The Riddler: Year One #1 was published in October 2022. The comic follows Edward Nashton as he investigates a font company and the beginning of his obsession with the Batman. The comic was written by Paul Dano and drawn by Stevan Subic.
"Chapter 1: A New Beginning"[]
Plot[]
During a day at his work, Edward Nashton completes several accounts for his boss Zach. One is completed before schedule, which Zach puts aside until the end of the month. As he returns home, Edward is disgusted by the state of the city and has plagued by several intrusive thoughts, including a suicidal thought and a hallucination of a stranger. At home, he learns from his favorite website that of the vigilante Batman, whom he believes is fighting against the city itself. He also has a nightmare, which he puts to rest with an image of Thomas Wayne.
The following day, Edward learns the extra file he completed has been submitted by Zach. Due to their bosses being impressed, he is assigned to investigate the accounts for the New Beginnings Animal Rescue, who the legal team are apparently investigation. Edward agrees and quickly discovers that the company has been making payments of $10,000 a week to an apparent parent company, with them being broken up to avoid being flagged by the computer systems. On the journey home, Nashton witnesses a woman being attacked by two goons, only for them to be attacked by Batman. He quickly posts about his encounter on one of his boards, leading some other users to take interest.
The following day, Edward brings his findings to Zach, suggesting that it may be dirty money and they investigate it further. Zach takes them to his boss, Mr. Stone, hoping it get him promoted. However, the allegations are dismissed and Zach is given a meeting to avoid him pressing further. Still believing it to Deciding to go further, Edward follows Stone to a diner and tries to discuss the findings with him. However, Stone dismisses them and suggests that Edward has broken protocol in multiple ways, suggesting he will be fired if he continues to do so.
Whilst planning how to continue without breaking protocol again, Edward learns that one of the men he saw defeated by Batman is on trial. Attending the session, he learns that the man, Higgins, is claiming that he was mugged by the vigilante and that a drug found on the scene was planted by the vigilante. As he prepares to leave the court, Edward learns the man is actually employed by New Beginnings and a former associate of the Maroni Organization. Visiting the company, he quickly attracts suspicions by asking about Higgins, prompting him to leave. As he recovers his composure outside, he sees Mr. Stone and Zach meeting with the woman he saw Batman rescue at a club next-door, leading him to realize these events are all connected.
Appearances[]
Characters[]
- Edward Nashton
- Batman/The Drifter
- Zach Morely (First Appearance)
- Richard Stone (First Appearance)
- Annika Kosolov
- Higgins (First Appearance)
- Higgins' Associate (Only appearance)
- John Joon (First appearance; Unnamed)
- Don Mitchell Jr. (Appears on screen only)
- Thomas Wayne (In a picture/painting only)
Locations[]
- Gotham City
- Edward Nashton's apartment
- KTMJ
- Gotham City Courthouse
- Gotham City Subway
- Tricorner
- Corner Diner
- Iceberg Lounge
- New Beginnings Animal Rescue
Technology[]
- Batsuit
- nigma.org