The Last Days of Animal Man #5 (Of 6)

Animal Man (Bernhard "Buddy" Baker), is a fictional DC Comics superhero. As a result of being in proximity to an exploding extraterrestrial spaceship, Buddy Baker acquires the ability to temporarily “borrow” the abilities of animals (such as a bird's flight or the proportionate strength of an ant). Using these powers, Baker fights crime as the costumed superhero Animal Man. is a six-issue miniseries by industry legend Gerry Conway about an aged Animal Man in the year 2024 and what may be his final adventure. Created by writer Dave Wood and artist Carmine Infantino, Buddy Baker first appeared in Strange Adventures #180 (September 1965) and adopted the name Animal Man in issue #190. Animal Man was later revived in the 1980's and enjoyed a monthly comic book series, released in DC's high quality New Format, published without the Comics Code Authority seal of approval, later becoming one of the first titles in the Vertigo imprint. The Animal Man revival series was innovative in its advocacy for animal rights, its willingness to break the fourth wall, and its portrayal of Animal Man as an everyman hero with a wife and children. After that series ended in 1995, the character has made brief appearances in DC crossover events. Animal Man recently was a major character in the weekly series 52. Brian Bolland, who does the covers for the current miniseries, won the Eisner Award for Best Cover Artist in 1992 for his work on Animal Man.

Is Buddy Baker losing it all? Everyman hero Buddy Baker has fought hard for our world, and for his family. But by the year 2024, the Earth has seen better days: The heroes are growing tired, the villains have grown nastier and Buddy's own hometown of San Diego has struggled for years to recover from a cataclysmic typhoon. His children have grown and his marriage has gotten colder… and now, as San Diego faces the most vicious Super-Villain it's seen in years, his powers are starting to fail him! Without his powers, without his family – who is Buddy Baker? Can he still be a husband? Can he still be a father? Can he still be Animal Man? And more importantly, can he even survive the bloodthirsty plan his arch-rival's progeny has in store for him? Written by Gerry Conway; Art by Chris Batista and Dave Meikis; Cover by Brian Bolland. Comics legend Gerry Conway (TV's Law and Order) makes his return to DC with this can't-miss 6-part miniseries. --

His powers are gone. His teammates are beaten. His family hates him. Prismatik and Bloodrage have all the power of the League of Titans HQ to themselves. And this miniseries only has one issue to go. It doesn’t look good for Buddy Baker, does it? There’s a reason we called it The Last Days of Animal Man, folks! --

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