I was Batman's first case -- and I'll be his last, too! 
- — The Clock src
"Slugsy" Kyle was the first criminal captured by Batman.
History
Batman caught Kyle trying to break into the Gotham Silverware Co. warehouse. Kyle feigned a broken leg and hit Batman over the head when Batman checked on it. This allowed Kyle to escape to his hideout in the abandoned Gotham Glass Works. Batman traced Kyle using the Thallium fibers in Kyle's footprints. Kyle managed to trap Batman in a net and tie him up in the basement, but Batman slipped out of his bonds using a bucket of rouge. Batman used mirrors to trick Kyle into shooting a reflection, then decked him from behind. Kyle was left tied up for the police with a note that said "This is for you. The time has come for the Batman."[1][2]
Kyle refused to rehabilitate in prison. He developed an obsession with learning how clocks work, so he could use them to take revenge on Batman. This is meant to be ironic, as Batman is the one who made him "do time." When Kyle was released, he made a supervillain costume and began calling himself "The Clock." His new hideout was a room filled with clocks. The Clock begins his vendetta by blowing up a clock statue dedicated to Batman, and promising Batman will die the next day at 3pm. His next caper is stealing valuable watch screws from a local wristwatch factory. Batman and Robin follow The Clock to an abandoned mill, where The Clock knocks them both out and ties them up. He ties Batman to a clock rigged with explosives, but Batman escapes with Robin before 3pm. Batman and Robin chase The Clock to Gotham City's Clock Fair, where The Clock is trying to steal valuable jewels out of a giant pocket watch. Batman uses the giant coils to ensnare The Clock, and Robin remarks that The Clock was caught by a clock. Kyle is returned to jail and given a cell facing the prison clock.[1]
Notes
- This version of Slugsy Kyle (Earth-Two), including all history and corresponding appearances, was erased from existence following the collapse of the original Multiverse in the 1985–86 Crisis on Infinite Earths event and later restored following the rebirth of the infinite Multiverse during the Dark Crisis of 2022–2023. Even though other versions of the character may have appeared, this information does not apply to those versions.
Recommended Reading
Related
- 3 Appearances of Slugsy Kyle (Earth-Two)
- 8 Images featuring Slugsy Kyle (Earth-Two)
- 1 Quotations by or about Slugsy Kyle (Earth-Two)
- Character Gallery: Slugsy Kyle (Earth-Two)
Footnotes
  Batman Villain(s) |