My passport says I'm Simon Petrarch and I've been many things in my life-- explorer, adventurer, mercenary, spy. I've been too many things and I've seen too much. I've sold my soul by bits and pieces over the years until I have nothing left. 
- — Simon Petrarch src
Simon Petrarch is the main character of the propaganda comic book "Batman". In Gotham City, two comic book writers began writing a comic book series entitled Batman. The series was written to persuade the people of Gotham that the real vigilante was actually a public menace.
History
The writers, not knowing Batman's real secret identity, gave him the alias Simon Petrarch. Petrarch describes himself as an adventurer and mercenary in search of ultimate power. One day, when adventuring in the Himalayas, the man stumbles upon the shrine dedicated to Lucifer, himself. Lucifer, wishing to come to Earth so he can wreak havoc on its people, makes a deal with Petrarch. The adventurer would get ultimate power if he allowed Satan to possess him. Petrarch accepts and submits to the Devil.
As the man, now transformed with Lucifer, rises from the ground, he realizes his new superpowers and leaves to begin starting chaos. Petrarch chooses the city of Gotham as his base. Calling himself Batman, Petrarch terrorizes the criminals in it.[1]
Simon's guardian angel took the form of The Robin. He came to Batman's aid when the latter was captured by Joker. While Simon was grateful for his help, he denied his company, opting to transform a stray dog into his Bathound. When he caught up to Joker, he found that he had kidnapped and tortured Robin. Bathound was able to kill Joker, but the damage done to Robin's psyche.[2]
The trauma brought on by Robin's torture caused Simon to develop mental illness and turn himself into Arkham Asylum. At night; however, Lucifer would possess him and Simon would turn back into Batman. One night, he was ambushed by Catwoman, who removed Simon's soul from his body. Since this went against their agreement, God sent Lucifer back to Hell, giving Simon back his body. Unfortunately, this resulted in an explosion, with Simon dying from his wounds.[3]
Powers and Abilities
Powers
- Divine Empowerment[1]
- Magic: Petrarch was granted the powers of when he sold his soul for ultimate power. Petrarch was given incredible powers with the deal as well.[1]
- Astral Projection[3]
- Demonic Physiology[1]
- Claws[1]
- Energy Projection: Unlike the real Batman, Petrarch can shoot lasers out of his hand to hit his target.
- Invulnerability[1]
- Necrotic Empowerment[1]
- Power Distribution[2]
- Pyrokinesis[1]
- Superhuman Strength[1]
- Transformation[1]
- Magic: Petrarch was granted the powers of when he sold his soul for ultimate power. Petrarch was given incredible powers with the deal as well.[1]
Abilities
- Driving[2]
- Espionage: Simon mentioned being a spy.[1]
- Hand-to-Hand Combat (Advanced): Petrarch, like the real Batman, is an expert fighter. Whether he gained the ability through actual experience or through Lucifer is undetermined.
- Survival[1]
Other Characteristics
Related
- 3 Appearances of Simon Petrarch (Dark Genesis!)
- 4 Images featuring Simon Petrarch (Dark Genesis!)
- 2 Quotations by or about Simon Petrarch (Dark Genesis!)
- Character Gallery: Simon Petrarch (Dark Genesis!)
Footnotes
  This character is or was an incarnation of or an ally of Batman, and a member of the Batman Family. This template will automatically categorize articles that include it into the "Batman Family members" category. |