Origin

When Scientist Damon Morelle discovered his son Nolan had an incurable skin disease, he put his pharmaceutical company to work trying to find a way to save him. The most promising line of research was in nano-technology based epidermis enhancements, and this became Morelle's Project: Sharkskin. Lacking funding, Morelle accepted money from shady sources, agreeing to work on military applications of the technology as he found a way to save his son. His company developed a series of armor suits, several of which were used by costumed villains and heroes.

Projection A

The first design that Project: Sharkskin yielded consisted of nanotech cloth that could conform to and support the user. The suit was self-regenerating, and the cloak was prehensile and controlled by the wearer. The suit also included razor-sharp gauntlets and had a series of chemicals designed to enhance adrenaline response and suppress pain, as well as healing the wearer's injuries. This suit was eventually acquired by Kevin Trench, who became the hero Nightwatch.

The suit also demonstrated the ability to absorb other Project: Sharkskin suits to enhance itself. Whether this was an intended feature, or an quirk of the shared technology is unknown, as is to what degree Trench's familiarity with the suit impacted his ability to manipulate it in such a way.

After absorbing the Sharkskin armor and weapons used by Barret Gage, aka Salvo, the suit was able to fly rather than merely glide, and the suit took on a malleable metallic quality that made it more durable and made the cape considerably more dangerous. Eventually through fine control of the nanotechnology and absorption of technology, Trench was able to evolve the suit to a form similar the the Projection: Omega form of Project: Sharkskin.

Nightwatch wore the suit as a hero for a considerable time. At one point, the criminal Alfredo Morelli wore one of the suit's gauntlets, going by the creative moniker "Gauntlet"

Projection C

The "Battle Mode" version of Project: Sharkskin was a more conventional set of nanometal armor and cutting edge military ordinance. Because it doesn't entirely ashere to or cover the skin, and because it seems considerably less sophisticated than Projection A, we can assume that Projection C was designed primarily to appease Morelle's backers and demonstrate combat applications of Project: Sharkskin.

This version of the Sharkskin armor covered most of the body in lightweight, bulletproof impact-absorbing plating that could be worn under clothing. The suit was equipped with automatic and pulse weaponry on the shoulders, a cutting laser and a stun taser on the wrists, and a rocket launcher. The legs also included rocket boots with a limited fuel supply

Several attempts at utilizing this version of Project: Sharkskin were made, but most rejected their implants and died. The only survivor of this process was former HYDRA agent Barrett Gage, who promptly defected and became a mercenary. Gage's armor was absorbed by Nightwatch, leaving him powerless. No known examples of Sharkskin Projection C survive.

Projection F

The "Stealth Mode" implementation of Project: Sharkskin is much closer to Projection A, this time with greater refinements in terms of survivability and defensive features. In ddition to adrenal stimulation and physical enhancement, Sharkskin Projection F eludes sonar, radar, and most scanning systems, and can bend light to become invisible. This armor was used by the Camoflague Cadre, a team of mercenaries employed by Morelle Pharmaceuticals. Because there were a large number of men using this armor it can be inferred that it is more stable and safe than Projection C.

Projection Omega

The "Final Genesis" implementation of Project: Sharkskin, being totally adaptable, able to assimilate and reshape technology at will using its nanotech capabilities. Renders the wearer functionally impervious to assault, and enhances their strength greatly. This was considered the final evolution of Project: Sharkskin, and was worn by Warbringer, a time-travelling future version of Nolan Morelle and Nightwatch, who was able with Warbringer's help to evolve his modified Projection A suit to a version almost identical to Projection Omega. Eventually Warbringer and his suit were destroyed and Nightwatch's suit reverted to its earlier form.