Sludge (comics)

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caption= Cover to Sludge #1 Art by Aaron Lopresti and Gary Martin
comic_color=background:#1E90FF
character_name=Sludge
real_name=Frank Hoag
publisher=Malibu Comics
debut="Sludge" #1
creators=Steve Gerber
Gary Martin
Aaron Lopresti
alliance_color=background:#7FFFD4
alliances=NYPD
aliases=
powers=-Superhuman strength and durability
-Healing factor
-Ability to cause spontaneous tissue growth in others by touch |

"Sludge" was a comic book series from Malibu Comics, set in the Ultraverse. It was created by Steve Gerber, Gary Martin and Aaron Lopresti. "Sludge" ran for only twelve issues, with one special: "Sludge: Red X-Mas". A second special, "Sludge: Swamp of Souls", was planned but never completed. A partial script can be found at [http://www.stevegerber.com/ stevegerber.com]

Frank Hoag was a corrupt NYPD detective who finally grew a spine when he was asked by his mob bosses to kill a fellow dirty cop. When he refuses, his own murder is ordered; he dies by a hail of bullets as well as a bomb. The explosion covers him with chemicals, which combine with the sewage from where the mobsters dump his body. The chemicals had regenerative properties and tried to heal Hoag, but combined the sewer substances with his body, transforming him into a huge mass of living slime. He awakens with a raging anger against criminals and an inability to think and speak coherently. Many words come out replaced with one that sounds similar, such as 'munch' instead of 'mutual'.

There exists a connection between the chemicals that transformed Frank Hoag into Sludge and Dr. Gross' research. Dr. Gross conducted the experiments that allowed Kevin Green to transform into Prime.

One of Frank's allies is Chas, a blind homeless man who sells newspapers. He doesn't comprehend that Frank has transformed, he only thinks he has gained an 'underwater voice'. Frank takes a paper from Chas, claiming to be good for it and reads about deaths in the sewers.

Frank meets Shelley Winters, a sensationlistic reporter, in the sewers. She was investigating the same case that interests Frank and she discovers upon Veffir Voon Iyax, a humanoid, albino alligator-man. Veffir had killed the two people and many more. During the fight, Veffir claims he is from another world, and that nobody who meets him lives. Despite this, Sludge kills him in battle and demands thirty-five cents from Winters. He uses this to pay back Chas.

Lord Pumpkin's first appearance was in Sludge's series as a recurrent foe. Rune debuted in a backup feature of "Sludge #1" (but he does not meet or interact with Sludge in it).

Powers and Abilities

Sludge has a tremendous regenerative ability, healing most wounds in seconds, and able to regrow large areas of body tissue. Submersion in water speeds up this ability. He does not require air and is immune to most chemical toxins.

Appearances in Other Media

Sludge appeared in the Ultraforce animated cartoon.