Floyd Barstow (New Earth)

History

The being called Anomaly is actually a clone of former gangster Floyd "Bullets" Barstow. Following the real Barstow's death, his body was donated for scientific research, and cellular samples from it found their way to Project Cadmus, a facility that specializes in genetic research and cloning. The samples were used to create a clone of Barstow for further study, and for a time, the clone…advance-aged to adulthood via unique processes that Cadmus has kept top secret…served as a custodian and test subject for the Project.

At one point, Project Cadmus played unwilling host to a young woman named Misa, who belongs to a race of genetically enhanced beings called the Hairies. This group lives in a secret enclosure near the Project Cadmus headquarters, on the outskirts of Metropolis, and was actually created by Cadmus and later given autonomy in exchange for their help from time to time. Misa, who is naturally innately curious, decided to investigate her neighbors and see what kind of mischief she could get into. She was therefore attacked by various Cadmus security teams and weaponry, and the Barstow clone also came into battle with her.

Using technology developed by the Hairies, Misa subdued the Barstow clone with a special device. Exposure to this device led to the clone developing super-human powers. Whether this occurred because the clone, and therefore Barstow himself, had the metagene, or whether it was the result of genetic tampering by the Project Cadmus, is unclear.

The Barstow clone now has the power to absorb the properties of any non-organic material he touches, and to thus transform his entire body into that material. For instance, if he should touch solid steel, then he can become steel himself.

Shorthly thereafter, the clone realized that he could use these powers for his own profit, and escaped from Cadmus. Calling himself Anomaly, he quickly drew the attention of a group of villains called the Superman Revenge Squad, organized by media mogul Morgan Edge. Anomaly was invited to join the Squad and did so. However, he and the other Squad members were defeated by Superman, and Anomaly was sent to prison.

A short while later, Anomaly escaped, and was recruited by the global criminal network called Intergang as one of its enforcers. Realizing what a goldmine existed at the Project Cadmus, Anomaly was asked to help Intergang take over the facility. While they were there, however, Anomaly came into conflict with the Project's security head, the Guardian, and found that he did not have the heart to hurt his longtime friend. He then resolved to change his ways, and helped prevent Intergang from taking over the Project. Anomaly now continues to live at Project Cadmus, and is an active part of the facility's security team.

Powers and Abilities

Powers

Material Duplication: Floyd Barstow' possesses the ability to bodily duplicate at will the physical properties of anything he touches or that touches him. This power extends to both animate and inanimate objects and certain forms of energy. The matter of the Floyd Barstow's body physiologically changes so that his body actually becomes composed of the matter he is making contact with. While he is in this altered state, he still possesses his sentience despite the fact that his brain is now composed of the same material as the rest of him. Among the more ordinary materials he has been transformed into include steel, stone, wood, etc.

Notes

• Anomaly's powers are similar to Amazing Man.

Links and References

• 4 Appearances of Floyd Barstow (New Earth)
• Minor Appearances of Floyd Barstow (New Earth)
• Media Floyd Barstow (New Earth) was Mentioned in
• Images featuring Floyd Barstow (New Earth)
• Quotations by or about Floyd Barstow (New Earth)
• Character Gallery: Floyd Barstow (New Earth)

Footnotes

Superman Villain(s) This character is or was primarily an enemy of Superman in any of his various incarnations, or members of the Superman Family. This template will categorize articles that include it into the "Superman Villains category."