Riddler

Origins of the Riddler

The Riddler, one of Batman's insane foes that haunt Gotham City, is unique in his pursuit of individuality. Riddler's focus lays not with fear, nor duality, nor plants, nor immortality. Riddler is obsessed with mind games, and with the propensity of the human brain. Riddles, word games, clues, puzzles. It's not merely an obsession, it's a compulsion. He commits elaborate, brilliant crimes-and leaves a complex riddle. Riddler has fought his compulsions set in from childhood (the result of an abusive father and absent mother), but his failed attempts to abandon his need to tell the truth culminated in a most vulnerable, deep realization: "You don't understand... I really didn't want to leave you any clues. I really planned never to go back to Arkham Asylum. But I left you a clue anyway. So I... I have to go back there. Because I might need help. I... I might actually be crazy." This is classic Riddler, right there, and when you get inside, he's a tragic villain. Edward Nigma has harbored a passion for puzzles since his youth. His movements to the wayward vocation of a criminal began innocently enough; his father, unable to accept (or comprehend) the profound intellect of his child, frequently beat Edward in frustration. Taught to believe that he was "worthless" and a "liar", young Edward sought to overcome his inferiority complex by proving his intelligence--even if he had to do so through cheating. His first criminal act, something as small as cheating on an elementary school puzzle competition, initiated Edward into the dark spiral and exhilaration of crime. He would eventually fashion his alias, the Riddler, after his sincere passion for thought.

The Long Halloween

Carmine "The Roman" Falcone hires the Riddler to figure out who the Holiday Killer is. Despite giving several reasonable theories as to who is behind the killer's identity, the Roman eventually loses his patience. Carmine orders his daughter, Sophia, to force the Riddler to leave. Upon exiting Falcone's office, the Riddler is attacked, but for some reason left alive, by Holiday. The attack was planned to coincide with the holiday of April Fool's, and several items pertaining to it were left at the scene. This may be why the Riddler was left alive, as matters are traditionally

The Riddler in Batman: The Long Halloween.

Batman turns to the Riddler to figure out the significance of the lost games of hangman that are left at the scenes of the Hangman killer's crimes. He later showed up as a member of Two-Face's jury during the Hangman's trial.

The Primal Riddle

The Riddler engineers what could possibly be called one of his greatest deathtraps: Batman is thrown into a narrow pit that is slowly filling up with water. The walls are electrically wired, and a set of bumpers are the only thing that prevents the water from touching the walls and causing Batman to die by electrocution. The only options Batman appears to have are death by electrocution and death by drowning, but as always, Batman manages to tamper with the traps design and develop a route of escape.

Cluemaster

Riddler had a working relationship with The Cluemaster, although he initially resented the villain for seemingly copying his modus operandi. In their first encounter, he set his fellow rogue up with a bomb and sent Batman off chasing riddles that would lead to its defusal, as well as away from his real plan: to steal a vast amount of priceless baseball merchandise. The two teamed up on a few occasions afterwards, and were working together on a big scheme shortly before Cluemaster's apparent death in the pages of The Suicide Squad.

No Man's Land

After Gotham City is ravaged by an earthquake and Arkham Asylum frees its inmates, Riddler elects to flee Gotham rather than stay behind in the lawless chaos that ensues. It is during this period that he makes the poor choice of attacking Black Canary and Green Arrow in Star City, where he is easily defeated. This event helps lay the foundations for Riddler's future confrontations with Green Arrow.

Hush

Riddler played a tremendously vital part in the " Hush" crisis. Riddler, aware that he was dying of cancer, cleverly and secretly found one of Ra's Al Ghul's Lazarus Pit s and used it unbeknownst to its owner, curing himself of the fatal affliction. Doctor Tommy Elliot (whose vengeance and greed would later transform into the criminal Hush) happened upon Riddler as the latter was suffering through brain cancer (Edward was, at the time, using the name Arthur Wynne--a tribute to the inventor of the crossword puzzle). Upon approaching Riddler about the villain's miraculous recovery from cancer, Riddler offered the location of a Lazarus Pit to heal Tommy's wealthy and dying mother--for a price, naturally. However, Tommy had other things in mind...one of which was securing his dying mother's fortune before he wrought his revenge on Bruce Wayne. Guided by Riddler's complex plan, he and Hush manipulated a variety of Batman's rogues to destroy Batman, piece by piece. Riddler played Joker, Clayface, Poison Ivy, Harley Quinn, Scarecrow, Killer Croc, Ra's al Ghul, Lady Shiva, and Talia al Ghul like pawns--a brilliant set of moves that would eventually earn him brutal penance from an unhappy lot of Arkham frequents. Additionally, the clarity of mind that Riddler regained after his recovery resulted in him solving the greatest riddler of his lifetime: that Bruce Wayne is Batman. He

Illistrated by Jim Lee In Batman: Hush.

Later, Hush reappeared and beat Riddler senseless. Riddler sought refuge with the Joker, which did not work out, and then Poison Ivy, who expressed her discontent about his earlier manipulation in a very harmful, humiliating way. Spiraling into a depth of doubt and darker insanity, Edward lived among the homeless until an ex-NASA decoder discovered him, and helped him recover his wits and self. He had trouble with Green Arrow, Arsenal and the Outsiders. During Infinite Crisis Eddie  is struck in the head by Shining Knight's mace which results him falling into a coma. Eddie came out of his come one year later. Riddler overcame his riddles but not his ego problem. Riddler reclaimed his life in a new hue; now, amassing a fortune legally as a private detective, Edward is on the right side of the law....even if his is yearning for that insatiable thrill his intellect demands..... recently Eddie has been hired by  Nightwing to investigate the museum robberies.

Characteristics

Gender--Male

Height--6'1"

Weight--183 lbs (83.0 kg)

Eyes--Usually shown as blue however some colorists have shown him with green or brown eyes.

Hair--Usually black however sometimes he is shown with ginger/red hair or brown hair.

Powers

Riddler has a vast fortune that he has acquired over years of crime. He is a genius with brilliant deductive power. His mind excels with puzzles, minds games, and manipulations. Extremely sophisticated and a bit of the dandy, Riddler enjoys his theatrics and expresses such through his riddle motif.

In the story arc "Emperor Joker" The Riddler has a place in The Jokers JLA as Enigma- described as an irrational man of mystery. It only becomes apparent that Enigma is the Riddler when Mr. Mxyzptlk refers to him by his more famous title.

After talking to Mr. Mxyzptlk and realizing that the Joker is going to destroy the universe Enigma deduces a plan to destroy The Joker with the rest of the JLA. The plan fails due to vast extent of Jokers powers and Enigma and the JLA are destroyed.

Equipment: gadgets vary, the most frequent seen is a gold walking stick with a question mark-shaped handle. This cane has several weapons and computer gadgetry within.

Transportation: car with question marks decorating the side of it

Weapons: exploding jigsaw puzzle pieces and crossword puzzle throwing nets

Movies

Batman (1966)

He appears in the 1966 played by  Frank Gorshin. his portrayal was the same as the tv series. He annoyed the other villains of the film(Joker, Penguin, Catwoman) by sending Batman and Robin clues.

Batman Forever

This movie, not the best one, Edward Nygma, whom is played by Jim Carrey, creates a very impressive inventions in which, he has the ability to manipulate brain waves,this seems to be based on the Mad Hatter's devices in Riddler form. His attempts to show his creation to his idol, Bruce Wayne, (Val Kilmer) has been stopped by his boss, Fred Stickly. As time progresses his golden opportunity presents itself as Bruce Wayne comes to the factory to see the work that has been done. As the manager, Stickly, passes Nygma's work station he tries to rush Mr. Wayne but Edward comes out. They begin to discuss his invention, "What's on your mind Mr. Nygma." Says Bruce, "Precisely," Edward replies, "What's on all our minds? Brian waves.....the future, of Wayne Enterprises is brain waves."

Stickly then says, "I'm sorry Mr. Wayne I told him to terminate this project this morning!" "It's alright." Says Bruce. Nygma then takes out his invention and explains that the invention sends waves into the brain and makes people believe that they're actually in a T.V show. "Manipulating brain waves if you will." Bruce then says, "Did you say manipulating brain waves?" As the conversation progress Bruce eventually turns down his idea saying that it raises to many questions.

"You were suppose to understand, I'll make you understand." says Nygma, angered and frustrated that he had been turned down. He continues to work there throughout the night when his boss comes and asks in anger, "What the hell is going on here? I said to terminate this problem, I'm calling security." As he walks away Edward hits him over the head and knocks him unconscious and says, "Caffin'll kill ya!" He then tries his experiment on his boss, and learns that not only does his invention work, but it also gives him the power to acquire the same intelligence as the person with the box on and also the ability to write and think like the person does. As he finish up his boss tries to fire him and Edward pushes him towards the window, and says to him, "Fred, Babe! You are fired, or should I say terminated!" He falls down all the way to the water and Edward says, "Ewwww a little rough on the landing, he may have to settle for the bronze. To many questions Mr. Wayne, my work raises to many questions, why hasn't anyone.......put you in your place." He then alters the camera's recording and makes it look as if his boss had committed suicide.

Edward then begins to stalk Wayne, by leaving riddles at his house and his office, the first one reads, If you look at the numbers on my face you won't find 13 anyplace. Bruce quickly discovers that it is a clock. The second found at his home reads, Take on and scratch my head, what once was black now is red. He also finds out that it is a match. He later perfects invention which makes people believe that the people watching it are in the T.V show and he then can gain knowledge and experience. Then a third riddle is left at Wayne manor reading. The eight of us go forth, not back, to protect our king from a foes attack. He later joins Two-face and convinces him to raid Wayne manor; he had discovered that Bruce Wayne is Batman after at a party Bruce goes to were Edward has a machine ready to store Bruce's thoughts. He kidnaps Doctor Meridian, and before they leave Two-face tries to end Bruce's life but the Riddler says, "No! Don't kill him! If you kill him he won't learn nothing." He then leaves the last riddle that reads, We're five items of an everyday sort; you'll find us all in 'a tennis court'. He finds out that they are referring to vowels in which are found in the three words a tennis court. All in order. Each number in the old riddles to the most recent one is making a reference to a letter in the alphabet, with 1 and 8 being digits for the number 18. 13 being "M", 18 for "R" and 5 for "E", M-R-E, or "Mr. E"- mystery, or enigma- Mr. E. Nygma. Bruce the says, "Enigma Edward E. Nygma. Strickly's suicide was obviously a murder committed and by Edward.

As time goes on the Riddler and Two-face wait on the arrival of the Batman and his new parter, Robin, played by Chris O'donald. He destroys both the batplane and batboat and catches Robin and holds them captive. One Batman is inside Riddler says, "Riddle me this, Riddle me that, who is afraid of the big fat bat?" Riddler then shows Batman that he has both Robin and Chase and gives him the option of saving only one. Riddler then says, "Egghgh, Judges? I'm sorry but your response needs to be in form of a question, but thank you for playing." As he is about to release both Chase and Robin, Batman says, "Wait I have a riddle for you." "For me? Tell me."

"I see without see, what is night I see as day. What am I?" "Please," says Edward, "your as blind as a bat." Batman then throws a batarang up towards his Hub were collects all his brainwaves form other people to release them. Also releasing there thoughts from the Riddler. After saving both Robin and Chase and killing Two-face, Edward, asks. "Why? Why can't I kill you?"

The movie goes on and Chase visits Edward at Arkham, Chase asks Edward if he knows the identity of Batman, Riddler responds, "I'm Batman!" He begins to laugh hysterically. After which the movie ends.

Riddler's Riddles:

If you look at the numbers on my face you won't find 13 in anyplace (a clock)

Take one and scratch my head, what once was black, now is red (a match)

What kind of man has bats in his brain? (told to Two Face when he discovers Batman's secret identity thanks to his brain-waves box)

RIDDLER'S QUOTES:

• In Batman Forever:

• "Fred. Babe! You're fired, or should I say... terminated?" (to his boss, when' he's about to kill him)

• "That won't heal if you don't stop picking." (to Two Face)

• "Caffin'll kill ya!" (to his boss)

• "Riddle me this, and riddle me that: who is afraid of the big black bat?" (to Batman)

• In Dark City Part 1:

• "Life's full of question, isn't it Batman? Though I prefer to think of them as riddles."
  
  

  Video Game Appearances
  

  
  Batman: TAS - SNES
  The Adventures of Batman and Robin - SNES, Sega CD
  Batman Forever - SNES, Sega genesis, Sega Master System, Sega GameGear, Game Boy, PC
  Toxic Chill - PC
  Lego Batman: the video game - Windows, DS, PS2, PS3, Playstation Portable, Wii, Xobox 360
  Batman: Arkham Asylum - PS3, Xbox 360, Windows 
  
  Television
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  Batman (1965)
  Riddler was played by Frank Gorshin in this series. It is worth mentioning that Frank's portrayal of Riddler soared the character to fame. 
  
  The Batman/Superman hour
  This was Riddler's first appearance. He was voiced by Brian Stepank.
  
  Superfriends
  He appears as a member of the Legion of Doom. He only gets one episode dedicated to him. He does little in the series.
  
  Batman The Animated Series (1992)
  Riddler appeared as game designer who sought revenge on his employer for cheating him out of his money. He is voiced by John Glover.
  
  The Batman (2004)
  Riddler has a gothic look in this series.He is voiced by Robert Englund.
  

  
  

  Query and Echo

  

  Query and Echo- eager accomplices.
  
  

  At one point, the Riddler had two henchwomen by his side: Diedre Vance and Nina Damfino. He first encountered them when they were bikerwomen robbing goods at convenience stores. The Riddler was looking for goons for hire at the time and after finding the two kindred souls, he immediately hired them without hesitation. He named the two beauties  Query and Echo respectively.

  Query and Echo are eager and loyal accomplices to the Riddler. They would protect him, help him spring out of jail, carry stolen goods to trucks , assist in robberies and other various tasks. They also possess great combat skills and agility.

  Due to their limited appearances, very little is known about Query and Echo. The duo don't seem to make any newer appearances anymore which could mean that the Riddler no longer use the two bombshells and has dismissed them both. However, there seems to be no evidence explaining their disappearances.