Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight #187 is an issue of the series Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight (Volume 1) with a cover date of March, 2005. It was published on January 12, 2005.
Synopsis for "Riddle Me That, Part Three"
The explosion jolted the train but it remained on the tracks because the Batman actually jumped out of the train. In a fiery blaze, Batman's fire retardant suit burns away and Batman lands on a pile of garbage from below on a street curb. Batman gets to his feet and tries to recover until a voice startles him from behind. Riddler counted on Batman jumping out of the train to save the passengers and the location where he would land when the bomb went off.
Martin Buttery tells Batman that he knows what Riddler is planning. Martin agrees that he is not as smart as Riddler but he isn't stupid nor predictable like Riddler. Batman demands to know where Harris is. Martin gives Batman the coordinates to where Harris is being held prisoner. Batman comes across two doors with glowing question marks. Batman uses a bat bomb to destroy the doors. The glass that the doors were made of, cracked and water began to spill out.
Harris came out of the rush of water while coughing from the water in her lungs. Harris thanks Batman for saving her and Batman tells Harris that nosy reporters maybe a badge of honor in Metropolis but in Gotham, its a death sentence. Batman tells Harris to leave Gotham as he picks her up and notices a Riddler wristband similar to his on her wrist. The wristbands sync up with one another and project a hologram of Riddler.
Riddler confirms Batman's suspicion that his wristband is a bomb even though the Batmobile couldn't determine the second explosive in the Game Box. Harris' wristband acts a detonator with a ten meter radius. If the two of them should separate beyond ten meters or attempt to tamper with the devices then Batman's wristband explodes. Harris expresses her terror about the situation but she is equally excited by Riddler's incredible scheme. Batman jokingly points that Harris thought Riddler was pathetic but now he's incredible.
Batman and Harris enter the Batmobile. Batman continues to wonder why Dr. Dallaway was kidnapped, why Koughun was threatened and why he is being led on a wild goose chase since Riddler was counting on Batman surviving the attempted explosion of the train. Harris interjects by asking what about her almost drowning. Batman heads back to Koughun's home for more clues. Batman tells Koughun to reveal everything he knows before he tries the Dark Knight's patience.
Koughun explains that he owns a building that handles finances where there is a large vault underground. The underground vault is adjacent to a wall connected to the Cyrus Pinkney Museum. Koughun says Riddler had no interest in the money that was kept in the underground vault but he wanted access so he could cut through into the museum and bypass most of the museum's security. Riddler threatened to harm Koughun's affair if he refused to be compliant.
The clues came together and Batman determined that Koughun was having an affair with Dr. Brendan Dallaway. Koughun was worried that if his affair or him being labelled as a homosexual may jeopardize everything that he has built. Batman assures Koughun that he will save Dallaway and notices Harris staring at another portrait in Koughun's study. Batman gets her attention as they make their exit.
On the other side of the city, Riddler is admiring an artifact in the Greek exhibit of the Cyrus Pinkney Museum. The curator says the Scroll of Minos is a priceless parchment said to have been penned by the famed architect Daedalus. The scroll contains the plans to constructing the Labyrinth of the Minotaur. The curator goes on by saying the Minos Dynasty was referred to as the House of the Double Axe and the word "Labrys" means double axe which can be seen as a symbol of feminine power. Riddler is fascinated by the curator's knowledge and begins to flirt with the professor about wanting to learn more. Riddler offers to wine and dine her when the museum closes for the night.
In Riddler's flashback with Professor Buttery, Edward was upset that Buttery was digging into his past. Buttery assures Nashton that he meant no ill well but he simply wanted to understand how Edward's genius was never allowed to bloom. Buttery asks Edward if he ever had moments where could channel his abilities or have some sort of mental release. Nashton recounts in his mind about all the times he faced Batman as the Riddler.
Buttery came across old school records about Edward's childhood. The school identified Edward as someone with special gifts as a child protege with a remarkably high IQ. However, his talents were repressed by his father. Nashton starts to remember a puzzle competition but the memory brought him great strain. Nashton said he cheated at the puzzle competition to win but Buttery finds it hard to believe because its impossible to cheat these IQ tests. Buttery could tell that Edward's father belittled his gifts and success as a genius by brutally making him believe that he is a cheater who could never genuinely accomplish anything.
Edward broke down on his knees crying as he remembered everything from his childhood. Buttery tells Edward that his father made him believe he was a cheater and worthless when all evidence points the contrary. Martin crept into the room and could see how his father gave Edward more understanding that he had never experienced in his life. The love Buttery had for Edward made Martin boil with rage and envy. Buttery tells Edward that in time, he will come to terms with his past and it will no longer inhibit his great mind. Edward tells Buttery that he sees endless possibilities but warns him not to look into his past again.
Appearing in "Riddle Me That, Part Three"
Featured Characters:
- Batman (Flashback and main story)
Supporting Characters:
- Kara Harris
Antagonists:
- The Riddler (Flashback and main story)
Other Characters:
- Nataniel Koughun (Voice)
- Martin Buttery (Flashback and main story)
- Professor Jarrod Buttery (Flashback only)
- Dr. Brendan Dallaway (Mentioned only)
Locations:
Items:
Vehicles:
See Also
- Cover gallery for the Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight series
- Images from Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight Vol 1 187