Riddler
Bio
Riddler is the original clue-dropping criminal. He delights in challenging Batman and Robin with his puzzles that he leaves behind at crime scenes, always pointing to where he will be next.
Although he was a high school dropout, Riddler is still intelligent enough to give the Caped Crusaders plenty of headaches solving his clues, which are often many-layered and contain several possible solutions.
Nicknames
Often the criminal was given a nickname by those who sought to capture him or her. These names could be spoken by The Caped Crusaders, the members of GCPD, or even law-abiding members of Gotham society. What follows is a list of names people have called Riddler.
- the Enigmatic Egotist
- the Prince of Puzzlers
Aliases
From time to time, a villain will slip into a guise in order to further their criminal deeds. These aliases could be just a name or they could include costumes and make-up. In every case, however, Batman and Robin would eventually see the real evil behind the mask. What follows is a list of aliases used by Riddler.
- Mushy Nebukanezzer, the Middle Eastern boxing champion.
Weapons and Equipment
- Riddler-alarm- installed in his hideout, they sound whenever someone is entering.
- Demolecularizer- this device was purchased from Professor Charm for three million dollars. It works by disrupting the molecular structures of matter, making any object dissipate into thin air.
- Steam Room- used for holding kidnappees. The steam apparently causes their resistance to wilt.
- Riddler juice- gives the victim amnesia.
- Novelty cigarette lighter- in the shape of a handgun, it produces a flame when the trigger is pulled. Handy for practical jokes.
- Instant Compound X- used for making molds, ie. can produce a mask that is an exact replica of the subject's face.
- Wake-up and Sleeping Sprays- make kidnapping as easy as vandalizing a public building.
- Laughing gas- kept in pressurized gas tanks, so it can be pumped through a building's ventilation system.
Known Associates
Just as Batman and Robin do not go at crime-fighting alone, Gotham City's most notorious villains need fellow partners in crime to assist them with their malicious schemes.
Moth- His female partner in crime during his caper involving the universal wax solvent. She was game until she came face to face with the Dynamic Duo and was smitten with Batman's good looks. Though she was attracted to the Caped Crusader, she did not give up crime and was taken into custody with Riddler and the rest of his henchmen.
Matches and Tallow- simple henchmen
Mister Van Jones- a collector of silent films who lent his collection to Gotham City's Washington Square for a silent film festival. He is a Gotham millionaire and lives in a mansion in which he often throws temperance parties, serving only lemonade to his guests.
Though an esteemed member of Gotham society, his love of silent films drove him to crime. He propositioned the Riddler to make a silent movie, the first of such films to be made in 40 years, starring none other than Batman and Robin as they tracked the Riddler through a series of petty crimes. Van Jones paid Riddler $100,000 for the finished picture.
The Riddler doubled-crossed him, however, attempting to steal the priceless movie collection and ransom it for $1,000,000. Batman and Robin saved the day, however. It is not known what punishment befell Van Jones.
Pauline- "A star that was never born", she vented her frustrations on society by turning to crime. She played a willing role in Riddler's silent movie caper. She was taken by Batman at the Gotham City Lumber Yard. She was whisked to the Batcave and interrogated by Batman using the Truth Control Bat-tester (see Equipment) and then handed over to the Gotham City Police.
Anna Gram- assistant who enjoyed playing cards and solving jigsaw puzzles. She recently was awarded the milkmaid of the month award by the Dairymen's League.
Across and Down- simple henchmen.
Professor Avery Evans Charm- a brilliant inventor, he is haunted by the fact that he never completed high school. He sold Riddler his demolecularizer, hoping to see the Gotham City Science Institute pay for not letting him in. He had planned to complete a molecular restorer using the money Riddler paid him. In the end, the professor returned all the stolen charity money to the police because the thought of all the hungry children weighed on his conscience.
Betsy Boldface- responsible for buying food for Riddler's training diet. Also has a midnight sports telecast. Commissioner Gordon was quite taken with her, noting that she did as well as any man could do in that position.
Kayo, Cauliflower- henchmen.
Siren- worked with Riddler on one caper, using her talent to hypnotize heavyweight contenders so that they couldn't challenge Riddler's title. Mentioned that she had her own plans for Batman and Robin.
The Molehill Mob- infamous gang of hoods that hid out in Gotham City's labyrinthine subway system.
The River Rat Gang- comprised of Whiskers, Fangs, and Whitey. They all love cheese.
Mousey- an affiliate of the River Rat gang. She sometimes dresses as a schoolgirl to avoid suspicion. She was often late for meetings because she had to take the bus. When finally caught by Batman, she told him that she turned to a life of crime because she was looking for kicks after she dropped out of high school.
Hideouts
To some people villainy is a job; but, unlike the rest of the law-abiding citizens of Gotham City, villains do not work in an office, factory, or from their own homes. They must establish a 'hideout' from which they can organize and orchestrate their evil deeds.
- a little-used gymnasium
- an abandoned subway toolroom deep under Gotham City
- Kandle Lite Candle Factory
- an abandoned cutting room of a bankrupt film studio
- the soon to be opened Noman Jigsaw Puzzle Factory
- the Rat Cave, hideout of the River Rats
Name-calling
From time to time, those nasty villains would resort to insults. What follows are the names used by Riddler.
- Dynamic Dullheads
- Dynamic Decimal Points
Robin
Return to Villain Index