Dr. Thomas Wayne was the father of Bruce Wayne and a former mayoral candidate in the city. His murder alongside his wife Martha Wayne served as one of the primary motivations behind their son's vigilante activities as "Batman". During Riddler's attacks on Gotham's elite, the serial killer targeted their son due to his association with mobster Carmine Falcone.
Biography[]
Thomas Wayne was the last surviving member of Gotham's prominent Wayne family, with ties dating back to the city's early history. He was a qualified doctor and surgeon, using these skills to help the people of Gotham. At some point, Thomas fell in love with Martha Arkham, one of the last surviving members of the Arkham family. The two later married and had a son called Bruce. Thomas was aware of the murder-suicide of Martha's parents and her history with mental health, helping cover up these to avoid it affecting his family. He also employed former intelligence officer Alfred Pennyworth as a bodyguard and butler. Bella Reál suggested that both of he and Martha were heavily involved in philanthropic efforts to improve Gotham.
One night during Bruce's childhood, Thomas accepted mobster Carmine Falcone into his home after he'd been shot in an incident. Operating on him in their dining room, he was able to save the mobster's life through the procedure. According to Bruce, he only did it because he took the "hypocritic oath", though the mobster suggested it might have meant something more. It was later suggested that Thomas became a "long-time secret associate" of Falcone after the event, though Alfred suggests he wanted nothing to do with the mobster or his syndicate's criminal activities.
Sometime afterward, Thomas began running as Gotham City's Mayor, hoping to make great change to help its citizens. In his announcement, he set up the Gotham Renewal Program, a charitable fund intended to be used by projects in need. Thomas made his announcement at both during a conference, even arranging for a child's choir to perform during it. Thomas encountered a young Edward Nashton at the event and took an interest in his obsession with puzzles. He promised the boy that Renewal would help his education and shared a riddle with him.[1] Shortly after the event, Thomas moved his family to a penthouse in Wayne Tower and donated his ancestral home Wayne Manor to the city, turning it into a orphanage.[2]
Elliot Murder and Death[]
Some time into his campaign, Thomas learned that a journalist called Edward Elliot had uncovered the Arkham's murder-suicide and Martha's history with mental heath. Desperate to prevent it from becoming public and affect both Martha and Bruce, he attempted to bribe Elliot into silence but was refused. In a moment of desperation, he approached Falcone and asked for him to threaten Elliot into retracting the story. However, the mobster responded by killing the reporter, later justifying it as him being on a rival's payroll.
According to Alfred, Thomas was horrified when he learned what Falcone had done. Ridden with guilt, he planned to turn himself into the police and confess his involvement to them. However, that night, he and Martha were gunned down by an unidentified person before Bruce's eyes. It is speculated the attacker was a gun hired by either Maroni to prevent his potential success or Falcone to cover up the Elliot murder, though Alfred also speculated they may have been a random criminal without any mob connections.
Legacy[]
Thomas and Martha were well remembered by Gotham, with their philanthropic achievements outshining many of their other activities. However, their deaths also left a void quickly filled by the criminals in Gotham, with Falcone and Maroni taking control of their Renewal Program. The system quickly fell into criminal usage, with it used to bribe officials and launder dirty money. Their murder also inspired Bruce to become the vigilante Batman to avenge their murder.
Thomas' involvement with Falcone was later uncovered by Edward Nashton, now a forensic accountant learned of Falcone's usage of Renewal for his ill-gotten gains. During his attacks as "the Riddler", the expose both Thomas' association with Falcone, Martha's mental health and their involvement with the murder of Elliot. These tarnished both their reputation and the Wayne family's image in Gotham. This nearly led to Bruce being furious at his father, until he learned from Alfred that Thomas never meant for Elliot to be killed and was only concerned for his family rather than his public image, contributing Bruce's reevaluation as Batman.
Notes[]
- Thomas' depiction in the film takes influence from his counterpart from Batman: Earth One. However, his association with Falcone is similar to his counterpart from Batman: The Telltale Series, who was a criminal associated with its version (albeit more corrupt).