Mad Hatter (DC Comics) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Mad Hatter |
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Mad Hatter, as portrayed by Benedict Samuel in Gotham
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| Publication information | |
| Publisher | DC Comics |
| First appearance | Batman #49 (October 1948) |
| Created by | Bill Finger (writer) Lew Sayre Schwartz (artist) Bob Kane (concept) |
| In-story information | |
| Alter ego | Jervis Tetch |
| Species | Human |
| Team affiliations | Secret Six Secret Society of Super Villains Wonderland Gang |
| Notable aliases | Fez The Fedora Fanatic |
| Abilities |
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The Mad Hatter (Jervis Tetch) is a supervillain appearing in comic books published by DC Comics, commonly as an adversary of the superhero Batman. He is modeled after the Hatter from Lewis Carroll's novel Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, a character often called the "Mad Hatter" in adaptations of Carroll. He is also a scientist who invents and uses technological mind control devices to influence and manipulate the minds of his victims. He is one of Batman's most enduring enemies and belongs to the collective of adversaries that make up Batman's rogues gallery.
The Mad Hatter has been substantially adapted from the comics into various forms of media, including feature films, television series, and video games. He has been voiced by Roddy McDowall in the DC animated universe and Peter MacNicol in the Batman: Arkham video game series, among others. He has also been portrayed in live-action by David Wayne in the 1960s Batman series, and Benedict Samuel in the Fox series Gotham. A variation of the character named Liam Crandle appeared in the third season premiere of the Arrowverse series Batwoman, portrayed by Amitai Marmorstein.
Characterization
Skills and abilities
While the Mad Hatter has no inherent superpowers, he is a brilliant 'neurotechnician' with considerable knowledge on how to dominate and control the human mind, either through hypnosis or direct technological means. Usually, the Hatter places his mind control devices in the brims of hats, but has been known to utilize other devices as well. More recently, he has been able to directly influence the minds of others at a distance without any apparent equipment. However, this is most likely not a newly emerging superhuman ability; more likely, his skill at miniaturizing and concealing technology, and advances upon his original technology, have probably allowed him to develop technology that permits him to use a device hidden upon his person (such as in his hat) to project mind controlling powers in the manner of a meta-human ability such as telepathic powers.
The Mad Hatter is not above using his own inventions on himself, such as creating a hat that can cause him both extreme bliss, as well as return him to lucidity when he deems it necessary. Despite his small stature, the Mad Hatter has been known to exhibit surprising strength and agility from time to time. In the graphic novel Madness, the Mad Hatter is shown as impressively holding his own in a fistfight with Batman atop a moving train.
Appearance
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The Mad Hatter has gone through many changes in his physical appearance over the years, but the basic look remains the same. In his debut, he was a very short brown (or auburn) haired man. When he reappeared in the early 1980s, he was depicted as of average height, with blonde hair. In later years, he was short again but with white hair. Today, Tetch has red hair much like his impostor did, but his size and height still seem to vary. Constants throughout his depictions are a slightly overlarge head and (more recently) very large teeth.
Film
- The Jervis Tetch incarnation of the Mad Hatter appears in Batman: Bad Blood, voiced by Robin Atkin Downes. This version works for the League of Assassins as one of Talia al Ghul's henchmen and helped turn Heretic, a clone of Damian Wayne, into the perfect soldier for the League. After Heretic captures Batman, Tetch reprograms his mind to follow Talia's orders and reveal his and his allies' secrets. After Batman helps the League infiltrate the World Tech Summit and take over Wayne Enterprises' technologies, Tetch brainwashes all of the attending politicians and dignitaries into obeying Talia. However, he is killed by a system overload caused in the ensuing battle between Batman's allies and Talia's henchmen.
- The Mad Hatter makes a cameo appearance in Batman Unlimited: Mechs vs. Mutants, voiced by an uncredited Alastair Duncan.
- The Batman (1966) incarnation of the Mad Hatter made a cameo appearance in Batman: Return of the Caped Crusaders.
- The Batman (1966) incarnation of the Mad Hatter makes a cameo appearance in Scooby-Doo! & Batman: The Brave and the Bold.
- The Mad Hatter appears in Batman: The Long Halloween, voiced by John DiMaggio.
See also
In Spanish: El Sombrerero Loco (cómic) para niños
- List of Batman family enemies
