The Ventriloquist is the name of several fictional characters who are enemies of Batman in the DC ComicsUniverse. The original Ventriloquist, Arnold Wesker, first appeared in Detective Comics #583 (February 1988) and was created by Alan Grant, John Wagner and Norm Breyfogle (source of information: Wikipedia).

Arnold Wesker is a ventriloquist with multiple personalities. His puppet is a gangster named Scarface. Under the puppet's psychological influence, Wesker is a dangerous and ruthless criminal and crime boss. It has been implied that the Ventriloquist suffers from multiple personality disorder. Wesker was originally a timid orphan whose deep repression erupted into a barroom brawl, resulting in him being sent to Blackgate Prison. There he encountered the ventriloquist dummy Scarface and promptly murdered the man who'd carved the dummy. The two are now inseparable, directing a series of criminal activities. While most believe that Scarface is a tool by Wesker is simply acting out a dark side to his personality, the Ventriloquist sees himself as a reluctant lackey who is forced to do Scarface's bidding (source of information: Wikipedia).

The Ventriloquist/Scarface is an unusual nemesis who seems to believe that crime is related to a complete dissociation from society (in terms of communication). As the deranged Wesker masks his intentions with this self-image miniature puppet Scarface, we get the feeling that this villain represents both a fascination with crime and a self-loathing, more pronouncedly so than other similar Batman villains who exhibit fascination/loathing such as the Joker and Two-Face.

Ventriloquist (Wesker) and Scarface appear in Batman: The Animated Series where they were voiced by George Dzundza, a known American actor who has appeared in handsome films such as "The Deer Hunter" [1978] (source of information: Wikipedia).

I cite the original Ventriloquist/Scarface (Arnold Wesker), because the first appearance of this offbeat Gotham nemesis marks a comic book investment in crime museum storytelling.

Now that comic books have been adapted into numerous TV shows and high-profile Hollywood (USA) films, we should note how the originality of villainy-creativity in characters/avatars such as Ventriloquist/Scarface reveal an artistic nod to classic theatre.

The Ventriloquist (Batman Wikia)

@abishai100: Have you seen the description they have here ? http://www.comicvine.com/ventriloquist-wesker/4005-5767/

You could start a Recommended Reading list if you know him well enough.