MANHUNTER
In 1973 Archie Goodwin was editing Detective Comics and had an idea for doing a back-up story for a globetrotting crime fighter that would become known as Manhunter. He thought he would create a character that contrasted with Batman. While Batman was the Dark Knight and very urban, Manhunter would be in brighter colors and the world would be his backdrop. Where Batman was more or less an empty hand combatant, this guy would carry weaponry.
Paul Kirk was a costumed hero of the 1930 and 1940 known as Manhunter, but had retired from the super hero game and had become a world traveling adventurer. Kirk was killed by a bull elephant on safari in the late 1940s, but his body was recovered and cryogenically preserved and improved with a healing factor and eventually resurrected by the a secret society of the ultra rich and powerful called the Council dedicated to controlling the world.
Kirk was trained in the ancient arts of the Ninja by Asano Nitobe . Kirk used primarily three weapons: a modifier C96 Mauser machine pistol, an Indian Katar dagger and two suriken throwing stars.
The genetically improved Kirk was also the genetic source for an army of clones [ this story pre dates Star Wars], which the Council intended to use as their paramilitary arm, with Paul Kirk as their leader.
Kirk soon realizes the nefarious aim of world domination by The Council. Kirk goes on the run and once more dons a costume as Manhunter, waging a war against the Council and their army of cones with the help of Interpol agent Christine St. Clair and Nitobe.
The Manhunter saga has everything Warner Brothers could want in a tent pole movie franchise, costume super hero action, James Bond type espionage, science fiction technology, adventure, timely social commentary, stunning visuals and humor. The right screenwriter [I’m available] taking the Goodwin and Simonson story and expanding it and enhancing the story arcs can breathe life into a fantastic action adventure film series audiences would adore for years to come.
Next: Deadman