Who is he??

The Riddler, Edward Nygma, is a Batman villain. This particular version of him comes from the 1992 series, Batman: The Animated Series. He first debuted in the episode "If You're So Smart, Why Aren't You Rich?" from season 1, episode 39. He is voiced by John Glover. Like many other incarnations of the character, the Riddler is obsessed with puzzles and riddles and is fueled by his ego. This particular version of the Riddler started out as a well-to-do, yet arrogant fellow who worked as a computer software designer, making a name for himself by being the mastermind behind the computer game, "Riddle of the Minotaur" only to become the Riddler, vowing get revenge on his former employer, two years after him being fired.

History

In the episode "If You're So Smart, Why Aren't You Rich?", Edward Nygma finds his office at Competitron locked and his nameplate removed after being fired by his boss, Daniel Mockridge. Nygma demands royalties for his game, Riddle of the Minotaur, but Mockridge claims it belongs to Competitron due to a work-for-hire contract. Nygma insists that Mockridge's greed can't match his genius, to which Mockridge replies, "If you're so smart, why aren't you rich?"

Two years after being cheated and let go by his former boss, Nygma resurfaces under the pseudonym of the Riddler. Mockridge tries to sell Competitron to Wayne Enterprises but he suddenly sees a message, a riddle on a billboard: “Why do multimillion-dollar deals break down in the wasteland?” Mockridge aburptly leaving the pitch meeting caught the attention to Batman. He and Robin quickly figure out what this riddle means and its connection to Mockridge. Mockridge arrives at an empty bar known as the "Wasteland" and meets the Riddler, and makes an offer to him. Batman and Robin arrive to get Mockridge out, but were halted by Riddler's goons. Riddler escapes with Mockridge, taking him to an abandoned theme park which resembled the "Riddle of the Minotaur" game. Riddler's plan is foiled, Mockridge is safe, but the Riddler got away.

In the episode "What is Reality?", after Batman had uncovered his identity, Edward eliminated every trace of his former identity by destroying documents bearing his legal name. Edward Nygma was no more... He sent a computer with a virtual reality simmulator to the Gotham Police Department which trapped Commissioner Gordon, and its up to Batman to free him and solve a set of deadly riddles laid out. After being tricked by Batman, Riddler loses his concentration which causes the virtual reality he created to fall apart. After escaping the VR world, Commisioner Gordon and Batman found the Riddler at his hideout, where he was found catatonic after failing to escape his VR world in time. It was presumed that his mind was either destroyed or trapped. He was sent to Arkham asylum.

Edward's final appearance was in the 8th episode of season 2, "Riddler's Reform." After being released from Arkham, he seemed to have reformed and joined the Wacko Toy Corporation, licensing his Riddler persona and making puzzles for children. However, he secretly continued committing robberies, leaving clues in his ads. Batman confronted him, revealing he saw through Edward’s deception, which led Nygma to conclude he needed to eliminate Batman.

Nygma aired a final TV ad with a clue that led Batman to the Gotham Convention Center, rigged with traps and a bomb. Batman hid in a safe to survive the explosion. Meanwhile, Riddler burned his costume, believing he no longer needed it. When Batman confronted him, Riddler demanded to know how he escaped, but Batman didn't reveal his secret. Riddler was taken back to Arkham, still frustrated by Batman's survival.

"It's impossible, I tell you! Impossible! My trap was perfect! How did he do it? I have to know! Somebody tell me! It's not fair! There was no way, I tell you! No way he could have gotten out! Somebody tell me! Do you hear me? Somebody tell me how he did it! I have to know! I have to know!"

Unfortunately, he didn't have as many appearances as his fellow Batman rouges (not counting cameos) in the cartoon. But he did have more appearances within the DCAU continuity, such as the tie-in comics (The Batman Adventures & The Batman and Robin Adventures).

Why this guy?

Well that's a good question. I'm not drawn to villains typically but somehow The Riddler is an exception. Perhaps its his demeanor, his design (before New Batman Adventures), the slight depth he had in his debut episode. Like many of the rouges in BTAS, Edward wasn't just evil or a petty villain. He was essentially screwed over by his former employer and was rightfully angry at this. But his hubris got in the way and buried him deeper and deeper until he landed in Arkham Asylum for good. Whatever it may be, I was drawn to him.

Before I ever refered to myself as a selfshipper, I had strong feelings for Edward for literal years, perhaps dating back to when I first watched Batman the Animated Series. I had crushes (squishes???) on other characters and real people before but none of them lasted this long. It seems regardless how much I changed over the years: from realizing I'm arospec & aplatonicflux or me realizing that I am amatopunk and having not very straightfoward feelings towards relationships (to an extent). Whatever my feelings for Edward may be, they are still real and it's here to stay despite how much I've grown since then.♡ ♡ ♡

I find him comforting, fun, and interesting to think about. While I don’t approve of his actions, I can’t help but root for him at times, despite his choices and how he uses his gifts. This feeling remains even after he failed to get revenge on his boss.

Blinkies. Click on any of them to see the source.