Universe
Marvel Universe

Real Name
Arthur Nagan

Aliases
Gorilla-Man, "Hairy Man," "Ape Man." Dr. Ruhart Gnaan

Identity
Known to authorities

Citizenship
USA with criminal record

Place of Birth
Unrevealed

First Appearance
Mystery Tales #21 (1954)

Arthur Nagan was a brilliant transplant surgeon, who spent a lot of time experimenting with crossing animal organs from one species to another. He was very successful in placing the lungs of a dog into a sheep. He continued with his experiments, and transplanted ape organs into humans, using a serum of his own design. Pleased with his accomplishments he created a base in Africa, where he found elderly volunteers willing to take part in his experiments as a way to prolong their lives. One of his experiments escaped into the jungle and convinced the gorillas that the only reason that human were superior to them, was due to the human brain. The gorillas captured Nagan and committed surgery on him, placing his head on one of their own. Astound at what had just took place, Nagan sought to perform this surgery on the other humans.