Howitzer

Shaka was a member of an elite counter terrorist squad called Team Omega that was formed by a man named Lars Dinkelbach aka Eagle. This group was created for a very secret war against terrorism and worldwide crime. Team Omega would raid a secret research base in the African Congo when they were attacked by some ferocious creature. Shaka and his teammates suffered near fatal wounds because the creature carried an artificial virus that prevented their wounds from healing. Team Omega was taken to a covert STORM base which was an acronym for Special Taskforce Omega Response Mandate and underwent a special procedure performed by Doctor Samuel Merrick. Shaka and his teammates went inside a secret experiment called the Gene Match Device that was capable of re-writing and re-combing their DNA with genetic abilities of animals that enhanced their abilities to superhuman levels. Shaka was given the code name Howitzer and he possessed enhancements from a sea reptile which granted him larger lungs and an expanded life span. Heat loss was an issue with Shaka when he went into battle so he had to wear an armored suit equipped with some weaponry to regulate his body temperature. Shaka and his teammates would become a special unit called the Gene Dogs and the entire team consisted of Howitzer, Kestrel, Pacer, Panther and Tyr. The Gene Dogs would be the premiere fighting force of STORM and continue their war with the terrorist organization known as MyS-TECH.

Creation

Howitzer was created by John Freeman and David Taylor in 1993 and first appeared in Gene Dogs # 1.

Powers & Abilities

Howitzer wears an armored suit equipped that grants him enhanced strength and durability. His suit is also equipped with two shoulder blasters and his visor can go into infra red and has motion sensors. His natural stamina is enhanced due to the sea reptile DNA he possesses. Shaka has larger lungs and an expanded life span after going through the Gene Match Process. Prior to his genetic enhancements, Shaka was a skilled warrior and soldier.