DC Comics gives the Riddler a very different appearance in Batman.
Written by Chip Zdarsky with pencils by Mike Hawthorne, a preview of Batman #133 shows how the classic Batman rogue looks on another Earth. Still rocking a suit and bowler hat, this version of Edward Nygma trades in his signature green color scheme for its complementary color, red, but he still sports purple accessories with his gloves and tie. Aside from the color change and longer hair, the biggest difference with this Riddler is his face, which is covered by a large question mark tattoo.
BATMAN #133
- Written by CHIP ZDARSKY
- Art by MIKE HAWTHORNE and ADRIANO DI BENEDETTO
- Cover by JORGE JIMENEZ
- Backup art by MIGUEL MENDONCA
- Variant cover by JOE QUESADA
- Variant cover by STANLEY “ARTGERM” LAU
- 1:25 variant cover by DERRICK CHEW
- 1:50 foil variant cover by STANLEY “ARTGERM” LAU
- $4.99 US | 40 pages | Variant $5.99 US (card stock)
- ON SALE 3/7/23
- Everyone goes insane eventually. And then they belong to the terrifying Red Mask! But Gotham City has a new savior. He strikes from the shadows, exhumes the dead, and is known only as…the Batman. And in our backup story, Tim Drake’s search for Batman continues as he and Superman, Jon Kent, team up to stop the terror of the Toyman!
The Riddler and Batman's New Looks, Explained
Originally created by Bill Finger and Dick Sprang in 1948's Detective Comics #140, the Riddler is known for his love of riddles and puzzles. However, on the Earth seen in Batman's "The Bat-Man of Gotham" arc, the Dark Knight's rogues and Gotham City Police Department's officers all take Venom, the steroid used by the villain Bane, and work together to wrongfully send Gotham City's citizens to Arkham Asylum. This Riddler appears to be no different, and asks children different riddles in the preview, this way they can be committed to Arkham should they not know the correct answers.
Batman Bruce Wayne was forcibly transported to this Earth by a robotic villain of his own design, Failsafe. Although he is trying to get back to his home on Earth-0, the prior Batman #132 ends with Bruce realizing he cannot leave until he helps this alternate Gotham by becoming its own Batman. Thus, it is not only the Riddler who gets a new look, but Bruce as well, donning a batsuit that appears to be assembled using sports apparel and (unlike his counterpart from director Christopher Nolan's 2008 film The Dark Knight) maybe even hockey pads.
For Batman’s Rogues Old and New, Bruce Wayne Is Dead
Batman attacks the Riddler and his GCPD goons in the preview, and even delivers the classic line "I'm Batman" after referring to himself as "vengeance." Before Riddler, Bruce has already come up against alternate versions of Two-Face, Catwoman, Punchline and Killer Croc, villains who answer to the mysterious criminal kingpin Red Mask. Although they may not know he is Batman, most are surprised by Bruce Wayne's presence in Gotham, since their version of the billionaire playboy has been long dead.
Along with Zdarsky and Hawthorne, Batman #133 is inked by Adriano Di Benedetto, colored by Tomeu Morey and lettered by Clayton Cowles. Main cover art for the issue is by Jorge Jiménez with variant cover artwork contributed to by Joe Quesada, Richard Isanove, Stanley "Artgerm" Lau and Derrick Chew. The issue goes on sale March 7 from DC Comics.
Source: DC Comics