As soon as The Batman hit theaters, audiences began discovering it is chock-full of riddles, emo Bruce Wayne listening to Nirvana on repeat (we love a sad boy, folks!), and nods to Batman’s lengthy lore. Savvy audience members have been poring over the film to pick up on all the hidden clues and Easter eggs left behind by Paul Dano’s Riddler and director Matt Reeves. One of the most exciting has been the greeting cards left for Batman by the Riddler—not just because of the codes inside, but the very cards themselves seem to point to a larger Rogues Gallery that could come into play in later movies and series. We’ll be diving deep into the potential meaning behind each card, so don’t read further if you care about potential spoilers!
Court of Owls
Because this first card was revealed in the trailer, fans were quick to pick up on the owl motif and connect it to the Court of Owls. The Court is an underground secret society that has been running Gotham since its very founding. It is made up of the most powerful families in Gotham and when people (like Bruce Wayne) threaten their plans for the city they send “the Talon” after them. The Talon is a powerful assassin that the Court of Owls has full control over, including being able to revive him after death.
Hugo Strange
The second card depicts an evil scientist wielding several frothing vials. He is bald with a distinct beard and glasses, which feels like a very direct reference to Batman’s oldest nemesis: Hugo Strange! Alternately depicted as either an evil scientist or twisted psychiatrist, Hugo Strange has always been interested in experimenting with genetics, and always with monstrous (literally) results. He was most recently played by B.D. Wong in Gotham as the psychiatrist running Arkham Asylum and experimenting on the inmates in his control. Knowing that there is an Arkham show now in the works from Matt Reeves, things might be getting Strange!
Poison Ivy
The third card depicts a woman in green offering a flower, which feels like possibly a reference to the one and only Poison Ivy! Dr. Pamela Isley was a botanist and chemist before developing a poisonous touch, superpowered capabilities, and a thirst for ecoterrorism. She has long been a fan favorite, and has appeared in multiple iterations of the comics, was played by Uma Thurman in Batman and Robin, and by multiple actresses across Gotham’s run. In the animated Harley Quinn series, she is Harley’s best friend, girlfriend, and partner in crime. The duo are a couple in the comics as well! She has also now made an appearance in Batwoman, where she is played by Bridget Regan.
Mad Hatter
The fourth card gets a little tricky because it consists of two big white eyes peering out of a black background, but that does call to mind the Cheshire cat from Alice in Wonderland which means it might be a subtle nod to Mad Hatter! Mad Hatter, a.k.a. Jervis Tetch, was a brilliant neuroscientist who was obsessed with the works of Lewis Carroll and eventually took on the Hatter persona. His usual tricks involve hypnotism and mind control and he occasionally works with an assassin named Cheshire! Mad Hatter has appeared in everything from the 1960’s Batman series to several animated shows and even Gotham.
The Ventriloquist/Scarface
The final card depicts a boy and a puppet, which could possibly be a reference to the Ventriloquist and his puppet Scarface! The Ventriloquist, Arnold Wesker, is a man potentially suffering from Dissociative Identity Disorder, and becomes the conduit for whichever dummy he is wielding—most often the gangster Scarface. Wesker stole Scarface from a fellow inmate in Blackgate prison (and then proceeded to murder him), and while most would assume that he used Scarface to act out his darkest impulses, he actually views himself as a hapless lackey who is compelled to do Scarface’s bidding. He has appeared frequently in the comics, video games, and animated series, as well as in Gotham.
(featured images: Warner Bros.)
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