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"Question: What does no man want to have, yet no man wants to lose? Answer: A lawsuit."
―The Riddler[src]

The Riddler is an infamous Gotham City criminal and one of Batman's greatest foes. He is a masked man in a bright green spandex costume that commits various bizarre crimes and leaves riddles leading to his next crime.

Biography[]

Riddler's true identity is completely unknown to the Gotham City Police Department. Nearly everything about his past is shrouded in mystery, one big question mark. Although he was a high school dropout, Riddler is still highly intelligent and is able to leave riddles difficult to even the Caped Crusaders, which are often many-layered and contain several possible solutions. He now exists as a cackling, clue-dropping -arch-criminal. He delights in challenging Batman and Robin with his puzzles that he leaves at every scene of a crime.

However, he is psychologically incapable of committing any crime without offering a clue as to how he can be caught which results in his defeat.

Batman said that the Riddler once said to him; "A Riddle a day keeps the Riddler away", which means that he is never finished with his schemes until the riddles stop.

Riddler was the main villain of the first episode. He was also the main villain of the first comic, Riddler's Ruse.

  • Riddler first appeared on the Cover of Detective Comics #140 [October 1948] in which the Dynamic Duo are trapped in Riddler Puzzel Traps {This was actually used on a epsiode Batman 1960's series although the victium was a man robbed by the Riddler (John Astin played the Riddler)
  • In Batman #179 March 1966 Riddler once tried to commit crimes without leaving any clues using self hypnosis; however, he learned too late that while he was asleep his unconscious mind left riddling clues, causing Batman and Robin to capture him
  • In Batman the ANimated Series he had only two really good roles: The first "If Your So Smart, Why Arnt You Rich?" Pitted Riddler revenge against a former employer who had not only cheated him but also mocked his intellect; Batman just mananged to save the almost victium when he answered Riddler Riddle: The Answer was the Human Brian..the only thing edward Nigma respects. In the Second epside "What iS reality?" Riddler has trapped Commissioner Gordon mind within a deadly computer virtual reality game; Batman rescuses Gordon and Riddler mind ends up trapped in the Computer instead!

Accomplices[]

  • United Underworld and the Legion of Doom
  • The Molehill Mob - Hired thugs for Riddler during his plot to steal the Moldavian postage stamps.
  • Harry (portrayed by Allen Jaffe) - Member of The Molehill Mob.
  • Molly (portrayed by Jill St. John) - Riddler's first moll.
  • The River Rat Gang - Comprised of Whitey (portrayed by Roy Jenson), Whiskers (portrayed by Tim Herbert), and Fangs (portrayed by Marc Cavell). They assisted Riddler in a plot to dispose of King Boris. They all love cheese.
  • Mousey (portrayed by Susan Silo) - Riddler's moll in the River Rat Gang. It is revealed that she dropped out of high school.
  • Tallow and Matches (portrayed by Joe E. Tata and Michael Greene) - Simple henchmen who assisted Riddler in a plot to steal Incan Jewels that will be destroyed if exposed to oxygen.
  • Moth (portrayed by Linda Gaye Scott) - His female partner during his plan to steal the Great Treasure of The Incas.
  • C.B., Von Bloheim, Wolf (portrayed by Richard Bakalyan, Theodore Marcuse, and Burt Brandon) - Simple henchmen helping Riddler with his movie and help him with his plot to steal Mr. Van Jones's valuable collection of silent films.
  • Pauline (portrayed by Sherry Jackson) - Riddler's moll during his movie and his plot, but when she was spotted by Batman she tried to escape but Batman caught her.
  • Mr. Van Jones (portrayed by Francis X. Bushman) - collector of valuable silent films that Riddler wanted to steal.
  • Across and Down (portrayed by Jim Lefebvre and Ken Scott) - Simple henchmen who helped Riddler get Professor Charm's Demolecularizer.
  • Siren (portrayed by Joan Collins) She worked with Riddler.
  • Betsy Boldface (portrayed by Peggy Ann Garner) Riddler assistant.
  • Kayo and Cauliflower (portrayed by Nicholas Georgiade and Gil Perkins) Riddler thugs.

Behind the Scenes[]

In the Batman Movie and a few episodes of Batman, Riddler appears in a bowler and a suit covered in question marks rather than a leotard costume. Likewise in the Batman Series the "Accident" shows Riddler's "?" Car!

Frank Gorshin was influential in the development of the suit and bowler hat look for the Riddler, which would later become a popular look for his comic book appearances. Likewise, when John Astin briefly took over the role for Season Two, the infamous question mark cane was introduced, which would also be incorporated into the main comic books and various other media.

Trivia[]

  • His real name Edward Nigma is never mentioned.

Appearances[]

Television series[]

Season 1[]

1. Hi Diddle Riddle
2. Smack in the Middle

11. A Riddle a day keeps the Riddler away
12. When the Rat's away, the Mice will Play

23. The Ring of Wax
24. Give 'em the Axe

31. Death in Slow Motion
32. The Riddler's False Notion

Season 2[]

79. Batman's Anniversary
80. A Riddling Controversy

Season 3[]

96. Ring Around the Riddler

119. The Entrancing Dr. Cassandra (Cameo)

Films[]

  • Batman: The Movie
  • Batman: Return of the Caped Crusaders
  • Batman vs. Two-Face

Gallery[]

References[]

External links[]

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