Shadow War: Alpha saw many returns but one of the most obscure proves just how impactful Batman: The Animated Series has been on comics.
WARNING: The following contains spoilers for Shadow War: Alpha #1, on sale now from DC Comics.
Batman: The Animated Series has had a major impact on the Batman mythos. Since it hit television screens in 1992, it has revolutionized the entirety of the Dark Knight’s world. From how Gotham is portrayed to the voices readers give to characters, and even new characters themselves. Harley Quinn and Renee Montoya were both created for the acclaimed animated show and have become major characters in the comics since. However, they’re far from the only ones to break into comics
One of the more obscure Animated Series creations just returned in Shadow War: Alpha #1 (by Joshua Williamson, Viktor Bogdanovic, Daniel Henriques, Mike Spicer, and Troy Peteri). Batman returned to Gotham and it wasn’t long before he had another criminal in his sights. This time around, it was the villain with a twisted sense of justice – Lock-Up.
The former security officer was kidnapping criminals on parole, all set to kill them in his own twisted brand of justice. The Dark Knight saved the parolees and once again showed Lyle Bolton that he was the true criminal, proving that murder is never justice.
Lock-Up first appeared in the Batman: The Animated Series episode of the same name. Created by Paul Dini, Robert N. Skir, and Marty Isenberg, Lyle Bolton was hired as Arkham Asylum’s chief of security. However, the inmates were subjected to some particularly cruel treatment, with the Scarecrow even escaping just to get away from his new jailer. When Bolton’s abuse of power was brought to light, he was fired. He swore revenge on those who weren’t willing to go to the extreme lengths that he was. He created the Lock-Up persona and kidnapped the likes of Commissioner Gordon and the Mayor to punish them for what they did to him. He was defeated by Batman and thrown into Arkham, something he actually saw as an opportunity rather than a punishment.
He made his comics debut two years after his appearance in The Animated Series, in Robin #24. He appeared there and in Detective Comics #694 hauling away defeated criminals for his own nefarious purposes. This was revealed fully in Detective Comics #697-699. He captured Two-Face, which finally brought him to the attention of the GCPD and Gotham’s resident heroes. His origins were altered somewhat. He still had a background in security but never worked at Arkham specifically. He would later take control of Blackgate Penitentiary in No Man’s Land and join up with the Secret Society of Supervillains during Infinite Crisis.
Now, he’s returned to the DC Universe once more in Shadow War: Alpha #1. He’s certainly one of the most obscure villains in Batman’s rogues’ gallery. He only appeared once in The Animated Series, meaning he’s appeared more frequently in the comics than the medium that created him. However, it also shows the impact of Batman: The Animated Series on DC continuity.
The show’s impact is still felt to this day. Harley Quinn has her own comic, movies, and animated series of her own now. But there are also the likes of Kevin Conroy, who still voices the Dark Knight in projects unrelated to the original Animated Series. Mr. Freeze, whose origins have been forever changed by the retelling of his origins from the show, has grown in popularity because of it. Even subtle things like Nightwing’s symbol, a more obvious bird shape in The New Batman Adventures, have been incorporated into the comics. Lock-Up’s most recent comic book return is simply further proof of how important Batman: The Animated Series has been to the world of the Dark Knight.
About The Author
For all the latest Comics News Click Here
For the latest news and updates, follow us on Google News.
