Matt Reeves and Paul Dano gave audiences an undeniably iconic model of Riddler in The Batman, however their tackle the character has extra in widespread with the real-life serial killer Zodiac than it does with the fictional rogue from DC Comics. In the principle continuity comics, Riddler is a flashy felony who desires folks to see him, not somebody who hides within the shadows.
And in the case of being flashy, no model of Riddler is as animated and wild as Frank Gorshin’s tackle the character within the traditional 1966 Batman TV collection. This high-energy tackle one in every of Batman’s most well-known foes introduced the character to new heights and turned him into one of many Caped Crusader’s most cherished antagonists.
Frank Gorshin’s Riddler Had Fashion
Whereas Dano’s Riddler seems creepy, he additionally seems very uncomfortable, along with his head lined in plastic wrap and a leather-based masks. It might be neat to see on display, however to put on it must be horrible, which is why this model of Riddler by no means took off as a Halloween costume.
Frank Gorshin’s Riddler, then again, had two wonderful seems. The skintight swimsuit with an enormous query mark on the chest resembled the character’s comedian e book design on the time. However the swimsuit and tie look was for the present and actually proved in style. This outfit has a way of favor to it that few supervillains ever obtain.
The swimsuit and tie look even made its strategy to the comics, and that is how Riddler is normally depicted within the books immediately. Whereas Riddler’s gimmick is in itself type of goofy, his look screams cool. And it is all because of Gorshin, who hated sporting the spandex and requested for one thing much less revealing.
Batman ’66 Saved Riddler From Obscurity
Whereas it could be exhausting to think about immediately, there was a time when Riddler wasn’t one in every of Batman’s most well-known rogues. Earlier than the Sixties live-action collection, Riddler had solely appeared in a handful of tales and hadn’t been seen within the comics for nearly twenty years. When it got here time to determine who the Caped Crusader ought to face off in opposition to within the first episode of the collection, the present’s artistic group chosen Riddler to ease the troubles of executives.
Because the story goes, ABC, the community that Batman would run on, was uneasy with the odder-looking Batman villains like Joker and Penguin, so the choice was made to function the little-known Riddler within the pilot episode. Certain sufficient, the plan labored, and Batman turned a success collection.
And with the success of the collection, Riddler turned one in every of Batman’s hottest rogues. The character would go on to look as a member of the Legion of Doom in Tremendous Mates, be the principle villain in two motion pictures, and have numerous appearances within the comics. And as for his well-known catchphrase, “Riddle me this!” that was additionally created for the present. With out Batman ’66 and Frank Gorshin’s over-the-top efficiency, Riddler would doubtless nonetheless be wallowing in comedian e book limbo.