Warning: Contains spoilers for Batman '89: Echoes #2!

Summary

• A new Riddler character in Batman '89: Echoes #2 resembles Martin Short, introducing a fresh take on the iconic villain.
• The series expands Tim Burton's Batman universe by referencing actors of the era, including this new Riddler.
• Riddler's appearance in the Keatonverse comics hints at a potential future antagonist role, bringing excitement to Batman '89.

A brand-new Batman universe has appeared in a comic book series expanding the lore of Tim Burton’s 1989 and 1992 films. Batman '89 and follow-up Batman '89: Echoes have allowed for many would-be characters that didn’t make it into the films to be introduced into Burton's movie universe. Actors of the era have already been referenced in the series’ art, now including a certain Canadian comedian.

In Batman '89: Echoes #2 by Sam Hamm and Joe Quinones, Michael Keaton’s Batman is undercover in Arkham Asylum. While Batman investigates in the asylum, he comes across a patient by the name of Maynard. There are clues that Maynard may be this universe’s Riddler, and he’s very clearly a Martin Short lookalike.

Short recently had another DC film role, but he’s still an inspired choice as the Keatonverse’s Riddler. With Robin Williams almost cast and Jim Carrey playing Edward Nygma in the other '90s-era films, SCTV and SNL alum Short embodies the eccentric comedian role that's perfect for the iconic Batman villain.

The Riddler Could Have an Interesting Future in the World of Batman '89

This Version of the Riddler Is a Martin Short Lookalike

This issue introduces a character by the name of Maynard who's heavily suggested to be this universe's version of the Riddler — a name to add to the list of aliases for the villain, who's gone by variations of Edward Nygma or Nashton in other iterations from both the comics and the movies. Jim Carrey played the Riddler in Batman Forever, the first Batman film after Burton’s. The Riddler’s inclusion in Batman '89 is one of many examples of how these '89 comics follow only Keaton’s films and not all four live-action Batman movies of that era.

Readers can easily recognize Short as Maynard — but may not be able to immediately tell that he’s the Riddler because of the name change. When he bumps into Bruce Wayne in the halls of Arkham, they engage in friendly conversation until the Short lookalike discovers that a fellow patient is fiddling with his clipboard. Puzzles, question marks, and the name E. Nigma scrawled on the clipboard’s pages reveal Maynard’s true identity. Though he only briefly appears, it’s possible that more will be revealed about this new Riddler as the series continues.

Created by Bill Finger and Dick Sprang, the iconic Batman rogue known as the Riddler debuted in 1948's Detective Comics #140.

Casting the Keatonverse - Who’s Who in the World of Batman '89?

The Batman '89 Comics Make Bold "Casting" Choices in Art by Joe Quinones

Short’s Riddler s the list of characters in artist Quinones’ designs for Batman '89: Echoes, which heavily resemble actors of the era. Billy Dee Williams portrayed Harvey Dent in the original 1989 Batman movie, but his version of Two-Face reaches his full potential as the antagonist of the first Batman '89 comic series. Marlon Wayans was almost Robin in 1992’s Batman Returns, and a character resembling him named Drake Winston is also featured in the comics. Harley Quinn looks like pop icon Madonna and has become a focus of Echoes, along with a Jeff Goldblum Scarecrow. Both actors were rumored to the Bat-franchise in the '90s.

Madonna’s version of Dr. Harleen Quinzel appears in Batman '89 but is making her mark in the follow-up series Echoes, and the same could happen for Maynard’s Riddler. It remains to be seen if he will show up again in this series or if he will make the leap to primary antagonist in another follow-up. Known for his zany and bizarrely hilarious characters, shaping a Riddler around Short's favored personas has strong potential. A new Riddler inspired by the beloved comedian going against Michael Keaton’s Batman is an exciting development for the Batman '89 comic series.

Batman '89: Echoes #2 is available now from DC Comics.