| Ambush Bug | |
|---|---|
 Ambush Bug as depicted inAction Comics #565 (March 1985). Art by Keith Giffen. | |
| Publication information | |
| Publisher | DC Comics |
| First appearance | DC Comics Presents #52 (December 1982) |
| Created by | Keith Giffen |
| In-story information | |
| Alter ego | Irwin Schwab (supposedly) |
| Team affiliations |
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| Notable aliases | Amber Butane of the Amber Butane Corps |
| Abilities |
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Ambush Bug is a superhero appearing inAmerican comic books published byDC Comics. His real name is supposedlyIrwin Schwab, but he has mental problems that prevent him from truly understanding reality around him, so even his true identity might be no more than a delusion on his part. His origin is disputed, although the most commonly accepted origin is that Brum-El (an allusion toBeau Brummell as well asSuperman's fatherJor-El) of the planet Schwab sent his clothes from his supposedly doomed planet, hoping that his wardrobe would survive, only to have it intercepted by a giant radioactive space spider. In the resulting crash, only two articles of clothing survived: the Ambush Bug suit, which was subsequently found by Irwin Schwab; and "Argh!Yle!", an argyle sock with aDoctor Doom–like complex, complete with metal mask.[1]
Created by artistKeith Giffen as an intentionally silly character, Ambush Bug first appeared inDC Comics Presents #52 (Dec. 1982)[2] and would make appearances in several otherSuperman-related comic books in the early 1980s.Paul Kupperberg, who wrote Ambush Bug's first story, recalled, "as Keith was in the office, he sat in on the plotting and offered up Ambush Bug as an antagonist. The Bug is entirely Keith's creation ..."[3] Giffen stated that both Ambush Bug andLobo were derived fromLunatik, a character he created in high school.[4] Giffen said that his original pitch was "Bugs Bunny as a super-villain".[5]
In response to positive reader reaction to the character's first appearance, editorJulius Schwartz directed Giffen to create another Ambush Bug story forDC Comics Presents #59.[6] At first, Ambush Bug was a villain, named after a type of insect, and having a green, skintight suit with two orange antennae containing miniature robot bugs that enable him to teleport. After attacking Superman and other heroes, Ambush Bug decides instead to be asuperhero as well. He also fancies himself Superman's friend, which only annoys the hero even more than his early villainy. The costume becomes permanently affixed to his body, and he gains the power to teleport by himself. While trying to fix one of the miniature bugs, it explodes, causing a chain reaction and a blast that destroys all of the bugs and tints Ambush Bug's costume temporarily black; he then becomes capable of teleporting even without the bugs (briefly considering changing his moniker to Black Beetle instead).
Ambush Bug became popular enough to be featured in two comic book miniseries and several specials, plotted and pencilled by Keith Giffen and scripted byRobert Loren Fleming. The series contains many comic book-enthusiast and DC in-jokes and satire; series editor Julius Schwartz is also a character in the book.[7]
During his own four-part series in 1985, he picks up a doll and, thinking it is alive, "adopted" it as a partner called "Cheeks, The Toy Wonder", complete with its own costume.
In 2001, Ambush Bug appears as a member of the "Justice League of Anarchy" alongsidePlastic Man, theCreeper,Harley Quinn,'Mazing Man, and theTrickster. This group of DC Universe troublemakers made a one-panel cameo in a series exploring variations on theJLA acronym,JLA: Justice League of Amazons.
Ambush Bug is largely considered an absurd character and is rarely used by other writers, though he still exists in the DC Universe and occasionally still appears in some DC Comics. His popularity amongst creators has led to many "cameos", sometimes with as little as his antennae being visible. In the 2006 series52, Ambush Bug appears as part ofFirestorm's short-livedJustice League of America. InCountdown to Final Crisis (2007),Jimmy Olsen briefly gains the appearance of Ambush Bug and subconsciously uses his power of "Dumb Luck" to locateForager.
An Ambush Bug miniseries,Ambush Bug: Year None, debuted in 2008, plotted and pencilled by Giffen, and written by Fleming, with Jann Jones serving as editor. The final issue was published almost a year after the rest of the series.Dan DiDio claims to have lost issue #6, which was skipped to finish off the series with issue #7.[8]
Ambush Bug was seen in the newDoom Patrol series in 2010 at the end of issue #9, arriving with his luggage and Cheeks. He appeared semi-regularly until the series ended.
Ambush Bug made another appearance, in issue #46 of the outside of regular DC continuityTiny Titans series.
InThe New 52 continuity reboot, Ambush Bug appears as a news reporter in the feature "Channel 52", which summarizes the comics' plots.[9]
Ambush Bug's primary power is teleportation. At first, this was a function of his suit; he was limited to teleporting to where small receiver bugs were located. Later, after an explosion, Ambush Bug internalized this power. It became apparent, inDC Comics Presents #81, that the Bug used to have to say "Simon says" to teleport, but it is no longer necessary. Ambush Bug is also aware of his fictionality and aware of events in other publishers' comic books. He once was shown being able to follow the internal dialogue between Firestorm's component personalities. Ambush Bug also shows surprising agility and skill at unarmed combat, such as gouging the eyes of enemies attacking him from behind or knocking out members of theLegion of Substitute Heroes with a single blow. His unusual way of thinking is also a great advantage and often allows him to guess opponents' tactics and outmaneuver them, humiliating them in the process.
Ambush the Lunatik, an intergalactic bounty hunter based on Ambush Bug andMarvel Comics characterLunatik, appears inAmalgam Comics'Lobo the Duck #1 (April 1997).
A heavily armored Ambush Bug appears inElseworld's Finest: Supergirl & Batgirl as a member of theJustice Society of America.
A group called the "Ambush Bugs" appear in theFlashpoint tie-inThe Canterbury Cricket, consisting ofQueen Bee,Blue Beetle,Firefly, Cockroach, and theCanterbury Cricket. They are formed to fight theAmazons, but all save for the Canterbury Cricket are killed by them.[11]
Ambush Bug appears in theBatman: The Brave and the Bold series finale "Mitefall!", voiced byHenry Winkler.[12] He tries to thwartBat-Mite's attempts to make the showjump the shark and force its cancellation while assisting Batman andAquaman in fightingGorilla Grodd. While Bat-Mite succeeds and has the series replaced with aBatgirl series, Ambush Bug reveals it will have a dark tone and will not feature Bat-Mite before organizing a wrap party for the series' cast.
(Ambush Bug) made his debut in the pages ofDC Comics Presents #52...(by) writer Paul Kupperberg and artist Keith Giffen.
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