The Riddler

*"A riddle is not a prize. It's a reward. However it becomes worthless when one knows what it is. That is where I stand. That is where The Riddler stands".*

- The Riddler.

Edward ‘Ed’ Nygma (formerly Nashton) is the former butler for the Wayne family and a former forensic scientist working at the GCPD with a penchant for speaking in riddles. After killing a corrupt officer who worked there, Ed went down a path of criminal activity and became the extortionist, hacker and supervillain known as The Riddler. He was soon investigated by Batman and has since become widely regarded as his most intelligent enemy, hell-bent on proving that he is intellectually superior to the dark knight. Despite his frequent attempts, he is always outsmarted by Batman and this has sent him back to Arkham Asylum for treatment.

## The Riddler

### Real Name

Edward Nashton (birthname), Edward Nygma (changed name)

### Alias

The Riddler, The Prince of Puzzlers, The King of Conundrums

### Family

Unnamed (father; deceased)Unnamed (mother; deceased)

### Occupation

Wayne Family butler (formerly), Forensic Scientist (formerly), Supervillain, Extortionist, Hacker, Criminal Mastermind

### Status

Alive

Nygma has always managed to escape via any means necessary. The Riddler continues to challenge Batman. The Riddler has also teamed up with other villains such as Hush and The Penguin. However he has a strong friendship with Penguin and they often commit crimes together. However this partnership is now rare and they both have their own problems. At some point, Riddler used one of Ra's Al Ghul's lazarus pits to cure him of a rare disease. And while he was in the pit he managed to deduce Batman's secret identity as Bruce Wayne. And when he confronted Batman about it, Batman said that if The Riddler told everyone who Batman was, then Batman would tell Ra's that Riddler used one of his lazarus pits. And since Ra's doesn't let anyone else use his lazarus pit, he would send the League of Shadows after him. But The Riddler admitted that he wouldn't have told anyone anyway since it would be like everyone knew the answer to a riddle.

However Riddler later was involved in an explosion that lead to him going into a coma for a year, and he lost all memory that Batman was Bruce Wayne. When he woke up, it was revealed that the explosion had cured Riddler of his insanity and obsession with riddles, but left his ego and intellect intact. He then became a private investigator that was hired to solve murders. He worked alongside Batman for a short time. However, as time progressed, The Riddler slowly transformed back into his original self, obsessed with riddles and also insane. Since, The Riddler has exceedingly attacked Gotham and has proved to be a dangerous threat.

## **PHYSICAL APPEARANCE**

The Riddler has short black that is often combed over. He wears a green diamond-patterned suit with a brown undershirt and a tie that has a golden question-mark tie pin. Over all this, he wears a dark green trench coat with black and green question mark patterns all over it. He also wears dark purple gloves. The Riddler wears some glasses that have been tinted with green. He also wears a black bowler hat.

## **BIOGRAPHY**

### **Early Life**

Edward Nygma was born as Edward Nashton to an unnamed mother and unnamed father. As he grew up, Edward was known for his unending stream of queries that he annoyed his parents and various other adults with. He attended a decent elementary school where he was known for being an odd individual. One day, his teacher announced a class challenge that was to award the student that could solve a heavily complex puzzle the fastest. Setting his sights on winning, Edward snuck into the school that night to see if he could solve it in under one minute.

After practicing, Edward solved it the next day and was given a riddle book as a prize. As he grew up, Edward continued to cheat with things like these.

### **1981**

During the early 1980’s, Edward was employed as the temporary Wayne butler while Alfred Pennyworth was on a break. Edward was introduced to Thomas Wayne by Martha Wayne. Edward’s tasks were helping a young Bruce Wayne with his homework, bullies at school etc. Edward was eventually interrogated by Arthur Fleck, aka The Joker on whereabouts of Thomas Wayne. Edward refused to give information and was shot in the leg by Arthur. When Thomas and Martha came home, Arthur held them all hostage and taunted them that he would kill all of them in front of Bruce.

Arthur asked one of his goons to search the manor, but Edward revealed that he had already gotten Bruce out of the manor and in the hands of Alfred. While Edward taunted Arthur about how he was more intelligent than him, Thomas managed to escape from his chains and freed them all. Arthur got away, however. After this, Alfred returned to his duties as the Wayne butler and Edward was thanked for his protective efforts. Knowing that Arthur would come for him, Edward change his last name from ‘Nashton’ to ‘Nygma’ and started looking for another job.

### **Working for the GCPD**

After Thomas and Martha Wayne were murdered by Arthur, Edward was pushed to find a job at the Gotham City Police Department. Edward was eventually put on as the forensic scientist where he would spend the next 10 years of his life.

### **10 years later**

After working for the GCPD, Edward was visited by his old friend Bruce Wayne, although he didn't seem to remember him, much to Nygma's disappointment. Edward also identified the body of one of The Penguin's victims, realizing that the gun that killed the certain victim was built into Penguin's umbrella. Edward also had developed a deep connection to and passion for his work.

Edward also explained his fascination and love for riddles, often speaking in weird word patterns or riddles in general, much to the annoyance of his co-workers. Harvey Bullock in particular was annoyed with Edward's riddles, and so often ignored Edward as a result. Despite the some-what abuse, Edward maintained a positive work ethic.

### **Murdering Officer Soul**

After Bruce Wayne visited the GCPD, Edward was asked to talk in private with an officer who worked at the GCPD, Soul. Once Edward talked with Soul, who brutally beat Edward because he said Bruce didn't like riddles. Edward tried to shrug off the event by keeping up appearances at his work. However, the next day, Soul beat Nygma again. Edward then snapped, and the next day, killed Officer Soul in front of his friends by stabbing him. This caused Harvey Bullock to open fire on Nygma, just in time for Batman to arrive.

Edward managed to escape by blinding Batman with a flash grenade.

### **Becoming The Riddler**

That night, Edward put together a costume so that he could challenge Batman in a new way, and prove that he was as smart as the dark knight was. Edward decided to put his obsession with riddles into his supervillain career. Edward donned a green question mark suit, a black bowler hat and green tinted glasses with purple gloves. He then asked if Batman could answer one of his riddles again. And so, The Riddler was born.