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The Batman franchise is being rebooted on the large display as soon as once more, this time with Robert Pattinson taking over the cape and cowl. The Batman appears to be like to be darker and extra violent than even Batman Begins or Batman v Superman. However there’s one necessary distinction this time round. Batman’s first main foe isn’t the Joker or Ra’s al Ghul — it’s Paul Dano’s Riddler.You may assume you understand this colourful, flamboyant trickster, however how a lot are you actually clued in on the historical past of Edward Nigma? And what makes him the pure option to be this Batman’s first main nemesis? Let’s take a deep dive into the complicated puzzle that’s the Riddler. And for extra on the film, take a look at all our DC FanDome protection!The Riddler’s OriginsThe Riddler first appeared in 1948’s Detective Comics #140. If not fairly as previous as Batman rogues like Joker and Catwoman, he’s nonetheless a part of that basic first era of Gotham villains. Extra modern Batman comics have even reworked Riddler’s origins to point out he was among the many first to grapple with the Caped Crusader, even earlier than Joker himself. Given the fluid nature of DC continuity and Riddler’s personal disjointed thoughts, we don’t know loads concerning the origin of his legal profession. We don’t even know if his actual title is Edward Nygma or Eddie Nash. There’s one fixed, nonetheless. Since childhood, Riddler has been fueled by a compulsive must show himself as the neatest particular person within the room. He craves mental validation, and he believes Batman to be his solely really worthy opponent.Artwork by Greg Capullo. (Picture Credit score: DC)A later storyline referred to as The Struggle of Jokes and Riddles revolves round the concept Joker and Riddler are the one two villains really worthy of killing Batman. Naturally, meaning the 2 go to battle with one another for the privilege, forcing Batman to deal with the tons of of lifeless our bodies left of their wake. In the long run, Riddler manages to harm Batman in a means even Joker by no means might. Batman and Riddler kind a short lived alliance to cease Joker, just for Batman to find simply how twisted his new associate really is. Batman snaps and tries to stab Riddler, just for the Joker of all folks to avoid wasting Nygma’s life. Batman has all the time managed to cease himself from killing the Joker, however by some means Riddler is aware of methods to push the Darkish Knight’s buttons like no different. Fixing the Final MysteryIn many Batman tales, Riddler is consumed by what he considers to be the final word thriller – who’s Batman beneath the masks? That’s the idea for the model seen within the Batman: Earth One graphic novels, the place Riddler is depicted as a sadistic serial killer obsessive about this thriller.Finally, Riddler is simply too sensible to not lastly uncover the reality. That’s the reveal on the coronary heart of a comic book guide storyline referred to as Batman: Hush. Whereas the titular villain of this winding homicide thriller seems to be Bruce Wayne’s childhood good friend, Tommy Elliot, in the end it’s Riddler on the middle of the online. Artwork by Jim Lee. (Picture Credit score: DC)Batman’s smartest enemy determining his secret identification might look like a recipe for catastrophe, however Batman reminds Riddler that data isn’t all the time energy. In spite of everything, what good is the world’s Most worthy secret if everybody is aware of about it? Even Riddler has no reply to that puzzle. Fortunately for Batman, Riddler promptly forgot this secret after a handy case of amnesia.Hush was later tailored into an animated film, with one key distinction. On this model, Riddler himself is revealed to be Hush, a part of his ploy to raise his standing amongst Gotham’s villains. On this case, Riddler is killed by Catwoman earlier than he can share his secret with the world. Riddler’s Function in The Batman Primarily based on these storylines alone, it’s clear why Riddler is worthy of changing into Batman’s first foe within the new films. He’s not solely sensible sufficient to present Batman a run for his cash, however he can rival Joker for collateral injury when he has the appropriate motivation.Emphasizing Riddler additionally is smart on condition that the brand new sequence appears to be drawing inspiration from Batman comedian author Scott Snyder, who penned Zero Yr and a number of other different key tales. One telltale clue is Batman’s gauntlets, which intently resemble these worn by the Talons. These undead assassins serve the Court docket of Owls, one other of Snyder’s DC creations. This underground group existed in Gotham lengthy earlier than Batman got here on the scene, and a few followers are speculating that Pattinson’s Bruce Wayne might have educated with the Court docket in the identical means Christian Bale’s Bruce was a member of the League of Shadows. The trailers for The Batman reveal Dano’s Riddler to be a terrifying serial killer with a deep curiosity in Gotham’s secret historical past. This model of Riddler appears extra Zodiac Killer than campy DC villain, and his full-body leather-based swimsuit is a far cry from the intense inexperienced, query mark-heavy fits we’ve seen within the pastBased on these trailers, Riddler appears intent on exposing an unlimited conspiracy on the coronary heart of Gotham Metropolis, and he’s leaving a path of our bodies to assist Batman piece collectively the clues. He’s focusing on everybody from the mayor to the District Lawyer to the police. He’s even live-streaming his crimes for good measure, as a result of what good is a riddle with out an viewers? However the place that path in the end leads, we’ll simply have to attend and see when The Batman hits theaters in 2022.Do you assume Riddler is a worthy villain to kick off the rebooted Batman franchise? Tell us down within the feedback. And for much more on the upcoming movie, take a look at our The Batman trailer breakdown the place we delve into why the Robert Pattinson Darkish Knight could be the craziest one but.Jesse is a mild-mannered employees author for IGN. Permit him to lend a machete to your mental thicket by following @jschedeen on Twitter.
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