The Riddler

[Stranger With Candy]

i couldent find another thread about him so i made one.
whats your opinion on this guy?

i think he is one of the coolest and smartest super hero villians of all time. the way he dress(the green suit and the bowler hat) and the way he talks(in my head :P) is just awesome.

i think Jim Carrey played him a bit to foolish but exept from that he was amasing as the Riddler in the movie.

i like The Riddler best from Batman: The Animated Series. he is just so mean and awesome at the same time in that show.

[joe bloke]

I always thought he was a good character rather badly executed. DC never really seemed too sure who or what they wanted him to be. One minute he's a schizoid delusional, the next he's the smartest criminal in the Bat-world. I like the old Dick Sprang version of the character best, I think. And Jim Carey sucked as the Riddler. Frank Gorshin? Now, there's class. . .

[Stranger With Candy]

I always thought he was a good character rather badly executed. DC never really seemed too sure who or what they wanted him to be. One minute he's a schizoid delusional, the next he's the smartest criminal in the Bat-world. I like the old Dick Sprang version of the character best, I think. And Jim Carey sucked as the Riddler. Frank Gorshin? Now, there's class. . .
Frank Gorshin was good, but i havent got a chase to see him so mutch. and i wont say Jim Carrey sucked as The Riddler, but he wasent relly good either. but he diddent suck. and the whole caracter diffrense cinda comfuse me too. i like him best as the calm and super smart riddler tough.

[brundlefly]

Stranger, are you following Paul Dini's current incarnation of the Riddler in DETECTIVE? What is your opinion of the recurring role he's playing there (as a "reformed" private detective)? Personally, I'm enjoying it quite a bit and think his current situation has a lot of story potential.

[Stranger With Candy]

Stranger, are you following Paul Dini's current incarnation of the Riddler in DETECTIVE? What is your opinion of the recurring role he's playing there (as a "reformed" private detective)? Personally, I'm enjoying it quite a bit and think his current situation has a lot of story potential.
i dont think i have seen/read that. i live in Norway and its not so easy to get comics and info about that here. but i will try to check it up. it sounds interesting.

[brundlefly]

i dont think i have seen/read that. i live in Norway and its not so easy to get comics and info about that here. but i will try to check it up. it sounds interesting.

For your reference, the return of the Riddler is in Dini's DETECTIVE #822 and he appears again in DETECTIVE #824.

Hope that is helpful.

[Stranger With Candy]

For your reference, the return of the Riddler is in Dini's DETECTIVE #822 and he appears again in DETECTIVE #824.

Hope that is helpful.
thanks. i will defently try to find them.

[Sean Walsh]

I enjoyed the initial LOTDK story where he completely revamped his look and modus operandi - but the Green Arrow story (circa #50) that followed that just killed my interest in that revamp.

I thought his role in Hush was great. Finally, some friggin' respect. :p

And - over time - I've grown to dislike Jim Carrey's Riddler quite a bit.

Frank Gorshin's definitely the real-life Riddler in my book. John Glover (from B:TAS) too.

[joe bloke]

I vaguely recall a really kooky sort-of-origin story for the Riddler once, which I THINK was written by Neil Gaiman. It was only a handful of pages long, and it showed the character as being confused between the different incarnations of his self - the early comics, the 'sixties show, the Carey skit - and bemoaning his lot as one of the great misused, forgotten Batman villians. Very odd, it was reprinted in the Riddler / Two-Face collection that came out as a cash-in / tie-in to the film that was doing the rounds at the time. That was pretty groovy. I kind of like Dini's current work on the character, but I DO much prefer him as the giant typewriter big crossword deadly finger-puzzle Riddler of old.

[DWEarhart]

I enjoyed the initial LOTDK story where he completely revamped his look and modus operandi - but the Green Arrow story (circa #50) that followed that just killed my interest in that revamp.

I thought his role in Hush was great. Finally, some friggin' respect. :p

And - over time - I've grown to dislike Jim Carrey's Riddler quite a bit.

Frank Gorshin's definitely the real-life Riddler in my book. John Glover (from B:TAS) too.

That was a wasted opportunity. My interest was high on the Riddler, the most it had been in years, but it just fizzled. Dini's found a good way of using him on Detective. I think there's something larger in store for him.

[Stranger With Candy]

i relly dislike the new The Riddler. with long black hair and stuff. i think he looks like a emo or a metallhead or something like that. when i first saw him i just thought it was The Riddlers son ore something like that.

[sly_kat]

i relly dislike the new The Riddler. with long black hair and stuff. i think he looks like a emo or a metallhead or something like that. when i first saw him i just thought it was The Riddlers son ore something like that.

from "The Batman"?

[Stranger With Candy]

from "The Batman"?
yeah .

[DWEarhart]

i relly dislike the new The Riddler. with long black hair and stuff. i think he looks like a emo or a metallhead or something like that. when i first saw him i just thought it was The Riddlers son ore something like that.

I've yet to see any episodes with this version, but looking at the character design, it just doesn't click.

[sly_kat]

yeah .

i dislike the look, i liked the LODK look, but 'the batman' his character is eh:/, but i luved the BTAS riddler

[Kieralinn]

Add another person to the "I hate the new Riddler look"...hello? Is That Marilyn Manson as the Riddle???

[Young Avenger]

I enjoyed the initial LOTDK story where he completely revamped his look and modus operandi - but the Green Arrow story (circa #50) that followed that just killed my interest in that revamp.

I thought his role in Hush was great. Finally, some friggin' respect. :p

And - over time - I've grown to dislike Jim Carrey's Riddler quite a bit.

Frank Gorshin's definitely the real-life Riddler in my book. John Glover (from B:TAS) too.

Which issues of LOTDK featured the revamped Riddler?

[DWEarhart]

Which issues of LOTDK featured the revamped Riddler?

It was LODK #185 -#189 called "Riddle Me That." It began as a backup feature in Detective Comics around the time of War Games, and continued in LODK as its own full story.

[achilles2772]

I haven't been following the current Batman to much but the Riddler is one of my favorite Batman villains. He's second only to Two-Face. I love the Frank Gorshin Riddler from the 60s. I think he is used too differently each time he makes a major appearance. The last I read with the Riddler in it was The Long Halloween and he was kinda weird in that. Anywho just thought I'd add my two-cents

[lonewolf23k]

My favorite version of the Riddler was the Dini/Timm Animated version... A guy so smart, Batman actually had to cheat to beat him, and even then Riddler managed to get away...

[Kara Zor El]

Riddler is a great character. Frank Gorshin had him down and helped make him a star of the Bat Rogues. I like the way he has different costumes, such as the tight fitting all in one jump suit or the three piece suit with hat and tie.
Anyone remember Run Riddler Run, the 3 part mini series from the early 90's? He had a big nose like penguins in that.

Back to the costume, which one do you prefer?

[captain_unimpressive]

I've yet to see any episodes with this version, but looking at the character design, it just doesn't click.

Every The Batman villian has to have long hair, don't they?
Joker, Riddler, Toyman...
And don't even get me started on what they did to Catwoman.

[Young Avenger]

It was LODK #185 -#189 called "Riddle Me That." It began as a backup feature in Detective Comics around the time of War Games, and continued in LODK as its own full story.

Thanx DW. :)

[Stranger With Candy]

Back to the costume, which one do you prefer?
i love the green suit and the hat. and the cool staff he got some times.

[Kara Zor El]

Yeah, I like it too. But sometimes I want to see him in the spandex. I suppose the suit makes him more realistic and less silly. He rarely wears the spandex anymore

[shadow of a madman]

I really loved his portrayal in Justice.I believe it was issue 2.
The idea that he was pathologically incapable of lying,so to get around this he left clues and riddles.A really terrific take on the characters motivations.

[Indigo Al]

I too love the Riddler. I remember a team up in Brave and the Bold between Batman & the Riddler. Was it drawn by Carmine Infantino?
In any event, it was an elegant, Agatha Christie style murder mystery. My sister, who hates comics, thought it was great!

So who can help me put together a "Best of the Riddler"?

[Joe no Sleep]

I too love the Riddler. I remember a team up in Brave and the Bold between Batman & the Riddler. Was it drawn by Carmine Infantino?
In any event, it was an elegant, Agatha Christie style murder mystery. My sister, who hates comics, thought it was great!

So who can help me put together a "Best of the Riddler"?


There's an issue of Detective Comics annual that could be titled RIDDLER:YEAR ONE. It's drawn by Kieron Dwyer and I think it's one of Chuck Dixon's best stories.

I also liked the issue of Batman where Riddler was pumped-up by the venom drug. Good Aparo art.

To those naysayers of "The Batman"'s take on Riddler - give it a chance, he's in fine form. His two appearances have been among the best episodes, with one more this year. Favorite moment-meeting the Joker:

J:"You stealing my schtick?"

R:"I tell riddles. I don't do jokes."

[The Zapper]

I'm a fan of the suit and hat for Riddler myself. My favorite Riddler is probably the Dini version.

[invader]

i am also riddler fan but writers tend to understimate his abilities he is one of the most clever batman characters. The riddler could have the whole city eating out of his hand. Most batman villans are phycos who have one focus. Though the riddler could have been considered crazy he was still smart enogh to at least execute some of his plan. The riddler could have easily united the gangs in war games under him why cause most of the gangs were led by people inferoir to the riddler's intelligence.

[Alan2099]

I too love the Riddler. I remember a team up in Brave and the Bold between Batman & the Riddler. Was it drawn by Carmine Infantino?
In any event, it was an elegant, Agatha Christie style murder mystery. My sister, who hates comics, thought it was great!

So who can help me put together a "Best of the Riddler"?
I'd sugest Secret Origins Special. There's a Neil gaimon written story for the Riddler where he talks about his past and reminescises about the good old days back when crime wasn't so serious and nobody realy got hurt.

[TheBatGotHim]

The Riddler is one of my fav Batman rogues. He has a lot of potential for good stories and DC just doesnt give him the respect. My least fav version of the Riddler so far is the Manson Riddler from The Batman. My fav has to either be the 60's tv show one and the B:TAS one.

[yourverysilly]

He is a great character now...but this is due to Jeph Loebs writing more than the atcual character.
You see, I beleive the real 'twist' in Hush was not who hush was. Lets be honest, we all knew from the start. Loebs more clever than that, this is the man that created the hangman and holiday, hes a master of mystery and twists. Riddler was always on the bottom rung of the villains, he could never develop, never change, wasn't paticularly interesting. But Loeb has revivied him with a viscious streak in hush which noone saw coming. I love the ending bit in hush where batman confronts riddler, thats one of my favourite comic moments ever.

[Holacik]

John Glover did the voice of the Riddler in B:tas? Wow that's awesome, I always liked the Riddler eps, second only to the Joker, and this just adds a little to it. I haven't read a whole lot of Batman over the years with the exception of Hush and the Long Halloween, if anyone has good recomandations for good Riddler stories (past and present) let me know.

[Greg Anderson]

You know, I may be alone, but I actually love the new Riddler in the Batman. It's a new take and I think it's a pretty kool design. Besides, his episodes have been among the best of the series and I read that his origin gets revealed in this season where we find out that Batman might have actually played a part in his creation as a criminal.

But yeah, I love how Riddler's being portrayed in Dini's run. Just wish he looked like the way he did in BTAS. That'd be awesome. I hated the way he was downplayed in the New Gotham Adventures of TBAS tho.:mad:

[wes_rk]

have those episodes not aired in the US yet? For what I know most, if not all, of the new season has been shown overseas by now, including what some people tell me is a spoilers Dark Knight Returns tribute spoilers

[DWEarhart]

If you mean the one in the future where the research team is trying to find a way to stop Mr. Freeze; it has aired in the U.S. already.

[wes_rk]

yup, that's the one I meant, I missed teh first few minutes so I had no idea what it was about but I caught up quickly enough.

[Belfast_Fanboy]

Love the new story in Batman:DC with the riddler but has anyone else noticed that in both long holloween and Hush Riddler is a big piece of the puzzle i think jeph has the respect for him as a fan. I would have liked to seen him as the crimelord of gotham instead of white shark or sharkboy or what ever the name was. The title of crime boss should only ever be given to on of the big names or a new character that they're actually going to use.

[Bo-Man]

I loved the Riddler in Hush. I don't like The Riddler's look on The Batman, but I sure like the way he is played by Robert (Freddy Kruger) Englund. Frank Gorshin was The best Riddler. I loved him Challenge of The Superfriends from 1978. John Glover's version on BTAS is good as well. Jim Carrey's Riddler was like Frank Gorshin on caffiene , which Gorshin's portrayal was Carrey's inspiration.

[Rupertmetal]

I'm liking Riddler in Detective Comics. I like him as a villian, but not a killer or a bank robber, blah, blah, blah. He should just be the villian that Batman always has to worry about mentally. When Batman worries about Riddler he should think, "Does he know who I am? If he does, what will he do with the information? Is he planning on dragging me through my demons again? (Hush)"

I don't like the Riddler as a straight forward villian. Also, I'm liking Riddler as Batman's detective rival haha. But, I always want Riddler to lose though. I always want him to be second best to Batman's intellect.

[PunisherFan]

I like how the Riddler is portrayed now the best. He's not the old joke of a villain of old. He's practically matching Batman in intellect and after asking Batman if he knew Atkins at the end of the last issue of Detective, I look forward to more of him trying to figure out who is really underneath the mask of Batman.

[marvelfan06]

The Riddler has always been a favorite of mine. As for whether or not he will figure out Batman's true identy, if Bane and Dr. Strange could do it, he can. I always thought his schemes were as clever as the Joker's, though he's not as good at hand to hand combat, and overall, he is definitly one of Batman's deadliest enemies.

[Choppa]

Love the new story in Batman:DC with the riddler but has anyone else noticed that in both long holloween and Hush Riddler is a big piece of the puzzle i think jeph has the respect for him as a fan. I would have liked to seen him as the crimelord of gotham instead of white shark or sharkboy or what ever the name was. The title of crime boss should only ever be given to on of the big names or a new character that they're actually going to use.

Actually in LH and DV Riddler wasn't important at all and was pretty much overlooked. That's why in HUSH when it turned out that he was behind it all, it was even better because Batman had overlooked the Riddler just like he always had. Like he said in the story, the answer is in the details.

[Chad]

For those enjoying the Riddler's current usage in Detective Comics, I can't recommend Batman Adventures 11 strongly enough. Set in the animated universe, Nigma's story is pretty much the same one that Dini's using. There's a few differences between that Universe and Dini's - namely The Penguin has been elected Mayor and has put out an order to shoot Batman on sight - but like I said this Riddler and Dini's are nearly identical. He's made millions legally from his creativity and has seemingly reformed - the one catch is however, that he's bored out of his mind. He decides to leave clues for Batman as he did before, only this time, the clues have nothing to do with any crimes he's planning or committing. Not knowing this, Batman gets involved and tracks him down. Nigma explains to him that he needs someone to match wits with, and that it has to be Batman. Batman tells him that he's not interested in playing games just to alleviate his boredom and leaves.

To get Batman's attention then, Nigma begins leaving riddles which imply that lives are at risk. Of course, the riddles are worded in such a way that there's always a catch. A riddle that "lives are at stake" leads Batman to arrive at Nigma's appartment while he's cooking a lobster for dinner - the lobster being the life at "steak". Batman can't arrest him but tells him that he won't be fooled again into having his time wasted. However, Riddler assures him that his next scheme involves "the fate of the free world". "So you'll put a small globe on a scale, or an atlas on a seasaw. These are childish games. Beneath even you". Nigma tells him that he can't afford to believe he's bluffing again.

Of course, the riddle he provides leads to yet another trivial matter. Nigma tells Batman that they'll just have to go another round sometime. "Why should I bother? I already beat you at your game. You're too easy. You really want to challenge me, Nygma? You really want to go head to head? Then do something I can't do. Answer a riddle I can't answer. Race me to the solution and prove you're better than me. Figure out how Cobblepot got elected Mayor. And figure out how to take him down". Nigma agrees.

It was a cool direction for the story to go and I wouldn't mind seeing it repeated here. Batman can't be everywhere at once, and while the Riddler would never be invited to join the "Bat-Family" I'd like to see Batman use him as a tool to assist him with his own workload in a role similar to the one Oracle used to play for instance.

Incidentally, as great as the lead story is here, Batman Adventures 11 also contained a great Riddler back-up. It's a short four page addendum to the main story and simply involves Nigma waiting in a bank line. Bored out of his mind, he figures out the combination to the vault simply by picking up on clues scattered around the bank that would be invisible to the average person. He doesn't end up robbing the place because he has no interest in returning to jail, but his propensity for picking up on things that other people miss, enables him to see exactly what would probably happen if he had decided otherwise.

[nomadic1]

Add me to everyone who thinks the B:tas Riddler was the coolest. I like what Dini's doing in Det, but I think he's using some ideas from the cartoon. Not that that's bad, though.