Origin

Originally radical animal rights activists, they took more extreme and controversial approaches to "become one with animals" by kidnapping, mutilating and experimenting with living creatures.

After they saw Animal Man, they attempt to emulate his animal abilities by "bonding with the Red, by any and every means" at their disposal.

To this means, their leader Mr. Hogue attacks Animal Man with an axe and drains a vial of blood from him, which was transported to his master and benefactor, Brother Blood.

Creation

The Splinterfolk were created by writer Jeff Lemire, and first drawn by Steve Pugh (in comic) and Jae Lee (concept designs). They were designed as new antagonists to add to Buddy Baker's rogues gallery for the second volume of Animal Man.