14 best and worst retcons in comic book history
By Mark Lynch
Mr. Freeze never knew Nora (New 52)
Victor Fries is one of the most sympathetic villains in comic book history. His obsession with creating a cure for his wife was honorable. Even Batman gets why he’s doing it. He may not like it, but he understands. Fans gravitated towards him as a person. Now, what if that wasn’t the case? What if Victor Fries was just engrossed with a woman he’s never met? It would make him a much creepier villain. More like the rest of Batman’s rogue’s gallery. It doesn’t just hurt his likability, but it turns him into more of a bad guy than a man of honor.
Comic book retcon rating: Terrible
This change made Victor Fries like every other villain and that’s the problem. The Dark Knight has enough people who want to murder and commit random crimes without reason. Joker, the Court of Owls, etc. Mr. Freeze is supposed to be more like Poison Ivy than Riddler. Someone who may be doing wrong, but for the right reason. Granted, Ivy’s motives are noble on a grander scale.
It’s doubtful that anyone remembers this retcon. This writer wouldn’t be shocked if it wasn’t canon anymore. Either way, it’s not a good change in character.