The inspiration for this week’s blog comes from my All New Marvel Roundup and Superconductivity podcast cohost Charlie Esser (@charlieesser). Charlie mentioned that now that Oswald is top dog of crime On Gotham now, he needs a new rival and the writers should introduce the Ventriloquist. Who is the Ventriloquist? 3 people have used the name. The first and best known was a timid man named Arnold Wesker who committed crimes by commanding his gang through his dummy Scarface, who was always dressed as a 1920’s gangster. Wesker and Scarface both first appeared in Detective Comics #583 (February 1988).
Posts filed under Comics
The Ogre (Who’s that?)
Who’s this Ogre guy that’s been on Gotham the last few weeks? I can’t remember where I was online that said the Ogre was an original creation for the show. Not so. The concept came from one issue of Batman. The name Ogre was used a few times in DC Comics. Before the 1985-1986 miniseries Crisis on Infinite Earths, O.G.R.E. was an organize that stood for Organize for General Revenge and Enslavement. They first appeared and fought Aquaman in Aquaman #26.
Batman: The Dark Knight Returns
I’m sure all you real Batman fans saw the Batman v Superman Dawn of Justice teaser trailer recently. You may be saying “Why are Batman and Superman fighting?” or “Why is Batman (or Batfleck) wearing that armor?” Many of us recognize that at least some inspiration for this movie must come from the 1986 Frank Miller story Batman the Dark Knight Returns.
The 4 issue miniseries was set in a possible future (In the pre-New 52 continuity, this story was set on Earth 31). The story begins with a now 55 year old Bruce Wayne, now retired from crime fighting for 10 years.
Stephanie Brown (She’s not spoiled)
Stephanie first appeared as the costumed vigilante Spoiler to foil a plot by her newly released from prison father who was known as the Cluemaster. Stephanie would keep going out at nights even after her father’s return to prison. Batman had objections to “amateurs” working in Gotham, but Stephanie had started to develop a crush on the Robin at the time, Tim Drake.At the time, Stephanie’s advances were not returned, as Tim had a girlfriend he went to school with. Eventaully, feeling scorned and rejected...
The Joker
I’ve already written about my thoughts on the Joker way back in the 2nd week of this blog, but I’ve never discussed his history, which has been coming up more and more (maybe) on Gotham.
The Joker was created by Bob Kane, Jerry Robinson, and Bill Finger. Elements that inspired the idea of the Joker include actor Conrad Veidt as Gwynplaine (a man with a disfigured face), the 1928 film, The Man Who Laughs, and an image in Steeplechase Park at Coney Island. The Joker first appeared in Batman #1 (1940).