Hugo Strange (Burtonverse)

Dr. Hugo Strange was a brilliant yet sinister chemist and psychologist who previously collaborated with both the United States Army and the Joker.

History

During the Cold War, Strange worked with Kashif to create super-soldiers for the US Armed Forces, utilizing special drugs and psychological torture.

In 1989, Strange was employed by the Joker to develop and produce his Smylex chemical at Axis Chemicals during his notorious reign of terror over Gotham. It was thought that Strange had died after Batman demolished the factory, but he managed to survive and quickly came up with a new plan: build an army of Monster Men, super-strong but mindless beasts. He uses his understanding of psychology and chemistry to impact the mayhem in Gotham by manipulating events behind the scenes. Additionally, Strange contributes to Clayface's metamorphosis by providing him with protection and a remedy in return for help.

After being detained, Strange was transferred to Blackgate Penitentiary. After Batman exposes his deceit, including his attempt to persuade Gotham that the Joker staged his demise, he is defeated. Strange had been causing mayhem in the city by impersonating the Joker with Clayface. Strange is arrested after Batman reveals the truth.

He later became a psychiatrist at Arkham Asylum, mentoring Jonathan Crane. However, Crane had Strange killed by Blockbuster after learning everything the former knew.

Powers and Abilities

Powers

Genius Level Intellect

Paraphernalia

Equipment

Nepentholene - A drug that serves as potential treatment of PTSD, which makes users forget whatever traumatic experience they went through.
Samurai - Another drug that presumably puts its users in either a state of fear or hyperactivity.

Notes

This version of the character is exclusive to the continuity of the Burtonverse franchise and is an adaptation of Hugo Strange. The original character was created by Bob Kane and Bill Finger and first appeared in Detective Comics #36.

Trivia

Hugo Strange (credited as Axis Chemicals Scientist) was portrayed by Michael Balfour in Batman (1989).
In Batman: Resurrection, it was retconned that the scientist at Axis Chemicals that Joker hired to create Smylex was Hugo Strange, corroborated by his visual appearance in Batman '89: Echoes.