History
The first Zebra Man was the inventor Jake Baker, who created a device which empowered him with an aura of black and white energy lines which could repel matter using a form of magnetism that also affected non-conductive materials (known in the real world as diamagnetism). He could not turn the field off, and controlled his powers using a belt which neutralized this repulsive force. He also briefly infected Batman with ther same energy field.
The second Zebra Man was created when Kobra replicated the first Zebra-Man's experiment. When his team Strike Force Kobra was defeated by the Outsiders, the Zebra-Man fled. He was as a member of the Secret Society Of Super Villains.
New 52
Zebra Man, now called Vortex, is one of many Arkham Asylum inmates who are injected with a mixture of Venom and Fear Toxin and try to escape. The Venom makes Zebra Man strong and the Fear Toxin makes him fearless. Zebra Man is one of the inmates that Batman is able to stop from escaping the Asylum.
Later he helps Catwoman escape Arkham Asylum before being defeated by her.
Other Media
Batman: The Brave and the Bold
The original Zebra-Man appears on Batman the Brave and the Bold TV series. He first appearance in episode "Legend of the Dark Mite" as a creation of Bat-Mite. Zebra-Man is defeated when the real Batman steals his stripes, causing him to become embarrassed and leave. He later appears in "Dual of the Double Crossers!", violating his parole and using his magnetic powers to rob an armored truck. He is easily defeated by Batman. In "Sidekicks: Assemble", he is one of many training holograms being beaten up by Robin. He later reappears in "A Bat Divided!" playing billiards against the Zodiac Master and Polka-Dot Man at a shady Gotham City "8 Bar", a known haunt for third-rate costumed villains, which is soon crashed by three atomic counterparts of Batman and the superpowered hero Firestorm. He also makes cameo appearances in "Mayhem of the Music Meister!" and in series finale "Mitefall" on wrap party for the whole series cast in the Bat Cave.
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