Riddler

Criminal who loves riddles

A genius criminal who loves riddles and puzzles, one of Batman's archenemies. A highly egocentric villain who sets up complex riddles as challenge letters.

Quotes

  • Riddles make life a little more fun.
  • Intelligence is the strongest weapon.
  • If you solve the riddle, the world is yours.
  • Batman, can you solve this riddle?
  • Egomania is proof of intelligence.

Trivia

  • The name Riddler comes from the English word 'Riddler' meaning 'riddle-teller'.
  • In the 1966 live-action TV drama version, he was called 'Nazora'.
  • Paul Dano, who played in THE BATMAN (2022), is writing a comic spin-off.
  • Proficient in complex riddles and psychological manipulation, but possesses narcissistic personality disorder.
  • First appearance in 1948, one of the oldest among Batman's major villains.

Alternate names

Edward Nashton Edward Nigma E. Nigma Eddie Nash Patrick

Tags

Profile

Species
Human
Gender
Male

Appearance

Overall appearance
Characterized by a green unitard adorned with numerous question marks, along with a top hat and domino mask.
Distinguishing features
  • Green unitard
  • Question mark decorations
  • Top hat
  • Domino mask
Iconic items
  • Green suit
  • Top hat
  • Domino mask
  • Question marks

Personality and abilities

Core personality
Intellectual
Detailed personality
Strongly egocentric with an intense obsession for riddles and puzzles. Possesses high intelligence and tactical acumen as a strategist, planning ingenious crimes. Exhibits extreme self-centeredness, obsessive-compulsive disorder, histrionic and narcissistic personality disorders.
Keywords
  • Genius
  • Egomania
  • Riddle enthusiast
  • Schemer
  • Talkative
  • Obsessive-compulsive disorder
  • Narcissist
  • Crime mastermind
Motto
Finds joy in flaunting intellectual superiority and bewildering enemies with riddles.
Talents
  • Extremely high IQ
  • Expertise in psychology
  • Knowledge of chemistry
  • Multilingual ability
  • Advanced tactics and strategy construction
Skills
  • Creating complex puzzles
  • Crime planning
  • Psychological manipulation
  • Setting clues
Motivation
Challenging Batman and proving his own intellectual superiority.
Habits
Uses riddles in crime announcements. Frequently intersperses riddles in conversations.

History

Backstory
During his student days, he learned puzzles through cheating to win riddle contests. After graduation, he worked at a game carnival, scamming people with difficult puzzles. Seeking greater challenges, he began challenging Batman.
Debut date
1948-10
Work title
Detective Comics #140
Media type
Manga

First appearance

Significant event
First appearance
Description
First appeared in Detective Comics #140 in October 1948.

Batman Forever movie appearance

Significant event
Batman Forever movie appearance
Description
Portrayed by Jim Carrey in the 1995 film, establishing a Riddler image with a strong personality.

Appearance in THE BATMAN (2022)

Significant event
Appearance in THE BATMAN (2022)
Description
Riddler portrayed by Paul Dano in a serial killer style. Featured psychological depth.

GOTHAM drama appearance

Significant event
GOTHAM drama appearance
Description
Portrayed by Cory Michael Smith from 2014 to 2019, depicting the transformation from Nygma detective to Riddler.

Relationships

Unknown

Batman

Rival

Lifelong adversary, engaging in battles of intellect and riddles.

Secret Society of Super Villains

Secret Society of Super Villains: unknown

Injustice League

Injustice League: unknown

Legion of Doom

Legion of Doom: unknown

Secret Six

Secret Six: unknown

Media appearances

Detective Comics #140

Manga / Supporting

October 1948

Batman Forever

Movie / Supporting

1995

THE BATMAN

Movie / Protagonist

2022

Batman (Anime)

Anime / Supporting

1992–1993

GOTHAM

Drama / Supporting

2014–2019

Voice cast and creators

Toshio Furukawa

Voice actor
Toshio Furukawa
Language
Japanese
Version or series
Batman Forever Japanese dub (TV Asahi version)

Akira Ishida

Voice actor
Akira Ishida
Language
Japanese
Version or series
THE BATMAN Japanese dub

Yoshito Yasuhara

Voice actor
Yoshito Yasuhara
Language
Japanese
Version or series
Batman (Anime)

Takuya Inagaki

Voice actor
Takuya Inagaki
Language
Japanese
Version or series
GOTHAM Japanese dub

Bill Finger

Creator name
Bill Finger
Role
Original author

Dick Sprang

Creator name
Dick Sprang
Role
Character designer

DC Comics

Creator name
DC Comics
Role
Publisher

Related goods

Riddler Figure

Item name
Riddler Figure
Category
Figure
Availability
Regular

Question Mark-Included Costume

Item name
Question Mark-Included Costume
Category
Apparel
Availability
Limited

Riddle Puzzle Set

Item name
Riddle Puzzle Set
Category
Stationery
Availability
Regular