Comic Title: Strange Adventures #180
Publisher: DC (National Periodical Publications, Inc.)
Address: 575 Lexington Avenue, New York, NY
Cover Date: September 1965
On Sale Date: July 29, 1965 Newsstand Date July 29, 1965
Source: House Ad, House of Secrets #74, Page 10

Copyright Date July 29, 1965
Source: Library of Congress, Periodicals 1965

Newsstand Date July 29, 1965
Source: Newsdealer Magazine, V20 #4

Frequency: Monthly
Cover Price: $0.12
Page Count: 32
Editor: Jack Schiff

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 In:
Adventure Comics #412 (1971)
DC Special Blue Ribbon Digest #22 (1982)
Weird Secret Origins #1 (2004)
DC Universe:Secret Origins HC (2012)
DC Universe:Secret Origins TPB (2013)

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.