A story that i don't think is brought up enough is from the silver age. Basically, the riddler decided one day to steal something without leaving batman any clues, and he got to the finish line with no caped crusader on his tail. But he wasn't able to take the prize. His body stopped just before because he believed he hadn't earned it. That literally stopped him in his tracks. Not because he didn't want to take it, but because no matter how hard he tried, he wasn't allowed to. So he used hypnotism once he had left to get rid of the mental block, and when he did that, Batman literally could not catch him, no matter what crime he committed. But eventually batman started finding riddles, because Riddler was subconciously creating them, as he still couldn't handle the idea of "cheating"
The problem with the Riddler is that he's not like most other 'mastermind' villains, where writers can just wave away nonsensical things and just say "lol science". Riddler, his riddles and his plans are all meant to be understood by both batman and by the readers. And as a result, the Riddler can only be as intelligent as the writers writing him. Because of this, a lot of writers that have written Riddler recently have been lazy and just made him an idiot that just thinks he's smart, which eliminates just about all of his menace and intrigue.
Yeah, every villain in every comic book ever written is a "tactical genius", but 99% of the time this just means handing them an assortment of plot contrivances and deus ex machinas (sometimes literally).
Sadly, this plot isn't much different. "If I become a mass-murdering monster who seems all-knowing, you'll let me do anything I want OR ELSE!!11 How do I know these things? How am I capable of these feats? YOU CAN'T KNOW BECAUSE I'M 2SMRT5U" It runs into the exact same issue that the Sherlock series ran into- dumb people can't write smart people well because they can't imagine the methodology that makes smart people pull ingenious feats, so instead, dumb people write smart people functionally identical to wizards.
@@PeterDivine Hit the nail on the head, mate. They basically just made Riddler into TDK's Joker. It's never explained how he does all this impossible shit or why there's so many people on board with working with him besides just... plot. It seems like they're less interested in portraying the Joker, or the Riddler in this case, and just want to make "inexplicably invincible bad guy that schools the hero at every turn".
I think the key with Riddler’s vulnerability is that he wants to be seen as smarter than he actually is, whilst still being an absolute genius. It’s his inner shame, insecurity and need to prove himself that ends up being his downfall.
@PeterDivine Thank you for saying that that's exactly what it is. It's just like when TV writers write hackers as being able to dovanything with a computer.
I swear during the boss fight against riddler in his mech suit in Arkham knight he literally goes “riddle me this Batman!” And then fucking right hooks him with his big robot hand
this is not canon for anyone confused how this works, its part of an 8 issue mini series about Batman's villains having their one bad day equivalents, came out a couple years ago
@@foquitajeej2399 Not always. When a villian does something, its assumed that they were the ones to think of it. If that changes randomly in the future then its fair to call that retconning.
Any of the guards could've just killed him instead of eachother, and what a coincidence that there would be "no witnesses", Nigma just snapped and "killed himself". Worst case scenario a guard or guards would go to jail. The premise is just retarded when it can easily be solved like this. That's why even the idea of Batman with his no killing rule is fucking stupid no matter how some fanboys try to defend it.
@@FerunaLutelou Because they're nepo babys who are too arrogant to do any form of basic research on the subject(interviewing criminal experts etc.) and would rather BS their way through. it wasnt that bad in the past bc they had some passion, *now* they write comics solely to spite their political opponents and they thoroughly hate their fans .
Only issue I have with this is how unrealistic it seems. You can't threaten literally everyone with their families. There's just gotta be that one ruthless sniper willing to take him out. That one person without any connections who's willing to die a hero. Sure, you can be smart, but you can't be omniscient, that's not how this works.
i mean its the same issue the joker would have. There are definitely people who would totally kill themselves to take out a mass murderer like the joker or the riddler just to be remembered as a hero or just assuming they are dead no matter what and want to take a shot at them.
Yeah your right but then what about other people? the guards are the perfect example. that one guard was willing to take the risk of pumping the riddler full of lead and hopefully preventing his plans but the other two guards were scared shitless and prevented him from being shot. Its literally a ouroboros you want to kill someone but someone else is preventing you from killing that dude and if you do it anyways that person behind the other dude is going to kill that other dude and it gets very complex very fast.
But first those who are scared protect him most likely and you can be omniscient it's just not common team especially for villains because it would feel extremely desperate and with no hope at the end (something like pet cemetery) and that makes it less likeable
Love how the abusive dad says " my son is an idiot" and batman decides to say "lol so true!" like I feel like you should have come to a different conclusion there bud
Riddler locked in. Which caused Batman to lock in; and only one of them knows 1001 ways to kill you up close and personal. God this was an amazing comic.
@@Senselessdogruffruff He basically knew everything about everyone or more specifically where yo hurt everyone. Financially, socially, people's families, their locations, something batman does but on a much more dangerous level as he straight up said he watched Bruce's fucking family as they slept without him even considering the idea of it being a possibility. Mix that with people getting desperate and scared that even fucking BATMAN got spooked by him and literally no one would consider getting close to this man. It really does show that he was truly batman's better in intelligence.
@@Senselessdogruffruffhe pretty much predicted every move before it happened. He knew when people would try. So he already took measures to give ehr message to not even attempt to. The fact he kidnapped the dudes kid a week before should say he knows them very well. The only flaw the riddler has was thinking batman wouldn't change either. Honestly the idea of him going into the Wayne manner various times likely since the very beginning is insane. He would have to be even more stealthy than batman and know where very camera or security measure is. It shows just how scary he really is. The idea of him matching Batman's iq here is just straight up wrong. He succeeded it. He's probably one of the most intelligent people in all of dc in this comic.
I remember when I first read this, I was mixed on it. I love Riddler and him being on top of things and not a joke, but it kind of felt a bit much. Like this was Eddie's own fanfic and the ending was Batman smashing his computer.
also i doubt nigma can do shit to ensure joker doesn't fuck with him. maybe revealing batman's identity? but i feel that the more you prepare for the joker the less you're actually ready for him. now i want to see this riddler trying to deal with the joker lmao
@@jtdevera1189I think the story subtly dealt with that. When the riddler speaks of the joker to Gordon, he talks as if they are old friends, like making jokes with each other. This may be too far, but it may be implied they even respect each other. I'd assume that's why they had each other's contact information Riddler also wasn't going to kill batman or release his identity( anyone he cares about also) to the public. I don't think there's any reason the joker would have a problem as the joker is in it for the game, unlike the riddler in this story.
It's such a dumb fucking story that has pretensions of grandeur. Which I suppose is exactly right -- it's the Riddler writing a Riddler story. Massive glaring holes in the plot that only a self-obsessed egomaniac couldn't see, papered over by layers of self-congratulatory lies. If we get a 'real' Riddler archvillain story, it needs to have someone like Tom 7 coming up with the plot.
Feels like a writer self inserted with this a lot. This has so much "Don't mess with the nice/smart guy or else..." energy. In most cases the smart guy would just get punched a lot. The most realistic end of him would just be your avarage crackhead some mobboss promised drugs. The more i think about it, the more examples i have how stupid it actually is tbh
“Riddle me this Batman” “I spend my days lower than everyone else, constantly under people. And yet I’m never quite the smart fella. What am I?” “A fart smella” “😢”
A soft whisper of a spray can be heard in the background and a sweet smell permeates the air. The Riddler turns around and sees Batman. Batman crouches down and hands the Riddler a can of air freshener. He looks the Riddler in the eyes while giving him the can and says, " Edward, you don't have to keep living this life. You're smart enough not to be a fart smella".
They didnt know what would happen if they shot the riddler yeah he would be dead but he couldve already ordered the men to kill their families and no one there to call them off it isnt chess anymore its poker
The main reason I think Batman actually killed him is because the panels reference the beginning of the story. When the random guy is killed by the riddler, he is on his phone, then it cuts to four black panels. The same four black panels are there after Batman says “what am I?”
This is very cool but while I can believe the police and heroes would not be able to stop him, I dont believe for a second the crime families or villains wouldnt just kill the riddler super easily. His whole plan relies on batman not killing...
There's a single villain who would fuck with Riddler anyways, the Joker, but I guess he just decided to stand back? Wait, or did Batman kill Joker in Killing Joke and that's why he's absent?
Like, a lot of the villains would not allow Riddler to just take over and a lot of the villains have no loved ones and, also, superpowers. Riddler would be dead day 2.
Plus there are other heroes who are slightly less adverse to killing than Bats. Wonder Woman for instance doesn’t like killing but will do it. Ah, and imagine Eddy pulling the “list off the names and addresses of all your loved ones “ with The Flash.
@@kiruppert Flash picks him up by the scruff of the neck runs him to 36000000BCE and leaves him with a tent and hunting equipment. He's smart as heck, it's not like he'll die.
i feel like the guards could have just shot the riddler like if they are gonna kill 2 humans when they could have killed one psychopath who is probably going to kill after this if he’s alive
@@lokensicarius9347 It seems very possible that, if he's pulling this stunt with the guards, he already set everything in motion for their loved ones to suffer, if anything doesn't go according to his whims. When you know that the villain who has come in and out of your "care" a bunch of times and you know they have a bunch of goons at their disposal and ready to strike, who would you deem more important? Random strangers, or the entire list of your loved ones?
Batman might be able to go toe to toe with the riddle but the guards probably know the riddler is smarter than them, if they did anything he didn't want he probably would have predicted it and had something in place. They couldn't guarantee their families wouldn't be killed if they shot him, they could guarantee it if they killed each other like he wanted.
@@stammesbruder would it not be safe to assume a psychopath like Riddler would just allow the plans to go into motion whether or not you complied? At least you can get some form of vengeance.
I like how despite this comic demonstrating how dangerous the riddler can be it also shows just how dangerous batman can be when pushed far enough. It also on a deeper level acknowledges that when the riddler throws away his riddles Batman has to throw away his code fundamentally robbing both characters of their core traits and changing then into entirely new people.
It's not hard to kill the riddler, so I wouldn't call batman here "dangerous" Batman dies in this story, because batman doesn't kill. Now he's just a man.
@blacklightredlight2945 If it's not hard to kill the riddler, then why didn't anyone do it? Also, Batman killing doesn't take away how dangerous he is. Sure, he becomes the thing he becomes just like his enemies, but he's arguably even more dangerous to his enemies if he isn't binded by his no killing vow. Your point makes 0 sense.
the riddler convincing the guards to kill themselves makes no sense. wouldnt they just have killed the riddler if they were so scared for their family well being lol
@@Hiayoukenyou really don’t think riddler didint think of that if he died his death would send a domino effect that would leave there families dead and if they killed him the guards would get sent to jail they probably didint want to spend there life in jail and for there families to see them like thet
This is exactly why the riddler is my favorite comic villain. He is incredibly boring when his whole deal is “solve this riddle or I’ll blow up a bank” but occasionally he gets a story like this which are always some of the best comic books I’ve ever seen
Do you think these stories would have the same impact if we didn’t have his usual shenanigans to contrast them with? Like if this was some new villain I don’t think I’d care much.
It's why him and Arcade are on the same level SURE they can just blow laundered millions on death traps, flashy suits and flashier clues. OR they can get the job done by playing a better game.
@@kangarooMonkee I think a good story is always still good story, but I do agree that the riddler hits much harder in these stories thanks to how he’s usually portrayed.
The Riddler is definitely my favourite villain when he's not being butchered by Jim Carey, and it's moments like this that prove why. Not a fan of him taking credit for Joker's crippling of Barbara Gordon, but other than that it's a great story.
He's like Dr Eggman in the comics. He's fun and messes around. But in truth. If he got serious. He could kill them all without even trying. Instead he cripples himself to win on his terms.
One Bad Day Riddler is just an amazing story. It shows just how insane he is. He stops playing around, he starts to use his mind to actually hurt instead of hinder. The riddler says it the best. "You want to know why I did it Bruce, you are always beating me because I was playing, I've had a really, really bad day... and I'm done playing. Bruce... or is it batman when the mask is off?" That one line was insane and it shows just the power that Riddle refuses to use most of the time.
unlike the arkham games riddler, who couldnt believe that Batman is Bruce Wayne, Most comic riddlers already know who the FUCKIN BATMAN is. they just dont tell his name to anyone because a riddle that has answer all over the place is not a riddle anymore, which is his way of saying Batman needs to stay as batman to protect his legacy.
@@wrigthtalekenavi2066 The Riddler knows Bruce Wayne is Batman because he found a Lazarus Pit. He doesn't tell anyone because if he did, Ra's would know he has access to one and kill him for it.
Mullet man I just wanna say thank you for providing us with some quality story telling with all of these great comic books! Nothing beats coming home from a 9-10 hour shift and sitting down watching some comic videos while having a nice smoke break.
I love how batman creates a spin on the riddle that the riddler created, but created a genuinely better one, where the answer is presumably "death". Not only proving batman as smarter than the riddler, but also letting the riddler know in his last moments what was gonna happen to him.
2:48 Fucking love that comic, such a good art style and grippy story. Also love the “So much so that if Riddler says he’s gonna break out and kill your family specifically. That is more likely to happen than you waking up in the morning.” tidbit, because it’s true LOL. Also 7:27 is some amazing voice acting, props to you.
29:10 Yeah. Nice reminder that humans who no longer have anything left to lose are the most dangerous beings there is. Why Yautja consider humans the most dangerous hunts. Why Jack Sparrow says you can never trust a good person. Understand I am talking about the actions of both Edward and Bruce here.
I honestly don’t like dark riddler stories. But then the comic that defined riddler for me was the comic “when is a door”. He’s Silver age but likes it that way.
Almost all of the One Bad Day comics have been a great read for me so far, Riddler has been a close favorite. The hardcovers also look nice with great art
I still don’t understand why 1. Gotham never uses the death penalty. 2. Any of those security guards didn’t put a hole in the head of the man who threatened to kill their family and instead chose to shoot each other. 3. Similar to 2, why no disgruntled security guard or police officer doesn’t off a mega villain when they are in their custody. If someone killed the Joker, I guarantee you they are getting a raise best case scenario or paid suspension worst case. 4. Batman, or any other vigilante, doesn’t paralyze a villain from the neck down. This objectively lets them keep their no kill policy while also preventing any more malicious actions. (I suppose this one can be circumvented by goons but seeing your boss one gram of starch away from becoming a vegetable should definitely degrade the workforce.) Overall, I understand it is comics and that there needs to be a certain level of suspended disbelief to maintain a story, but I would just like to see the logical option being taken sometime.
Regarding paralyzing, that isn't as permanent a solution as you might think. In a world with magic, advanced technology, the Lazarus Pit, etc. What good would paralyzing your opponent do? Plus, these villains would find a way to retaliate. Also, it isn't humane or ethical. In a world where people return from the dead, a guard shooting the Joker may not have any staying power. Who's to say the Joker wouldn't find a way to come back to life? Especially from all the various times he's been 'killed off' or presumed dead before.
@@camerondalton1495 I completely understand where you are coming from. In the DC universe’s perspective, it is not a permanent issue. However, from a realistic and non status quo reaching perspective, these villains would unlikely have a plan in place to get them unparalyzed and would also be unlikely to set those plans in place if paralyzed. Who is going to get a paralyzed maniac the anti paralysis technology/magic or throw them into the Lazarus pit? Another maniac who probably needs to be paralyzed. You are completely correct about the humane and ethical point, but a guy like the Joker or Riddler probably deserves it. Finally returning from the dead. It’s completely up to the writers to find another way to return one from the dead or undo paralysis. In other words, it’s up to plot contrivance which is an entirely different issue.
Regarding why would a guard or someone in similar position not simply kill a villain while they are in their custody it's actually quite simple. Dead man's switch. A simple concept of a procedure or a machine that comes into effect in case a person dies. All a villain has to do is tell them that if they were to try something like this and succeed, a switch would activate. I can absolutely see Riddler setting up an elaborate web of such contingencies that come into effect if someone felt bold - or simply *convince* people those contingencies are there. And even if there was a guard or someone else feeling bold enough to try anyway? There'd be dozen others fearing for their loved ones whod stop him before anything is tried.
So glad that Matt Reeves' Riddler finally helped put respect on his name - hes a fantastic villain and his character when written right is facinating! Great video m8
20:36 Omg he’s getting so smart he’s capable of predicting what Dc higher ups will let him get away with doing. He can’t kill Damien or Jason or Dick because they’re too popular.
That was awesome, Mullet-Man! Thanks for introducing me to this story. I like to believe Batman turned himself in after killing Edward. It just makes sense for his character, and the Family can protect Gotham. Also, normally, I hate it when writers make Batman kill, but this was just such a well-written way of doing it! Plus, it's Black Label, so it gets a pass for being on an alternate Earth lol.
not once have I ever read or seen anything about superhero’s/comics apart from mainstream movies, until I saw your channel you’ve genuinely made me sooo interested in all the stories there are out there, I was so unaware about all the cool stories out there & i appreciate you basically explaining them to me + u r cool , thank u for dis content bro
Normally I'm frustrated by any intro to a topic that isn't two minutes or less, but with double that time you managed to make an enjoyable intro that didn't have me skipping ahead to find the actual beginning. Good job
This has horrible plot holes. It contradicts so many riddler stories but I can forgive that. The writer wanted a different, non-canon version of the riddler. The problem is the writer is not a genius so the riddlers plans would never work. Those guards would have killed him, not each other. He could be imprisoned in a cell in the astroid belt. Any number of snipers could have killed, police, mafia , military, vengeful wife. He could have been imprisoned in the phantom zone (that might not exist in this elsewhere story). The government would have killed him. He is as arrogant as ever. Easy to kill. Intelligence does not stop a bullet if your dumb enough to always be in a predictable spot looking out windows. I think it would have been a better ending if the wife had killed him, that would have been ironic.
This story has a major plot hole. The Arkham Guards would have just shot 'HIM' instead of each other, to save their families at that point. Only one of them would end up at most going to prison, and maybe even only getting fired. Makes no sense what they did. Also once he kills those guys' wives later in the story, what's stopping them? They have nothing left to lose! Also makes no sense... This isn't good writing. How wasn't that blatantly obvious what would have actually happened?
I think that could have been done to show the terror that he is able to instill when he wants to, like enough to make the guards lose there rationality because they are so terrified of him.
I like this story but I do think it sort of forces itself into its conclusion. I understand that Ed with his intelligence is this seemingly all powerful super genius, but like what is stopping Batman from paralyzing Ed, crippling him so he can no longer be self reliant. What is stopping Batman from turning him into a vegetative state and keeping him locked up forever. It’s not something Batman would do but that’s the point of the comic ultimately, to show Batman justifying something he wouldn’t do, and in this case I can see him justifying paralyzing Riddler far more than killing Riddler.
I'd reckon that, if you already cross the line, you might as well commit to it. Being paralyzed would not stop the riddler from equipping someone else to become the next riddler, or at least to pull off one last evil masterplan. One of the most foolish and yet admirable qualities of Batman is his borderline endless faith in everyone to be redeemable. He wants to stop evil, but refuses to destroy the flicker of goodness presumed to be inside of them. Once he gets disillusioned, and there is no goodness to be saved, why would he spare them?
If you think that Batman needs to justify anything at this point, then you missed the point of the comic. It's not a story about excuses or justifications, it's a story about supposedly unchanging people changing who they are. And not for the better. The Riddler changed, and Batman did too.
@@Seoul_Soldier Yes, but that also kinda defeats the point of Batman. It's not fun to see a hero do this, especially when there are a million options to avoid it that still put The Riddler out of commission forever. Options that are easy to think of and break this story completely. For instance; - Have Superman put him in the Phantom Zone. - literally shoot him into space on a one way rocket to keep him isolated with enough food and supplies for the rest of his life. - Break his neck and paralyze him from the neck down, then put him in a room where he can't escape without moving, alone. - Bludgeon him hard enough that you damage his brain badly. Just because a story is 'about' something doesn't mean that it doesn't have to make internal logical sense. Batman is clearly smart enough to think of these alternatives before killing. There's no reason why Batman would kill the riddler, even under these circumstances. As for Batman's riddle -- a lot of people will assume it means "Death"... but if you die, you know nothing thereafter. The answer is "Consequence". You know consequences forevermore, after the first time you truly meet them. The comic is deliberately ambiguous while suggesting murder, it's a mirror to The Killing Joke, literally references it with Nygma's dialogue. The Joker didn't die in Killing Joke (as we learn from continuity) so I see no reason to assume that Nygma dies here. Also, let's be clear here -- if the Arkham guards were going to kill anyone there to save their families, they'd have just pincushioned The Riddler rather than shoot each other. The book's full of plot holes and bad characterization, but it's still a fun read, I suppose.
This comics feels like a mix of all the things The Riddler IS NOT. Here are the reasons why: *The original and most current Riddler is NOT a psychopath who kill people only for fun or pleasure. He only kills people when doing an specific riddle trap for Batman or any other superhero. He sometimes kills but when his schemes fail or are spoiled somehow. *Even the most lunatic villains of Gotham didn't want to go against Riddler. While that is kind of good as it evidences The Riddler is a real threat and force to be recogn with, it makes no sense at some points. So not even a murderous psychopath like The Joker or a powered enraged Bane would go against Riddler? And lets be clear, those villains have also brought Gotham to their knees on several times. *He was the one who told to The Joker to shot Barbara and kidnap Comissioner Gordon? What the f*ck? Last time I remembered The Killing Joke scheme was orchestrated ONLY by The Joker himself in order to prove that it only takes one bad day to send a man into total madness just like him. Where the hell The Riddler is part of that? Conclusion: A bad Riddler story with a terrible redcon that makes no sense. Zero Year is by far the greatest Riddler portrayal of the most recent comics (the New 52 and DC Rebirth to be precise). If you want to read GOOD Riddler stories, check out this top 10 of the greatest Riddler stories: ua-cam.com/video/2F66A8Se7jg/v-deo.html
someone's doesn't get the whole one-off story idea like my man the story is in its own cannon,and you're mad about it It's like reading the soviet superman story and being mad at why the characters aren't the same
I hate how fucking forced is this lmao Like seriously, Batman could've just beat the shit out of him, and put him back in Arkham in a totally secured cell, with new guards that Eddie doesnt know so he cant manipulate them etc... Like seriously Riddler power in this comic is just plot armor
This, THIS is riddler, a man who is a genius who has gone of the deep end, if I ever write a Batman cartoon, or movie, or game, or anything, I’m gonna try my best to write riddler like this
This story is great but I have issue with one thing... Wouldn't the panicked, not thinking clearly Arkham guard just shot Riddler? Under duress, wouldn't that be the first solution? Instead of shooting everyone else in the room.
Man I’ve been watching all your videos in a binge and I got to say the way the stylization of your videos and editing has improved is something you should be proud of, this one was done REMARKABLY well
If the Riddler was JUST a criminal mastermind, he wouldn't be all that interesting. We've seen hundreds of those. It's specifically that endless need to PROVE he's the smartest that makes him compelling. If the Riddler just wanted money or fame, a mind like his could acquire such things legally in a heartbeat. Alas, all the man wants is to feel superior to everyone else. Like many of the best Batman villains, he probably could be redeemed with just some intensive therapy.
It's usually small moments that ruin comics for me, but this one's different. Riddler being retconned to be the one behind the killing joke, and Gordon not being good just annoys me, but I can ignore it since it's not important. But then there's the chronic stupidity. This comic relies on the Arkham guards killing themselves, but not the guy threatening their families, that could be lying, or could do it anyways. Riddler bypassing the World's Greatest Detective's security without him knowing, and knowing his identity as Bruce Wayne is exceedingly moronic, and useless for the rest of the comic. It's like the edgelord in the DnD group expositing his backstory to seem cool. Seeing Batman actually make the logical choice of killing the psychotic murderers also kinda cathartic since I hate that aspect soooo much, but it also goes against his special kind of insanity that's been with the character forever.
Riddle threatening Cassandra Cain or the Robins broke this story for me. Riddler's pretty much a villain sue in this story. There was nothing physically stopping Batman from detaining him the moment he revealed how he'd escape from Arkham. Swap guard rotations, make them wear masks and use voice modifiers. Place him in a concrete solitary cell. It isn't difficult to physically detain him, he's only a man.
the "the end" isnt just the ending of the comic its the answer to the batman's riddle "Though we meet but once you know me thereafter" the answer is death which is often called "thee end"
Riddler: Let's enraged the armed guards by threateing their families, that should go smoothl- *BAM* Story could have ended so much quicker of those guards we're smart
This is unironically the dumbest Riddler comic because not one guard thinks to kill Nigma frame one thus ending his murder spree, and instead, they all kill themselves EVERY SINGLE TIME.
I think it's fear that a henchmen would do it instead. He already proved his intellect and would have a plan incase they kill him. Granted he should have said this and at least one wouldn't think of that so this is more a possible solution to that issue but oh well
@@cultofnatethemagnificent5879Granted it could be days to weeks before anybody outside knows ridlers dead. Plenty of time to take yoir family on a vacation traveling the states for month or so... Doubt hired goons gona bother to carry out the hit whern the one that hired them is dead.
I'm a big Gorshin fanboy, so I'll always bat for that level of goofiness balanced with a cold, almost quiet cruelness at times, with an intellect and temper that teeter from funny to terrifying in a split second. That's my ideal Riddler. But this? This is good, I'll take this.
Those parts with the idealistic teacher seeing "failing" as part of "learning", then it pans to how devastated young Riddler is... comics have gotten really good.
One of my favorite Riddler stories. The Riddler is extremely underrated and i'm glad this story showed what he's capable of when he actually lets loose.
The security killing eachother is oen of the dumbest things I have ever seen, you are seriously telling me these armed guys of psychos would not kill the Riddler while he is tied down and instead shoot eachother? Did the writers ever not think that these cops deal with Gotham villians near daily? Even bad writing should atleast some contextual thought into it but that was straight up cringe
@@rachelparker335 so you are telling me massacaring your friends and destabilizing a jail full of genocidal maniacs who would kill you and your family is a better option than to kill the psycho threathening you and then simply get protection for your loved ones via government watch or move them out of Gotham. Keep in mind these guards are also guards of the Asylum probably and are recieving similiar threaths probably near daily.
@@rachelparker335 All I see is more of a reason for most to just switch bosses then. (Not all but most) They still have to do jobs but atlest new boss is alive and more likely to pay without participating in some convoluted verification scheme.
@@rachelparker335 Penguin, Black Mask and the Mob for most part should be if not good then deacent enough since their the types that actively wortk to hold teretory and as such NEED more manpower than others. Plus wathever flavor of conspiracy of the month (like the colective) if they can get an in.
Same, what i love about the riddler is that there nothing crazy going for him, no insane clowns or freeze powers, just one very smart Machiavellian dude who is capable of making gotham his city if he wants it
@@nicoavlz347The problem with these characters is that they are not really that smart at all, the writers overexaggerate these characters intelligence without even being that smart to know what would these characters realistically do.
14:45 And it never occured to ANY of those officers to just, you know, shoot the RIDDLER to death? He never said he had a dead hand contingency plan, he just stated he would kill their families. Can't do that when you're taking a dirt nap. So dumb lol.
So, you're telling me. They got five guys around this guy He threatens their family And they'd rather kill themselves then just put a bullet in his head I know suspension of disbelief is a thing but there's a limit realistically the guards would have just killed him and faced the legal consequences.
So...I"m not sure when it didn't go through any of those cops minds "I can just shoot the Riddler right now and then he can't kill my family" and be done with it? Also...the Riddler tormented every member of the Bat family? Including Jason "I have no problems with killing now" Todd? That would have been the perfect ending. Red Hood coming out of the shadows behind the RIddler. Game over.
@@datemasamune2904 Agreed. Though Superman cannot be everywhere at once. Like if he's off the planet dealing with a big threat his loved ones would be in danger.
I gotta be honest, I really don't like that ending. Feels sorta contrived to just get Batman to kill someone for the sake of having the shock of Batman killing. I understand the idea of the story is that hard situations force changes in people, but I believe that sort of conclusion doesn't work for Batman. People complain about evil superman stories being uninteresting, but will say stories like this are awesome. Do we or don't we want writers to stick to the principals of these characters? Feels backwards to me. Epic video tho lol
A story that i don't think is brought up enough is from the silver age. Basically, the riddler decided one day to steal something without leaving batman any clues, and he got to the finish line with no caped crusader on his tail. But he wasn't able to take the prize. His body stopped just before because he believed he hadn't earned it. That literally stopped him in his tracks. Not because he didn't want to take it, but because no matter how hard he tried, he wasn't allowed to.
So he used hypnotism once he had left to get rid of the mental block, and when he did that, Batman literally could not catch him, no matter what crime he committed. But eventually batman started finding riddles, because Riddler was subconciously creating them, as he still couldn't handle the idea of "cheating"
Bros inner riddler got him tweakin
Jesus. That is some deep shit.
THAT Riddler was interesting.
I find that ironic, since leaving clues in the first place could be considered throwing the game.
@@donjezza10 Wouldn't the clues be integral to the game itself? The game isn't just the sneaking, the game is sneaking with a few trails behind you.
The problem with the Riddler is that he's not like most other 'mastermind' villains, where writers can just wave away nonsensical things and just say "lol science". Riddler, his riddles and his plans are all meant to be understood by both batman and by the readers. And as a result, the Riddler can only be as intelligent as the writers writing him.
Because of this, a lot of writers that have written Riddler recently have been lazy and just made him an idiot that just thinks he's smart, which eliminates just about all of his menace and intrigue.
Yeah, every villain in every comic book ever written is a "tactical genius", but 99% of the time this just means handing them an assortment of plot contrivances and deus ex machinas (sometimes literally).
Sadly, this plot isn't much different.
"If I become a mass-murdering monster who seems all-knowing, you'll let me do anything I want OR ELSE!!11 How do I know these things? How am I capable of these feats? YOU CAN'T KNOW BECAUSE I'M 2SMRT5U"
It runs into the exact same issue that the Sherlock series ran into- dumb people can't write smart people well because they can't imagine the methodology that makes smart people pull ingenious feats, so instead, dumb people write smart people functionally identical to wizards.
@@PeterDivine Hit the nail on the head, mate. They basically just made Riddler into TDK's Joker. It's never explained how he does all this impossible shit or why there's so many people on board with working with him besides just... plot.
It seems like they're less interested in portraying the Joker, or the Riddler in this case, and just want to make "inexplicably invincible bad guy that schools the hero at every turn".
I think the key with Riddler’s vulnerability is that he wants to be seen as smarter than he actually is, whilst still being an absolute genius.
It’s his inner shame, insecurity and need to prove himself that ends up being his downfall.
@PeterDivine Thank you for saying that that's exactly what it is. It's just like when TV writers write hackers as being able to dovanything with a computer.
"Riddle me this batman! Drive your car through some racetracks"
his best riddle yet
"How is that a riddle?"
"You have to do it twice!"
@@LAVATORRWell 3 times plus a geuss key
I swear during the boss fight against riddler in his mech suit in Arkham knight he literally goes “riddle me this Batman!” And then fucking right hooks him with his big robot hand
@@AVeryConvincingDisguise RIDDLE ME *THUNK*
this is not canon for anyone confused how this works, its part of an 8 issue mini series about Batman's villains having their one bad day equivalents, came out a couple years ago
whos all part of the 8? because canon or not turning batman villins up to 11 so he has to kill them is a set or storys im down to read
@@bricecass2208 I believe it goes riddler, two face, penguin, Mr freeze, bane, Catwoman, clayface, and Ras al ghul
@@MoojinBoi Nice, I was hoping there was one for catwoman
@@MoojinBoicatwoman seems interesting. i wonder what they would do for her series
@@MoojinBoiyes! Clayface. Definitely a favorite.
I'm glad someone else finally bought up that The Riddler was the one who gave Joker the idea to do The Killing Joke.
That's ALWAYS glossed over.
Is that a retcon?
@@camerondalton1495 wouldnt say retcon so much as "revealed a bit later".
@@zigfaust that's what a retcon is lol
@@nathanielk7415
A retcon would be changing something already known into something different
This is not the case
@@foquitajeej2399 Not always. When a villian does something, its assumed that they were the ones to think of it. If that changes randomly in the future then its fair to call that retconning.
Bro when people take Batman villains and go full “yeah if they stop fucking around we’re cooked” its so great
Any of the guards could've just killed him instead of eachother, and what a coincidence that there would be "no witnesses", Nigma just snapped and "killed himself". Worst case scenario a guard or guards would go to jail.
The premise is just retarded when it can easily be solved like this. That's why even the idea of Batman with his no killing rule is fucking stupid no matter how some fanboys try to defend it.
@@FerunaLutelouI don't wanna be that guy but, it's a comic dude. It's where you can escape from whatever you are doing and enjoy the comic
@@FerunaLutelou bro said the r-word in 2024 there aint no way
@@DanielGray123 go read about suspension of disbelief
@@FerunaLutelou Because they're nepo babys who are too arrogant to do any form of basic research on the subject(interviewing criminal experts etc.) and would rather BS their way through.
it wasnt that bad in the past bc they had some passion, *now* they write comics solely to spite their political opponents and they thoroughly hate their fans .
Riddler as a Moriarty-esque mastermind is an under used angle. He has the panache to pull it off
Legitimately. He has that "The Man in Black" type of persona.
I'm a big sherlock fan and i thought that too as i was watching this!
its because everyone wants the J-man to be his moriarty
panache?
Only issue I have with this is how unrealistic it seems.
You can't threaten literally everyone with their families. There's just gotta be that one ruthless sniper willing to take him out. That one person without any connections who's willing to die a hero. Sure, you can be smart, but you can't be omniscient, that's not how this works.
i mean its the same issue the joker would have. There are definitely people who would totally kill themselves to take out a mass murderer like the joker or the riddler just to be remembered as a hero or just assuming they are dead no matter what and want to take a shot at them.
Yeah your right but then what about other people? the guards are the perfect example. that one guard was willing to take the risk of pumping the riddler full of lead and hopefully preventing his plans but the other two guards were scared shitless and prevented him from being shot.
Its literally a ouroboros you want to kill someone but someone else is preventing you from killing that dude and if you do it anyways that person behind the other dude is going to kill that other dude and it gets very complex very fast.
But first those who are scared protect him most likely and you can be omniscient it's just not common team especially for villains because it would feel extremely desperate and with no hope at the end (something like pet cemetery) and that makes it less likeable
Why do you think he's only threatening with violence to families? Because of this video?
Y’all are saying this like we don’t have current real life examples of untouchable humans
Love how the abusive dad says " my son is an idiot" and batman decides to say "lol so true!" like I feel like you should have come to a different conclusion there bud
That’s bc his son is one
I think hes just taunting him by saying his fathers words
he killed 37 people im pretty sure its way past the point where you can say its his dads fault its his fault he's doing this now
He's right
Hes intentionally playing on his trauma. Something batman uses all the time. Weaponizing the villain's trauma to win is his favorite tactic.
Riddler locked in.
Which caused Batman to lock in; and only one of them knows 1001 ways to kill you up close and personal.
God this was an amazing comic.
What did he do to control the city? All heard was you touch me and you family dies
@@Senselessdogruffruff He basically knew everything about everyone or more specifically where yo hurt everyone. Financially, socially, people's families, their locations, something batman does but on a much more dangerous level as he straight up said he watched Bruce's fucking family as they slept without him even considering the idea of it being a possibility. Mix that with people getting desperate and scared that even fucking BATMAN got spooked by him and literally no one would consider getting close to this man. It really does show that he was truly batman's better in intelligence.
@@Erven777 yet he made the same mistake Batman did: he thought he'd never change
@@Erven777 this was almost a Nemesis story with Riddler
@@Senselessdogruffruffhe pretty much predicted every move before it happened. He knew when people would try. So he already took measures to give ehr message to not even attempt to. The fact he kidnapped the dudes kid a week before should say he knows them very well. The only flaw the riddler has was thinking batman wouldn't change either. Honestly the idea of him going into the Wayne manner various times likely since the very beginning is insane. He would have to be even more stealthy than batman and know where very camera or security measure is. It shows just how scary he really is. The idea of him matching Batman's iq here is just straight up wrong. He succeeded it. He's probably one of the most intelligent people in all of dc in this comic.
I remember when I first read this, I was mixed on it. I love Riddler and him being on top of things and not a joke, but it kind of felt a bit much. Like this was Eddie's own fanfic and the ending was Batman smashing his computer.
also i doubt nigma can do shit to ensure joker doesn't fuck with him. maybe revealing batman's identity? but i feel that the more you prepare for the joker the less you're actually ready for him. now i want to see this riddler trying to deal with the joker lmao
@@jtdevera1189I think the story subtly dealt with that.
When the riddler speaks of the joker to Gordon, he talks as if they are old friends, like making jokes with each other.
This may be too far, but it may be implied they even respect each other. I'd assume that's why they had each other's contact information
Riddler also wasn't going to kill batman or release his identity( anyone he cares about also) to the public. I don't think there's any reason the joker would have a problem as the joker is in it for the game, unlike the riddler in this story.
It's such a dumb fucking story that has pretensions of grandeur. Which I suppose is exactly right -- it's the Riddler writing a Riddler story. Massive glaring holes in the plot that only a self-obsessed egomaniac couldn't see, papered over by layers of self-congratulatory lies.
If we get a 'real' Riddler archvillain story, it needs to have someone like Tom 7 coming up with the plot.
@@noneuklidTHANK YOU. I get it he is smart. But here they use it as a deus ex machina to do whatever he wants. He is a genius not a wizard.
Feels like a writer self inserted with this a lot. This has so much "Don't mess with the nice/smart guy or else..." energy.
In most cases the smart guy would just get punched a lot. The most realistic end of him would just be your avarage crackhead some mobboss promised drugs.
The more i think about it, the more examples i have how stupid it actually is tbh
I love the trope of "Jokey character is holding themselves back for the bit. Take their bit away and you can see what they're truly capable of."
Nah, this one is just pure fanfic, glazing tf of a silly villain. This is just edgy for the sake of being edgy.
@@mr.kuso868 hater
@mr.kuso868 what makes the riddler any sillier than Batman, or Calendar Man, or Condiment King?
@@zacharybosley1935 exactly. What type of batman show was bro watching? Batwheels?
“Riddle me this Batman”
“I spend my days lower than everyone else, constantly under people. And yet I’m never quite the smart fella. What am I?”
“A fart smella”
“😢”
A soft whisper of a spray can be heard in the background and a sweet smell permeates the air. The Riddler turns around and sees Batman. Batman crouches down and hands the Riddler a can of air freshener. He looks the Riddler in the eyes while giving him the can and says, " Edward, you don't have to keep living this life. You're smart enough not to be a fart smella".
This should not have made me burst out laughing
"What? How?? You wouldn't say THAT, how did you get it??"
@@JaceAce22 "Because, that's what you are, Riddler. You aren't "rizzler". You're just.. "Riddler"."
Dammit Meg!
All the prison guards shooting each other instead of the Riddler. Like, seriously?
They didnt know what would happen if they shot the riddler yeah he would be dead but he couldve already ordered the men to kill their families and no one there to call them off it isnt chess anymore its poker
Yeah, I really don’t like it either.
He’s not luthor, he’s a pencil neck.
Welcome to comics, 🤦
My dude, it's Gotham.
They know if the Riddler says your family name... he being alive or not changes nothing
The fact that he already knew their names and their family means he probably has it were they’ll die if they tried anything
My head canon is Batman paralyzed him at the end and came to his hospital room and hit him with the “don’t do it again”
He gave him the Joker special.
no he definitely killed him batman has killed times before
@@CarpetClosererm nuh uh (don’t take this comment seriously or I will remove your knee caps)
@@luxsolis95 erm my mom said so and she’s always right 🤓👆🏽
The main reason I think Batman actually killed him is because the panels reference the beginning of the story. When the random guy is killed by the riddler, he is on his phone, then it cuts to four black panels. The same four black panels are there after Batman says “what am I?”
This is very cool but while I can believe the police and heroes would not be able to stop him, I dont believe for a second the crime families or villains wouldnt just kill the riddler super easily. His whole plan relies on batman not killing...
There's a single villain who would fuck with Riddler anyways, the Joker, but I guess he just decided to stand back? Wait, or did Batman kill Joker in Killing Joke and that's why he's absent?
Like, a lot of the villains would not allow Riddler to just take over and a lot of the villains have no loved ones and, also, superpowers. Riddler would be dead day 2.
Shoot even Jason Todd would kill ed way before it got to that point
Plus there are other heroes who are slightly less adverse to killing than Bats. Wonder Woman for instance doesn’t like killing but will do it. Ah, and imagine Eddy pulling the “list off the names and addresses of all your loved ones “ with The Flash.
@@kiruppert Flash picks him up by the scruff of the neck runs him to 36000000BCE and leaves him with a tent and hunting equipment. He's smart as heck, it's not like he'll die.
Plot twist - Batman didn't kill him, he got so surprised about Batman just being there he slipped and hit his head on the way down.
The answer to batman's riddle is death basically saying how the influence of the event "death" will be impactful
Also, if that does happen that's the goofiest death a character could have
@@Bruno-le4lo I think this comment is meant to be a joke ☺️
Riddle me this Batman! Collect 458 Riddler Trophies!
i feel like the guards could have just shot the riddler like if they are gonna kill 2 humans when they could have killed one psychopath who is probably going to kill after this if he’s alive
So true, funny how DC universe, especially Gotham that just putting a bullet in the villains head is so obvious yet somehow a impossible feat.
@@lokensicarius9347 It seems very possible that, if he's pulling this stunt with the guards, he already set everything in motion for their loved ones to suffer, if anything doesn't go according to his whims.
When you know that the villain who has come in and out of your "care" a bunch of times and you know they have a bunch of goons at their disposal and ready to strike, who would you deem more important? Random strangers, or the entire list of your loved ones?
Batman might be able to go toe to toe with the riddle but the guards probably know the riddler is smarter than them, if they did anything he didn't want he probably would have predicted it and had something in place.
They couldn't guarantee their families wouldn't be killed if they shot him, they could guarantee it if they killed each other like he wanted.
@@stammesbruderNah the stunt is simply not possible with the severity of the situation
@@stammesbruder would it not be safe to assume a psychopath like Riddler would just allow the plans to go into motion whether or not you complied? At least you can get some form of vengeance.
I like how despite this comic demonstrating how dangerous the riddler can be it also shows just how dangerous batman can be when pushed far enough. It also on a deeper level acknowledges that when the riddler throws away his riddles Batman has to throw away his code fundamentally robbing both characters of their core traits and changing then into entirely new people.
It's not hard to kill the riddler, so I wouldn't call batman here "dangerous"
Batman dies in this story, because batman doesn't kill. Now he's just a man.
@blacklightredlight2945 If it's not hard to kill the riddler, then why didn't anyone do it? Also, Batman killing doesn't take away how dangerous he is. Sure, he becomes the thing he becomes just like his enemies, but he's arguably even more dangerous to his enemies if he isn't binded by his no killing vow. Your point makes 0 sense.
Riddler is so underrated, and he's best when he's used as a serious threat. Loving the longer videos by the way
Bro he was only serious in this comic
@@Bruno-le4loHe was serious in the one where he’s doing some magic ritual with the ghost of Gotham
😊😊😊
the riddler convincing the guards to kill themselves makes no sense. wouldnt they just have killed the riddler if they were so scared for their family well being lol
The riddler thought he was fighting with his hands tied behind his back, but batmans no kill rule is him literally not even playing on the same board.
Crazy how they kill each other in stead of killing the riddler 😭 😭 😭
Edit: there is a war in the comments😂😂😂
Because if they do the riddler would kill their families
How he gonna do that if he dead
@@Hiayoukenfor all we know he probably hired henchmen to find em and kill ‘em all if he died
@@Hiayoukenyou really don’t think riddler didint think of that if he died his death would send a domino effect that would leave there families dead and if they killed him the guards would get sent to jail they probably didint want to spend there life in jail and for there families to see them like thet
Facts
He’s not wearing his Matt Murdock glasses anymore please bring them back 😭😭😭😭😭
Nah fr I need those back.
I hated those things.
Yeah but not the playboy ones
The Mullet Man stops playing games.
Don't worry I superior iron manned him and gave him his sight back
The guy who drew the Riddler's dad TOTALLY used the dad from Dead Poets Society as a character model.
Yeah and Jon Hamm for Batman and Michael Stipe from REM for the Riddler.
Yup and definitely used Robert Sean Leonard is inspiration for young Riddler
I KNEW I WAS NOT THE ONLY ONE WHO NOTICED THIS!!!
And young Eddie looked just like Ethan hawke from the same movie
This is exactly why the riddler is my favorite comic villain. He is incredibly boring when his whole deal is “solve this riddle or I’ll blow up a bank” but occasionally he gets a story like this which are always some of the best comic books I’ve ever seen
Do you think these stories would have the same impact if we didn’t have his usual shenanigans to contrast them with?
Like if this was some new villain I don’t think I’d care much.
It's why him and Arcade are on the same level SURE they can just blow laundered millions on death traps, flashy suits and flashier clues. OR they can get the job done by playing a better game.
@@kangarooMonkee I think a good story is always still good story, but I do agree that the riddler hits much harder in these stories thanks to how he’s usually portrayed.
The Riddler is definitely my favourite villain when he's not being butchered by Jim Carey, and it's moments like this that prove why. Not a fan of him taking credit for Joker's crippling of Barbara Gordon, but other than that it's a great story.
He's like Dr Eggman in the comics.
He's fun and messes around. But in truth. If he got serious. He could kill them all without even trying.
Instead he cripples himself to win on his terms.
One Bad Day Riddler is just an amazing story. It shows just how insane he is. He stops playing around, he starts to use his mind to actually hurt instead of hinder.
The riddler says it the best.
"You want to know why I did it Bruce, you are always beating me because I was playing, I've had a really, really bad day... and I'm done playing. Bruce... or is it batman when the mask is off?"
That one line was insane and it shows just the power that Riddle refuses to use most of the time.
unlike the arkham games riddler, who couldnt believe that Batman is Bruce Wayne, Most comic riddlers already know who the FUCKIN BATMAN is. they just dont tell his name to anyone because a riddle that has answer all over the place is not a riddle anymore, which is his way of saying Batman needs to stay as batman to protect his legacy.
@wrigthtalekenavi2066 truer words could'tve been said.
@@wrigthtalekenavi2066 The Riddler knows Bruce Wayne is Batman because he found a Lazarus Pit. He doesn't tell anyone because if he did, Ra's would know he has access to one and kill him for it.
Mullet man I just wanna say thank you for providing us with some quality story telling with all of these great comic books! Nothing beats coming home from a 9-10 hour shift and sitting down watching some comic videos while having a nice smoke break.
nah to the smokin but same to the comics bein good
@@bloodassasslnI just smoke weed but I do agree that any kind of smoke can be bad for your lungs in general
I love how batman creates a spin on the riddle that the riddler created, but created a genuinely better one, where the answer is presumably "death". Not only proving batman as smarter than the riddler, but also letting the riddler know in his last moments what was gonna happen to him.
2:48 Fucking love that comic, such a good art style and grippy story. Also love the “So much so that if Riddler says he’s gonna break out and kill your family specifically. That is more likely to happen than you waking up in the morning.” tidbit, because it’s true LOL.
Also 7:27 is some amazing voice acting, props to you.
what is this comic?
Comic??
Arkham Asylum comic, full title “Arkham Asylum: A Serious House on Serious Earth”
@@qrzt2000one bad day: riddler, part of an 8 issue mini series
@@Waffles..other reply
0:01 Bruce has seen better days. You managed to put a prize in a YT video. Well done.
What went trough Riddlers mind when Batman surprised him?
A bullet...
I just imagined Bruce snapping his neck
pretty sure the implication is he ninja'd him bare handed
Now riddle me this, Riddler. What walks on four legs in the morning, on two legs during the day and is very, very dead in the evening?
Human living through life@@Furzkampfbomber
@@attaelhusen7134 although said human has a premature death
29:10 Yeah. Nice reminder that humans who no longer have anything left to lose are the most dangerous beings there is. Why Yautja consider humans the most dangerous hunts. Why Jack Sparrow says you can never trust a good person. Understand I am talking about the actions of both Edward and Bruce here.
Bro decided to lock in
I hate myself
@@griffinv8382😭
@@griffinv8382 as you should
Who riddler?
Don't worrie , I hate you too.
3:00
Wait wait wait... every guard was willing to die to protect their loved ones, but not a single one thought to just shoot the Riddler?
fr
@@DarkStuds No recognition for things outside of themselves.
🤯
@@hamburglerhelper326 Plot kai
That last riddle Batman gives enigma is so good.😺
I honestly don’t like dark riddler stories.
But then the comic that defined riddler for me was the comic “when is a door”. He’s Silver age but likes it that way.
Almost all of the One Bad Day comics have been a great read for me so far, Riddler has been a close favorite. The hardcovers also look nice with great art
I still don’t understand why
1. Gotham never uses the death penalty.
2. Any of those security guards didn’t put a hole in the head of the man who threatened to kill their family and instead chose to shoot each other.
3. Similar to 2, why no disgruntled security guard or police officer doesn’t off a mega villain when they are in their custody. If someone killed the Joker, I guarantee you they are getting a raise best case scenario or paid suspension worst case.
4. Batman, or any other vigilante, doesn’t paralyze a villain from the neck down. This objectively lets them keep their no kill policy while also preventing any more malicious actions. (I suppose this one can be circumvented by goons but seeing your boss one gram of starch away from becoming a vegetable should definitely degrade the workforce.)
Overall, I understand it is comics and that there needs to be a certain level of suspended disbelief to maintain a story, but I would just like to see the logical option being taken sometime.
Regarding paralyzing, that isn't as permanent a solution as you might think. In a world with magic, advanced technology, the Lazarus Pit, etc. What good would paralyzing your opponent do? Plus, these villains would find a way to retaliate. Also, it isn't humane or ethical. In a world where people return from the dead, a guard shooting the Joker may not have any staying power. Who's to say the Joker wouldn't find a way to come back to life? Especially from all the various times he's been 'killed off' or presumed dead before.
@@camerondalton1495 I completely understand where you are coming from. In the DC universe’s perspective, it is not a permanent issue. However, from a realistic and non status quo reaching perspective, these villains would unlikely have a plan in place to get them unparalyzed and would also be unlikely to set those plans in place if paralyzed. Who is going to get a paralyzed maniac the anti paralysis technology/magic or throw them into the Lazarus pit? Another maniac who probably needs to be paralyzed.
You are completely correct about the humane and ethical point, but a guy like the Joker or Riddler probably deserves it.
Finally returning from the dead. It’s completely up to the writers to find another way to return one from the dead or undo paralysis. In other words, it’s up to plot contrivance which is an entirely different issue.
@@camerondalton1495 How would the guards be aware of that though ?
@@JeRefuseDeBienPrononcerBaleine They live in the DC universe. How would they not?
Regarding why would a guard or someone in similar position not simply kill a villain while they are in their custody it's actually quite simple.
Dead man's switch. A simple concept of a procedure or a machine that comes into effect in case a person dies. All a villain has to do is tell them that if they were to try something like this and succeed, a switch would activate. I can absolutely see Riddler setting up an elaborate web of such contingencies that come into effect if someone felt bold - or simply *convince* people those contingencies are there. And even if there was a guard or someone else feeling bold enough to try anyway?
There'd be dozen others fearing for their loved ones whod stop him before anything is tried.
15:39 so instead of just killing the ridller, they kill them selves. Guess none of the guards were catholic.
i swear riddler is just an edgy self insert in this comic
the riddler has people on the outside too, they could kill they’re families that’s why they killed eachother
@@mr.g8075ahh ya ok. Makes sense
So glad that Matt Reeves' Riddler finally helped put respect on his name - hes a fantastic villain and his character when written right is facinating! Great video m8
Really liked how green was the dominant color of most pages. Really showing that riddler has the power over everything.
1:17 "the redditor" what a fear inducing hellish adversary
20:36 Omg he’s getting so smart he’s capable of predicting what Dc higher ups will let him get away with doing. He can’t kill Damien or Jason or Dick because they’re too popular.
Batmans last word to edward was one of the hardest lines i heard that sent shivers down my spine.
I always liked The Riddlers look, Huggabees read along of the Pick Your Own Adventure style comic made me appreciate The Riddler.
That was awesome, Mullet-Man! Thanks for introducing me to this story. I like to believe Batman turned himself in after killing Edward. It just makes sense for his character, and the Family can protect Gotham. Also, normally, I hate it when writers make Batman kill, but this was just such a well-written way of doing it! Plus, it's Black Label, so it gets a pass for being on an alternate Earth lol.
HOLY SHI. NO WAY, a one bad day comic!?! being covered by someone of any importance?!?!
not once have I ever read or seen anything about superhero’s/comics apart from mainstream movies, until I saw your channel you’ve genuinely made me sooo interested in all the stories there are out there, I was so unaware about all the cool stories out there & i appreciate you basically explaining them to me + u r cool , thank u for dis content bro
Lmao Gordon roasting riddler with the "So is that a no on yhe girlfriend" after riddler answers his own riddle lol
You’re telling me in a safe full of hundreds of thousands of dollars there were singles
'Light spending money.' Probably a couple quarter rolls as well.
Normally I'm frustrated by any intro to a topic that isn't two minutes or less, but with double that time you managed to make an enjoyable intro that didn't have me skipping ahead to find the actual beginning. Good job
I'm loving the artwork if only comics would stick with 1 artist.
Damn riddler is reaching Thawn's level of creepiness he's stalking the Batfamily.
“Riddle me this Batman! I’ve placed 400 explosives in Gotham, except this time I’m not giving you clues for shit bc I feel like winning today!”
The riddler glaze in this comic goes crazy
True. But after that damn film.
He kinda needs it lol
The best Riddle in Batman history was still "What sits in a tree and is very dangerous?"
A SPARROW WITH A MACHINE GUN
9:23 💀 Batman please don’t do what I think your gonna do ….. ITS A FUNERAL
15:00 so they kill each other but not one decided to shoot Nygma? That fear really clouded their critical thinking skills😂
This has horrible plot holes. It contradicts so many riddler stories but I can forgive that. The writer wanted a different, non-canon version of the riddler. The problem is the writer is not a genius so the riddlers plans would never work. Those guards would have killed him, not each other. He could be imprisoned in a cell in the astroid belt. Any number of snipers could have killed, police, mafia , military, vengeful wife. He could have been imprisoned in the phantom zone (that might not exist in this elsewhere story). The government would have killed him. He is as arrogant as ever. Easy to kill. Intelligence does not stop a bullet if your dumb enough to always be in a predictable spot looking out windows. I think it would have been a better ending if the wife had killed him, that would have been ironic.
He’s the Riddler with massively intricate plans and is done fucking around, you think he hasn’t planned for his death?
@@KingNerdius Judging by this story's ending, no, I don't think he did.
@@schorltourmaline4521 I think it’s more accurate to say, he didn’t plan for Batman to kill him
the Riddler's name tag on his jumpsuit being "E.NYGMA" is a really cool detail
tf is Nygma?
@@SuperXzmhis name edward nygma also enigma E.Nygma
@@SuperXzmnygma balls
That intro tho 🤣🤣
The intro really do be like that
The GOATS both releasing batman villain vids today it seems
@@SuperRONDALE truly a miracle
Bruh I thought I was the only one who saw that lol
Ayyyyye rob here too!
This story has a major plot hole. The Arkham Guards would have just shot 'HIM' instead of each other, to save their families at that point. Only one of them would end up at most going to prison, and maybe even only getting fired. Makes no sense what they did. Also once he kills those guys' wives later in the story, what's stopping them? They have nothing left to lose! Also makes no sense... This isn't good writing. How wasn't that blatantly obvious what would have actually happened?
i guess if you are a mobster finding a new wife isn't a big deal. The guards however, I cant say. I was wondering why they reacted like that too
I think that could have been done to show the terror that he is able to instill when he wants to, like enough to make the guards lose there rationality because they are so terrified of him.
I like this story but I do think it sort of forces itself into its conclusion. I understand that Ed with his intelligence is this seemingly all powerful super genius, but like what is stopping Batman from paralyzing Ed, crippling him so he can no longer be self reliant. What is stopping Batman from turning him into a vegetative state and keeping him locked up forever. It’s not something Batman would do but that’s the point of the comic ultimately, to show Batman justifying something he wouldn’t do, and in this case I can see him justifying paralyzing Riddler far more than killing Riddler.
I'd reckon that, if you already cross the line, you might as well commit to it. Being paralyzed would not stop the riddler from equipping someone else to become the next riddler, or at least to pull off one last evil masterplan.
One of the most foolish and yet admirable qualities of Batman is his borderline endless faith in everyone to be redeemable. He wants to stop evil, but refuses to destroy the flicker of goodness presumed to be inside of them. Once he gets disillusioned, and there is no goodness to be saved, why would he spare them?
If you think that Batman needs to justify anything at this point, then you missed the point of the comic. It's not a story about excuses or justifications, it's a story about supposedly unchanging people changing who they are. And not for the better. The Riddler changed, and Batman did too.
@@Seoul_Soldier Yes, but that also kinda defeats the point of Batman. It's not fun to see a hero do this, especially when there are a million options to avoid it that still put The Riddler out of commission forever. Options that are easy to think of and break this story completely.
For instance;
- Have Superman put him in the Phantom Zone.
- literally shoot him into space on a one way rocket to keep him isolated with enough food and supplies for the rest of his life.
- Break his neck and paralyze him from the neck down, then put him in a room where he can't escape without moving, alone.
- Bludgeon him hard enough that you damage his brain badly.
Just because a story is 'about' something doesn't mean that it doesn't have to make internal logical sense. Batman is clearly smart enough to think of these alternatives before killing. There's no reason why Batman would kill the riddler, even under these circumstances.
As for Batman's riddle -- a lot of people will assume it means "Death"... but if you die, you know nothing thereafter.
The answer is "Consequence". You know consequences forevermore, after the first time you truly meet them.
The comic is deliberately ambiguous while suggesting murder, it's a mirror to The Killing Joke, literally references it with Nygma's dialogue.
The Joker didn't die in Killing Joke (as we learn from continuity) so I see no reason to assume that Nygma dies here.
Also, let's be clear here -- if the Arkham guards were going to kill anyone there to save their families, they'd have just pincushioned The Riddler rather than shoot each other.
The book's full of plot holes and bad characterization, but it's still a fun read, I suppose.
@@NorthernWind0Well, that's what elseworld stories are for, to challenge the characters and see them go in a different direction.
@@illseeyaonthedarksideofthemoon That is indeed the point, but that doesn't excuse the holes in the logic of the story, regardless.
I love how it's starts with the POV of someone before they die and ends the same way. That's such a cool detail
The Headmaster getting mad at a 92 is insane lmao. No wonder this Riddler turned into a villain.
8:13 I’ve never read anything close to how disrespectful that was
This comics feels like a mix of all the things The Riddler IS NOT. Here are the reasons why:
*The original and most current Riddler is NOT a psychopath who kill people only for fun or pleasure. He only kills people when doing an specific riddle trap for Batman or any other superhero. He sometimes kills but when his schemes fail or are spoiled somehow.
*Even the most lunatic villains of Gotham didn't want to go against Riddler. While that is kind of good as it evidences The Riddler is a real threat and force to be recogn with, it makes no sense at some points. So not even a murderous psychopath like The Joker or a powered enraged Bane would go against Riddler? And lets be clear, those villains have also brought Gotham to their knees on several times.
*He was the one who told to The Joker to shot Barbara and kidnap Comissioner Gordon? What the f*ck? Last time I remembered The Killing Joke scheme was orchestrated ONLY by The Joker himself in order to prove that it only takes one bad day to send a man into total madness just like him. Where the hell The Riddler is part of that?
Conclusion: A bad Riddler story with a terrible redcon that makes no sense. Zero Year is by far the greatest Riddler portrayal of the most recent comics (the New 52 and DC Rebirth to be precise). If you want to read GOOD Riddler stories, check out this top 10 of the greatest Riddler stories: ua-cam.com/video/2F66A8Se7jg/v-deo.html
Did you like the Riddler year one?
@@WoodChuuck Yes I did. Great story.
Someone's not a fan of elseworlds, huh...
someone's doesn't get the whole one-off story idea
like my man the story is in its own cannon,and you're mad about it
It's like reading the soviet superman story and being mad at why the characters aren't the same
I hate how fucking forced is this lmao
Like seriously, Batman could've just beat the shit out of him, and put him back in Arkham in a totally secured cell, with new guards that Eddie doesnt know so he cant manipulate them etc...
Like seriously Riddler power in this comic is just plot armor
This, THIS is riddler, a man who is a genius who has gone of the deep end, if I ever write a Batman cartoon, or movie, or game, or anything, I’m gonna try my best to write riddler like this
This story is great but I have issue with one thing... Wouldn't the panicked, not thinking clearly Arkham guard just shot Riddler? Under duress, wouldn't that be the first solution? Instead of shooting everyone else in the room.
this logic can be used for every villian. if they didnt have a gimmick theyd probably win.
26:36 DC if they accepted they have a shared universe when Batman comics happen: "Hey Clark. Phantom Zone projector."
Man I’ve been watching all your videos in a binge and I got to say the way the stylization of your videos and editing has improved is something you should be proud of, this one was done REMARKABLY well
If the Riddler was JUST a criminal mastermind, he wouldn't be all that interesting. We've seen hundreds of those.
It's specifically that endless need to PROVE he's the smartest that makes him compelling. If the Riddler just wanted money or fame, a mind like his could acquire such things legally in a heartbeat. Alas, all the man wants is to feel superior to everyone else. Like many of the best Batman villains, he probably could be redeemed with just some intensive therapy.
It's usually small moments that ruin comics for me, but this one's different.
Riddler being retconned to be the one behind the killing joke, and Gordon not being good just annoys me, but I can ignore it since it's not important.
But then there's the chronic stupidity. This comic relies on the Arkham guards killing themselves, but not the guy threatening their families, that could be lying, or could do it anyways.
Riddler bypassing the World's Greatest Detective's security without him knowing, and knowing his identity as Bruce Wayne is exceedingly moronic, and useless for the rest of the comic. It's like the edgelord in the DnD group expositing his backstory to seem cool.
Seeing Batman actually make the logical choice of killing the psychotic murderers also kinda cathartic since I hate that aspect soooo much, but it also goes against his special kind of insanity that's been with the character forever.
5:02 "Watch on the left" but it's the right screen. "You see that? Right hand" except that would be his left hand.
Riddle threatening Cassandra Cain or the Robins broke this story for me. Riddler's pretty much a villain sue in this story. There was nothing physically stopping Batman from detaining him the moment he revealed how he'd escape from Arkham. Swap guard rotations, make them wear masks and use voice modifiers. Place him in a concrete solitary cell. It isn't difficult to physically detain him, he's only a man.
the "the end" isnt just the ending of the comic its the answer to the batman's riddle "Though we meet but once you know me thereafter" the answer is death which is often called "thee end"
Riddler: Let's enraged the armed guards by threateing their families, that should go smoothl- *BAM*
Story could have ended so much quicker of those guards we're smart
Honestly, it will be not even considered smart...
Mullet-Man's Batman voice is immaculate😂
it's notably batman without being over gravelly a+
"There is no riddle.
I have a gun to the back of your head.
Bang."
-Riddlers brief snippet to the man he ventilated on the sidewalk.
This is unironically the dumbest Riddler comic because not one guard thinks to kill Nigma frame one thus ending his murder spree, and instead, they all kill themselves EVERY SINGLE TIME.
I think it's fear that a henchmen would do it instead. He already proved his intellect and would have a plan incase they kill him.
Granted he should have said this and at least one wouldn't think of that so this is more a possible solution to that issue but oh well
@@cultofnatethemagnificent5879Granted it could be days to weeks before anybody outside knows ridlers dead. Plenty of time to take yoir family on a vacation traveling the states for month or so... Doubt hired goons gona bother to carry out the hit whern the one that hired them is dead.
@@piens51 No. Gotham is too corrupt for the corrupt to not know anything.
Damn, when the Riddler drops the Riddles, Batman, in turn, Drops the Hero
Man i got chills a couple of times from this, and can i just say you always manage to choose the comics with the best one liners ever😭🖤
"Any other questions?"
Chills...
I love how the Riddler threatened to kill the guard's families, and instead of any of them killing *him* out of fear they all kill each other
Actually I hate that part....it's stupid
I'm a big Gorshin fanboy, so I'll always bat for that level of goofiness balanced with a cold, almost quiet cruelness at times, with an intellect and temper that teeter from funny to terrifying in a split second. That's my ideal Riddler. But this? This is good, I'll take this.
Those parts with the idealistic teacher seeing "failing" as part of "learning", then it pans to how devastated young Riddler is... comics have gotten really good.
One of my favorite Riddler stories. The Riddler is extremely underrated and i'm glad this story showed what he's capable of when he actually lets loose.
3:01 what if they shot him instead?
The security killing eachother is oen of the dumbest things I have ever seen, you are seriously telling me these armed guys of psychos would not kill the Riddler while he is tied down and instead shoot eachother? Did the writers ever not think that these cops deal with Gotham villians near daily? Even bad writing should atleast some contextual thought into it but that was straight up cringe
When have the cops actually killed a villain. Like joker had committed mass manslaughter and they just lock him up knowing he will escape again.
@@rachelparker335 so you are telling me massacaring your friends and destabilizing a jail full of genocidal maniacs who would kill you and your family is a better option than to kill the psycho threathening you and then simply get protection for your loved ones via government watch or move them out of Gotham. Keep in mind these guards are also guards of the Asylum probably and are recieving similiar threaths probably near daily.
@@rachelparker335Hah. I wonder how many of his henchmen would do jack shit when he is dead. Loyalty ro a dead man is hard to come by.
@@rachelparker335 All I see is more of a reason for most to just switch bosses then. (Not all but most) They still have to do jobs but atlest new boss is alive and more likely to pay without participating in some convoluted verification scheme.
@@rachelparker335 Penguin, Black Mask and the Mob for most part should be if not good then deacent enough since their the types that actively wortk to hold teretory and as such NEED more manpower than others. Plus wathever flavor of conspiracy of the month (like the colective) if they can get an in.
finally showing love to my favorite villain🗣️
Ain’t no way ur favorite villain is the riddler
what's great about him tho? hes just a human with a gun lmao
He just got insane plot armour and some good backstory
Same, what i love about the riddler is that there nothing crazy going for him, no insane clowns or freeze powers, just one very smart Machiavellian dude who is capable of making gotham his city if he wants it
@@nicoavlz347 I feel like that makes it not make that much sense though..
@@nicoavlz347The problem with these characters is that they are not really that smart at all, the writers overexaggerate these characters intelligence without even being that smart to know what would these characters realistically do.
14:45
And it never occured to ANY of those officers to just, you know, shoot the RIDDLER to death?
He never said he had a dead hand contingency plan, he just stated he would kill their families. Can't do that when you're taking a dirt nap.
So dumb lol.
So, you're telling me.
They got five guys around this guy
He threatens their family
And they'd rather kill themselves then just put a bullet in his head
I know suspension of disbelief is a thing but there's a limit
realistically the guards would have just killed him and faced the legal consequences.
So...I"m not sure when it didn't go through any of those cops minds "I can just shoot the Riddler right now and then he can't kill my family" and be done with it? Also...the Riddler tormented every member of the Bat family? Including Jason "I have no problems with killing now" Todd? That would have been the perfect ending. Red Hood coming out of the shadows behind the RIddler. Game over.
Superman comes in, uses his super sense of hearing and throws Riddler back into prison. XD
He'd go after Lois, Jimmy, John, Connor, Kara, Steel, and the people of the Daily Planet.
@@camerondalton1495 Yeah, but super speed, hearing, and such. Then again, it may not always be consistent.
@@datemasamune2904 Agreed. Though Superman cannot be everywhere at once. Like if he's off the planet dealing with a big threat his loved ones would be in danger.
@@camerondalton1495 Well, another easy way to solve this then is just get Wonder Woman over to use lasso of truth.
Every so often in the Adam West Batman Frank Gorshin would stop being goofy and play the Riddler very straight. HE was really menacing those moments.
I gotta be honest, I really don't like that ending. Feels sorta contrived to just get Batman to kill someone for the sake of having the shock of Batman killing. I understand the idea of the story is that hard situations force changes in people, but I believe that sort of conclusion doesn't work for Batman. People complain about evil superman stories being uninteresting, but will say stories like this are awesome. Do we or don't we want writers to stick to the principals of these characters? Feels backwards to me. Epic video tho lol
The problem with Riddler is that you need writers that are smart enough to show that Riddler is smart. That doesn't happen a lot.