Carl Grissom

"What kind of damage are we looking at?"

- Carl Grissom

Boss Carl Grissom is a crime lord created specifically for Batman. He was portrayed by Jack Palance.

History


Carl Grissom is the most powerful crime lord in Gotham City, with almost the entire Gotham City Police Department (except Commissioner Gordon) on his payroll, including Lieutenant Max Eckhardt. When the recently-elected District Attorney Harvey Dent begins to make connections between Grissom and Axis Chemicals, Grissom panics, knowing that the evidence stored at the factory is enough to have him sent to the electric chair.

Grissom finds out that his mistress, Alicia Hunt, has been having an affair with his second-in-command, Jack Napier. So to take his revenge, Grissom sends Napier and his crew to Axis Chemicals to seize the evidence before Dent can. At the same time, he calls Lt. Eckhardt and orders him to lead a team of police to arrest Napier. However, Eckhardt attempts to escape, but is shot in the chest and killed by a vengeful Napier. Napier is then confronted by Batman, and falls into a vat of chemicals. Grissom then thinks that Napier was killed.

That night, after a shower, Grissom has a visit from Napier, who survived the fall and now wants revenge. Grissom feigns relief, but Napier scoffs him, playing wise to Grissom's moves. Grissom then pleads for his life by offering to cut a new deal with Napier, but Napier refuses and instead reveals his new identity: The Joker, with green hair, white skin, and a widened, permanent grin. At that point, the Joker shoots him dead, and takes over Grissom's empire.

Behind the scenes
Grissom character's inspiration was from Batman's comic book gangster enemies Rupert Thorne and Sal Maroni. Interestingly enough, an earlier draft of the script included Rupert Thorne in Grissom's place, having sent Joe Chill to murder Thomas Wayne, whom had been running against Thorne for City Council.