10 Batman villains obscure enough for Matt Reeves to use in The Batman 2

Matt Reeves has been consistently bombarded with queries regarding the villain for The Batman 2. It seems like almost every other day, a reporter claiming exclusive knowledge about the upcoming superhero film’s antagonist is metaphorically “taken down” by Reeves.

To date, there have been whispers suggesting that Robert Pattinson’s character, Bruce, might confront The Court of Owls, Clayface, Mister Freeze, and undoubtedly the Joker (given the constant speculation about him). However, what we truly understand is that the antagonist will be intriguing, and director Reeves seems somewhat puzzled by all the online chatter.

This implies that none of the previously revealed information is as significant as the character known as the Gentleman Ghost, suggesting that the antagonist could be an lesser-known adversary from Batman’s rogues gallery.

To share some lesser-known villains from Batman’s past that could potentially appear in The Batman 2, I’ve delved into my archives of Detective Comics. Whether you’re a fan of obscure supervillains or not, this list might still pique your curiosity, so give it a read!

The Baffler

Who is this character often referred to? Let me clarify, we’re talking about The Baffler. He’s known for his knack of perplexing others, much like the Riddler but with a twist. In reality, he’s an attempt at creating Batman’s new adversary, yet he falls short compared to Clayface in terms of physical stature. His unique approach was to confound Batman by committing crimes and leaving puzzling evidence behind.

It’s not hard to understand that things didn’t turn out favorably for The Baffler, and he was swiftly apprehended, leading to his descent into obscurity in the comic book world. Given Reeves’ statement that The Batman 2 is a continuation in some sense, I speculate that The Baffler could be one of The Riddler’s followers who attempts to challenge the Bat.

Likelihood score: -1/10 (We put him here to make up numbers)

Condiment King

In a playful twist of events, the Condiment King is a mischievous character who holds up banks using squirt guns filled with ketchup and mustard. Although it may seem preposterous, consider this scenario: if the bank teller on duty happened to have a tomato allergy, they would find themselves in a genuine predicament!

Likelihood score: 0/10 (You must-ard be joking if you think Reeves would use him)

Doctor No-Face

Originally called Bart Magan, you may recognize him now as Doctor No-Face. After a failed experiment to eliminate a facial scar, he tragically lost his entire face. Like many residents of Gotham when faced with a lab mishap, Bart chose the criminal path.

Currently, it’s clear he might come off as unimpressive, but I believe there’s untapped talent within him, particularly when guided by someone of Reeves’ caliber. Reeves has a knack for transforming quirky characters such as the Riddler into something menacing. However, it’s challenging to envision many actors embracing the leading role in a superhero movie… only to find their visage overshadowed by another character.

Likelihood score: (1/10 Doctor No-Face? More like Doctor No-Show)

Kite Man

Chuck Brown was an unassuming individual with a peculiar fondness for kites, which he occasionally employed in his unique, albeit illicit, activities. Is there anything else you’d like to know?

Beyond the amusing quirks, Kite Man has gained significant recognition among Batman enthusiasts lately, notably following Tom King’s ‘The War of Jokes and Riddles’ storyline and his frequent appearances in Harley Quinn. Reeves might find himself drawn to adding a unique twist to Gotham’s most unexpected antagonist. It’s not unprecedented for a Batman adaptation to breathe new life into a character that initially seems silly (apologies, but the Riddler can come off as such).

Likelihood score: 3/10 (I love him, but Matt Reeves probably doesn’t)

King Tut

King Tut was initially introduced for the Adam West Batman series, but he has since made appearances in comic books where he’s often portrayed as a comical villain. As one might anticipate, King Tut is an Egyptian-themed supervillain (but don’t let the “super” in his title fool you), who typically plunders and murders Gotham’s richest residents.

Although he may seem quite unusual, there’s a chance he could fit well in Reeve’s more realistic Gotham. If we reconsider him as a gangster with an interest in all things Egyptian, whom other criminals mockingly call King Tut, don’t you think that concept holds some intrigue? After all, it’s not without merit, is it?

Likelihood score: 4/10 (Tut-al tripe)

Tally Man

The Character Known as the Tally Man serves as a warped, serial-killing antagonist who perceives his killings as a twisted form of justice. Originally from a financially struggling family, he ended up incarcerated for murdering debt collectors. Upon his release, both his mother and sister had passed away, leaving him mentally unstable. He then adopted the persona of the Tally Man – essentially an odd tax collector figure who takes lives to rectify what he sees as imbalances.

The Tally Man is still a relatively underdeveloped villain but holds considerable potential. Given his realistic backstory and distinct methodology, he aligns well with Reeves’ Gotham universe and presents an intriguing challenge for Batman to decode. However, the primary concern lies in whether audiences would be enticed enough to watch a Batman film featuring the Tally Man as the main antagonist.

Likelihood score: 4/10 (Tally up another no…)

The Reaper

In Batman’s old comics, there are many dark versions of Batman, but among them, The Reaper, also known as Judson Caspian, is the one I’d be most intrigued to see. This lethal enforcer shares similarities with Batman, having lost his family to criminals like Bruce Wayne did, but unlike Batman, Judson learned from this experience that life is worthless and derives pleasure from killing the criminals of Gotham City. Regrettably, while this tragedy had a profound impact on Bruce, teaching him the importance of human life, it seemed to have instilled the opposite lesson in Judson.

It’d be intriguing to watch Bruce Wayne, AKA Batman, face off against another vigilante. Given his experiences with the Riddler’s attack on Gotham, which taught him the importance of fostering hope rather than seeking revenge, such a confrontation could be particularly compelling. However, I’m not sure if the Reaper will make an appearance. While he’s an interesting character, he bears resemblance to The Phantasm from “Mask of the Phantasm,” and director Matt Reeves might prefer to introduce fresh ideas instead of revisiting older ones.

Likelihood score: 5/10 (We were close but no cigar)

Professor Pyg

Professor Pyg is arguably one of Batman’s most terrifying villains due to his chilling methods. This deranged surgeon focuses on abducting individuals and transforming them into his obedient Dollotrons through the use of forced cosmetic surgery and chemical brain alteration.

frankly speaking, I believe Pyg could perfectly align with Reeves’ concept of Gotham. He’s a character with troubling traits similar to the Joker, who audiences seem to adore, and he possesses a distinctive quirk that is both chilling and believable for the dark and gritty universe Reeves has established. The main concern regarding Pyg is that his level of terror might be excessive for a Batman film, making him more fitting for something along the lines of the Saw series.

Likelihood score: 6/10 (I’ll go hog wild if he does appear)

Doctor Death

In a fascinating twist, it’s Doctor Death – an early adversary of the iconic vigilante known as Batman – who could make a captivating comeback in Matt Reeves’ upcoming project. This villain, though not as widely recognized as some others, carries significant historical ties to Batman’s formative years and offers an element of surprise due to his lesser-known status. Moreover, Doctor Death’s distinctive quirk perfectly aligns with the dark and unique world that is Batman.

Essentially, a character known as Doctor Death (or a contemporary version of him) employs a substance that causes skeletons to grow rapidly and out of control to murder his unfortunate victims. This appears to be the grisly crime puzzle that Batman enjoys untangling… however, if Doctor Death is featured in the movie, I’ve unwittingly revealed the plot twist for you. My apologies.

Likelihood score: 7/10 (I’ve convinced myself this might be right)

It seems unlikely that Reeves will draw inspiration from these lesser-known villains. However, should he choose to do so, I’ll gladly remind everyone, “I told you so.

2025-01-10 15:53