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Signalman (comics)
Fictional supervillain From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Signalman (Phillip Cobb) is a supervillain appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. He is a member of Batman's rogues gallery.
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Publication history
Signalman first appeared in Batman #112 (December 1957), and was created by Bill Finger and Sheldon Moldoff.[1]
Fictional character biography
Phillip "Phil" Cobb was a gangster with big ideas. He came to Gotham City intent on hiring a gang of his own and making it big, only to be laughed at when he tried to recruit the gang because he had no reputation. Steaming with anger, he vowed to prove himself to Gotham's mobsters, and when he noticed how modern society was regulated by signs, signals and symbols, he found the inspiration for his criminal career. As the Signalman, he went on a spectacular crime spree using those signs and symbols as his motif.[2]
Ultimately captured by Batman and Robin, he returned for a rematch a year later and became the Blue Bowman, a copycat of Green Arrow.[1][3][4] After that, he remained unseen until 1976, when he resumed his Signalman guise in Detective Comics #466.[5]
In the years since then, Signalman has also been a member of the Secret Society of Super Villains and, in that capacity, battles the Justice League and the Justice Society.[6][7]
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Powers and abilities
Signalman has no superhuman powers but he is a highly skilled hand-to-hand combatant. He also carries items such as a knockout-gas gun, miniature flares that cause fires, electric "sparks" capable of controlling the signals to the human brain, and a remote-control device in his belt that alters signals of an electronic nature.
Other versions
- Signalwoman, a character based on Signalman, makes minor appearances in Kingdom Come.
- An elderly Signalman appears in Batman Beyond, where he is released from prison and reforms before being murdered by an unknown assailant.[8]
In other media
Signalman makes non-speaking cameo appearances in Batman: The Brave and the Bold. Additionally, Blue Bowman appears in the episode "Deep Cover for Batman!" as an evil alternate universe version of Green Arrow and member of the Injustice Syndicate, voiced by James Arnold Taylor.[9]
See also
References
External links
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