Congorilla
| The man known as Congo Bill spent many years roving the African wilds as an adventurer with a deep respect for the natural and cultural wonders that he encountered. His conduct and integrity earned him the trust of native Africans and Congo Bill was welcome wherever he traveled. | |
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As his mind possesses the body of the great beast for an hour, so does the gorilla's mind inhabit his body for the duration of the switch. Using his newfound strength, Bill was able to open the passage into the cave. A new opportunity to champion good and a respect for nature as the mighty Congorilla had Congo Bill busy for many years. As one might imagine, switching minds with a giant ape has it's share of complications. To prevent any trouble while he was out of his body, Congo Bill would usually sedate or lock up his human form. An identical ring on Congorilla allowed Bill to return to his body before the time limit was reached. |
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Eventually, Janu returned to Africa and convinced Congo Bill that the future of the vast continent lay in it's industrialization. Together the two forged a new partnership that built a large successful conglomerate. Yet, Bill became unsatisfied with his lot, and when the opportunity came to join a group called the Forgotten Heroes (including DC characters marginalized in modern era comics; Cave Carson, Suicide Squad, Animal Man, Rip Hunter-Time Master, Immortal Man, Sea Devils and Dolphin) he fought once again for the principles he embraced. |
During his employment with the World-wide Insurance Company, Congo Bill met
Janu, the Jungle Boy, an orphaned child of a famous guide, and the two spent the next several years together. Bill acted as Janu's guardian until the day came that Janu returned to his forgotten homeland of America to receive a proper education.
Congo Bill's life would take an unexpected turn when an old friend passed away. After falling off a cliff, Chief Kawolo, a tribal witch doctor, realized that he was slipping away despite Bill's efforts to save him. As he lay dying, he gave Congo Bill a ring carved with image of his tribal god, the golden gorilla; by rubbing this ring, Kawolo explained, it's wearer could exchange places with the mighty Congorilla for a period of one hour. Congo Bill gracefully accepted the gift, although he did not believe his friend's tale to be anything other than local folklore. He kept the ring with him and had an opportunity to discover it's true power after becoming trapped in a cave following an avalanche. 
With no hope of escape, Congo Bill rubbed the ring and instantaneously found his mind inhabiting the body of the
giant golden gorilla!