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The Shadow · 06-03-2005, 12:47 AM

What issue did Batman adopt the Matches identity?

Thanks

EDmanwalking · 06-03-2005, 05:51 AM

1996, GCPD #4, and then a year later Matches Malone in Batman Wildcat #1 of 3.

But if you mean in the regular Bat titles, then his first appearance was in Batman #588. hope that helps.

Matches Malone · 06-03-2005, 06:30 AM

Actually Matches first appeared in (iirc) BATMAN #243, give or take an issue. He was a creation of Denny O'Neil.

Cei-U! · 06-04-2005, 12:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matches Malone

Actually Matches first appeared in (iirc) BATMAN #243, give or take an issue. He was a creation of Denny O'Neil.

There was a real Matches, by the way, who died in the same story arc you mention. That's why the identity worked so well for Batman.

Cei-U!
I summon the details!

Patient Boy · 06-04-2005, 12:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cei-U!

There was a real Matches, by the way, who died in the same story arc you mention. That's why the identity worked so well for Batman.

Cei-U!
I summon the details!

I was never sure why that disguise actually worked for Batman. I mean, there were witnesses to Matches death and surely Batman made sure the guy was properly buried/cremated/whatever. Word would've gotten out that Matches had died one way or another.

milk114 · 06-05-2005, 02:38 AM

Matches's first appearance was Batman #242 in July, 1972 in a story titled "Bruce Wayne-Rest in Peace" written by Dennis O'Neil. It's collected in Batman-Tales of the Demon as Batman uses the identity to take down Ra's al Ghul. There is only one witness to Match's death, though it's never explained how Batman covered it up.

Ronald Bryan · 06-05-2005, 10:49 AM

Wasn't there also another real Matches? Who couldn't get any work because "Matches" always knew about crimes that Batman broke up. And Batman didn't know about him. And then he died.

Alan2099 · 06-05-2005, 02:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by milk114

Matches's first appearance was Batman #242 in July, 1972 in a story titled "Bruce Wayne-Rest in Peace" written by Dennis O'Neil. It's collected in Batman-Tales of the Demon as Batman uses the identity to take down Ra's al Ghul. There is only one witness to Match's death, though it's never explained how Batman covered it up.

Considering the current state of the DCU, it's best that they don't try to explain it. I'd be almost afraid to know the answer.

The Shadow · 06-05-2005, 03:50 PM

Thanks guys!

Lorendiac · 06-06-2005, 08:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by milk114

Matches's first appearance was Batman #242 in July, 1972 in a story titled "Bruce Wayne-Rest in Peace" written by Dennis O'Neil. It's collected in Batman-Tales of the Demon as Batman uses the identity to take down Ra's al Ghul. There is only one witness to Match's death, though it's never explained how Batman covered it up.

I had read several of the late-70s, 80s, and early 90s appearances of Matches before I ever got my hands on a copy of "Tales of the Demon", so I already knew Batman had managed to cover it up somehow.

As I recall, Batman faced the real Matches in a hotel kitchen somewhere, and Matches fired a shot that ricocheted off some metal surface and killed himself . . . and I believe a cook in a white hat said in horror, "He's dead!"

But I don't think the cook ever knew the name of the guy who had just died. Presumably Batman tossed Matches Malone's body over his shoulder, carted him off, and had him buried quietly (probably under a different name) and then kept the identity for himself. Since Matches Malone was not a front-page celebrity who frequently got his picture in the newspapers, the cook probably never did figure out who that guy was who died in the kitchen, and still doesn't know that Batman stole the fellow's identity.)

As for the Brian Vaughan storyline a few years ago that gave a completely different, retconned version of how Batman came to use the identity Matches Malone, my attitude is simple: Ignore It! ;)

Enda8011 · 12-12-2005, 04:16 PM

http://obscure.dcuguide.com/Board/BatmanChars2.htm

Matches Malone lives!

MATCHES MALONE APPEARANCES:
Batman # 242-243, 247, 353, 0
Batman and The Outsiders # 10, 32
Batman: Bullock's Law # 1
Batman 80-Page Giant # 3
Batman: GCPD # 3
Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight # 90, 124
Batman/Wildcat # 1
Detective Comics # 467, 487, 489, 515-516, 555, 689, 698-699
JLA # 11
Nightwing # 14
Punisher/Batman: Deadly Knights
Suicide Squad # 10
Super Friends # 36

"SWELL! You think we're INTERESTED in your life story or somethin' ?" -- BATMAN # 242.

The Shadow · 12-12-2005, 08:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Enda8011

MATCHES MALONE APPEARANCES:
Batman # 242-243, 247, 353, 0
Batman and The Outsiders # 10, 32
Batman: Bullock's Law # 1
Batman 80-Page Giant # 3
Batman: GCPD # 3
Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight # 90, 124
Batman/Wildcat # 1
Detective Comics # 467, 487, 489, 515-516, 555, 689, 698-699
JLA # 11
Nightwing # 14
Punisher/Batman: Deadly Knights
Suicide Squad # 10
Super Friends # 36

Fantastic list!

Thanks!

06-03-2005, 06:30 AM	#3
Matches Malone Junior Member Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 281	Actually Matches first appeared in (iirc) BATMAN #243, give or take an issue. He was a creation of Denny O'Neil. __________________ thesherf@aol.com

06-05-2005, 10:49 AM	#7
Ronald Bryan Game Master Join Date: May 2004 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 8,229	Wasn't there also another real Matches? Who couldn't get any work because "Matches" always knew about crimes that Batman broke up. And Batman didn't know about him. And then he died. __________________ Live Journal My Writings(From π to Zach and Miri) Twitter

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06-03-2005, 12:47 AM	#1
The Shadow Questions lead to answers Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Saskatchewan Posts: 16,276	Batman and Matches Malone What issue did Batman adopt the Matches identity? Thanks

06-03-2005, 05:51 AM	#2
EDmanwalking I go, nyah..you go..nyah. Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 219	1996, GCPD #4, and then a year later Matches Malone in Batman Wildcat #1 of 3. But if you mean in the regular Bat titles, then his first appearance was in Batman #588. hope that helps. __________________ P-P-P-Pull List!: [DC] 52, Batman, Detective Comics, All-Star Batman, Action Comics, All-Star Superman, Justice League of America, JSA, Teen Titans, Shadowpact, Green Lantern, Manhunter [Marvel] Fantastic Four, Uncanny X-men, New Avengers, Amazing Spider-Man, Friendly Neighbourhood Spider-man, Captain America

06-05-2005, 02:38 AM	#6
milk114 New Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 56	Matches's first appearance was Batman #242 in July, 1972 in a story titled "Bruce Wayne-Rest in Peace" written by Dennis O'Neil. It's collected in Batman-Tales of the Demon as Batman uses the identity to take down Ra's al Ghul. There is only one witness to Match's death, though it's never explained how Batman covered it up.

06-05-2005, 03:50 PM	#9
The Shadow Questions lead to answers Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Saskatchewan Posts: 16,276	Thanks guys!

12-12-2005, 04:16 PM	#11
Enda8011 New Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 29	http://obscure.dcuguide.com/Board/BatmanChars2.htm Matches Malone lives! MATCHES MALONE APPEARANCES: Batman # 242-243, 247, 353, 0 Batman and The Outsiders # 10, 32 Batman: Bullock's Law # 1 Batman 80-Page Giant # 3 Batman: GCPD # 3 Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight # 90, 124 Batman/Wildcat # 1 Detective Comics # 467, 487, 489, 515-516, 555, 689, 698-699 JLA # 11 Nightwing # 14 Punisher/Batman: Deadly Knights Suicide Squad # 10 Super Friends # 36 "SWELL! You think we're INTERESTED in your life story or somethin' ?" -- BATMAN # 242.