Related
The first singular villain to crossBatman ’s path was not , as lector may expect , a famous Clown Prince of Crime , but a well - mannered , spectacled psychiatrist : Dr. Hugo Strange , who is now have an even bigger role in the Dark Knight ’s mythos . In upcoming seriesThe Knight , unusual will be unveil as the healer who lease care of a unseasoned Bruce Wayne after his parent ' slaying .
Of all Batman ’s villains , Hugo Strange has stand outover the years for being the one " without a costume . " In a city stream with psychopaths wearing masquerade , costumes , or having some signifier of facial or torso disfiguration , unknown is surely unique , even if the lack of flashy powers and distinguishable features has perhaps prevented the character from gaining the popularity he deserves . From his appearance in February 1940’sDetective Comics#36 , Strange has proved to be a serious challenge to the Caped Crusader , thanks to his genius - level intellect and knowledge of the human psyche , which even lead him to distinguish Batman ’s secret identity . However , he has always been overshadow by reference like the Joker ( who debut only two month subsequently inBatman#1),who would then be come after by Two - Face , Riddler , Penguin , marking Batman ’s tour to costumed supervillains .
Related : Batman ’s First Major Villain Just Became Gotham ’s New Hero
Hugo Strange ’s use inThe Knight , however , might restore his prominence among Batman ’s villain . Batman : The Knight , by writer Chip Zdarskyand creative person Carmine Di Giandomenico , will be a 10 - issue serial publication chronicle the time between the demise of Martha and Thomas Wayne and Bruce ’s rejoinder to Gotham to wear the chimneypiece of the Dark Knight . Many Batman stories have , in the past , designate glimpses of these formative long time , but they have never been told as part of an overarching narrative . In an consultation withCBR , Zdarsky reveals just how important a role the oldest Batman villain will have in the serial publication .
Zdarsky ’s and Di Giandomenico ’s new series will focus on young Bruce ’s journey to become the Dark Knight . It will be a physical journey , through training , survival , combat , but also a mental and spiritual one . " I knew I wanted a young Bruce visit a therapist , " Zdarsky say in his consultation with CBR , " andhaving it be Hugo Strangeopened up all sorts of possibilities . put Strange ’s creative thinker and self-importance up against someone younger and smarter create some fun dispute . “The Knightwill show how Batman was created , how Bruce get over his " young hubris " , produce confidence in his ability , and how he picture out what to do with it all . reader may acquire that , as his healer , Strange played a more important part in the creation of the Dark Knight than previously thought .
Batman ’s association to deviate psychological processes such as psychoticism and compulsion has always been a defining trait of the character and his villain . Hugo Strange is no elision : his obsession with Batman and the need to test that he is ranking to the Dark Knight has been a motivate factor in his living . However , Batman himself has had his genial sanity questioned many times over the years , most famously inAlan Moore ’s originative storyThe Killing Joke . There is perhaps no better time flow to explore Bruce ’s compulsion than the years when he created the Batman , and no better character than the head-shrinker who had him in therapy after the traumatic event that gave nascency to the Dark Knight . Batman : The Knightwill add new layers to the relationship between Batman and Hugo Strange , and perhaps better explicate the doctor ’s fixation with agreement and replicating the Dark Knight ’s school of thought . The serial croak on sales event beginning Jan. 18 .
Next : Batman Finally Admits His Movie Mentor Helped Create Him in Comics , Too
Source : CBR