Animal Man Vol.1 - The Hunt

Buddy Baker has gone from "super" man to family man – but is he strong enough to hold his family together when Maxine, his young daughter, starts to manifest her own dangerous powers? Find out in this dramatic new series from writer Jeff Lemire (SWEET TOOTH) and artist Travel Foreman (The Immortal Iron Fist).

For Buddy Baker, the life of super-heroics he once knew has been replaced with domestic routine at home with his wife, Ellen, and his children, Cliff and Maxine. Still, he hasn’t abandoned Animal Man just yet, and when reports come in about a hostage situation in a nearby hospital, he springs into action.

A short order cook named Lyle Edwin has armed himself and taken over the children’s ward. His daughter died three weeks ago, following a two year battle with cancer. Edwin has lost his mind with grief, and demands that the doctors give him his little girl back.

Animal Man heads in to speak with him, but Edwin refuses to negotiate and shoots him twice. Instinctively, Animal Man slips into the life web and summons the defenses of a rhinoceros to protect him. Then, with the strength of an elephant, the reflexes of a fly, the speed of a cheetah, and the bark of a dog, he incapacitates Edwin and ensures the children’s safety.

The police arrive to secure the scene, but they find a disturbing sight. Though victorious, Animal Man stands before them with blood pouring from his eyes.

Animal Man is examined by a doctor, but there appears to be nothing wrong with him. If anything, he feels more powerful than ever. The hospital staff would like to run more tests, but Buddy Baker just wants to go home.

That night, in bed beside Ellen, Buddy Baker’s mind plays host to nightmares known as the Hunters Three.

He wakes up alone and hears his wife and son calling to him from outside.

There in the yard, Maxine sits, surrounded by the corpses of all their deceased pets...