Signalman (comics)
Encyclopedia
Signalman is a fictional supervillain
published by DC Comics
. He first appeared in Batman
vol. 1 #112 (December 1957), and was created by Bill Finger
and Sheldon Moldoff
.
intent on hiring a gang of his own and making it big, only to be laughed at when he tried to recruit the gang because he had no reputation. Steaming with anger, he vowed to prove himself to Gotham's mobsters, and when he noticed how modern society was regulated by signs, signals and symbols, he found the inspiration for his criminal career. Becoming the Signalman, he went on a spectacular crime spree using those signs and symbols as his motif.
Ultimately captured by Batman and Robin
, he returned for a rematch a year later in Batman #124, and then switched gears and became the Green Arrow
-copycat called the Blue Bowman in Batman #139. After that, he remained unseen until 1976, when he resumed his Signalman guise in Detective Comics
#466. This time, he actually managed to trap the Batman inside the Batsignal.
In the pages of Identity Crisis, it is mentioned Signalman was kidnapped by Dr. Moon and Phobia
, a fact confirmed in the pages of the Manhunter
, which depicts his torture and seeming death via a video recording.
In the years since then, Signalman has also been a member of the Secret Society of Super Villains
and, in that capacity, did battle with the Justice League
and Justice Society. "One Year Later
" however, he appears in Justice League of America #1 as a drug addled informant for Black Lightning
. He also appears in full costume in Final Crisis
#1, being arrested. In recent years a running gag in villain crowd scenes has been someone making a disparaging comment on his symbol-covered costume.
episode "A Bat Divided" hanging out with the bad guys at a bar until Firestorm
and the three Batmen show up.
Supervillain
A supervillain or supervillainess is a variant of the villain character type, commonly found in comic books, action movies and science fiction in various media.They are sometimes used as foils to superheroes and other fictional heroes...
published by DC Comics
DC Comics
DC Comics, Inc. is one of the largest and most successful companies operating in the market for American comic books and related media. It is the publishing unit of DC Entertainment a company of Warner Bros. Entertainment, which itself is owned by Time Warner...
. He first appeared in Batman
Batman
Batman is a fictional character created by the artist Bob Kane and writer Bill Finger. A comic book superhero, Batman first appeared in Detective Comics #27 , and since then has appeared primarily in publications by DC Comics...
vol. 1 #112 (December 1957), and was created by Bill Finger
Bill Finger
William "Bill" Finger was an American comic strip and comic book writer best known as the uncredited co-creator, with Bob Kane, of the DC Comics character Batman, as well as the co-architect of the series' development...
and Sheldon Moldoff
Sheldon Moldoff
Sheldon "Shelly" Moldoff is an American comic book artist best known his early work on the DC Comics characters Hawkman and Hawkgirl, and as one of Bob Kane's primary "ghost artists" on the superhero Batman. He co-created the Batman supervillains Poison Ivy, Mr...
.
Fictional character biography
Phillip "Phil" Cobb was a gangster with big ideas. He came to Gotham CityGotham City
Gotham City is a fictional U.S. city appearing in DC Comics, best known as the home of Batman. Batman's place of residence was first identified as Gotham City in Batman #4 . Gotham City is strongly inspired by Trenton, Ontario's history, location, atmosphere, and various architectural styles...
intent on hiring a gang of his own and making it big, only to be laughed at when he tried to recruit the gang because he had no reputation. Steaming with anger, he vowed to prove himself to Gotham's mobsters, and when he noticed how modern society was regulated by signs, signals and symbols, he found the inspiration for his criminal career. Becoming the Signalman, he went on a spectacular crime spree using those signs and symbols as his motif.
Ultimately captured by Batman and Robin
Dick Grayson
Dick Grayson is a fictional superhero that appears in comic books published by DC Comics. Created by Bob Kane and Bill Finger and illustrator Jerry Robinson, he first appeared in Detective Comics #38 in April 1940....
, he returned for a rematch a year later in Batman #124, and then switched gears and became the Green Arrow
Green Arrow
Green Arrow is a fictional superhero that appears in comic books published by DC Comics. Created by Mort Weisinger and George Papp, he first appeared in More Fun Comics #73 in November 1941. His secret identity is Oliver Queen, billionaire and former mayor of fictional Star City...
-copycat called the Blue Bowman in Batman #139. After that, he remained unseen until 1976, when he resumed his Signalman guise in Detective Comics
Detective Comics
Detective Comics is an American comic book series published monthly by DC Comics since 1937, best known for introducing the iconic superhero Batman in Detective Comics #27 . It is, along with Action Comics, the book that launched with the debut of Superman, one of the medium's signature series, and...
#466. This time, he actually managed to trap the Batman inside the Batsignal.
In the pages of Identity Crisis, it is mentioned Signalman was kidnapped by Dr. Moon and Phobia
Phobia (comics)
Phobia is a fictional DC Comics supervillain of the New Teen Titans.-Fictional character biography:Born a member of the British aristocracy with the power to make people experience their worst fears, Angela Hawkins III was a "bad seed" who rejected any help from her family.When the Brain came to...
, a fact confirmed in the pages of the Manhunter
Manhunter (Kate Spencer)
Manhunter is a fictional character, a superheroine in publications from DC Comics. Kate Spencer is the eighth DC Comics character depicted using the name Manhunter, and the first female to do so. The character first appears in Manhunter Manhunter is a fictional character, a superheroine in...
, which depicts his torture and seeming death via a video recording.
In the years since then, Signalman has also been a member of the Secret Society of Super Villains
Secret Society of Super Villains
The Secret Society of Super Villains is a group of comic book supervillains that exist in the DC Universe...
and, in that capacity, did battle with the Justice League
Justice League
The Justice League, also called the Justice League of America or JLA, is a fictional superhero team that appears in comic books published by DC Comics....
and Justice Society. "One Year Later
One Year Later
"One Year Later" was a 2006 storyline event running through the DC Universe. As the title suggests, it involves a narrative jump exactly one year into the future of the DC Comics Universe following the events of the Infinite Crisis event, to explore major changes within the continuities of the many...
" however, he appears in Justice League of America #1 as a drug addled informant for Black Lightning
Black Lightning
Black Lightning was one of the first major African American superheroes to appear in DC Comics. He debuted in Black Lightning #1 , and was created by Tony Isabella and Trevor Von Eeden.- Publication history :...
. He also appears in full costume in Final Crisis
Final Crisis
Final Crisis is a crossover storyline that appeared in comic books published by DC Comics in 2008, primarily the seven-issue miniseries of the same name written by Grant Morrison. Originally DC announced the project as being illustrated solely by J. G. Jones; artists Carlos Pacheco, Marco Rudy and...
#1, being arrested. In recent years a running gag in villain crowd scenes has been someone making a disparaging comment on his symbol-covered costume.
Powers and abilities
Signalman has no super human powers; he is a reasonably skilled hand-to-hand combatant. He also carries items such as a knockout-gas gun, miniature flares that cause fires, electric "sparks" capable of controlling the signals to the human brain, and a remote-control device in his belt that alters signals of an electronic nature.Other versions
- In the Kingdom ComeKingdom Come (comics)Kingdom Come is a four-issue comic book mini-series published in 1996 by DC Comics. It was written by Alex Ross and Mark Waid and painted in gouache by Ross, who also developed the concept from an original idea...
miniseries, there is a background character named Signalwoman. The left side of her face is completely covered in tattoos, including her shaved head. (The tattoos match the symbols on the original's costume.) - In the Batman BeyondBatman BeyondBatman Beyond is an American animated television series created by Warner Bros. Animation in collaboration with DC Comics as a continuation of the Batman legacy...
universe, an elderly and retired Signalman is murdered in a manner reminiscent of Two-FaceTwo-FaceTwo-Face is a fictional comic book supervillain who appears in comic books published by DC Comics. and is an enemy of Batman. The character first appeared in Detective Comics #66 , and was created by Bob Kane and Bill Finger....
, stabbed twice in the heart and throat. After his corpse is discovered in his apartment by the new Batman, Terry McGinnisTerry McGinnisBatman is a fictional superhero in comics published by DC Comics as well as the main protagonist of the animated television series Batman Beyond , in which he has succeeded Bruce Wayne as the protector of Gotham City. He was voiced by Will Friedle...
, Bruce Wayne mentions that he had gone to prison years earlier and had turned his life around upon his release.
In other media
Signalman makes an appearance in the Batman: The Brave and the BoldBatman: The Brave and the Bold
Batman: The Brave and the Bold is an American animated television series based in part on the DC Comics series The Brave and the Bold which features two or more super heroes coming together to solve a crime or foil a super villain...
episode "A Bat Divided" hanging out with the bad guys at a bar until Firestorm
Firestorm (comics)
Firestorm is the name of several comic book superheroes published by DC Comics. Ronnie Raymond and Martin Stein, the first Firestorm, debuted in Firestorm, the Nuclear Man #1 , and was created by Gerry Conway and Al Milgrom. Martin Stein, by himself as Firestorm, debuted in Firestorm the Nuclear...
and the three Batmen show up.