Batman's origin was established in the comic book Batman #1 (Spring, 1940), but the mugger was not given a name until Batman #47 (June-July 1948). In that issue, Batman discovered that Joe Chill, the small-time crime boss he was investigating, was none other than the man who killed his parents. Batman confronted him and revealed his secret identity ("I'm the son of the man you murdered—I'm Bruce Wayne!") and Chill, frightened, sought protection from his henchmen. Once his henchmen, who had all been arrested by Batman, ...

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Joe Chill, Joe Chill - Golden and Silver Age versions, Joe Chill - Modern Age version, Joe Chill - Other comic versions, Joe Chill - Earth-3's Joe Chill, Joe Chill - In other media

Read more here: » Joe Chill: Encyclopedia II - Joe Chill - Golden and Silver Age versions

The KGBeast was first seen when he was killing certain people in Gotham City, the last of whom was supposed to be the President of the United States — at the time, Ronald Reagan — during his visit to the city. The Beast showcased his ruthlesness to his job: He poisoned an entire banquet, killing over a hundred people, just to ensure his target would die. During an early encounter between KGBeast and Batman, KGBeast pounded Batman and ran only because he thought Batman had back-up. Batman realized that error saved his life, and chased KGBeast across the rooftops, k ...

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KGBeast, KGBeast - Background, KGBeast - Other Media

Read more here: » KGBeast: Encyclopedia II - KGBeast - Background

Thomas "Tommy" Elliot was a childhood friend of Bruce Wayne. Like Wayne, Elliot was born into a tremendously wealthy family. Unlike Wayne, however, Elliot had no loving relationship with his parents, whom he grew to resent while still a boy. Driven by his desire for independence, he cut the brakes on his parents' car, causing a crash that killed his father. His mother was saved by Dr. Thomas Wayne, which secretly enraged young Elliot. His anger was fueled further by the subsequent murder of the Waynes, which put Bruce Wayne in just the situation E ...

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Hush comics, Hush comics - Origin, Hush comics - Inaugural Brawl, Hush comics - Hush Returns

Read more here: » Hush comics: Encyclopedia II - Hush comics - Origin

There are several theories as to who Holiday was (or were, as there are theories of multiple killers): Alberto Falcone For the Labour Day killing, Gordon and a guard (later revealed to be Batman) are transporting Maroni through a tunnel when Alberto steps out of the darkness and shoots Maroni twice in the head. At the beginning of the next issue, "Punishment", he announces triumphantly "I am Holiday" before being se ...

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Holiday comics, Holiday comics - The Suspects, Holiday comics - Who Was Holiday?

Read more here: » Holiday comics: Encyclopedia II - Holiday comics - The Suspects

The criminal known as Copperhead first appeared in Gotham City in a snake costume. He committed numerous thefts before finally being apprehended by Batman and the first Batgirl. Copperhead then turned to more deadly pursuits as a super-assassin, constricting victims to a suffocating death with his costume's tail. During this time, he would become obsessive about his target and think of nothing until the target was dead, which proved to be a weakness at times as he would ignore ...

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Copperhead DC Comics, Copperhead DC Comics - Background, Copperhead DC Comics - Powers & abilities, Copperhead DC Comics - Other media

Read more here: » Copperhead DC Comics: Encyclopedia II - Copperhead DC Comics - Background

Count Vertigo - Starting his career. Count Vertigo first appeared in Star City, where he attempted to steal back the family jewels his parents had sold when they escaped to England after the war. The victim of a hereditary inner ear defect that affected his balance, Vertigo had a small electronic device implanted in his right temple that compensated this problem. Tinkering with the device, Vertigo learned he was able to affect other people’s balance as well, distorting their perceptions so that they literally couldn’t tell up from down, an effect known as vertigo. This would bring him in conflict with ...

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Count Vertigo, Count Vertigo - History, Count Vertigo - Starting his career, Count Vertigo - Running with the Suicide Squad, Count Vertigo - Grudges and a new Injustice Society, Count Vertigo - The present, Count Vertigo - Powers and abilities, Count Vertigo - Other Media

Read more here: » Count Vertigo: Encyclopedia II - Count Vertigo - History

Croc, as he is sometimes called for short, also appeared in Batman: The Animated Series in a few episodes. It seems he was once a pro wrestler, but grew dissatisfied with that and turned to crime. He ran afoul of Harvey Bullock, who arrested him; Croc later escaped prison and sought revenge. When being transported to a distant facility by train, he bit through his chains (it seems like a real crocodile, his jaws exude enough force to crush bone) and escaped. Fleeing through the countryside, he refuge in a town of naively trusti ...

See also:

Killer Croc, Killer Croc - Character biography, Killer Croc - Powers and abilities, Killer Croc - Controversy

Read more here: » Killer Croc: Encyclopedia II - Killer Croc - Character biography

Mad Hatter comics - The 1960's live action Batman television series. In this series, Jervis Tetch/The Mad Hatter was played by the late David Wayne. He was based on the Mad Hatter from the comics at the time, who had not yet been revealed to be an imposter. He appeared in four episodes: Episode 13 The Thirteenth Hat, Episode 14 Batman Stands Pat, Episode 69 The Contaminated CowlSee also:

Mad Hatter comics, Mad Hatter comics - Biography, Mad Hatter comics - History, Mad Hatter comics - Changes in physical appearance, Mad Hatter comics - The Imposter Mad Hatter, Mad Hatter comics - On Television, Mad Hatter comics - The 1960's live action Batman television series, Mad Hatter comics - Batman: The Animated Series, Mad Hatter comics - Batman: Gotham Knights, Mad Hatter comics - The Batman, Mad Hatter comics - External link

Read more here: » Mad Hatter comics: Encyclopedia II - Mad Hatter comics - On Television

Originally, the character's name was Harvey Kent, but his name was changed to avoid unnecessary association with Clark Kent. He was nicknamed "Apollo" Kent by the media for his good looks. Dent, Commissioner James Gordon, and Batman once forged an alliance to rid Gotham City of crime. This alliance ended tragically when a crime boss whom Dent was prosecuting threw acid in his face, horribly scarring the left half while leaving the other half undamaged. The post-Crisis version of these events are recounted in the comic book miniseries, Batman: The Long Halloween. In this book, Mafia chieftain Salvatore " ...

See also:

Two-Face, Two-Face - Full history and analysis, Two-Face - Two-Face in other media

Read more here: » Two-Face: Encyclopedia II - Two-Face - Full history and analysis

A meek, quiet man, the Ventriloquist plans and executes his crimes through a dummy named Scarface, with the dress and persona of a 1920s gangster, complete with pinstripe suit, cigar and tommy gun. Born into a powerful Mafia Family, Ventriloquist (real name Arnold Wesker) developed multiple personality disorder when he saw his mother murdered by an assassin from a rival Family. Growing up, his only outlet was ventriloquism, which he mastered, forming an act with a dummy he named Scarface. Eventually, the Scarface dummy took on his rep ...

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Ventriloquist comics, Ventriloquist comics - History, Ventriloquist comics - Appearances in other media

Read more here: » Ventriloquist comics: Encyclopedia II - Ventriloquist comics - History

In Batman Beyond, Spellbinder is the alter-ego of Ira Billings; a part-time counsellor at Hamilton High. He wears a costume featuring a red and black swirl design, and uses a large floating 'eyeball', that allows him to project images into the minds of others using hypnosis. Spellbinder features in the following episodes of Batman Beyond: 'Spellbound' (Episode 09) ...

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Spellbinder DC Comics, Spellbinder DC Comics - Spellbinder in Batman comics, Spellbinder DC Comics - Spellbinder in Batman Beyond, Spellbinder DC Comics - Spellbinder in The Batman

Read more here: » Spellbinder DC Comics: Encyclopedia II - Spellbinder DC Comics - Spellbinder in Batman Beyond

Jonathan Crane became obsessed with fear and revenge from being bullied throughout his childhood and adolescence for his lanky frame and bookish nature. He committed his first murder at the age of 18 by brandishing a gun in his high school parking lot during the senior prom. Dressed in the ghoulish scarecrow costume that would later display his identity, Crane caused the main bully (Bo Griggs) and his girlfriend (Sherry Squires), who had earlier rejected Crane, to have an automobile accident which paralyzed the bully and killed the girlfriend. Crane then discovered a savage deligh ...

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Scarecrow comics, Scarecrow comics - Origin, Scarecrow comics - Powers and abilities, Scarecrow comics - Scarebeast, Scarecrow comics - In other media, Scarecrow comics - Animated television series, Scarecrow comics - Film, Scarecrow comics - Video Games

Read more here: » Scarecrow comics: Encyclopedia II - Scarecrow comics - Origin

Edward Nigma discovered how fun and challenging puzzles were when he was a young boy (he cheated on a puzzle in school to win a prize), and he gradually turned to crime as he matured. Issue 2 of Justice by Alex Ross, suggests that the presence of his father, not absence, was to blame for his compulsion to hide the form of the truth in riddles. His father presumably caught Edward cheating and beat him, presumably perpetually after the incident to teach Edward to tell the truth and keep him out of trouble. The sad result had Edward telling the truth behind riddles and ...

See also:

Riddler, Riddler - Full history and analysis, Riddler - Real names, Riddler - Quizmaster, Riddler - Other Media

Read more here: » Riddler: Encyclopedia II - Riddler - Full history and analysis

Bronze Tiger - Childhood. Ben Turner came from an upper middle class black neighborhood in Central City. Already at the age of 10, Ben Turner killed a man. A white burglar was assaulting his parents, when young Ben Turner went berserk, grabbing a kitchen knife and stabbing the man till he died. Ben Turner would later admit that he didn't feel sorry that he had killed the man, but that it had ended too soon. At 13 Ben Turner turned to martial arts in hopes of controlling those rages. Nonetheless, the confli ...

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Bronze Tiger, Bronze Tiger - Detailed History, Bronze Tiger - Childhood, Bronze Tiger - Controlling the anger, Bronze Tiger - Becoming the Bronze Tiger, Bronze Tiger - Running up against a Wall, Bronze Tiger - The Suicide Squad, Bronze Tiger - The Squad reformed, Bronze Tiger - Tiger and the Dragon, Bronze Tiger - Powers and abilities

Read more here: » Bronze Tiger: Encyclopedia II - Bronze Tiger - Detailed History

Harley Quinn first appeared in the Batman: The Animated Series episode "Jokers Favor" (episode #022, original airdate: September 11th, 1992) where she served as a humourous female sidekick to the Joker. In her first appearances she was depicted as a character completely devoted to the Joker, totally oblivious to his psychotic nature and his obvious lack of affection for her - a characterisation th ...

See also:

Harley Quinn, Harley Quinn - History on Batman: The Animated Series, Harley Quinn - DC Universe Comic history, Harley Quinn - Other media, Harley Quinn - Trivia

Read more here: » Harley Quinn: Encyclopedia II - Harley Quinn - History on Batman: The Animated Series

The first Blockbuster was Mark Desmond, a chemist who wanted to become stronger. Experimenting on himself, he grew stronger and taller, but in the process was turned into a mindless brute. Desmond was cared for by his criminally-minded brother, Roland, who shielded Mark's monstrous appearance from their mother. Roland used Mark to commit crimes until they were stopped by Batman and Robin. Desmond had years earlier been rescued from drowning by Bruce Wayne, and the Dark Knight Detective discovered that he could calm and stall the behem ...

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Blockbuster comics, Blockbuster comics - Background, Blockbuster comics - Other Media

Read more here: » Blockbuster comics: Encyclopedia II - Blockbuster comics - Background

The Penguin was played by Burgess Meredith in the Batman television series of the 1960s and the spin-off movie. A largely campy interpretation, Meredith's performance is perhaps best remembered through his signature laughter, meant to mimic the squawk of a penguin. One cause of it was the smoke from the cigarettes Meredith had to smoke for the role, which irritated his throat (he was a non-smoker in real life). It should be noted that the basic plot of Batman Returns, involving the Penguin running for mayor, is most likely insp ...

See also:

Penguin comics, Penguin comics - Appearances, Penguin comics - Character history, Penguin comics - In other media, Penguin comics - Bibliography

Read more here: » Penguin comics: Encyclopedia II - Penguin comics - In other media

Edward Nigma discovered how fun and challenging puzzles were when he was a young boy (he cheated on a puzzle in school to win a prize), and he gradually turned to crime as he matured. Issue 2 of Justice by Alex Ross, suggests that the presence of his father, not absence, was to blame for his compulsion to hide the form of the truth in riddles. His father presumably caught Edward cheating and beat him, presumably perpetually after the incident to keep Edward to tell the truth and keep him out of trouble. The sad result had Edward telling the truth behind riddles an ...

See also:

Riddler, Riddler - Full history and analysis, Riddler - Real names, Riddler - Quizmaster, Riddler - Other Media

Read more here: » Riddler: Encyclopedia II - Riddler - Full history and analysis

Joker comics - In the animated series. Batman: The Animated Series—mainly in the episode "Beware the Creeper" and the spin-off movie Batman: Mask of the Phantasm—offers another version of the Joker's history: he is portrayed as a former anonymous hitman for the Mafia with ties to the Beaumont family, later responsible for the death of Carl Beaumont. As in the 1989 movie, he was not wearing any disguise when he made his fateful attempt to rob the chemical factory. Unlike the movie, no attempt has ...

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Joker comics, Joker comics - Character analysis, Joker comics - Character history, Joker comics - Powers and abilities, Joker comics - Publication history, Joker comics - Appearances in other media, Joker comics - In the animated series, Joker comics - In television, Joker comics - In film, Joker comics - Bibliography, Joker comics - Web Sites, Joker comics - Parodies

Read more here: » Joker comics: Encyclopedia II - Joker comics - Appearances in other media

Born to serve the life sentence of his father, Bane's childhood and early adult life were spent behind the walls of Peña Duro, an infamous prison located in Santa Prisca (claimed to be Cuba in Batman: The Animated Series). There, he read as many books as he could get his hands on, and built up his body in the prison's gymnasium. He committed his first murder at the age of eight. He became a test subject for a mysterious drug known as Venom, which had killed its other subjects. It nearly killed him at first, but he survived and found its ...

See also:

Bane comics, Bane comics - History, Bane comics - In other media

Read more here: » Bane comics: Encyclopedia II - Bane comics - History

Baby Doll suffers from a fictional disease called systemic hypoplasia. Somewhat like dwarfism, systemic hypoplasia causes its victims to cease aging at a certain point in childhood. Dahl stopped aging at approximately the age of six. As a result, she has the mental and emotional capacity of an adult, but the body of a child. At one point, Dahl was a successful actress on a family sitcom, That's ...

See also:

Baby Doll Batman: The Animated Series, Baby Doll Batman: The Animated Series - Biography, Baby Doll Batman: The Animated Series - Personality

Read more here: » Baby Doll Batman: The Animated Series: Encyclopedia II - Baby Doll Batman: The Animated Series - Biography

Spoiler had become the new Robin when Tim Drake quit. However, Batman believed she was a danger to herself and to others and fired her. Desperate to prove herself, she took one of Batman's contingency plans and set it into action. The plan was to get all of Gotham's crime lords under the control of Orpheus, an agent of Batman, and therefore under the control of Batman himself. The plan failed because Spoiler was unaware that the man who was set to meet with the crime lords, Matches Malone, was really just one of Batman's disguises. When "Mat ...

See also:

Black Mask comics, Black Mask comics - Dark Beginning, Black Mask comics - Becoming Black Mask, Black Mask comics - Cult Leader, Black Mask comics - Relentless, Black Mask comics - War Games, Black Mask comics - War Crimes, Black Mask comics - Infinite Crisis

Read more here: » Black Mask comics: Encyclopedia II - Black Mask comics - War Games