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THE GRAYMAN I
Created by Keith Giffen & J.M. DeMatteis

PERSONAL DATA

  •   Name: Unknown
  •   Height: 6'1"
  •   Weight 177 lbs
  •   Eyes: Gray
  •   Hair: Gray
  •   Family: Unknown
  •   Residence: Mobile
  •   Occupation: Collector of dream essence from the dead
  •   Group Affiliation Lords of Order
  •   1st Appearance: Justice League #31
  •   Current Status: Active. The current Gray Man received a cosmic lobotomy from the Lords of Order & Chaos and continues to walk the Earth collecting dream essence from the dead. He no longer has any independent thought or will. However, now that the Lords of Order & Chaos have left the realm of man, what is his purpose?

     
     
    HISTORY

    When the original Gray Man was released from his bonds by the Lords of Order (See Justice League #2 - 7 (Volume II)), the Lords of Order chose another human to perform the task. For awhile, the new Gray Man continued the task of collecting dream essence from the dead and channeling that power to the Lords of Order, to sustain their magical powers. It is unclear why he decided to rebel against the Lords of Order but something caused him to the change the rules. He realized that by keeping the dream essence for himself, he could use the power that was meant for the Lords of Order, so he put into a plan of mass suicides, so he could receive the power faster.

    The Gray Man chose an insane scientist called IrwinTeasdale to help slaughter thousands of people in an unnamed European village. Teasdale, a research scientist helped reproduce the disease strain called poryphrya that caused people to virtually turn into vampires. Teasdale was funded by Stagg Industries and once he perfected the disease, the head of Stagg Industries planned to kill Teasdale. Unaware of his future, Teasdale accompanied a pilot in a helicopter to spread the disease in a town in Europe so they could test their new found discovery. However on their way back to Stagg Industries, the pilot pulled a gun on Teasdale. Teasdale struggled with the pilot and helicopter crashed violently. Amazingly, Teasdale survived the crashed but discovered that his saviour was not God but the Gray Man.

    The Gray Man was watching Teasdale create the disease and knew that by spreading the disease, the vampire zombies could be controlled and orderer to their death thus increasing the Gray Man's power. Teasdale was promised power by the Gray Man and the chance for revenge against Stagg, while the Gray Man wanted the power to rule the world and then the cosmos. Thousands of people died from the spreading of the disease in Europe which alerted the Justice League Europe (JLE) to the crisis. Although the Spectre sensed something wrong, he decided not to interfere until he could discover who was behind this. The JLE was attacked by hundred of vampires and in a desperation, they called in their American counterparts, the Justice League America to assist.

    Sensing the Spectre, Doctor Fate II (Linda Strauss) went to speak to the Spectre and discovered that the Gray Man was behind the slaughters. Seeking an audience with the Lords of Order, the Spectre and Doctor Fate tried to get them to stop the Gray Man. Refusing to assist, Doctor Fate was banished from the realm of Order and returned to face the Gray Man. While some of the JLE and JLA fought the mindless zombies, the others fought against the Gray Man. Doctor Fate also joined in the battle but after failing to talk some sense into him, Doctor Fate was captured. Teasdale ordered the thousands of zombies to walk into an electrified fence of Stagg Industries, killing them in hordes. While Stagg was investigating the uproar, Teasdale was about to about kill but in an ironic twist of fate, he was killed by the Gray Man as he continued to fight the JLA and JLE. Finally the Spectre appeared with the Lords of Order and Chaos to end the Gray Man's thirst for power. For the first time in known history, the Lords of Order and Chaos actually worked together and gave the Gray Man, the equivalent of a cosmic lobotomy. He would continue to walk the Earth collecting the dream essence from the dead but without independent thought or will. (See Justice League Europe #8)

    It is unknown whether the Gray Man still walks the Earth collecting dream essence as the Lords of Order and Chaos have left the realm of man.

    POWERS

  •   Powers: The Gray man was able to extract the dream essence from any person whether living of dead. The Gray Man's magical abilities are unknown.

  •   Limitations: The Gray Man's powers are limited.

    PRINCIPLE ADVERSARIES

    • Doctor Fate II
    • Justice League America
    • Justice League Europe

    APPEARANCES

    • JSA Secret Files #1 (Aug 1999)
    • Justice League America #31-32 (Oct - Nov 1989)
    • Justice League Europe #7-8 (Oct - Nov 1989)

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