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Killer Moth | |
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![]() Interior artwork from Batman Family #15 (December 1977), art by Michael Golden. | |
Publication information | |
Publisher | DC Comics |
First appearance | (Walker): Batman #63 (February 1951) (Charaxes): Underworld Unleashed #1 (November 1995) (Unknown): Batman #652 (June 2006) |
Created by | Bill Finger (writer) Dick Sprang (artist) Lew Schwartz (artist) |
In-story information | |
Alter ego | Drury Walker Unknown |
Species | Human (formerly) Metahuman (currently) |
Team affiliations | (Walker): Secret Society of Super Villains Longbow Hunters |
Notable aliases | (Walker): Charaxes Cameron van Cleer 234026 The Moth |
Abilities | (Both):
(As Charaxes):
|
Killer Moth (Drury Walker) is a supervillain appearing in comic books published by DC Comics, usually as an adversary and dedicated original foil personality of Batman (prior to the creations of Wrath, Prometheus, and Hush). Like Batman, he has no superpowers and relies on his technical equipment, including a Mothmobile and numerous gimmicks. Killer Moth originally wore a garish costume of purple and green striped fabric, with an orange cape and moth-like mask. [1] In Underworld Unleashed , Killer Moth is transformed into the monster Charaxes with superhuman abilities.
Killer Moth first appeared in Batman #63 (February 1951) and was created by Bill Finger, Dick Sprang, and Lew Schwartz. [2]
The original Killer Moth was a prisoner identified only by his prison number, 234026. [3] While in prison, he reads a newspaper article about Batman and decides to set himself up as the "anti-Batman", hiring himself out to Gotham City's criminals to help them elude capture by police. Upon his release, he uses the hidden proceeds of his crimes to build a "Mothcave", modeled on the Batcave. Killer Moth also establishes a false identity as millionaire philanthropist Cameron van Cleer, during which he befriends Bruce Wayne. [4] Meanwhile, he promotes himself to Gotham's criminals using his identity as Killer Moth, giving them each an infrared Moth-Signal. In his first job, he rescues some criminals from the police and then uses his Mothmobile to defeat and capture Batman and Robin. The duo escape and lead Killer Moth to a climactic battle on Gotham Bridge, in which he is defeated. [5] In Detective Comics #173 (July 1951), Killer Moth kidnaps Bruce Wayne and learns his secret identity. However, he is shot by other criminals and sustains amnesia. He remains a persistent enemy of Batman throughout the Silver Age of Comic Books.
Following the Crisis on Infinite Earths continuity reboot, Killer Moth is revealed to be Drury Walker. In Underworld Unleashed , Neron transforms Killer Moth into a monstrous moth-like form dubbed Charaxes. [6] [7] [8]
Charaxes is killed by Superboy-Prime during Infinite Crisis . [1] [9] He is temporarily resurrected as a Black Lantern in Blackest Night and permanently resurrected in The New 52 and DC Rebirth relaunches. [10] [11]
A new, unidentified incarnation of Killer Moth is introduced in Batman #652, part of the Face the Face storyline.[ citation needed ]
In his original incarnation, Killer Moth has no superhuman abilities, but relies on the vast array of equipment he had developed, including a Mothmobile, zipline cables, a cocoon gun, and an air pistol. [12] [13] As Charaxes, he possesses immense physical abilities and can fly and generate acid. [14]