Killer Moth
Template:Short description Script error: No such module "Distinguish". Template:Short description Script error: No such module "Infobox".Template:Template otherScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".Script error: No such module "Check for conflicting parameters". Killer Moth (Drury Walker) is a supervillain appearing in comic books published by DC Comics, usually as an adversary and dedicated original foil personality of Batman (prior to the creations of Wrath, Prometheus, and Hush). Like Batman, he has no superpowers and relies on his technical equipment, including a Mothmobile and numerous gimmicks. Killer Moth originally wore a garish costume of purple and green striped fabric, with an orange cape and moth-like mask.[1] In Underworld Unleashed, Killer Moth is transformed into the monster Charaxes with superhuman abilities.
Publication history
Killer Moth first appeared in Batman #63 (February 1951) and was created by Bill Finger, Dick Sprang, and Lew Schwartz.[2]
Fictional character biographies
Pre-Crisis
The original Killer Moth was a prisoner identified only by his prison number, 234026.[3] While in prison, he reads a newspaper article about Batman and decides to set himself up as the "anti-Batman", hiring himself out to Gotham City's criminals to help them elude capture by police. Upon his release, he uses the hidden proceeds of his crimes to build a "Mothcave", modeled on the Batcave. Killer Moth also establishes a false identity as millionaire philanthropist Cameron van Cleer, during which he befriends Bruce Wayne.[4] Meanwhile, he promotes himself to Gotham's criminals using his identity as Killer Moth, giving them each an infrared Moth-Signal. In his first job, he rescues some criminals from the police and then uses his Mothmobile to defeat and capture Batman and Robin. The duo escape and lead Killer Moth to a climactic battle on Gotham Bridge, in which he is defeated.[5] In Detective Comics #173 (July 1951), Killer Moth kidnaps Bruce Wayne and learns his secret identity. However, he is shot by other criminals and sustains amnesia. He remains a persistent enemy of Batman throughout the Silver Age of Comic Books.
Post-Crisis
Following the Crisis on Infinite Earths continuity reboot, Killer Moth is revealed to be Drury Walker. In Underworld Unleashed, Neron transforms Killer Moth into a monstrous moth-like form dubbed Charaxes.[6][7][8]
Charaxes is killed by Superboy-Prime during Infinite Crisis.[1][9] He is temporarily resurrected as a Black Lantern in Blackest Night and permanently resurrected in The New 52 and DC Rebirth relaunches.[10][11]
Unknown
A new, unidentified incarnation of Killer Moth is introduced in Batman #652, part of the Face the Face storyline.Script error: No such module "Unsubst".
Powers, abilities, and equipment
In his original incarnation, Killer Moth has no superhuman abilities, but relies on the vast array of equipment he had developed, including a Mothmobile, zipline cables, a cocoon gun, and an air pistol.[12][13] As Charaxes, he possesses immense physical abilities and can fly and generate acid.[14]
In other media
Television
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- Killer Moth appears in an unaired episode of Batman (1966), portrayed by Tim Herbert. The episode was illegally circulated for years before being released in 2014 as part of the series' DVD/Blu-ray sets.[15]
- When asked about Killer Moth's inclusion in The New Batman Adventures, producer Bruce Timm expressed little interest and joked that the only way they would use him is if they could cast Dan Aykroyd for the role and have him scream, "I'm a bug!". Producer Alan Burnett, on the other hand, stated, "we just haven't thought of a good story for him yet". Ultimately, Killer Moth never appeared in the series.[16]
- Killer Moth appears in Teen Titans, voiced initially by Thomas Haden Church and later by Marc Worden.[17] This version is a lepidopterist and member of the Brotherhood of Evil.
- Killer Moth, based on the Drury Walker incarnation, appears in The Batman, voiced by Jeff Bennett.[17] This version is a physically weak individual with a milquetoast personality and poor combat capabilities. In the episode "Team Penguin", he mutates into a monstrous Charaxes-esque form nicknamed "Mothy".
- An amalgamated incarnation of Killer Moth appears in Batman: The Brave and the Bold, voiced by Corey Burton.[17] This version is based on Drury Walker and once used the Cameron van Cleer alias.
- Killer Moth appears in Teen Titans Go! (2013), voiced by Scott Menville.[17]
- Killer Moth appears in the DC Super Hero Girls (2019) episode "#BreakingNews". This version is a female mutant moth.
- Killer Moth appears in Beast Boy: Lone Wolf.[18]
Film
- Killer Moth appears in Batman: Bad Blood, voiced by Jason Spisak.[17] This version is a mercenary aligned with the League of Assassins who serves as one of Talia al Ghul's henchmen.
- Killer Moth appears in The Lego Batman Movie.[17]
- Killer Moth appears in Scooby-Doo! & Batman: The Brave and the Bold.[17]
- Killer Moth was intended to appear in Batgirl prior to its cancellation.[19]
Video games
- Killer Moth appears as a boss in Batman: The Video Game.
- Killer Moth appears as a character summon in Scribblenauts Unmasked: A DC Comics Adventure.[20]
Lego
- The Drury Walker incarnation of Killer Moth appears as a playable character and boss in Lego Batman: The Video Game, with vocal effects provided by Steve Blum.[21] This version is attracted to bright lights like his namesake, wields a handgun, and can glide. In the Nintendo DS version, Killer Moth in both his original form and one based on his appearance in the Teen Titans animated series appear as unlockable characters.
- Killer Moth appears as an optional boss and playable character in Lego Batman 2: DC Super Heroes, voiced by Joseph Balderrama.[22]
- Killer Moth appears as a playable character in Lego Batman 3: Beyond Gotham, voiced by Christopher Corey Smith.[23]
Merchandise
- Killer Moth in his Charaxes form received an action figure in Mattel's The Batman: Shadowtek line in 2006.
- Corgi Toys released a die-cast Killer Mothmobile in their Batman line in 2006.
- A collector's version of Corgi's Killer Mothmobile, including a statuette of Killer Moth, was released in 2007.
- Killer Moth received an action figure in Wave 6 of Mattel's DC Universe Classics line in 2009.
- Three LEGO Minifigures based on Killer Moth have been produced. The first appeared in set 26054 Scarecrow: Harvest of Fear in 2016. The second appeared in set 76069 Batman vs. Killer Moth, as part of the Mighty Micros line released in 2017. The third was released in 2018 as part of the second Collectible Minifigure blind-bag series based on The Lego Batman Movie.
- A modernized Killer Moth received an action figure in Spin Master's Creature Chaos Line in 2020.
Miscellaneous
- The Teen Titans animated series incarnation of Killer Moth appears in Teen Titans Go! (2004).[24]
- The Batman incarnation of Killer Moth appears in The Batman Strikes!.[25]
- The Drury Walker incarnation of Killer Moth appears in the Batman: Arkham Knight prequel comic.Script error: No such module "Unsubst".
- Killer Moth appears in DC Super Hero Girls (2015), voiced by Phil LaMarr.[17]
- Killer Moth appears in the Injustice 2 prequel comic as a member of the Suicide Squad before he is killed by Jason Todd.[26]
See also
References
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- ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
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- ↑ Robin (vol. 2) #107-110 (December 2002-March 2003)
- ↑ Birds of Prey #50-52 (February–April 2003)
- ↑ Booster Gold (vol. 2) #11 - 12 (October - November 2008)
- ↑ Adventure Comics (vol. 2) #4 - 5 (November - December 2009)
- ↑ Green Arrow (vol. 5) #25 (January 2014)
- ↑ Who's Who: The Definitive Directory of the DC Universe #12 (February 1986)
- ↑ Batman #652 (June 2006)
- ↑ Underworld Unleashed #1 (November 1995)
- ↑ Batman: The Complete Television Series, Warner Bros., 2014.
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ a b c d e f g h Script error: No such module "citation/CS1". A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its credits or other reliable sources of information.
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- ↑ Game Informer features a two-page gallery of the many heroes and villains who appear in the game with a picture for each character and a descriptive paragraph. See "LEGO Batman: Character Gallery", Game Informer #186 (October 2008): 93.
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
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- ↑ Injustice 2 #1 - 2 (July 2017)
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External links
- Killer Moth at Comic Vine
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