Rat-Men

RAT-MEN

Class: Parallel Earth (Earth-AD) animal mutants

Known Representatives: None

Aliases: None

Base of Operations: NYC, NY, Earth-AD

First Appearance: Kamandi #2 (December, 1972-January, 1973)

Powers: The Rat-Men were intelligent evolved rats. They utilized harpoons, firearms, flamethrowers and electrified rod-bags, and ran an underground black market utilizing subterranean tunnels including a former subway system.

History: (Kamandi #2) - In the aftermath of the nuclear Great Disaster most of humanity perished, and the majority of survivors devolved into feral savages, while animals evolved intelligence. The Rat-Men survived as organized gangs and scavengers that had bases under New York. They clashed with the Tiger Empire that ruled the American east coast. The rats captured a research dirigible and raided it, taking prisoner Renzi and Steve, two human mutants. Their fellow mutant Ben Boxer, and Kamandi, the last boy on Earth, invaded the rats underground lair to save the captives. They were quickly captured and put in an electrified cage. Ben was biding his time, hoping the rats would bring them to his fellow mutants. When the rats brought them to their booty depot, containing Renzi and Steve, Ben activated his nuclear powers, and the group easily escaped the rat tunnels. The Rat-Men decided not to pursue them, disliking the idea of wasting bullets when human pelts were worth so little.

(Kamandi #13, 14) - Tiger-Men, Lion-Men, Gorilla-Men, Wolf-Men, Bear-Men and Rat-Men all attended Sacker's Sweeps, a race pitting humans against each other where failure to win meant death. Kamandi was forced by Sacker to race Kliklak, a giant insect, who was wounded during the race. Kamandi tried to tend to his wounds, crying out for a doctor. The crowd taunted him, demanding action, and Kamandi cursed them for their cruelty. Kamandi's rival Bull Bantam, mounted on a gigantic buffalo, lassoed Kamandi. Prince Tuftan was in attendance, and shot the lasso, freeing Kamandi to the boos of the crowd. Kamandi beat Bull to a pulp, winning the race, and was presented with prizes by a group of women, and he realized he was being treated like a thoroughbred. Spirit embraced Kamandi saying she was his, but Kamandi was furious, telling her humans were neither animals nor prizes, and the Leopard-Men silenced him with a rifle butt to the head, and he was dragged away.

(Who's Who: The Definitive Directory of the DC Universe #12 (BTS)) - Earth-AD was erased from existence by the Crisis on Infinite Earths.

Comments: Created by Jack Kirby