OMAC (Buddy Blank)

OMAC (Buddy Blank) is a fictional superhero created in 1974 by Jack Kirby and published by DC Comics.[1] The character was created towards the end of Kirby's contract with the publisher following the cancellation of his New Gods series; it was reportedly developed strictly due to Kirby needing to fill his contractual quota of 15 pages a week.[2][3] As envisioned by Kirby, OMAC is essentially Captain America set in the future, an idea Kirby had toyed with some years earlier while at Marvel Comics but had never realized.[3]

For the OMAC cyborgs, see OMAC (comics).
OMAC
Cover to OMAC #6 (July–August 1975) with the original OMAC. Art by Jack Kirby and D. Bruce Berry.
Publication information
PublisherDC Comics
Created byJack Kirby (writer–artist)
In-story information
Alter egoBuddy Blank
Team affiliationsGlobal Peace Agency
Notable aliasesOne-Man Army Corps
AbilitiesSuperhuman strength, speed, durability and explosive energy generation provided by Brother Eye

Publication history

Set in the near future ("The World That's Coming"),[4] OMAC is a corporate nobody named Buddy Blank who is changed via a "computer-hormonal operation done by remote control" by an A.I.satellite called "Brother Eye" into the super-powered One-Man Army Corps (OMAC).[5]

OMAC works for the Global Peace Agency (GPA), a group of faceless people who police the entire world using pacifistic weapons.[6] The world balance is too dangerous for large armies, so OMAC is used as the main field enforcement agent for the Global Peace Agency. The character initially uses his abilities to save a female coworker at the Pseudo-People factory (manufacturers of androids initially intended as companions but later developed as assassins). The coworker is revealed to be in actuality a bomb, and Blank is left in the employ of the GPA, sacrificing his identity in their relentless war, with faux parents his only consolation and companions.[5]

The original OMAC series ended with its eighth issue (November–December 1975),[7] canceled before the last storyline could be completed, and Kirby wrote an abrupt ending to the series. In Kamandi #50, by other creators, OMAC is tied into the back-story and shown to be Kamandi's grandfather.[8] An "OMAC" back-up feature by Jim Starlin began in issue #59 (Sept.–Oct. 1978), but Kamandi was cancelled after its first appearance. The story was later printed in The Warlord, and led to a new OMAC back-up series in that title (#37–39, 42–47). OMAC appeared with Superman in DC Comics Presents #61.[9]

In 1991 OMAC was featured in a four-issue prestige format limited series by writer/artist John Byrne that was independent of the previous series. Byrne later reused OMAC in Superman & Batman: Generations 3, an Elseworlds limited series.

In Countdown to Final Crisis, Buddy Blank is featured as a retired, balding professor with a blond-haired grandson. In #34, he is mentioned but not seen, and is referred to as having direct contact with Brother Eye. He is contacted by Karate Kid and Una in Countdown #31,[10] and appears in #28[11] and #27.[12] A version of Buddy from Earth-51 appears in #6[13] and #5,[14] in which the Morticoccus virus is released. The virus results in worldwide destruction. Buddy leaves his Project Cadmus laboratory job; assisted by Una, he attempts to rescue his daughter and grandson. They search for Buddy's family in Metropolis, where they are attacked by humanoid rats. Una and Buddy's daughter are both devoured, but one of them manages to pass a Legion flight ring to Buddy. He uses it to take his grandson to safety in the scientific facility "Command D" in Blüdhaven. In the final issue, Countdown to Final Crisis #1, Brother Eye rescues Buddy and his grandson from the bunker and from starvation by turning Buddy into a prototype OMAC with free will. This entity resembles the original Jack Kirby OMAC.[15]

Powers and abilities

Through interfacing with the satellite, via an invisible beam to his receiver belt, Buddy Blank is transformed into OMAC and imbued with an array of superhuman abilities based on remote molecular rearrangement from Brother Eye. For example, an increase in his density grants superhuman strength and enhanced durability, and a decrease in his density allows flight and super-speed. Brother Eye could provide other abilities as well, such as self-repair functions and energy generation.

Other versions

OMACs
The modern OMAC. Cover to The OMAC Project #5 (Oct. 2005). Art by José Ladrönn.
Main article: OMAC (comics)

The character and the Brother Eye satellite were reimagined for the Infinite Crisis storyline. OMACs are portrayed as cyborgs, humans whose bodies have been corrupted by a nano-virus. The characters retain OMAC's mohawk and Brother Eye symbol on their chests. The characters are featured in The OMAC Project limited series which precedes Infinite Crisis, and a subsequent OMAC limited series. The acronym has multiple meanings through the series: "Observational Meta-human Activity Construct",[16] "One-Man Army Corps",[17] and "Omni Mind And Community".[18]

Other
  • In the Superman storyline "For Tomorrow" (2004–2005), two super-soldiers called Equus were featured, each representing a generation of cybernetically enhanced warriors named "One-Man Army Corps" under Mr. Elias Orr. They bore no physical resemblance to any other version of the OMAC.[19]
  • The Tangent Comics comic The Joker's Wild (1998) parodied OMAC with a beta-version automated policeman called "Omegatech Mechanoid Armored Cop".[20]
  • DC would later make a nod to OMAC during the DC One Million event in 1998. In Superboy #1,000,000, one of the future Superboys is known as Superboy OMAC, or "One Millionth Actual Clone", and the title of the story was "One Million And Counting", repeating the acronym.[21] He appeared in the Superboy and Young Justice specials, as well as the DC One Million mini-series. His appearance is based on OMAC, and he gains increased power from Brother Eye.
  • In Kingdom Come, Alex Ross created a female version of OMAC named OWAC (One-Woman Army Corps).[22]
  • The DC One Million 80 Page Giant introduced a female Luthor with OMAC elements who called herself the One Woman Adversary Chamber.[23]
  • OMAC made a brief appearance in Elseworlds' JLA: Another Nail when all time periods meld together.[24]
  • Some basic OMAC units resembling the first OMAC were featured in Final Crisis.
  • In the Multiversity series, the cyborg Ben Boxer (a character from the Kamandi series) is an OMAC, calling himself bioMAC.[25]

In other media

Television
OMAC from Batman: Brave and the Bold episode "When OMAC Attacks."

The original OMAC, Buddy Blank appears in the Batman: The Brave and the Bold episode "When OMAC Attacks" voiced by Jeff Bennett. OMAC battles Shrapnel in a long and destructive battle arranged by Equinox.[26] In this episode, Buddy lacks knowledge that he is OMAC. Batman doesn't find out until the GPA tells of him of Blank's purpose. While OMAC handles Shrapnel, Batman interrogates and fights Equinox. Shrapnel is eventually brought to justice by OMAC and the previously clumsy Buddy Blank buys time for Batman to stop a nuclear meltdown by distracting Equinox after reverting from his OMAC form. In "The Power of Shazam", OMAC is among the heroes that is taken over by the Starros.

Video games

Batman's ending in Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe involves him creating OMAC (Outerworld Monitor and Auto Containment) robot versions of Batman to maintain the balance between Earthrealm and the DC Universe. It is designed to monitor and trap invaders from different universes.

Toys

Collected editions
  • Jack Kirby's O.M.A.C.: One Man Army Corps collects O.M.A.C.: One Man Army Corps #1–8, 200 pages, May 2008, ISBN 1-4012-1790-7[28]

See also

References
  1. Cowsill, Alan; Irvine, Alex; Korte, Steve; Manning, Matt; Wiacek, Win; Wilson, Sven (2016). The DC Comics Encyclopedia: The Definitive Guide to the Characters of the DC Universe. DK Publishing. p. 222. ISBN 978-1-4654-5357-0.
  2. Callahan, Timothy (June 5, 2008). "Jack Kirby's O.M.A.C.: One Man Army Corps". Comic Book Resources. Archived from the original on June 17, 2011. Retrieved January 6, 2013.
  3. Evanier, Mark (2008). "Introduction". Jack Kirby's O.M.A.C.: One Man Army Corps. New York, New York: DC Comics. pp. 3–5. ISBN 1-4012-1790-7.
  4. McAvennie, Michael; Dolan, Hannah, ed. (2010). "1970s". DC Comics Year By Year A Visual Chronicle. London, United Kingdom: Dorling Kindersley. p. 161. ISBN 978-0-7566-6742-9. In OMAC's first issue, editor/writer/artist Jack Kirby warned readers of "The World That's Coming!", a future world containing wild concepts that are almost frighteningly real today.CS1 maint: extra text: authors list (link)
  5. Kirby, Jack (w), Kirby, Jack (p), Royer, Mike (i). "Brother Eye and Buddy Blank" OMAC 1 (September–October 1974)
  6. Cronin, Brian (November 3, 2012). "The Abandoned An' Forsaked – Who Are the Global Peace Agency?". Comic Book Resources. Archived from the original on April 21, 2015.
  7. OMAC at the Grand Comics Database
  8. O'Neil, Dennis (w), Ayers, Dick (p), Alcala, Alfredo; Auad, Manuel (i). "The Death Worshippers!" Kamandi, The Last Boy on Earth 50 (April–May 1977)
  9. Wein, Len (w), Pérez, George (p), Marcos, Pablo (i). "The Once-and-Future War!" DC Comics Presents 61 (September 1983)
  10. Dini, Paul; McKeever, Sean (w), Garcia, Manuel (p), Ramos, Rodney (i). "New Frontiers" Countdown to Final Crisis 31 (November 2007 (September 26, 2007))
  11. Dini, Paul: Bedard, Tony (w), Barrionuevo, Al (p), Thibert, Art (i). "Now, Forager" Countdown to Final Crisis 28 (December 2007 (October 17, 2007))
  12. Dini, Paul; McKeever, Sean (w), Magno, Carlos (p), Ramos, Rodney (i). "Disasters Great & Otherwise" Countdown to Final Crisis 29 (December 2007 (October 24, 2007))
  13. Dini, Paul; Beechen, Adam (w), Norton, Mike (p), Palmiotti, Jimmy (i). "Outbreak" Countdown to Final Crisis 6 (May 2008 (March 19, 2008))
  14. Dini, Paul; Beechen, Adam (w), Starlin, Jim (p), Ramos, Rodney (i). "End Times" Countdown to Final Crisis 5 (May 2008 (March 26, 2008))
  15. Dini, Paul; Giffen, Keith (w), Derenick, Tom (p), Faucher, Wayne (i). "Loose Ends" Countdown to Final Crisis 1 (June 2008 (April 23, 2008))
  16. Rucka, Greg (w), Saiz, Jesus (p), Saiz, Jesus (i). "---Part One--- The Eye in the Sky" The OMAC Project 1 (June 2005)
  17. Rucka, Greg (w), Saiz, Jesus; Richards, Cliff (p), Saiz, Jesus; Wiacek, Bob (i). "---Part Five---...Long Live the King!" The OMAC Project 5 (October 2005)
  18. Rucka, Greg (w), Saiz, Jesus; Richards, Cliff (p), Saiz, Jesus; Wiacek, Bob (i). "---Conclusion---Loss of Signal" The OMAC Project 6 (November 2005)
  19. Azzarello, Brian; Lee, JIm (2009). Absolute Superman: For Tomorrow. New York, New York: DC Comics. p. 328. ISBN 978-1401221980.
  20. Kesel, Karl; Simmons, Tom (w), Phillips, Joe (p), Rodriguez, Jasen (i). "B-B-B-Blackout!" Tangent Comics / The Joker's Wild 1 (September 1998)
  21. Kesel, Karl (w), Grummett, Tom (p), Kesel, Karl (i). "OMAC: One Million and Counting!" Superboy v3, 1,000,000 (November 1998)
  22. Waid, Mark (w), Ross, Alex (a). "Truth And Justice" Kingdom Come 2 (June 1996)
  23. Millar, Mark (w), Wieringo, Mike (p), Case, Richard (i). "System's Finest" DC One Million 80-Page Giant 1,000,000 (August 1999)
  24. Davis, Alan (w), Davis, Alan (p), Farmer, Mark (i). JLA: Another Nail 3 (2004)
  25. Morrison, Grant (w), To, Marcus (p), Siqueira, Paulo (i). "Maps and Legends" The Multiversity Guidebook 1 (March 2015)
  26. Vietti, Brandon (director); Berkowitz, Stan (writer) (October 16, 2009). "When OMAC Attacks!". Batman: The Brave and the Bold. Season 1. Episode 123. 22 minutes in. Cartoon Network.
  27. Pickett, Daniel (September 14, 2010). "Mattel's DCUC 15 – OMAC". Action Figure Insider. Archived from the original on November 8, 2015.
  28. "Jack Kirby's O.M.A.C.: One Man Army Corps". DC Comics.com. Archived from the original on March 25, 2013. Retrieved January 6, 2013.
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