10 Lame Batman Villains I Dare The Gotham Writers To Use

10. Killer Moth

Thank goodness Bruce Wayne decided to make his secret hideout in the cave instead of in one of what I assume are many, many closets in Wayne manor, because he might have been inspired to fight crime dressed like this guy. And I’m not sure criminals are quite superstitious or cowardly enough to be scared of a man-sized moth, especially since Bruce would have left off the “Killer” part.

Considering he was created in the 1950s, we’re lucky that Killer Moth’s M.O. wasn’t to eat rich people’s really expensive sweaters. Silver Age villains were really committed to their gimmicks that way (though technically he predates the Silver Age by a few years … but I digress).

Instead, he really set himself up as an evil Batman, complete with a Mothmobile and a signal so that other criminals could summon him to help out if they found themselves up against the Caped Crusader. The original Killer Moth even infiltrated the ranks of high society around Gotham City posing as a wealthy philanthropist, which is weird considering he didn’t know Batman’s secret identity.

Anyway, there are really two problems here. The first is that bats prey on moths, so taking on the identity of a moth is pretty much admitting you’re going to be a failure. The second one is bigger, and is more Gotham-specific: there’s no Batman yet, and probably won’t be until the series is wrapping up. How can you have a villain inspired by a hero who isn’t even on the scene yet?

But hey, that’s why the Gotham writers get paid the big bucks, right? Have to figure out a way to make this guy cool and give him a different backstory.

Next: No. 9: Signalman