Amygdala
(anger management)
by Phil Perich for the Before the Bat podcast
I know, I know. Everyone’s talking about Jerome aka the Joker on Gotham season 2. But did you know there’s another Batman villain from the comic books in the new Maniax group? Although he hasn't been around as long as the Joker and other classic villains, Aaron Helzinger has faced the Dark Knight several times in the comics as the mentally deranged Amygdala. Although he can be calm and peacefully at times if properly medicated, Amygdala gained his name after doctors removed the amygdala portion of his brain in an attempt to cure his homicidal rages. The amygdala refers to the bundle of nerve cells in the brain that control emotional associations of many kinds. Amygdala first appeared in Batman: Shadow of the Bat #3 (August 1992).
Amygdala, an inmate at Arkham Asylum, is forced to attack Batman by the asylum’s deranged director, Jeremiah Arkham. After a short battle, Batman defeats the huge mental patient.
During 1993’s Knightfall storyline, the villain Bane orchestrates the escape of all the asylum’s inmates, forcing Batman to hunt them all down. Bane’s plan was to wear down an already physically and mentally exhausted Batman. Batman encountered Amygdala early in the story when he was working as the Ventriloquist’s bodyguard in part 2 of the story (Detective Comics #659, Early May 1993).
Although the Ventriloquist escapes during the battle, Batman is able to subdue the much more dangerous Amygdala.
Amygdala is treated, medicated and released years later. He would go on to live a normal life for awhile living in Bludhaven in the same apartment building as Dick Grayson (Nightwing). Amygdala had a job as a warden at Lockhaven prison. But Amygdala’s normal life came to an end when the villainous Blockbuster blew up the apartment building killing all inside except for Amygdala and Dick Grayson. Amygdala was severely traumatized by the death of his friends.
Amygdala would be seen later as one of the villains that joined Alexander Luthor’s Secret Society of Supervillains in the Infinite Crisis miniseries and also in the 2008 Gotham Underground miniseries drinking in Penguin’s Iceberg Lounge.
Amygdala is currently portrayed on Gotham season 2 by actor William “Stink” Fisher.
After the beating he gave Jim Gordon, how are the Gotham cops going to stop this man? Any thoughts? Share here:
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You can hear me and my friends discuss Gotham and all things Batman on my podcast Before the Bat: the Gotham podcast.
I also write for 2 other blogs, the Flash/Arrow blog and the True Believers blog. All my blogs, podcasts, and those of others can be found at www.southgatemediagroup.com
Well thats it for this week. Be Good! Remember, sometimes insanity comes at you like a freight train!