Acrobat (New Earth)
The Acrobat was an extremely agile and skilled man working with the Axis powers during World War II as an assassin.
Upon learning of the string of successful missions in the Pacific Theater by the American hero Judo Master and his teen sidekick Tiger, the Acrobat realized that he could help the Axis' cause by simply killing the Judo Master by himself. He learned of a contest to determine who would be the assassin that could perform this mission and joined it, systematically defeating his rivals, such that the Axis powers would have no choice but to assign him to the task. When they did, he hunted Judo Master with enthusiasm. However, despite all his work, he was defeated in combat by his quarry and fled.
The Acrobat had planned to lose in cooperation with the Japanese government. Unbeknownst to Judo Master and his allies, one of their recent recruits and a romantic interest for Judo Master, Suzikawa, was actually spying on the camp and passing along information to the Japanese. She feared for the life of her brother, who she believed was a captive of the Japanese forces. The Japanese planned to let Judo Master learn the truth about her shortly after his first clash with the Acrobat as a way of humiliating and demoralizing the hero; then, when his morale was at its lowest, the Acrobat would attack again and get the upper hand. Initially, upon learning of Suzikawa's apparent betrayal, Judo Master was indeed very demoralized, but he forgave her when he learned her brother's life was at stake. Infuriated at the blackmail she suffered, Judo Master went into his second battle with the Acrobat with increased vigor, and defeated him even more decisively. When he was unmasked, Suzikawa was horrified to learn that the Acrobat had been her brother all along. He had not been a prisoner, but rather, he was a willing servant of the Japanese government. Following his defeat, the Acrobat and his allies were turned over to the Allied authorities.
Appearances
- Judomaster Vol 1 95 (First appearance)
- Judomaster Vol 1 96