| Bookworm | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Bookworm as depicted inBatman '66 #30 (February 2016). Art byMichael Allred. | |
| Publication information | |
| First appearance | Batman "The Bookworm Turns" (April 20, 1966) |
| First comic appearance | Gotham Academy #2 (January 2015) |
| Created by | William Dozier Larry Peerce |
| In-story information | |
| Abilities | Genius-level intelligence |
TheBookworm is a fictional criminal in theDC Universe, and an adversary of the superheroBatman.[1] He was created for theBatman 1966 television series and was played byRoddy McDowall, but has since made his way into the comics. He’s usually depicted wearing a brown suit, meant to resemble a leather-bound book.
Bookworm was created for theBatman (1966) series and first appeared in the consecutive episodes "The Bookworm Turns" and "While Gotham City Burns". In these episodes, he steals many high-value books and leaves clues for Batman to solve — similar to theRiddler — which eventually leads to his defeat. His crimes are literature-themed, and his dialogue often contains literary references.
He appears in several issues ofBatman '66, the tie-in comic series for the show.[2]
Bookworm appears inGotham Academy. This version isA.S. Scarlet. a literary teacher who commits literature-themed crimes, with his real name being given asA.S. Scarlet.[3]
Bookworm also appears in the comic seriesHuntress. This version is Alexander Wyvern, a serial killer who is later killed after tripping one of his own traps.
The Bookworm does not possess superpowers per se, but is shown reading the entire contents of an oversized and lengthy book within “a matter of seconds.”[4] Additionally he exhibits a genius level intellect, specifically a high knowledge of books and their contents, including the ability to quote obscure references from old books. Although, upon his capture, he misquotes a line which Bruce Wayne correctly attributes to Don Quixote,[5] much to the chagrin of The Bookworm.
Bookworm makes a non-speaking cameo appearance in theBatman: The Brave and the Bold episode "Day of the Dark Knight!" as an inmate ofIron Heights Penitentiary.
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