Supervillain Origins: Killer Croc

Supervillain Origins: Killer Croc This bloodthirsty Batman foe was born with a mutation that caused him to take on a monstrous appearance. Welcome to WatchMojo.com and today we will explore the comic book origins of Waylon Jones, otherwise known as Killer Croc. As with most comic book characters, there are often re-imaginings and different versions to a character’s past. We have chosen to primarily follow the storyline, which unfolded in 1983’s Batman #358 and Detective Comics #525. Waylon Jones was born with a rare genetic disorder. This gave him the characteristics of a reptile, complete with thick scaly skin, sharp claws and jagged teeth. His birth was so unusual that it caused the death of his mother. Raised by his drunken aunt, he was tormented at home and at school, where fellow students called him names. Enraged, he soon attempted to kill one of them, which caused him to spend the majority of his youth in reform school and juvenile hall. By the time he was sixteen, he had been arrested for robbery and sent off to serve a three year prison sentence. There he built connections, before snapping and committing cold-blooded murder on a new prisoner, who had been foolish enough to make a joke about his face. Spared the death penalty, Waylan instead served a much lengthier jail term. Released eighteen twenty years later, he joined a travelling carnival where he wrestled alligators to the death under the name “Killer Croc.” Meanwhile, his body had changed, causing him to become increasingly animalistic. His skin hardened to the point where it became impenetrable to firearms, while he developed regenerative powers, super strength, incredible speed and unparalleled agility. Filled with primal desires and a villainous ambition, Croc soon decided to make himself at home in Gotham City. There he wore a trench coat whenever he went, in the pursuit of his dream to become the ruler of the criminal underworld. At first he worked as an enforcer for the mob, before taking it upon himself to target other criminals. These actions prompted Batman to pursue the shadowy figure, only to discover that underneath the coat lay an unhuman creature, unlike anything he had ever seen before. During their long conflict, Killer Croc killed many innocents, and the biggest change to the character occurred when Bane showed up in town. This hulking brute not only became famous for shattering Batman’s back, but having seriously injured Croc, breaking both of his arms. Fortunately, Croc’s ability to regenerate saved his life, but the process made him much more beast-like, transforming him into a mindless monster. After spending time in Arkham Asylum, he sought revenge against Bane, and began living in the sewers. There, he hunted for food, which eventually took the form of human flesh. Over the years Killer Croc has regularly caused trouble for The Dark Knight, while occasionally experiencing regret and despair for his brutish actions. A fan favourite, he remains a regular in Batman’s Rogues gallery, appearing in various forms of media. These include “Batman The Animated Series”, where he was given grey coloured skin, and the Arkham series of video games, in which he was presented in his largest and most monstrous form yet.