Editing Ambush Bug

{{Short description|Fictional character}}
{{For|the insect|Phymatinae}}
{{Infobox comics character <!--Wikipedia:WikiProject Comics-->
<!-- |character_name = Ambush Bug -->
|image = Ambushbug-comic-.jpg
|converted = y
|caption = Ambush Bug as depicted in ''[[Action Comics]]'' #565 (March 1985). Art by Keith Giffen.
|alter_ego = Irwin Schwab (supposedly)
|publisher = [[DC Comics]]
|debut = ''[[DC Comics Presents]]'' #52 (December 1982)
|creators = [[Keith Giffen]]
|alliances = [[Doom Patrol]]<br/>Uh-oh Squad<br/>[[Justice League]]<br/>Amber Butane Corps<br/>[[Suicide Squad]]
|aliases = Amber Butane of the Amber Butane Corps
|powers = Teleportation<br/>Green suit provides limited protection from some attacks<br/>Fourth wall breaks
|cat = super
|subcat = DC Comics
|hero = y
|sortkey = Ambush Bug
}}
'''Ambush Bug''' is a superhero appearing in [[American comic books]] published by [[DC Comics]]. His real name is supposedly '''Irwin Schwab''', but he has mental problems that prevent him from truly understanding reality around him, so even his true identity might be no more than a delusion on his part. His origin is disputed, although the most commonly accepted origin is that Brum-El (a historical allusion to [[Beau Brummell]], as well as a reference to [[Superman]]'s father [[Jor-El]]) of the planet Schwab sent his clothes from his supposedly doomed planet, hoping that his wardrobe would survive, only to have it intercepted by a giant radioactive space spider. In the resulting crash, only two articles of clothing survived: the Ambush Bug suit, which was subsequently found by Irwin Schwab; and "Argh!Yle!", an argyle sock with a [[Doctor Doom]]-like complex, complete with metal mask.<ref name="dc-ency">{{Cite book | last=Greenberger | first=Robert | contribution=Ambush Bug | editor-last=Dougall | editor-first=Alastair | title=The DC Comics Encyclopedia | page=13 | publisher=[[Dorling Kindersley]] | location=London | year=2008 | isbn=978-0-7566-4119-1}}</ref>

==Publication history==
Created by artist [[Keith Giffen]] as an intentionally silly character, Ambush Bug first appeared in ''[[DC Comics Presents]]'' #52 (Dec. 1982)<ref>{{cite book|editor1-last=Manning|editor1-first= Matthew K|editor2-last=Dolan|editor2-first=Hannah |chapter= 1980s|title = D C Comics Year By Year, A Visual Chronicle|publisher=[[Dorling Kindersley]] |year=2010 |isbn= 978-0-7566-6742-9 |page= 199 |quote = (Ambush Bug) made his debut in the pages of ''DC Comics Presents'' #52...(by) writer Paul Kupperberg and artist Keith Giffen.}}</ref> and would make appearances in several other [[Superman]]-related comic books in the early 1980s. [[Paul Kupperberg]], who wrote Ambush Bug's first story, recalled, "as Keith was in the office, he sat in on the plotting and offered up Ambush Bug as an antagonist. The Bug is entirely Keith's creation ..."<ref>{{cite journal|last=Browning|first=Michael |title=The Doom Patrol Interviews: Paul Kupperberg|journal=[[Back Issue!]]|issue=#65 |page=43 |publisher=[[TwoMorrows Publishing]]|date=July 2013|location=Raleigh, North Carolina}}</ref> Giffen has stated that both Ambush Bug and [[Lobo (DC Comics)|Lobo]] were derived from [[Lunatik]], a character he created in high school.<ref>{{cite journal |last=DeAngelo|first=Daniel |date=July 2013|title=The Not-Ready-For-Super-Team Players: A History of the Defenders|journal=[[Back Issue!]]|issue=#65|page=10 |publisher=[[TwoMorrows Publishing]]}}</ref> Giffen said that his original pitch was "[[Bugs Bunny]] as a super-villain".<ref>{{cite book |last1=Eury |first1=Michael |title=The Krypton Companion |date=2006 |publisher=TwoMorrows Publishing |isbn=9781893905610 |page=192}}</ref>

In response to positive reader reaction to the character's first appearance, editor [[Julius Schwartz]] directed Giffen to create another Ambush Bug story for ''DC Comics Presents'' #59.<ref>{{cite journal|last=Callahan|first=Timothy |title=The Substitute Heroes in the Spotlight |journal=[[Back Issue!]]|issue=#65|page=70 |publisher=[[TwoMorrows Publishing]]| date=July 2013|location=Raleigh, North Carolina}}</ref> At first, Ambush Bug was a villain, named after a type of insect, and having a green, skintight suit with two orange antennae containing miniature robot bugs that enable him to teleport. After attacking Superman and other heroes, Ambush Bug decides instead to be a [[superhero]] as well. He also fancies himself Superman's friend, which only annoys the hero even more than his early villainy. The costume then becomes permanently affixed to his body, and he gains the power to teleport by himself. While trying to fix one of the miniature bugs, it explodes, causing a chain reaction and a blast that destroys all of the bugs and tints Ambush Bug's costume temporarily black; he then becomes capable of teleporting even without the bugs (briefly considering changing his moniker to Black Beetle instead).

Ambush Bug became popular enough to be featured in two comic book miniseries and several specials, plotted and pencilled by Keith Giffen and scripted by [[Robert Loren Fleming]]. The series contains many comic book-enthusiast and DC in-jokes and satire; series editor Julius Schwartz is also a character in the book.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Markstein |first1=Don |title=Ambush Bug |url=http://www.toonopedia.com/ambushbg.htm |website=Don Markstein's Toonopedia |access-date=1 April 2020}}</ref>

During his own four-part series in 1985, he picks up a doll and, thinking it is alive, "adopted" it as a partner called "Cheeks, The Toy Wonder", complete with its own costume.

In 2001, Ambush Bug appears as a member of the "Justice League of Anarchy" alongside [[Plastic Man]], the [[Creeper (DC Comics)|Creeper]], [[Harley Quinn]], [['Mazing Man]], and the [[Trickster (DC Comics)|Trickster]]. This group of DC Universe troublemakers made a one-panel cameo in a series exploring variations on the [[Justice League|JLA]] acronym, ''JLA: Justice League of Amazons''.

Ambush Bug is largely considered an absurd character and is rarely used by other writers, though he still exists in the DC Universe and occasionally still appears in some DC Comics. His popularity amongst creators has led to many "cameos", sometimes with as little as his antennae being visible. In 2006, he appeared as part of [[Jason Rusch|Firestorm]]'s short-lived [[Justice League|Justice League of America]] in ''[[52 (comics)|52]]'' #24 (a comic Giffen did layouts for). His powers appeared in proxy in ''[[Countdown to Final Crisis]]'' #32. [[Jimmy Olsen]] briefly gains the appearance of Ambush Bug and subconsciously uses his power of "Dumb Luck" to locate [[Forager (character)|Forager]].

An Ambush Bug miniseries, ''[[Ambush Bug: Year None]]'', debuted in 2008, plotted and pencilled by Giffen, and written by Fleming, with Jann Jones serving as editor. The final issue was published almost a year after the rest of the series. [[Dan DiDio]] claims to have lost issue #6 and instead they skipped it to finish off with issue #7.<ref>{{Cite web | url=http://www.newsarama.com/comics/091102-Didio-10-Questions.html | title=10 Answers and One Question with DC's Dan DiDio | last=Rogers | first=Vaneta | work=[[Newsarama]] | date=November 2, 2009}}</ref>

Ambush Bug was seen in the new ''[[Doom Patrol]]'' series in 2010 at the end of issue #9, arriving with his luggage and Cheeks. He appeared semi-regularly until the series ended.

Ambush Bug made another appearance, in issue #46 of the outside of regular DC continuity ''[[Tiny Titans]]'' series.

In ''[[The New 52]]'' continuity reboot, Ambush Bug appears as a news reporter in the feature "Channel 52", which summarizes the comics' plots.<ref>{{cite web|title=Comic Book Resources |url=http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=43436|access-date=15 February 2013}}</ref>

==Foes==
===As a villain===
* [[Superman]]<ref>{{cite book |last1=Greenberger |first1=Robert |last2=Pasko |first2=Martin |title=The Essential Superman Encyclopedia |date=2010 |publisher=Del Rey |isbn=978-0-345-50108-0 |page=9}}</ref>
* [[Doom Patrol]]
* [[Legion of Substitute Heroes]]

===As a hero===
* Argh!Yle! - A living argyle sock. The closest thing Ambush Bug has to an archenemy.
* [[Johnny DC|Jonni DC]] - A "[[Continuity (fiction)|continuity]] cop" who pursues Ambush Bug for violations of [[DC Universe]] [[canon (fiction)|canon]].
* Interferer - A former comic artist that gained god-like powers that he uses to "perfect" the universe.
* Go Go Chex - A villain from "Earth-6", where all the characters are stuck in the 1960s. He is themed around the "new look" DC gave all its books with a black and white checker pattern at the top. He speaks a hippy lingo and refers to everyone as "Wonder Chick", a nickname for [[Wonder Girl]] from the [[Teen Titans]] of that era.
* E.L.F. - A secret government agency who experimented with Ambush Bug's suit to try to discover its secrets.

==Powers and weapons==
[[Image:Action563 p.jpg|thumb|A series of panels describing Ambush Bug's suit being grafted to him. It also contains a reference to [[Spider-Man]]'s [[Venom (character)|black costume]].]]
Ambush Bug's primary power is teleportation. At first, this was a function of his suit; he was limited to teleporting to where small receiver bugs were located. Later, after an explosion, Ambush Bug internalized this power. It became apparent, in ''DC Comics Presents'' #81, that the Bug used to have to say "Simon says" to teleport, but it is no longer necessary. Ambush Bug is also aware of his fictionality and aware of events in other publishers' comic books. He once was shown being able to follow the internal dialogue between Firestorm's component personalities. Ambush Bug also shows surprising agility and skill at unarmed combat, such as gouging the eyes of enemies attacking him from behind or knocking out members of the [[Legion of Substitute Heroes]] with a single blow. His unusual way of thinking is also a great advantage and often allows him to guess opponents' tactics and outmaneuver them, humiliating them in the process.

==Other versions==
===Amalgam Comics===
'''Ambush the Lunatik''', an intergalactic bounty hunter based on Ambush Bug and [[Marvel Comics]] character [[Lunatik]], appears in [[Amalgam Comics]]' ''Lobo the Duck'' #1 (April 1997).

===''Elseworld's Finest: Supergirl & Batgirl''===
A heavily armored Ambush Bug appears in ''[[Elseworld's Finest: Supergirl & Batgirl]]'' as a member of the [[Justice Society of America]].

===''Flashpoint''===
A group called the "Ambush Bugs" appear in the ''[[Flashpoint (comics)|Flashpoint]]'' tie-in ''The Canterbury Cricket'', consisting of [[Queen Bee (comics)|Queen Bee]], [[Blue Beetle (Jaime Reyes)|Blue Beetle]], [[Firefly (DC Comics)|Firefly]], Cockroach, and the [[Canterbury Cricket]]. They are formed to fight the [[Amazons (DC Comics)|Amazons]], but all save for the Canterbury Cricket are killed by them.<ref>''Flashpoint: The Canterbury Cricket'' (June 2011). DC Comics.</ref>

==In other media==
===Television===
Ambush Bug appears in the ''[[Batman: The Brave and the Bold]]'' series finale "Mitefall!", voiced by [[Henry Winkler]].<ref name="btva">{{cite web |title=Ambush Bug Voices (DC Universe) |url=https://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/characters/DC-Universe/Ambush-Bug/ |access-date=November 23, 2024 |publisher=Behind The Voice Actors}} A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its credits or other reliable sources of information.</ref> He tries to thwart [[Bat-Mite]]'s attempts to make the show [[Jumping the shark|jump the shark]] and force its cancellation while assisting Batman and [[Aquaman]] in fighting [[Gorilla Grodd]]. While Bat-Mite succeeds and has the series replaced with a ''[[Batgirl]]'' series, Ambush Bug reveals it will have a dark tone and will not feature Bat-Mite before organizing a wrap party for the series' cast.

===Video games===
* Ambush Bug appears in ''[[DC Universe Online]]'', voiced by Tracy W. Bush.<ref name="btva" />
* Ambush Bug appears in ''[[Scribblenauts Unmasked: A DC Comics Adventure]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Eisen |first=Andrew |date=October 2, 2013 |title=DC Characters and Objects - ''Scribblenauts Unmasked'' Guide |url=https://www.ign.com/wikis/scribblenauts-unmasked/DC_Characters_and_Objects |access-date=November 23, 2024 |website=IGN |language=en}}</ref>
* Ambush Bug appears as a playable character in ''[[Lego Batman 3: Beyond Gotham]]'', voiced by [[Sam Riegel]].

===Merchandise===
* In 2005, WizKids added an Ambush Bug figurine to their [[HeroClix]] line.<ref>{{Cite web | url=http://toynewsi.com/news.php?catid=10&itemid=8508 | title=DC HeroClix: Collateral Damage Ambush Bug | first=Jay | last=Cochran | work=Toy News International | date=December 17, 2005}}</ref>
* An Ambush Bug [[Minimate]] was released in 2008, in a two-pack with [[Lobo (DC Comics)|Lobo]].<ref>{{Cite web | url=http://www.dccomics.com/dcdirect/?dcd=8232 | title=DC Minimates: Wave 7: Ambush Bug and Lobo Action Figures | work=DC Direct | access-date=2010-01-07 | archive-date=2021-01-26 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210126052044/https://www.dccomics.com/dcdirect/?dcd=8232 | url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web | url=http://www.actionfigureinsider.com/main/dc-direct-solicitations-for-items-shipping-march-2008 | title=DC Direct Solicitations for items shipping March 2008 | work=Action Figure Insider | date=July 16, 2007}}</ref>
* McFarlane toys released an Ambush Bug action figure in 2024.

==See also==
* [[List of Ambush Bug–related published material]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* [http://www.fourhman.com/ambushbug/ Ambush Bug Archive]
* [http://www.toonopedia.com/ambushbg.htm Ambush Bug] at [[Don Markstein's Toonopedia]]. [https://archive.today/20240525202314/https://www.webcitation.org/66fsAjmqn?url=http://www.toonopedia.com/ambushbg.htm Archived] from the original on April 4, 2012.

{{Doom Patrol}}
{{Suicide Squad}}
{{Justice League characters}}

[[Category:1985 comics debuts]]
[[Category:Characters created by Keith Giffen]]
[[Category:Comics by Keith Giffen]]
[[Category:Comics characters introduced in 1982]]
[[Category:DC Comics male superheroes]]
[[Category:DC Comics titles]]
[[Category:Fictional characters who break the fourth wall]]
[[Category:Metafictional comics]]
[[Category:Parody superheroes]]