This Villain DESTROYED Batman
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- Опубліковано 15 чер 2024
- Batman, the Dark Knight, has fought many villains during his years at DC Comics. From the golden age, to the silver, the bronze and beyond the Caped Crusader has amassed quite the rogues gallery. Many of these villains have been lost to time. One interesting case of this is The Monarch of Menace, dubbed by Bruce Wayne/Batman himself as the King Of Crime. This royal themed baddie actually defeated Batman, so what happened to him? We examine the history to time of recording of the Monarch of Menace here on Casually Comics!
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I like to imagine that the Monarch is single handedly the reason why Bruce just refuses to see the Joker as a nemesis.
Now I'm imagining a story where Joker finds this out, sets out to kill Monarch of Menace to prove once and for all he's Batman's nemesis... And just keeps failing.
@@brettwood1351 Monarch is just keeping a low profile again, deeming it not worth his time to deal with Batman again, and Joker can’t even find him, playing his own version of detective but hitting dead end after dead end.
Joker was "banned" for 10 years in the comics.
That's why he's only the clown prince of crime :>
That would make for a wonderful addition to the Batman and Joker dynamic.
The Monarch? Where’s Dr. Girlfriend?
Lol I managed to sneak one Monarch pic into the vid
Dr. Girlfriend: Oh, no! Robin! Are you going to take advantage of me?
Robin: Uh, no.
Dr. Girlfriend: Why not?
@@CasuallyComics You did a Tyler Durden with it!
@@DCMarvelMultiverseHe heard the rumors about that baboon uterus
@@DCMarvelMultiverse Dr. Girlfriend: ...well I'm not gonna beg.
I like the idea of Batman having so many different gadgets because of the Monarch of Menace clowning him with his gadgets first.
Especially with the shark lures.
Monarch of Menace - the inspiration for 'Prep Time'.
Monarch is Batman's version of Irene Adler... the one villain who outwitted and escaped Sherlock Holmes, then retired from criminal activities. Holmes was haunted for years by the thought of " the Woman" (As Holmes always referred to her).
Bruce: "In all honesty Dick - - I have to tell you that THERE is the REAL "king"! The MONARCH OF MENACE! The KING OF CRIME!" Who defied every attempt I made to bring him to justice.
I can still hear his taunting laughter as I caught him"
Somewhere, the Joker is gritting his teeth enraged and he doesn't know why.
The deep, gravely, monotone "oooweee!" killed me. 😂😂😂
lol that was one of my favorite parts to record
How long until the Monarch of Menace’s son comes back as a crime-fighter called “The Prince”? You know someone’s thought of it.
Rest in peace, Comichistorian
Rest in peace 🕊️
Rest In Power
RIP. His Green Lantern videos brought me into comics proper.
Rest in peace, Benny.
I think he spoke Latin there because European nobility was meant to know Latin, and sometimes Greek, for most of history after the empire fell. Like... Up to the 1800s
I laughed way too hard at that panel of Batman sighing while sadly looking at his monarch fo menace painting in his altar of shame lol
Her read was so perfect too I CACKLED
If he's the king of crime, does that mean he overrules Joker, the clown prince of crime?
If we are going off silver age yes, as batman beats joker but never beat the monarch
The monarch had the painting of himself made and gave it to Batman as a going Away gift before he retired
Im surprised he didn't show up in brave and the bold
He's not "Mighty", or else he'll get sued by the Guild of Calamitous Intent.
But he is Manotaur.
I would love to see a version of the Monarch of menace as a gang leader, tackling with the likes of Black Mask, the Penguin, and Falcone.
Imagine if his son became a hero and he has to commit crimes in order to prove he isn't his son. Then he gets ridiculed as a bad father and goes and decides to fight his son. It would be a kind of generic story, but if it was from Batman POV or one of the Robins that isn't Nightwing it would make a great story. Imagine Tim trying to figure out why this character is switching between hero and villain only to find out they are two separate people
I've got to wonder what the son's superhero identity would be? Would he distance himself from his father and the royal court trappings? Embrace them? Or even run the court Jester them, go with Fumbling Fool, with his thing being the super hero equivelent of Drunken Boxing where he's just seemingly stumbling around but actually dodging everything, and setting traps? Could be an interesting Club of Batmen member too.
@@brettwood1351 he could become the Jokester. Like the Earth 3 joker.
Honestly when The Monarch Of Menace called his "Jester" son the "Clown Prince Of Fumblers", I briefly thought it was about to turn into some weird forgotten Joker origin story.
Then I remembered that part of the comic was set in the present, rather than Batman's early career like the other scenes with The Monarch. But they had me worried for a hot second there.
This seems like a character who needs a Royal Flush Gang story.
The Shrine of shame really got me😂😂
The son of the Monarch of Menace wants to be a crime fighter? Guess he’ll be called “The Royal Rumbler”!
I like the purple mask. Partly because it fits with his royal theme, what with purple dye historically being super expensive and only royalty being able to afford it. Mostly though, I just like purple.
Was absolutely not prepared for the "OWWWEEE" in Batvoice... 🤣
I find the Monarch of Menace super underrated. He has so much important history with Batman. And I agree with you. I can't think of another Batman villain who, after commiting a few crimes successfully, just left and went into hiding. I was hoping he would appear in Brave and the Bold. I feel like he is one of the villains who needs a redesign. Perhaps the writers could give him a darker backstory or turn him into a crime boss, like they did with Penguin.
This actually seems like a villain who could Plausibly show up on the upcoming Batman cartoon
@@HandofOmega I have heard about that show. It's supposed to be about the original Batman comics. I think that the role of the mob boss would suit him there.
Can we update him but NOT give him a darker backstory?
I feel like the only redesign he needs is rocking a kingly beard. Just let him out of Arkham (or wherever he may be right now), set him back against the bat and we're golden.
@@SpaceJawa Nope, sorry, but the Miller "Grim & Gritty" Act of `89 mandates that ALL updates MUST get dark & edgy backstories now: Let's see, we can start with him being forced to watch his parents being cannibalized...😉
my idea on how Monarch of Menace could be utilized in a new Batman universe: he could be a rouge to Batman early-ish in his crime fighting - when he (Batman) does have some experience but hasn't met THAT many larger threats
imagine Monarch of Menace being Batman's first big loss as a proper superhero, severely damaging Bruce's ego by how then MoM just peaces out and leaves the grudge unresolved
I could see this. MoM could be Bruce's first fight against someone with gadgets as well as his first major loss.
I just love the idea of someone getting their big score, then retiring, never to show up again, both rankling Batman, and being the smartest, sanest villain in Gotham's history.
Considering his great work with Hugo strange and the mad monk, Matt Wagner remaking this story would interest me.
But then I have an endless hunger when it comes to Wagner’s Batman.
Do we ever truly travel back in time to the Silver Age? I feel like Casually Comics' home is in the Silver Age, with some periodic stops in other comic book eras.
This "Ok, I'm rich enough. Goodbye being a villain!" motif isn't done very often in comics, but when it is, it's usually done pretty well, at least in D.C. In Marvel, by contrast, some Spiderman villain tried the same thing and Peter wasn't able to find him, so he had J. Jonah call the villain a coward and shame him back out into the spotlight.
The battle of two burger mascots.
Let them fight.
I'm now imagining Bruce Wayne being played by Bruce Campbell, "Hail to the King, baby!"
Really would’ve expected this batman villain to start screaming “Doctor Venture!” At the top of his lungs but guess I was proven wrong.
I would love to see Music Meister get covered. Such a fun villain that gets changed up depending on the adaptation.
Well Sasha has recently been doing a few videos about episodes of The Brave And The Bold cartoon, and the comics that inspired them, and the Music Meister was in an episode of that show, so I could see that video come at some point.
No you don’t kneel you curtsy to the Monarch of Menace.
That’s right you kneel before Zod 🖖🏾
Considering his gimmick, I can see MoM popping up again with Harley Quinn -- whether in a comedic way (like her animated show), or a flashback to when she still had her jester costume and maybe he was her rebound supervillain after Joker, or maybe in her "not really evil anymore" current status, putting on the old suit and falling in with MoM's gang specifically to work some family therapy between MoM and his son.(The Harley Who Heals)
Kanigher was such an interesting writer. He was so prolific, and sometimes it felt like he was just going through the motions for the paycheck. But when he was "on", he was ON.
Thanks for another great video! Batman has such a strong rogues' gallery that even his "B-list" and "C-list" villains are pretty darn fascinating!
"Well, Batman! Now may I call you The King?"
"If you insist, Robin! Go ahead! I love it!"
...
...
...
There's just TOO much there. 😂😂😂
@@miguelvelez7221 Meanwhile Optimus Prime, when offered a throne said "No thanks, I prefer to roll for it!", proving Optimus Prime is more humble than Batman.
A perfect summation of Kanigher! His passion and apathy always bled through his work. Nearly always bringing social issues into his work. Comparing stuff like Sgt. Rock, the Losers, the Thorn, Ragman, his JLA and JSA works and many of his Batman stories (the Monarch of Menace, Death-Man) to stuff like his Silver Age Wonder Woman and other Batman stories (Birdmaster)... you could definitely see it. One of my favorite, nuanced writers of the Golden, Silver and Bronze Ages.
Then again, even the Birdmaster story had themes of terrorism and even the death of a lover of Bruce Wayne, so even then he pushed limits.
The weird statement I hear, is saying that Sovereign is trying to be The Joker for Wonder Woman, where I just don't see it. And then there's this guy and Joker. Almost seems like somebody was back-rationalizing inspiration from here as somehow being pivotal to Joker, to raise the status of the Sovereign. By the way a really uninteresting figure, to me. I can't imagine The Sovereign having been iconic, even if he debuted alongside the classic villains.
Gotta love the word "sovereign" though.
"highest, supreme, chief," from Vulgar Latin, superanus.
That's vulgar alright.
In practice, I feel like they rebooted as WW this Fumbling Fool character, by making Sovereign a feminist message of "The patriarchy always tries to keep us down!". Never mind the fact I'm pretty sure that whole conversation is mostly about women who can't stand up to their controlling mothers, so they turn it towards a patriarchy looming generally everywhere. Can't have daddy issues living with a single mother. Like you spawned out of a lump of clay somewhee called "the patriarchy".
I'd like to see a story arc where Monarch of Menace comes back as somebody who can rival Riddler and Joker. But instead of Riddler's brains or Joker's craziness, he's successful due to his charisma. Like maybe he organizes some of Batman's lesser villains into a group that he calls his crime lords, and they pick up some surprisingly easy wins against Batman early on. Maybe playing into that, he has a civilian identity that both funds his gang and allows him to pretty easily stop Batman from catching him, so Batman has to figure that out as part of eventually stopping the Monarch.
It woukd be interesting to see the Monarch of Menace interact with the A listers of Batman's villains. How would Riddler or Joker feel about some rando technically being the only one to beat the bat
I feel like Mad Hatter might actually get along with him and be part of his court.
Surprised you didn't point out that the "early" part of Batman's career in the original story had him looking VERY Silver Age.
So, shades of Moriarty but told in terms of Irene adler...
The monarch of menace has a son who's a jester! Wouldn't that make him the clown Prince of crime!
A point I remember someone making years ago is that we'd seen the Joker, and the other main Batman Rogues so much that it becomes refreshing to see the older one offs, even if, or especially if they are still running their goofy gimmicks. This was in the period where Joker in particular was just not funny, increasingly edgy, cut off his face, burn a bus of elementary school kids without even making a "shrimps on the barbie" joke among other things. It became boring and repetitious, and someone like Monarch of Menace, be it cheesy, or more as a criminal mastermind would have felt like something fresh.
And honestly there's a lot you can do with a criminal that just does the whole "King" thing, since you can run with how you get crimelords doing stuff like buying exotic pets or tons of designer sneakers, only he's going even more into the class aspect.
There's also a lot you can do with just having this one random crook with a gimmick that got one over on Batman, and then just retired. Even without Batman himself, have the Riddler for example learn about this, and decided he's going to solve the mystery Batman couldn't. I feel like that could be an interesting story.
I think it would've been cool if they had brought back the Monarch's son as a vigilante. He could use some of the same theming and gadgets as his father, and you could say that he gained more competency and physical strength while in prison. But he could also struggle with self-confidence--he would wonder if he had flopped as a villain because deep down he didn't want to be one or was it just because he was a loser? And obviously he would end up having to face and try to defeat his father.
I don't know; it just seems interesting to me. And I can't think of anything really like a royalty-themed vigilante, not off the top of my head.
🤔Wonder if Julius Swartz was making a more toned down King Tut from the tv series with the Monarch Of Menace…Keep Up The Outstanding Work Sasha 🖖🏾
"Millionaire Sportsman"? Never heard that one before...
Shouldn't the flashback featuring Batman's initial encounter with the Monarch of Menace have featured Batman with the original chest symbol, and not the one with a yellow oval?
I like to think the Monarch commissioned that portrait himself, and then sent it to the police so they could give it to Batman. He could… LORD his victory over him. Eh? Eh?
I’ll see myself out.
Ok so here me out. The black knight is often evil knight to the good king. With Batman being called the Dark Knight and Joker being called the Clown Prince of Crime. Would this mean that the story of Batman is basically a knight ending the royalty of Gotham?
Villain that destroyed Batman? Kevin Smith? What? He was a terrible Batman writer.
Lol I'm still waiting on that sequel to Widening Gyre, I need to know!!
@@CasuallyComics It'll come out when George Martin finishes A Song Of Ice And Fire.
@@CasuallyComics Slintttt~
I listened to an academic talk on that story once. It was using the original poem and the comic story to show how the message of the poem about religion and belief can resonate similarly in two very different context. Quite interesting!@@CasuallyComics
The original Sheldon Moldoff Monarch Menace certainly looked pompous (which is on point), but also a little silly (where's the menace?). Without a radical costume revamp, Garcia-Lopez put the menace in the Monarch Menace look through clever use of shadow, posture, and facial expression alone. Well done, sir.
Attitude can do a lot too. Like when a friend got the DVD set for the 60's Batman show, and we watched the first episode with Frank Gorshin's Riddler, he was surprisingly frightning, with his mood swings and manical behavior. I just felt like at any point he could randomly turn away from you laughing, or kill you, and that made him unpredictable and uncormfortable.
@@brettwood1351 Cool, I own the '66 Batman set too. Gorshin is greatness as the Riddler; you'll get no arguments from me, lol!.
I am in favor of more Monarch of Menace. We need more weird super-villains in comics.
I bet telltale could have spun a cool story with him,during their batman series. Maybe explore how he felt being bested by the monarch in a more serious way.
The Joker's true origin story. Even explains why he's obsessed with batman, since he helped humble his dad.
I can kinda see him as Batman's Kingpin with the emphasis on the king part. Plus you have Batman sometimes referred as the "Dark Knight" and Joker sometimes associated with jesters so there's certainly a theme going on and something I would like to see DC play with.
Sasha, several suggestions:
1. A video about the Legion of Superheroes.
2. A video about Future Quest.
3. A video/history of The Crimson Avenger...as he´s DC´s first costumed supehero.
When he called his son the, "Clown Prince" I half expected this to turn into a Joker origin story. It would give context as to why he's called the, "Clown Prince of Crime."
Funny. Though, let's not give anybody ideas...
I could see a return of the Monarch's son. Maybe he tried to be a crime fighter, got into law enforcement, but saw it as ineffective. So he has an epiphany; to truly bring crime to heel is impossible, but he can control it. So he takes up the crown and starts at the top by taking out the Joker, thus getting everyone's attention. He quickly uses his knowledge of law enforcement and criminal operations to bring violent criminals in line while making illicit operations run smoother. Thus, crimes must be sanctioned by the king if you desire his protection. Otherwise, you may have to deal with the Bat. Thus making him a true nemesis for the Batman
'May I call you the King?'. 'Well it's less awkward than when you called me Big Daddy. So go for it!'
I'm team Ash as well.
If he had Super Glue shoes, what happened when he used it and then tried to walk? Things that make you go hmmm...
Capturing Batman and then charging other criminals to hold him is kinda brilliant as a plan. I mean sure, once he gets out he's gonna punch you a lot but if you can keep him it's basically free money, and depending on how much of a public figure he is they can't exactly put out an Amber Alert for him.
I have to agree that the digital recoloring of older comics sometimes are jarring and lose some of the subtlety that the original 4 color process had.
The Monarch of Menace likely ended up in Arkham simply because that is where writers eventually put all Batman villains. The rest was either a lack of knowledge or a lack of concern redesigning the character to "warrant" being in Arkham. And it isn't just that he's now wearing a paper crown and speaking in Latin, note that his description is that he's "strictly a jewel thief" instead of a bank robber (first appearance) or conman/manipulator (second appearance).
Man this is why I love this channel. Getting introduced to a character I've never heard of despite having read a decent number of comics and discovering he's pretty dang neat. Also Batman going 'sigh... sigh...' so great.
It'd be cool if they brought back his son as some sort of crime fighter. I'm not sure about the laws concerning reformed criminals becoming police, especially in DC/Gotham... and I honestly think it would be better if he was a cop or private investigator (if he can't legally be a cop), rather than a vigilante. Too much of a bumbling oaf to be effective, especially in Gotham... but maybe his brain is at least somewhat useful, he just lacks coordination basically? So then he could pretty good at investigation.
Only downside is, he's basically just be a complete and utter downgrade of Spoiler? Like, Steph became Spoiler to ruin her father's criminal plans, and is a good vigilante/hero with a good brain lol. She's quite competent. So why would we want a mostly incompetent dude who became some sort of crime fighter to spite HIS father? Especially if a vigilante, and double especially if mostly incompetent aside from some intelligence? But that's why I think he could be a decent addition to the police force if legal. Gordon could always use another trustworthy cop that isn't an idiot. Especially for stuff that doesn't require much dexterity, like cordoning off crime scenes and keeping crowds at bay and stuff, rather than fighting. And it would basically just be a cool Easter egg. Could basically be the new guy on the force, get a little backstory and editor's note briefly explaining who he is and calling back to his first appearance... and then in future issues it could just be like Gordon shouting orders like, "Bullock, Montoya, get witness statements." Etc. (I already forgot his name, if it was even given so I just stopped at the 2 names I remember lmao)
You could retcon some of his incompetence or say that with the right motivation he had trained and become more skilled, probably during his time in prison.
@@lastsonoftennessee9895 Yeah, he was acting against his alignment.
This was great! One of my least favorite things in comics is the whole Bat-God era. Seeing Bat-Man as human, as having been defeated by a villain is so re-refreshing! Also, I'm not sure why, but I thought you looked especially pretty in this video :)
I could see Monarch of Menace having a connection to the Monarch Theater. It could be his staging ground. Also, that Crown Prince of Plundering line feels like it leaves the door open for a potential Joker plot.
I love Sasha's impression of Christian Bale's Batman voice, lol.
Never noticed before, but why is Batgirl 66 wearing a wristwatch over her costume...?🤔
Lol she has places to be
@@CasuallyComics Late for a very important date? Today it would be a nice setup for a Clock King storyline!
I thought you described Lucius Accius as a "neurotic poet" (at 20:41), which puzzled me just for a moment! In the meantime, this is another great look back at a forgotten Bat-villain I didn't know, but who appears to be an interesting & worthwhile character. As an older guy who collected Silver & Bronze age comics at the time of publication, I missed out on tons of obscure or little used villains. Your enjoyment of so many "new" old stories is informative & appreciated!
Who Is The True King Of Crime?
id say D.A.V.E. from the batman 2004, given that in the span of about 2 days, he figured out all of batmans secrets, humiliated him in every fight they had, and nearly destroyed batmans secret identity, and narly killed batman and alfred, too. all while giving himself the title of "gothams ultimate criminal mastermind". btw, id really love to see you cover the batman 2004 again, maybe on the aforementioned D.A.V.E., or maybe hugo stanges arc through the show or something
The Hamburglar
Jack Kirby
modern writers try their darndest to make the joker this villain batman can’t seem to stop, without knowing this villain was right there
I like that The Monarch beat Batman and the crime was only stealing money. It could be a great pathos for Batman to have failed and maybe when Batman meets the people who were robbed he feels shame, and cant' look them in the eye. Even though it was just money, he still hates the thought of letting the person down.
I liked the part where Batman said "OWWWEEE."
Love the villain deep dives. There are so many more I'd love to see.
"I am the mighty monarch.
Wait, who is this asshole? "
we were wondering if you'd get to this one one of our favorite "lesser" villain
This was actually the first Batman comic I bought...well, my parents bought for me. I had just gotten into comics a few years prior, but was more enthralled with Archie, Richie Rich and the like. As I got older I started seeking out the superhero comics and this was actually the second comic I ever owned. In fact, I may still have that issue! To this day I have no idea where Batman was and I know it had nothing to do with the Monarch, I was kinda hoping you'd let us know. It was a great issue though and I've always wondered if this was a one off villian, thanks for clearing this up!
I like this guy.
My favorite quote is, while Monarch is shocking a C villain to death:
"Aaarghh-electricity!"
Maybe a revised Monarch of Menace could have the "Jester", be the actual mastermind, who uses a mask of unimportance to arrange seemingly mundane things to make the Monarch's rule easier. Kinda like how a cake from grandma ends up being a useful jailbreaking device. For example, the Jester making mocking commentary that the Monarch acts upon, as the comments are actually orders or advice.
It just goes to show that good writing can make even a dorky villain interesting.
Holy Princess Luna, I have this issue as a hand-me-down. I always loved the Monarch of Menace.
Monarch showing up in Gotham as a nobody, and using 1 successful heist, rising in the ranks overnight, could make for a good start to a Batman story. He can be goofy with that cape and crown, and his subjects. Think about it: no other villain has their subjects act like literal Medieval Serfs, but they're just Gotham crooks. It could really work, but he is in the Penguin's category of "business villain."
I don't want him brought back ever because that would ruin the best part of him the fact that he beat Batman and just left
I mean, in the original comic he did come back and get beat by Batman anyway.
@@emeraldkoala2543 which only proves my point
"Sigh ! Sigh!"
The monarch seems kinda like early doctor doom? A regency villain mastermind throwing around big words and gadgetry. Id really like to see him in the modern age i could see him as a crime boss in gotham alongside penguin, twoface, zues, blackmask. I think hed fit in as head of or financier of the royal flush gang. His kid seems ripe for joker to manipulate
I remember the Monarch's 1st appearance vividly; had the comic and liked the look so much that I was drawing him on everuthing (but making out as a superhero). I either had no idea he ever returned or just saw the cover/flipped through (Superboy, JLA, LSH, Avengers or Team America must've been on the stands that week) and forgot about it all these decades later. Glad to see they did him justice (but then Roy Thomas can always be counted on). Thanks the video.
He kinda of reminds me of the designer
Happy Father's Day, Monarch of Menace!
Who'd-a-thunk the Monarch of Menace would have son who's the Duke of Dyspraxia?
the only monarch I respect is the one that's butterfly themed.
Sasha's Batman voice deserves an award 😂
Your Batman voice brings me nothing but join.
That Batman 336 was one of my first comics. I was nearly 5 and I remember thinking ‘why is Batman wearing a crown?!’ Bought this issue again a few years ago as that cover was burned into my brain.
"Anyone but Jay". Seconded. Ash did look at least servicable as a potential Catwoman. Sigh.... But nope, we're keeping the confusing Magneto/Lois Lane mix, and keep him being complaining as a main character trait even once he got what he wanted.
Ah, a world where Batman as the sidekick to Robin. What would that be like?
Venture Bros mighty Monarch jumpscare!!!!
The Monarch had Batman running scared
14:20 That line legitimately made me laugh out loud. Best line in the comic! The shade!
My takeaway from this video was "Wait, so the othe guy with stretchy power also has a wife named Sue, huh interesting."
Love the video, can't get enough of obscure comic characters!
Had a nice laugh when you did the deep sigh in the batman voice.😂 Also, congratulations on 200k!
That part about the way in which Monarch of Menace treated his son somehow hits different on father's day...
Monarch on Father's Day: "Sigh... sigh..."
Batman sighing is hilarious 😂