Paul Dekker (New Earth)

{{DC Database:Character Template
 * Image                  = Crazy Quilt.jpg
 * ImageText              = Crazy Quilt
 * RealName               = Paul Dekker
 * CurrentAlias           = Crazy Quilt
 * Distinguish1           =
 * Distinguish2           =
 * Aliases                =
 * Identity               = Secret
 * AlienRace              = Human
 * Alignment              = Bad
 * Affiliation            = Secret Society of Supervillains, Underground Society
 * Relatives              =
 * Universe               = Earth-One; New Earth
 * BaseOfOperations       = Gotham City


 * Gender                 = Male
 * Height                 = 5'11''
 * Weight                 = 172 lbs.
 * Eyes                   = Blue
 * Hair                   = Brown
 * UnusualFeatures        =


 * Citizenship            = American
 * MaritalStatus          = Single
 * Occupation             = Criminal
 * Education              =


 * Origin                 =
 * PlaceOfBirth           =
 * Creators               = Jack Kirby
 * First                  = Boy Commandos #15

Crazy-Quilt is a noted painter who leads a double-life as a master criminal. He gives the plans for his crimes to various henchmen through clues left in his paintings. His criminal empire crashes to a halt when one of his henchmen double-crosses him and sets him up to be arrested. Blinded by a gunshot wound, he is sent to prison, where he volunteers for an experimental procedure that restores his vision. This is combined with a special helmet fused to his optic nerves
 * HistoryText            =

The procedure works to a point, but has a tragic side effect: he can see, but the colors are blindingly vivid and disorienting. It drives him mad, and upon his release he takes on the guise of Crazy-Quilt. He is stopped first by the Boy Commandos, but has since had encounters with Batman, Batgirl and two Robins, Dick Grayson and Jason Todd.

Crazy-Quilt's sight is restored briefly for a time after he kidnaps a surgeon to assist him. Batman and Grayson intervene. In self defense, Robin reflects the madman's light beams back into his newly restored eyes. Unintentionally, Quilt is permanently blinded. Obsessing over his young adversary, he becomes one of the few bat-villains to hate Robin more than his mentor. This extends to Graysons' successors in the role. Later, thinking to enact his revenge upon Grayson, he mistakenly takes out his aggression on Jason Todd, who was new to the role at the time. Todd is nearly beaten to death. Again, it is Robin who is pivotal to stopping Crazy Quilt's plans.

Crazy-Quilt appears in the Belle Reve riot in Justice League #34, lugging around the eviscerated body of the prison warden. The prisoners, along with much of humanity, were being affected by outside forces.

He also has a role in one of the many reincarnations of the Secret Society of Super Villains. In the JLA-80 Page Giant #1 (1998), dozens of villains form in response to the JLA's new moonbase and extended team efforts. During the meeting, Quilt has his outfit insulted by the Monocle. The meeting turns out to be a JLA trap and all the villains are captured.

Recommended Readings

 * Boy Commandos #15
 * Boy Commandos #18
 * Boy Commandos #22
 * Boy Commandos #24
 * Batman #316
 * Batman #368
 * Detective Comics #535
 * Batman #400
 * Batman: Shadow of the Bat #3
 * Batman: Shadow of the Bat #4
 * Underworld Unleashed #1
 * JLA #34

Related Articles

 * Crazy Quilt appearances list
 * Batman (Bruce Wayne)
 * Batman (Earth-One)
 * Boy Commandos
 * Robin (Jason Todd)


 * Powers                 = All of Crazy Quilt's abilities are derived from his helmet/visor.
 * Abilities              =
 * Strength               = Crazy Quilt possesses the strength level of a man his age, size and weight who engages in moderate regular exercise.
 * Weaknesses             =


 * Equipment              = Mind-controlling Helmet
 * Transportation         =
 * Weapons                =


 * Notes                  =
 * Trivia                 =
 * Apparently the new Secret Society of Super-Villains, led by Alexander Luthor, has in its roster a new version of Crazy Quilt, a female one with the characteristic costume and vision-helmet of the previous villain.
 * DC                     =
 * Wikipedia              = Crazy Quilt
 * Links                  =
 * Crazy Quilt biography page at the Unofficial Guide to the DC Universe

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