The Wrath

Written by Grant LaFleche
Picture by Ramon Villalobos

The Wrath

Secret Identity: Unknown

Aliases: None known

Known enemies: Henri Ducard, Red X, Batman, John Constantine

First DC2 Appearance: Batman: City of Crime #1

Base of Operations: Unknown. Believed mobile.

HT: 6' 4" (approx)

WT: Unknown, estimated at 235 lbs.

Eyes: Real color unknown. In mask, eye appear black.

Hair: Unknown

Powers and abilities: The Wrath is a master hand to hand fighter, on the same level as Batman or Shiva. He is also an expert with bladed weapons, incendiary devices such as flame throwers and has demonstrated a genius level knowledge of computers and poisons.

History: Little is known about the back ground of the Wrath. Interpol detective Henri Ducard has been tracking this serial killer for nearly a decade. Despite his best efforts, the Wrath remains a mystery. The few communications from the Wrath that have been recorded are deliberately cryptic, but also with a hidden message and clue to make the receiver jump through hoops - sometimes for an express purpose, but other times just as a means of distraction. Typically referring to the receiver as his "little friend", the Wrath often reveals details about the receiver's activities...indicating he has them under close surveillance.

His methods are, in many ways, a mirror of Batman's own. He deliberate creates a fog of fear around him, stalks his enemies with ruthless cunning, and is an apparent expert in many fields.

However, that is where the similarity ends. The Wrath seeks not to hunt criminals, but to indulge a sick and poorly understood need to sacrifice innocent lives to his goddess, Kali.

Apparently a worshiper of the Hindu goddess of death, the Wrath appears intent on triggering something he has referred to as "The Great Awaking". However, what exactly this means is unclear. Nevertheless, investigation by Ducard and the Gotham Gazette reporter Mickey Fynn suggests the Wrath believes making enough human sacrifices will bring Kali to life.

Curiously, the mystical and occultist John Constantine appears to take the actions of the Wrath very seriously, and while nothing is confirmed, Ducard believes Constantine may have begun to deliberately interfere with the Wrath's operations.

Although linked to murders around the world, the Wrath has an odd attachment to Gotham City and has been recorded as being there on multiple occasions, more often than in any other city. Almost immediately he came into conflict with the Batman.

During his first known murder spree in Gotham, the Wrath was ultimately stopped by the combined efforts of Fynn, fellow journalist Vicki Vale, and Batman's side kick Redwing.

The Wrath appears to never have forgotten that defeat. During his next visit to Gotham two years later, he murdered Redwing before Batman's eyes, burning him to death with a flame thrower. Or so Batman thought. In reality, it was another game. The Wrath used a cadaver dressed as Redwing and DNA samples to fool Batman. Redwing was the Wrath's prisoner for four years. He repeatedly tortured the boy. When Redwing finally escaped, or was released, he was broken and became one of his former masters most lethal foes.

During his last visit to the city, the Wrath targeted Vicki Vale. He kidnapped and drugged Vale. Although she was rescued by Batman before he could kill her, Vale had slipped into a coma she has yet to recover from.

The Wrath was last seen trapped in the burning remains of the Gotham city museum. However, no body was ever found and both Batman and Ducard believe it is only a matter of time before the Wrath resurfaces somewhere.