Gorilla Grodd stands as one of DC Comics’ most enduring and intelligent villains, a hyper-intelligent telepathic ape who has terrorized heroes for over six decades. Now, DC Studios has announced a new HBO Max series titled The People v. Gorilla Grodd, featuring Jimmy Tatro as the villain and Skyler Gisondo as Jimmy Olsen.

The show promises a true-crime documentary style, exploring Grodd’s alleged crimes through the lens of Olsen’s investigative journalism. James Gunn revealed the title and cast list, signaling a bold new direction for DCU storytelling. But who is this intelligent ape? 

Gorilla Grodd hails from Gorilla City, a hidden civilization in the African jungle inhabited by hyper-intelligent gorillas. According to most accounts, the city’s inhabitants gained sapience and psychic abilities after a meteorite or alien spacecraft crashed nearby during the 19th century.

The radiation from this object imbued certain gorillas, including Grodd and the city’s leader Solovar, with enhanced reasoning, language, and mental powers. Grodd’s ambition quickly outgrew his role as a scientist. He sought to overthrow Solovar and rule both Gorilla City and the human world.

His first major story arc involved attempting to steal the “force of mind” power from Solovar, only to be thwarted by the Flash. In the New 52 reboot, Grodd’s powers were attributed to the Speed Force rather than extraterrestrial radiation. This origin story establishes Grodd as a product of both evolution and external influence.

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With his origins rooted in science and mutation, Grodd’s abilities extend far beyond physical strength.

Gorilla Grodd possesses a formidable array of psionic abilities that make him a threat to even the most powerful heroes. His telepathy allows him to read minds, project thoughts, and control the actions of others. He can place entire populations under mental domination, transfer his consciousness into other bodies, and create powerful telekinetic force beams.

Grodd’s intelligence rivals that of the world’s greatest scientists, enabling him to devise complex strategies and advanced technology. He has demonstrated telekinetic transmutation of matter and the ability to lift thousands of tons mentally. His superhuman agility and combat strategy complement his mental powers, making him a versatile opponent. In some storylines, Grodd has used a helmet to amplify his mind-control abilities. These powers have made Grodd a recurring nemesis for multiple heroes across the DC Universe.

Gorilla Grodd is best known as a primary antagonist of the Flash, particularly Barry Allen and Wally West. Their battles often pit Grodd’s mental prowess against the Flash’s speed, creating dynamic confrontations where intellect clashes with velocity. Grodd has also fought Superman, Batman, and the Justice League, frequently leading villainous organizations like the Secret Society and the Legion of Doom.

In the Superman/Batman arc “Public Enemies,” Grodd controlled numerous villains and heroes to attack Superman and Batman for a bounty placed by President Lex Luthor. His rivalry with Solovar represents a philosophical conflict between Grodd’s authoritarian ambitions and Solovar’s peaceful governance. Grodd’s ability to manipulate others has made him a master strategist in large-scale conflicts. Grodd’s legacy extends beyond comics into various television and film adaptations.

Gorilla Grodd has appeared in numerous animated series, including Justice League, Justice League Unlimited and The Flash animated show. In Justice League Unlimited, he founded the Secret Society and attempted to transform humanity into gorillas. His portrayal in The Flash live-action series on the CW brought him to a wider audience, with David Hayter and later Keith David voicing the character.

Grodd has also appeared in video games like Injustice: Gods Among Us and Lego DC Super-Villains, where his telepathic abilities are central to gameplay. His animated film appearances include Superman/Batman: Public Enemies and Justice League: Doom. These adaptations have cemented Grodd as a versatile villain capable of anchoring both episodic and serialized narratives.

The upcoming The People v. Gorilla Grodd could expand this legacy further. Given the success of DCU shows like Creature Commandos, Peacemaker and Lanterns, which has created history now, this true-crime approach to Grodd’s story could deliver a fresh and compelling perspective.

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What do you think about Gorilla Grodd’s new series? Let us know in the comments.