http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Justice_(DC_Comics)
I am pretty sure that this is the story, unless you are asking for specific issues in which case I think that Riddler is in the second issue.
“Nothing is harder to understand than a symbolic work. A symbol always transcends the one who makes use of it and makes him say in reality more than he is aware of expressing.”
― Albert Camus
Right now, it would have to be the Riddler. If I were asked this question a couple of years ago, the answer would undoubtedly be the Joker. The problem is I haven't found the Joker to be interesting in years. The Riddler on the other hand, always remained an intriguing individual to me. The uniqueness is very prevalent with the Riddler in a multitude of ways ranging from his suave style as a smooth operator to his strategic yet cunning mind that make for an amazing contrast to the deductive reasoning mindset of Batman. In the interest of full disclosure I might add I was always a big fan of the Riddler long before Zero Year was ever published. In fact my first exposure of the Riddler was from Batman the Animated Series. Keep in mind the episodes in which the Riddler played a prominent role in where few and far between.
In fact, one of the few criticisms I had of Batman the Animated Series was that there weren't enough episodes featuring the Riddler. Be that as it may what minimal exposure the Riddler did receive made me go out of my way to learn more about him. What I discovered was that the Riddler was very underrated. Scott Snyder's Batman has been hit or miss with me but I will give him credit in that he's managed to tap into the Riddler's full potential as a Batman villain. I hope the trend continues because the Riddler should always be depicted as one of Batman's greatest foes.
Last edited by Nero; 08-23-2014 at 02:47 PM.
I'm going with Ra's al Ghul. His league of ninja assassins makes him a symbol of social coordination omens which parallels the Dark Knight's crusade for urban control.
If you work for Batman, you end up like Robin or Nightwing, but if you work for Ra's al Ghul, you end up like a ninja assassin.
The depiction of Talia al Ghul in Christopher Nolan's "The Dark Knight Rises" (2012) was a bit disappointing, but the depiction of Ra's al Ghul and his ninja goons in Christopher Nolan's "Batman Begins" (2005) hit the right notes.
Unlike some of Batman's other formidable foes such as Mr. Freeze (the ultimate Valentine's Day maniac) and Two-Face (the vigilante you love to hate), Ra's is bent on crusader-like missions just like Batman.
Ra's has a great deal of philosophical investment in his fascist schemes, while other Batman villains seem to be just pure maniacs or rogue terrorists (i.e., Scarecrow).
I might dress up as a Ra's al Ghul League of Shadows ninja assassin for Halloween 2015.
League of Shadows
ninja.jpg
Catwoman is my favorite character period so her. I typically think of her as a heroine though. Other than Selina it's hard to pinpoint a favorite because the villains are so good and it depends on the media. I don't care much for Bane in any media except Dark Knight Rises where he is absolutely awesome. Joker and Riddler are great in many forms. I love Hush's motivations and the Hush arc.
An easy choice for me. Two-Face all the way. He has a great backstory, a connection to Bruce Wayne (in some interpretations), and the best gimmick (Heads you live, Tails you die). Although, if I had to make a list:
1. Two-Face
2. Ra's Al Ghul
3. Mr. Freeze
4. The Riddler
5. Bane
I kind of wish I had said the Joker. It's just kind of an "overkill" thing for me with him. Catwoman is a favorite but she's kind of ally/ enemy. I've always been partial to Mr. Freeze along with Riddler and Penguin.
The Gotham TV series has been making me a big fan of Penguin recently. Watching his vicious rise to power has been the most compelling part of the show and I never cared for him before
I'm surprised (and glad!) that The Riddler has gotten so many votes. I always liked The Riddler the best because anytime he is in a Batman story, it forces Batman to live up to his title as "The World's Greatest Detective," which is an integral side of Batman that many modern day writers sadly often forget.
Last edited by Uncanny Mutie; 12-01-2014 at 09:27 PM.