History: Biologist Sven Larson had an unfortunate encounter with the Chief Niles Caulder, whom Sven believed stole one of his inventions. Sven experimented on himself until he became the monstrous, rampaging AVM-Man, mimicking the property and forms of animals, plants, and minerals. He tried to destroy Chief's Doom Patrol, and they initially thought he'd accidentally transformed himself into a monster, so they used kid gloves on him. The Chief pieced together Larson's deliberate actions, and used the device Larson claimed he stole, a transmuter ray, to freeze AVM-Man.

(Doom Patrol V #7) - AVM Man was on the run from the law when he stopped in a small diner in Nevada for a bite to eat. The police responded, and he was furious at not being left in peace to eat. He assumed his giant dinosaur form and slaughtered every last officer. Thayer Jost, in the thrall of Mr. Somebody, offered him a spot on his metahuman team the Front Men, telling him he had to accept if he didn’t want to keep running.

(Doom Patrol V #10-12) - AVM Man conceded to Jost that his teammates creeped him out, and Jost retorted that that was rich coming from a freak like him. Jost / Somebody planned on taking apart the Doom Patrol piece by piece, and sent AVM Man to kill Teen Titan beast Boy, Elasti-Girl’s adopted son, in hopes of demoralizing the team. He called back AVM when he had a change of plans, but refused to explain himself. Jost / Somebody had taken Elasti-Girl hostage after the Doom Patrol captured Porcelain Doll, and used the opportunity to call a press conference. He debuted his corporate superteam the Front Men, and demanded the Doom Patrol release Porcelain Doll from Oolong. He painted the DP as villains, showing edited footage of Elasti-Girl’s attack on Jost Enterprises. Jost wasn’t thrilled that AVM Man refused to change his name, and AVM Man asked him how he could be a high-profile “superhero” with his criminal past. Jost explained that he’d simply put a slant on AVM’s story, showing that he was misunderstood and persecuted for being different. The DP wanted Rita back immediately, so they visited Danny The Bungalow’s new resident Ambush Bug, and had him teleport them to Jost Enterprises. The remaining Front Men quickly fought them to a standstill, and Botfly threatened to kill Rita if they didn’t surrender. They had Ambush Bug teleport Porcelain Doll to Jost Enterprises and traded their captives. Jost revealed himself as Mr. Somebody and explained that he’d be building his Front Men’s reputation on the DP’s backs, and had them attack the DP. Their fight spread all over Sacramento, resulting in collateral damage, and lots of negative press for the DP, especially when Somebody called the media to claim the DP attacked them unprovoked. Somebody called up Chief on Oolong, and let him know he’d purposefully paired each of his team members against each DP member. Their Front Men suits were keyed to deliver a lethal blow to the wearer when each DP member used a certain ability. He was prepared to sacrifice his team for his own ends, but knew Chief didn’t want the DP to appear to be murderers. Chief demanded that the DP retreat, and the Front Men were victorious.

Comments: Created by Arnold Drake & Bruno Premiani.

Animal-Vegetable-Mineral Man had cameos in Doom Patrol V #6, 14, 21 & Teen Titans III #32.

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