Sportsmaster

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caption=
comic_color=background:#ff8080
character_name=Sportsmaster
real_name=Lawrence Crock
publisher=DC Comics
debut="All-American Comics" #85 (May 1947)
creators=John Broome
Irwin Hasen
alliance_color=background:#ccccc
alliances=
aliases=Crusher Crock
|powers=|The Sportsmaster is a DC Comics villain who uses his sports skill for criminal purposes. He first appeared in "All-American Comics" #85 (May 1947), and was created by writer John Broome and artist Irwin Hasen. [Comic book reference | writer=Broome, John | penciller=Hasen, Jack | inker=Belfi, John | story=The Rise and Fall of Crusher Crock | title=All-American Comics | volume=1 | issue=85 | date=May, 1947 | publisher=DC Comics | page= | panel= ]

Crusher Crock

He was the foe of the original Green Lantern as well as Wildcat. He was first known as Crusher Crock, a frustrated athlete who turns to a life of crime.Citation | last = Wallace | first = Dan | author-link = | contribution = Crazy Creations | editor-last = Dougall | editor-first = Alastair | title = The DC Comics Encyclopedia | pages = 92 | publisher = Dorling Kindersley | place = New York | year = 2008 | ISBN = 0-7566-4119-5 | oclc = 213309017] He was a member of different incarnations of the Injustice Society and he teams up with (and later marries) the Golden Age villainess Huntress. Later they have a child named Artemis Crock who became the third Tigress. In his later years he spent time behind bars but at least on one occasion was broken out of prison by his daughter - then a member of Injustice Unlimited. [Comic book reference | writer=Thomas, Roy | penciller=McFarlane, Todd | inker=DeZuniga, Tony | story=Beat the Clock | title=Infinity, Inc. | volume=1 | issue=35 | date=February, 1987 | publisher=DC Comics | page= | panel= ] Following his death, his body was cloned by a secret organization called The Council for their enforcers (they had previously used Paul Kirk, Manhunter).

In the Elseworlds miniseries The Golden Age, set outside regular DC Comics continuity, Sportsmaster's real name was revealed to be Lawrence Crock. He dies to save a little girl from being killed by Dynaman.

Earth-One

The Earth-1 version of the character (see DC Comics Multiverse) had the same name and origin, but was the foe of Robin and Batgirl. He also married his universe's version of the Huntress. After losing a villains versus heroes baseball game they reformed, and have not been seen since. Since the "Crisis on Infinite Earths", this version was apparently wiped from existence.

Victor Gover

There was also another Sportsmaster whose identity was Victor Gover, a former football player who possessed "photographic reflexes". He fought against Manhunter and later became a member of the Suicide Squad for one mission during War of the Gods: He was one of the few members to survive this mission. Gover recently resurfaced, betting on himself in a fight against Wildcat, which led the latter to uncover a betting parlor based on metahuman fights. Gover then fought against a handicapped JSA, who were taking a dive to ensure the kidnapped Ma Hunkel's safety. After Wildcat freed Ma Hunkel, the JSA quickly routed him. Wildcat then took Gover to the alley where the whole incident began, beat Gover savagely, and forced Gover to retire as a supervillain and attend Gamblers Anonymous.

portsmen

There were two individuals who modeled their modus operandi after the Sportsmaster, the Sportsman of Earth-2 and Micky Mantle the Sportsman of Earth-1.

The Earth-2 version gained his powers from absorption of an anti-proton globe which enhanced his physical attributes and allowed him to wield seemingly telekinetic control of various sports related implements. This version embarked on a life of crime as a result of the globe's effect on the rational functions of his cerebral cortex. He battled several heroes including the Golden Age Robin and Wildcat.

The Earth-1 version was a frustrated former athlete who subjected himself to his father's enhancement treatment and embarked on a brief life of crime with Olympian level physical attributes and specialized equipment of his own design. His adversary was the Silver Age Batman who allowed him to "win" once he became aware that Mantle's life was nearing its end.

Powers and abilities

Crock uses sporting-themed weapons such as exploding baseballs, flying bases, rocket baseball bats, knockout basketballs, lacrosse snare nets, exploding hockey pucks. Their outfits generally included a baseball cap, pitcher's mask, padded jersey, pitcher's chestguard, football-style pants, and cleats.

Each of the Sportsmasters and Sportsmen had superb physical attributes on par with Olympic athletes in their prime.

Other media

The "Justice League" animated series 2-part episode "Legends" featured the Sportsman, a character inspired by the Sportsmaster. He was played by Michael McKean.

Later, Sportsmaster made a brief appearance as the first opponent seen being defeated by Wildcat in the secret metahuman tournament Meta-Brawl held by Roulette. He later appears as a member of Gorilla Grodd's Secret Society.

In the "Batman Adventures" comic (set in the DC Animated Universe) Sportsmaster appeared as one of Black Mask's lieutenants.

References