasciore.

See also

• List of Batman Family enemies