Riddler
Back to Villains Main > Riddler
Real Identity: Edward Nygma
Appearances (BTAS): If You're So Smart, Why Aren't You Rich?, What is Reality?, Trial, Riddler's Reform, Over the Edge and Judgement Day
Appearances (STAS): Knight Time
Appearances (BB): Terry's Friend Dates a Robot (Synthoid)
Appearances (JL/U): A Better World Part Two (Alternate Version)
Skills: Genuis and Technology
Voiced By: John Glover
Edward Nygma, a brilliant genius in the electronics field, has an obsessive talent for puzzles and games. Nygma formerly worked for Competitron, a software company, where he developed "The Riddle of the Minotaur" game. The CEO, Daniel Mockridge had him fired and avoided suit due to a legality in his contract. Two years later, when Mockridge was ready to sell out Competitron to Wayne Enterprises, Nygma resurfaced as the Riddler to get his revenge. He had no interest in the multi-million dollar deal but rather, in killing Mockridge. Riddler suffered from compulsive showmanship and left clues in the form of riddles out in the open. Riddler lured Mockridge to his own nightclub, the Wasteland, and kidnapped him. Riddler held Mockridge against his will in the local amusement park's rendition of the Minotaur game. Batman and Robin arrived in time to save Mockridge from being killed by the Minotaur robot. Riddler fled Gotham City.
Riddler soon returned and was determined to erase his former identity of Edward Nygma in places such as the Department of Motor Vehicles and the Gotham City Police Department. To deter the attention of Batman and the police, Riddler sent a virtual reality setup to police headquarters and trapped Commissioner Gordon within it. If he wasn't saved, Gordon would suffer from an induced heart attack. Batman managed to defeat Riddler within the VR and pulled the plug, incapacitating him.
Riddler attempted to reform. He entered into a partnership with Charles Baxter of Wacko Toys. Riddler would sell off his puzzle technology to Baxter and make millions. However, Riddler couldn't completely reform and still desired to steal. With Batman investigating him, Riddler decided to attempt one last scheme designed to outsmart and kill Batman. Batman still survived and refused to tell the Riddler, who implicated himself in the thefts and was arrested.
As a result of not knowing how Batman escaped, the Riddler became more unhinged and his psyche twisted further. Riddler's crimes became more hyperactive and less intellectual. Instead of being able to defeat Batman, the Riddler was met by the likes of the Judge and Superman, disguised as Batman.