Name: Creeper
Universe: Earth-1
Alter Ego: Jack Ryder
Occupation: Investigative Reporter
Marital Status: Single
Group Affiliation: None
Base of Operations: Boston, Mass.
Known Relatives: None
Height: 6 ft.
Weight: 194 lbs.
Hair Color: Green
Eye Color: Black
First Appearance: Showcase #73

History:
Fired as host of a local TV talk show, Jack Ryder took a job as a network security investigator and found himself assigned to protect professor Emil Yatz, a Russian defector being sought by Soviet agents who intended to kidnap the Professor and return him behind the Iron Curtain.

In order to infiltrate a costume party where the kidnappers were rumored to be gathering, Jack threw together a makeshift outfit from old odds and ends, including yellow makeup and a shaggy sheepskin rug. Thus clad, Jack was able to discover that the Professor was being held prisoner at the party, but while attempting to free Yatz, Jack was critically stabbed and taken prisoner as well.

Yatz had in his possession two discoveries which represented his life's work and which he could not bear to let fall into his enemies' hands. One discovery was a serum that served as an instant healing aid. Designed to provide greater strength and stamina, Yatz used the serum to treat Jack's wound. The other discovery was a device capable of rearranging the molecular structure of matter, making it weightless and invisible. This disc-like device Yatz implanted in Jack's wound, which completely healed moments later as a result of the serum. Pressing the activator for the device, Jack found that his costume had become invisible. Tapping the activator again, Jack's costume reappeared, even as a stray bullet killed Professor Yatz.

Using his newfound power to overcome his foes, Jack realized his bizarre appearance gave him an edge over his opponents and decided to play the role of madman to the hilt.

Laughing insanely and speaking like and otherworldly creature, Jack defeated the terrified kidnappers, earning the name the Creeper in the process.

Over the next months, as Jack was pursued by both the police and the underworld, his career as the Creeper suffered various ups and downs. He even went temporarily insane at one point as a result of the Professor's serum. Cured of his insanity with the aid of the Batman, Jack ultimately moved from Gotham City to Boston, where he now works as an investigative reporter while continuing his war against crime as the Creeper.

Powers:
An Olympic-level athlete and brawling hand-to-hand combatant, the Creeper has devised a leaping, capering, singular style of battle designed to cover his comparative inexperience. Coupled with a maniacal laugh, this freeform combat style has made the Creeper a most formidible foe. As a result of Professor Yatz's serum, the Creeper has amazing recuperative powers, as well as extraordinary strength and stamina.

The molecular transducer implanted in his side enables Jack to transform himself into the Creeper and back to Jack Ryder again almost instantaneously. As the Creeper, his costume remains on his body, invisible and virtually weightless.