"The Riddler" was the identity assumed by an unnamed serial killer. After Oswald Cobblepot's death, he began targeting the Mayor's subordinates to gain Batman's attention. Riddler was obsessed with puzzles and the vigilante. He also was obsessed with what came after death, which he perceived as "the ultimate Riddle".[1]
Biography[]
After the death of Mayor Oswald Cobblepot, the Riddler became obsessed with the vigilante Batman and learning his identity. Hoping to gain his attention, he began deducing the identities of the Penguin's lieutenants and set up complex traps to kill them. Riddler first made his move six months after Batman's confrontation with Cobblepot, beginning with Clarissa Crane and then Jack Drake. The latter led to an initial confrontation with Batman, which Riddler managed to escape.
When Batman discovered his lair through help from Waylon Jones, Riddler made contact with the vigilante and threatened to blow up a subway car unless he answered the riddle. When Batman answered correctly, he sadistically blew up the carriage. From the discussion and clues discovered in Riddler's lair, the Dark Knight was able to deduce his plans and that he'd destroyed the train to take out another target, Alvin Pierce.
After framing Bruce Wayne of being him, Riddler trapped city officials in the GCPD Holding Cells when the Mayor and District Attorney assembled there. After Wayne solved his riddle, he released the inmates and attempted to escape. However, Batman tracked him down and, with assistance from Waylon Jones, defeated Riddler. The criminal was then arrested by the GCPD, with press reporting that they were still attempting to learn his identity. Dt. James Gordon would later deduce his final target, GCPD Cpt. Christopher Black, and arrest him.[2]
Notes[]
- Batman suspects that Riddler may be one of Penguin's former lieutenants, given he knows their identities. He'd also have access to the entire empire with the other dead, thus provide an ulterior motive for their deaths. However, it is unclear what resources he controlled or where he would be stationed in the city's infrastructure.
- This version of the Riddler would later inspire the version of the character seen in The Batman. Notably, the two versions are depicted as serial killers targeting members of Gotham's organized crime and an obsession towards Batman.