Comic Title: DC Special Blue Ribbon Digest #22
Publisher: DC
Cover Date: June 1982
On Sale Date: March 4, 1982 Newsstand Date March 4, 1982
Source: Comic Reader, #199

Newsstand Date March 4, 1982
Source: DC Coming Attractions, #64

Newsstand Date March 4, 1982
Source: Comics Journal, #71

Newsstand Date March 4, 1982
Source: Amazing Heroes, #9

Copyright Date February 9, 1982
Source: Library of Congress, Copyright Office 1982
DC publication dates beyond April 1981 listed by the LoC
represent shipping dates NOT newsstand sale dates

Shipping Date February 9, 1982
Source: DC Coming Attractions, #64

Cover Price: $0.95
Page Count: 96
Editor: E. Nelson Bridwell

See Also: The Guide to DC Giants

Title: "I Was the Man with Animal Powers"
Pages: 16

Feature(s):
Animal Man (of Earth-1)

Writer: Dave Wood
Penciller: Carmine Infantino
Inker: George Roussos

Reprinted From:
Strange Adventures #180 (1965)

Feature Character(s)

• Buddy Baker (origin revealed; first appearance; next appearance in Strange Adventures #184)

Supporting Character(s)

• Ellen Frazier (Buddy's girlfriend; first appearance; next appearance in Strange Adventures #184)
• Roger Denning (Buddy's best friend; first appearance; next appearance in Strange Adventures #184)

Villain(s)

• An alien creature (dies in this story; no further appearances)

Other Character(s)

• Escaped circus animals and their trainers (no further appearances)

Comments:
Buddy Baker later takes the name and costumed identity of Animal Man.

Synopsis:
While hunting in the woods, Buddy Baker sees a blinding flash of light. After the flash, he is attacked by a tiger. Buddy also finds that he possesses the tiger's animal characteristics and escapes. Buddy's friend Roger explains that a nearby circus train has derailed, releasing several animals. Buddy believes he acquired the abilities of the animals when the light flashed. His theory proves correct as he rounds up a gorilla and an elephant using their strength.

Buddy and Roger find the crash of an alien spaceship that was responsible for the flash of light. An alien creature has survived the crash, so Buddy puts his animal powers into action to fight the creature. The creature possesses even greater power than Buddy, but he is able to lure the creature to a nearby cliff. He then shows the creature some mice, scaring it. The creature also absorbs animal powers, including the fear instinct of the mice. The alien falls off the cliff to his doom.

Buddy's powers fade after time, but the experience gives him confidence to propose to his girlfriend Ellen.