Summary
Warning: Spoilers for Batman ‘89: Echoes #3!DC’sBatman ‘89sequel comic has introducedThe Riddlerand expanded on his deadly origin story. Edward Nygma has always beenone of Batman’s most popular rogues, but he’s easy to overlook when it takes a lot more than a tricky riddle to get passed the World’s Greatest Detective. However, writers in the past have taken strides to make Riddlermore terrifying than Heath Ledger’s Joker.
AIPT released a previewforBatman ‘89: Echoes#3 – written by Sam Hamm, with art by Joe Quinones – which reveals the Burtonverse version of the Riddler’s unruly origin story.
The preview showcasesa version of The Riddler unlike ever seen beforein DC’s comic book canon, one who is vicious, unpredictable – even to himself – and downright scary, adding an entirely new layer of context to the character’s portrayal in Tim Burton’ seminal adaptation of the Caped Crusader’s mythos.
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Batman ‘89: Echoes#3 – Written By Sam Hamm; Art By Joe Quinones
Riddler says the medical doctor had given him a double dose of"two Samurais,“to test what would happen, which, clearly, had unforeseen consequences.
The previous issue ofBatman ‘89offers the on-panel debut ofthe Burtonverse version of The Riddler. Depicting him as if he were played by Martin Short in an actual Tim Burton sequel,the story introduces a man calling himself Maynard, although a scribbled crossword puzzle suggests his real name could actually be “E. Nigma"and only told by Dr. Jonathan Crane to call himself Maynard, much like howBruce Wayne’s undercover Robert “Firefly” Loweryis told to call himself Lewis Wilson while at the Asylum.
Speaking of theJeff Goldblum-esque Jonathan Crane, the not-so-good doctor has a therapy session with the mysterious “Maynard” regarding his life before Arkham. It is revealed that Maynard spent time in the war, where he’ was celebrated for murdering multiple hostiles. Suddenly, though, that is when he snaps and starts attacking his fellow soldiers.“I was some kind of demon,“he recalls of his behavior. Riddler says the medical doctor had given him a double dose of"two Samurais,“to test what would happen, which, clearly, had unforeseen consequences.
One thing aboutBatman ‘89: Echoesis certain: the Riddler has never appeared, nor been described, as more demonic than he is here.
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One Notorious Doctor Could Be Responsible
One has to wonder if the doctor who gave Riddler the experimental dosage is the same elusive doctor that’s constantly mentioned, but yet to be seen on-panel,the same late doctor who recruited Maynard to Arkham: Doctor Hugo Strange.It is also worth speculating if the true nature of this Samurai drug will be delved into deeper before the series ends. However, one thing aboutBatman ‘89: Echoesis certain: the Riddler has never appeared, nor been described, as more demonic than he is here. The character had always been unpredictable, but combating aRiddlerthis terrifying will be a true challenge for Batman.
Source:AIPT
Batman ‘89: Echoes#3will be available July 09, 2025 from DC Comics.
Batman
One of DC’s most iconic heroes, Batman is the vigilante superhero persona of billionaire Bruce Wayne. Forged by tragedy with the death of his parents, Bruce dedicated his life to becoming the world’s leading martial artist, detective, and tactician. Recruiting an entire family of allies and sidekicks, Bruce wages war on evil as the dark knight of his hometown, Gotham City.
