Animal Man #[nn]

In "The Human Zoo," Animal Man is called to San Diego by S.T.A.R. Labs to investigate a mysterious break-in at a facility developing an AIDS vaccine, pulling him back into the world of heroics amid a growing sense of unease. The story unfolds as Buddy Baker confronts a situation that blurs the line between science, surveillance, and the very nature of humanity.

In "Life In The Concrete Jungle," Animal Man ventures into the urban wilds on a mission for S.T.A.R. Labs, tracking a giant insect—only to face a towering, humanoid rat that looms over the city’s edge. Meanwhile, Ellen and Maxine stumble into a tense encounter with two redneck hunters, their paths crossing in the shadow of something far larger than they imagined.

In "The Nature Of The Beast," B'Wana Beast breaks Djuba the ape free from S.T.A.R. Labs, uncovering a secret experiment that puts Animal Man on a dangerous trail. Meanwhile, Ellen narrowly escapes a hunt, rescued by someone unexpected.

In "When We All Lived In The Forest," Animal Man teams up with B'Wana Beast to confront the lingering effects of a dangerous experiment, using his animal empathy to heal the creature’s anthrax poisoning. As they restore the animals B'Wana Beast was fused with, Animal Man delivers a sharp rebuke to Dr. Myers at S.T.A.R. Labs—only for B'Wana Beast to quietly reveal his own intentions toward the scientist.

In "Home Improvements," Animal Man finds himself caught between the surreal and the personal as the Justice League fortifies the Baker household against threats, while he shares uneasy reflections with Martian Manhunter about the lingering effects of the gene bomb. As Martian Manhunter steps in to help Cliff confront a new kind of danger—bullies in his own life—the world beyond shifts, too: in Africa, ancient rhythms stir as the natives sense the arrival of something long forgotten.