"Frenchy" Blake was the head of a jewelry theft gang operating during Batman's early days. He was among the first criminals the Dark Knight apprehended after a series of heists from wealthy citizens.
History[]
"Frenchy" Blake operated in Gotham City during and possibly before Batman's first days of crime-fighting. According to police officers, he'd a reputation for being "dapper". From an apartment, Blake headed a group of criminals that stole jewelry from the homes of wealthy citizens rather than jewelers or shops. Though he planned the heists, Blake never took part in them directly. However, members of Gotham's criminal underworld knew that he was involved in them, including an informant named Gimpy.
After a series of heists, Blake became the subject of Batman's investigations. He planned a heist from Vander-Smith's apartment, sending Ricky and Gloves to rob. However, the heist was foiled by Batman, who intern stole the jewels to take police blame away from Blake. Confident that Batman had taken the police's interest in the heist, Blake organized another heist from Norton's home.
After the heist, Blake was confronted by Batman, who'd used his overconfidence to plan the scheme and foiled it. After tricking him into letting him in, Blake was thrown out a window and dangled from the ledge via a Silken Cord. Batman then forced Blake to make and sign a full confession, threatening to drop him if he didn't comply. Though he followed this, Blake attempted to fight off Batman, but was quickly subdued. The unconscious and bound Blake was then left at the front of the Gotham City Police Headquarters with his confession and the jewels he'd stolen.[1]