The Judge was an identity adopted by Gotham City Judge Clay to seek revenge on Batman and Robin.
History[]
A corrupt judge willing to commit crimes, Clay had murdered a criminal who would implicate him in these activities. When Batman investigated, he discovered his involvement and, during the confrontation, his daughter Melissa was blinded by a stray gunshot. Swearing revenge on the Caped Crusader, Clay rigged an abandoned house with various traps and planned to lure Batman inside.
Taking the alias of "the Judge", Clay kidnapped Robin to lure Batman into the house. However, Melissa also appeared and attempted to talk him out of his revenge, though he refused to listen. Eventually, Batman and Robin escaped and navigated the traps, catching the Judge. To his horror, Clay learned that Melissa had been killed by one of the traps he had rigged. Regretful for what had befallen her, he allowed himself to be captured and turned over to the police.
In Other Media[]
The Judge in The New Batman Adventures
- The New Batman Adventures: A drastically reimagined version of the Judge appears in the episode "Judgment Day", voiced by Malachi Throne. As opposed to the comic counterpart, this version of the Judge is a vigilante targeting Gotham's costumed criminals, notably Penguin, Riddler, Two-Face and Killer Croc. At the episode's conclusion, it is revealed that the Judge is actually a third personality for Two-Face, with neither of Dent's personalities being previously aware of its existance.
Notes[]
- Other characters have used the title of "the Judge" throughout the DC multiverse, inlcuding Hunter Zolomon, the Red Lantern Corps member Sheko and an unnamed Teen Titans villain from the future. One of Joker's victims in Batman: Three Jokers is also labeled "the Judge", as recall about his adoption of the role in past adventures with Batman.