Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom is adding several new characters to appear alongside Arthur in the DCEU sequel. One of these new cast members is a fairly obscure character by the name of Karshon, who actually has roots as another hero’s villain. Karshon, aka the Shark, is a mutagenic menace from the depths who’s fought both Green Lantern and Aquaman.
The Shark has gone through several forms, names and power sets but psionics and an aquatic body are the most recurring features. But while the movie version is a woman, the character in the comics is male. This likely won’t be the only change applied to the character, who, despite his history, is still relatively obscure, especially compared to the likes of King Shark. Here’s a look at the comic book history of Karshon and how this might play out on the big screen.
DC’s Karshon Is a Tiger Shark Mutated by Radiation
Karshon debuted in Green Lantern #24 and was simply known as the Shark. The creature came into being when a radioactive explosion mutated a nearby shark into a humanoid variant of the fish. This human Shark not only had great intelligence but also psionic powers and abilities that removed the challenge from most things. Searching for a worthwhile, the Shark challenged Green Lantern, having captured most of Coast City in a bubble.
Green Lantern’s defeat of the creature led to a continued rivalry with the Emerald Guardian. This included not only the Hal Jordan version of Green Lantern but also Guy Gardner. Shark would meet his end when a boat exploded soon after, but Gardner would revive him to assist him during Crisis on Infinite Earths.
A Green Lantern Foe, Karshon Once Deposed Aquaman as King of Atlantis
At one point, the Shark gained a tiger shark form that was also able to take on a humanoid appearance. He would then take on the form of an Atlantean named Karshon, using this new body to fight and even defeat Aquaman in combat. Rising to this challenge allowed Karshon to take the throne of Atlantis and rule it as its king. Fortunately, Aquaman was able to win back the throne from the usurper, who promptly reverted back to his tiger shark form.
Karshon Was a Suicide Squad Member – Briefly
Another version of the character briefly appeared in the Post-Rebirth DC continuity, where he mainly operated as a member of the Suicide Squad. There, he killed a rebel fighter named Scale before being forced to work with his brother fin. Ironically, this would lead to Karshon/Shark’s own poetic death when, while seeking vengeance for his brother, Fin used his ability to communicate with aquatic life to summon several sharks to eat Karshon. Needless to say, Karshon wasn’t nearly as vital to the Squad as the more well-known King Shark.
Karshon’s Extensive Powers – and How Aquaman Beat Him
Karshon’s mutated physiology grants him super strength, endurance and razor-sharp claws and teeth, but he also has the power to swim incredibly fast and use psionic abilities to control others’ minds and levitate objects, including himself. These powers and abilities definitely make him a potential threat to both Green Lantern and Aquaman.
Aquaman defeated him in the comics by forcing him to be exposed to more radioactive material while Karshon was in his shark form. This forced him to devolve back into a normal shark, rendering him far less deadly to the King of the Seven Seas. It’s unknown how the Aquaman sequel will adapt and change the character besides gender, so Arthur may not have the same option when he faces Karshon in the search for the Lost Kingdom.
To see how Karshon is changed for the big screen, Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom arrives in theaters Dec. 16, 2022.
About The Author
