Alberto Falcone
Encyclopedia
Alberto Falcone is a fictional comic book villain appearing in books published by DC Comics
, in particular the Batman
books. In addition to being a mobster, he has also taken credit to be serial killer
the Holiday Killer
in Jeph Loeb
and Tim Sale
's series Batman: The Long Halloween
and Batman: Dark Victory
.
crime lord Carmine Falcone
and his wife Louisa on February 14, Alberto Falcone was an outcast in his family of mobsters, a nonexistent part of the family business. His father supported his older siblings Mario and Sofia Gigante involvement in the "business" which created a pathological jealousy. He fought his way up on a scholarship to Harvard University
and later went onto Oxford
. Alberto Falcone was always eager to follow his father's footsteps and offered his service, but Carmine Falcone refused to let his son get involved in his "business," apparently wishing for Alberto Falcone to live a normal life. It is suggested that, contrary to Carmine's open feelings, Alberto may have truly been his favorite child. However, Alberto Falcone had other plans.
, various Gotham City criminals are murdered by a mysterious vigilante known as "the Holiday Killer." At first, the murdered criminals are connected to Carmine Falcone. "The Irish," a gang of Irish hitmen for hire, are all put under Carmine Falcone's payroll to kill then-district-attorney Harvey Dent by blowing up his house. Later, on Thanksgiving
, they are all murdered in a hotel banquet room as they sit down to eat Thanksgiving dinner. By Christmas
, Milos Grappa, Carmine Falcone's bodyguard is murdered in front of Don's building. It initially seems to be the work of one of Falcone's rivals. On New Year's Eve
, however, Alberto Falcone is apparently killed by Holiday during a party on board Falcone's yacht. His body is found and identified by his grieving father and Jasper Dolan, the Gotham City coroner
.
During the next few months Holiday starts killing members of Sal Maroni
's mob. This leads to a huge gang war between Falcone and the Maronis, forcing Falcone to employ "freaks" such as The Riddler and Poison Ivy to stabilize his empire. A large number of Maroni's soldiers are killed alongside some of Falcone's guards at Maroni's only legitimate business; an Italian restaurant. Another amount of Maroni's men are assassinated at his safe house
on St. Patrick's Day, just before Falcone's daughter could go there and pull a hit on them herself. On April Fools Day, Riddler is attacked but left unharmed, so he could publicly tell that Falcone was actively looking for Holiday himself. Holiday's guns are traced back to Gotham's Chinatown
neighborhood, but the Chinese
gun-maker is found murdered inside his shop on Mother's Day
.
On Father's Day
, Sal "Boss" Maroni's father, Luigi Maroni, is shot and killed in his tomato-garden. During the Independence Day
celebrations, Jasper Dolan, the coroner, is found dead at Gotham Docks with two bullets in his chest. Alberto Falcone's aunt, Carla Viti, launches an investigation of her own into her son Johnny's death, only to be fatally shot at the coroner's office on the day of what would have a "Roman" holiday, Carmine Falcone's own birthday.
On Labor Day
, while Sal "Boss" Maroni is being transported to a safer area after disfiguring Harvey Dent in court, Alberto Falcone appears from nowhere and kills him with two shots to the head. He is arrested by Jim Gordon
after Batman beats him so badly he loses feeling in one arm.
Alberto later admits to committing all of the Holiday murders, including that of his cousin, Johnny Viti. His father offers to use his influence to free Alberto, if he only admits to killing Maroni. Alberto refuses, however, smugly saying that his new reputation as Holiday makes him much bigger than his father and all the gangsters in the mob put together. He is convicted by the jury and sentenced to the gas chamber
. Although Alberto initially receives the death sentence, his unstable mental state allows him to instead plead insanity. He is imprisoned in Arkham Asylum
instead, across the hall from the Calendar Man
, another holiday-obsessed villain who is afraid that Holiday might overshadow him.
, Alberto Falcone is released from Arkham with aid from D.A. Janice Porter, Dent's replacement, despite Gordon's recommendation that he remain in Arkham. Alberto is now under house arrest in his family home outside Gotham, with his brother Mario and sister Sofia Gigante. A tracer is attached to his leg in order to prevent an escape. While in the house, Alberto is manipulated by The Scarecrow
and Calendar Man into believing that he is being contacted by the ghost of his dead father; the Scarecrow, a former psychologist
, determines that Alberto is most afraid of his father, and the Calendar Man poses as the Roman's 'ghost' to permanently eliminate his 'rival'. The gun from the Holiday murders is soon left in his possession, which he uses to save Sofia from The Joker
. On Carmine Falcone's birthday, Alberto receives another gun to kill Sofia in order to usurp powers of the five crime families (actually a part of Two-Face
's plan to destroy the crime families). Alberto nearly kills her in a Holiday-style shooting, but ultimately stops himself.
Following Janice Porter's death, Two-Face has her body left in Alberto's bed in order to trick him into thinking he had killed her. This time Scarecrow uses his fear toxins to make Alberto hallucinate that his father's voice is commanding him to commit suicide
. Alberto then knows that the voice is not real — his father did not believe in suicide — and he exposes Calendar Man. What happens next is never explicitly shown, but later events suggest that Calendar Man shoots and wounds Alberto, at which point Sofia Falcone attacks Calendar Man, breaking his jaw and attaching her brother's electronic monitoring ankle collar to him, leaving him unconscious outside the Falcone estate for Batman and the authorities to find. (Gordon and Batman appear doubtful that Alberto could have injured the Calendar Man so badly himself.) Sofia then takes her wounded brother to a hiding place in the Falcone mausoleum. There Sofia criticizes Alberto for complaining about the pain, recalling how Carmine had survived five shots to the chest. Alberto replies that he is not his father. Sofia, disgusted, agrees with this assessment and smothers him to death.
DC Comics
DC Comics, Inc. is one of the largest and most successful companies operating in the market for American comic books and related media. It is the publishing unit of DC Entertainment a company of Warner Bros. Entertainment, which itself is owned by Time Warner...
, in particular the Batman
Batman
Batman is a fictional character created by the artist Bob Kane and writer Bill Finger. A comic book superhero, Batman first appeared in Detective Comics #27 , and since then has appeared primarily in publications by DC Comics...
books. In addition to being a mobster, he has also taken credit to be serial killer
Serial killer
A serial killer, as typically defined, is an individual who has murdered three or more people over a period of more than a month, with down time between the murders, and whose motivation for killing is usually based on psychological gratification...
the Holiday Killer
Holiday (comics)
Holiday or the Holiday Killer is a fictional character appearing in the Batman story The Long Halloween by writer Jeph Loeb and artist Tim Sale as well as Dark Victory...
in Jeph Loeb
Jeph Loeb
Joseph "Jeph" Loeb III is an American film and television writer, producer and award-winning comic book writer. Loeb was a producer/writer on the TV series Smallville and Lost, writer for the films Commando and Teen Wolf and was a writer and Co-Executive Producer on the NBC TV show Heroes from its...
and Tim Sale
Tim Sale (artist)
Tim Sale is an American Eisner Award-winning comic book artist. He is primarily known for his collaborations with writer Jeph Loeb.-Early life:...
's series Batman: The Long Halloween
Batman: The Long Halloween
Batman: The Long Halloween is a 13-issue comic book limited series written by Jeph Loeb with art by Tim Sale. It was originally published by DC Comics in 1996 and 1997. It was inspired by the three Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight Halloween Specials by the same creative team...
and Batman: Dark Victory
Batman: Dark Victory
Batman: Dark Victory is a 14-part comic book limited series written by Jeph Loeb and drawn by Tim Sale. The series is a sequel to Batman: The Long Halloween and was originally published from 1999 to 2000 by DC Comics. The series takes place primarily during the third/fourth year of Batman's career...
.
Fictional character biography
Born to Gotham CityGotham City
Gotham City is a fictional U.S. city appearing in DC Comics, best known as the home of Batman. Batman's place of residence was first identified as Gotham City in Batman #4 . Gotham City is strongly inspired by Trenton, Ontario's history, location, atmosphere, and various architectural styles...
crime lord Carmine Falcone
Carmine Falcone
Carmine "The Roman" Falcone is a fictional character in DC Comics' shared universe, the DC Universe, who made his debut in the four part story Batman: Year One written by Frank Miller and David Mazzucchelli in 1987.- Publication history :...
and his wife Louisa on February 14, Alberto Falcone was an outcast in his family of mobsters, a nonexistent part of the family business. His father supported his older siblings Mario and Sofia Gigante involvement in the "business" which created a pathological jealousy. He fought his way up on a scholarship to Harvard University
Harvard University
Harvard University is a private Ivy League university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States, established in 1636 by the Massachusetts legislature. Harvard is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and the first corporation chartered in the country...
and later went onto Oxford
Oxford
The city of Oxford is the county town of Oxfordshire, England. The city, made prominent by its medieval university, has a population of just under 165,000, with 153,900 living within the district boundary. It lies about 50 miles north-west of London. The rivers Cherwell and Thames run through...
. Alberto Falcone was always eager to follow his father's footsteps and offered his service, but Carmine Falcone refused to let his son get involved in his "business," apparently wishing for Alberto Falcone to live a normal life. It is suggested that, contrary to Carmine's open feelings, Alberto may have truly been his favorite child. However, Alberto Falcone had other plans.
Batman: The Long Halloween
Throughout Batman: The Long HalloweenBatman: The Long Halloween
Batman: The Long Halloween is a 13-issue comic book limited series written by Jeph Loeb with art by Tim Sale. It was originally published by DC Comics in 1996 and 1997. It was inspired by the three Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight Halloween Specials by the same creative team...
, various Gotham City criminals are murdered by a mysterious vigilante known as "the Holiday Killer." At first, the murdered criminals are connected to Carmine Falcone. "The Irish," a gang of Irish hitmen for hire, are all put under Carmine Falcone's payroll to kill then-district-attorney Harvey Dent by blowing up his house. Later, on Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving Day is a holiday celebrated primarily in the United States and Canada. Thanksgiving is celebrated each year on the second Monday of October in Canada and on the fourth Thursday of November in the United States. In Canada, Thanksgiving falls on the same day as Columbus Day in the...
, they are all murdered in a hotel banquet room as they sit down to eat Thanksgiving dinner. By Christmas
Christmas
Christmas or Christmas Day is an annual holiday generally celebrated on December 25 by billions of people around the world. It is a Christian feast that commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ, liturgically closing the Advent season and initiating the season of Christmastide, which lasts twelve days...
, Milos Grappa, Carmine Falcone's bodyguard is murdered in front of Don's building. It initially seems to be the work of one of Falcone's rivals. On New Year's Eve
New Year's Eve
New Year's Eve is observed annually on December 31, the final day of any given year in the Gregorian calendar. In modern societies, New Year's Eve is often celebrated at social gatherings, during which participants dance, eat, consume alcoholic beverages, and watch or light fireworks to mark the...
, however, Alberto Falcone is apparently killed by Holiday during a party on board Falcone's yacht. His body is found and identified by his grieving father and Jasper Dolan, the Gotham City coroner
Coroner
A coroner is a government official who* Investigates human deaths* Determines cause of death* Issues death certificates* Maintains death records* Responds to deaths in mass disasters* Identifies unknown dead* Other functions depending on local laws...
.
During the next few months Holiday starts killing members of Sal Maroni
Sal Maroni
Salvatore "The Boss" Maroni is a fictional character appearing in comic books published by DC Comics, usually as one of Batman's first enemies, and among the toughest gangsters in Gotham City...
's mob. This leads to a huge gang war between Falcone and the Maronis, forcing Falcone to employ "freaks" such as The Riddler and Poison Ivy to stabilize his empire. A large number of Maroni's soldiers are killed alongside some of Falcone's guards at Maroni's only legitimate business; an Italian restaurant. Another amount of Maroni's men are assassinated at his safe house
Safe house
In the jargon of law enforcement and intelligence agencies, a safe house is a secure location, suitable for hiding witnesses, agents or other persons perceived as being in danger...
on St. Patrick's Day, just before Falcone's daughter could go there and pull a hit on them herself. On April Fools Day, Riddler is attacked but left unharmed, so he could publicly tell that Falcone was actively looking for Holiday himself. Holiday's guns are traced back to Gotham's Chinatown
Chinatown
A Chinatown is an ethnic enclave of overseas Chinese people, although it is often generalized to include various Southeast Asian people. Chinatowns exist throughout the world, including East Asia, Southeast Asia, the Americas, Australasia, and Europe. Binondo's Chinatown located in Manila,...
neighborhood, but the Chinese
Chinese people
The term Chinese people may refer to any of the following:*People with Han Chinese ethnicity ....
gun-maker is found murdered inside his shop on Mother's Day
Mother's Day
Mother's Day is a celebration honoring mothers and celebrating motherhood, maternal bonds, and the influence of mothers in society. It is celebrated on various days in many parts of the world, yet most commonly in March, April, or May...
.
On Father's Day
Father's Day
Father's Day is a celebration honoring fathers and celebrating fatherhood, paternal bonds, and the influence of fathers in society. Many countries celebrate it on the third Sunday of June but it is also celebrated widely on other days...
, Sal "Boss" Maroni's father, Luigi Maroni, is shot and killed in his tomato-garden. During the Independence Day
Independence Day (United States)
Independence Day, commonly known as the Fourth of July, is a federal holiday in the United States commemorating the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, declaring independence from the Kingdom of Great Britain...
celebrations, Jasper Dolan, the coroner, is found dead at Gotham Docks with two bullets in his chest. Alberto Falcone's aunt, Carla Viti, launches an investigation of her own into her son Johnny's death, only to be fatally shot at the coroner's office on the day of what would have a "Roman" holiday, Carmine Falcone's own birthday.
On Labor Day
Labor Day
Labor Day is a United States federal holiday observed on the first Monday in September that celebrates the economic and social contributions of workers.-History:...
, while Sal "Boss" Maroni is being transported to a safer area after disfiguring Harvey Dent in court, Alberto Falcone appears from nowhere and kills him with two shots to the head. He is arrested by Jim Gordon
James Gordon (comics)
James Worthington Gordon, Sr. is a fictional character, an ally of Batman that appears in comic books published by DC Comics. The character first appeared in Detective Comics #27 , and was created by Bill Finger and Bob Kane...
after Batman beats him so badly he loses feeling in one arm.
Alberto later admits to committing all of the Holiday murders, including that of his cousin, Johnny Viti. His father offers to use his influence to free Alberto, if he only admits to killing Maroni. Alberto refuses, however, smugly saying that his new reputation as Holiday makes him much bigger than his father and all the gangsters in the mob put together. He is convicted by the jury and sentenced to the gas chamber
Gas chamber
A gas chamber is an apparatus for killing humans or animals with gas, consisting of a sealed chamber into which a poisonous or asphyxiant gas is introduced. The most commonly used poisonous agent is hydrogen cyanide; carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide have also been used...
. Although Alberto initially receives the death sentence, his unstable mental state allows him to instead plead insanity. He is imprisoned in Arkham Asylum
Arkham Asylum
The Elizabeth Arkham Asylum for the Criminally Insane, commonly referred to simply as Arkham Asylum, is a fictional psychiatric hospital in the DC Comics Universe, usually appearing in stories featuring Batman...
instead, across the hall from the Calendar Man
Calendar Man
Calendar Man is a fictional comic book supervillain, and an enemy of Batman, who appeared in books published by DC Comics. He first appeared in Detective Comics #259...
, another holiday-obsessed villain who is afraid that Holiday might overshadow him.
Batman: Dark Victory
In Batman: Dark VictoryBatman: Dark Victory
Batman: Dark Victory is a 14-part comic book limited series written by Jeph Loeb and drawn by Tim Sale. The series is a sequel to Batman: The Long Halloween and was originally published from 1999 to 2000 by DC Comics. The series takes place primarily during the third/fourth year of Batman's career...
, Alberto Falcone is released from Arkham with aid from D.A. Janice Porter, Dent's replacement, despite Gordon's recommendation that he remain in Arkham. Alberto is now under house arrest in his family home outside Gotham, with his brother Mario and sister Sofia Gigante. A tracer is attached to his leg in order to prevent an escape. While in the house, Alberto is manipulated by The Scarecrow
Scarecrow (comics)
The Scarecrow is a fictional character, a supervillain, that appears in comic books published by DC Comics. The character first appeared in World's Finest Comics #3 and was created by Bill Finger and Bob Kane...
and Calendar Man into believing that he is being contacted by the ghost of his dead father; the Scarecrow, a former psychologist
Psychologist
Psychologist is a professional or academic title used by individuals who are either:* Clinical professionals who work with patients in a variety of therapeutic contexts .* Scientists conducting psychological research or teaching psychology in a college...
, determines that Alberto is most afraid of his father, and the Calendar Man poses as the Roman's 'ghost' to permanently eliminate his 'rival'. The gun from the Holiday murders is soon left in his possession, which he uses to save Sofia from The Joker
Joker (comics)
The Joker is a fictional character, a comic book supervillain published by DC Comics. He is the archenemy of Batman, having been directly responsible for numerous tragedies in Batman's life, including the paralysis of Barbara Gordon and the death of Jason Todd, the second Robin...
. On Carmine Falcone's birthday, Alberto receives another gun to kill Sofia in order to usurp powers of the five crime families (actually a part of Two-Face
Two-Face
Two-Face is a fictional comic book supervillain who appears in comic books published by DC Comics. and is an enemy of Batman. The character first appeared in Detective Comics #66 , and was created by Bob Kane and Bill Finger....
's plan to destroy the crime families). Alberto nearly kills her in a Holiday-style shooting, but ultimately stops himself.
Following Janice Porter's death, Two-Face has her body left in Alberto's bed in order to trick him into thinking he had killed her. This time Scarecrow uses his fear toxins to make Alberto hallucinate that his father's voice is commanding him to commit suicide
Suicide
Suicide is the act of intentionally causing one's own death. Suicide is often committed out of despair or attributed to some underlying mental disorder, such as depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, alcoholism, or drug abuse...
. Alberto then knows that the voice is not real — his father did not believe in suicide — and he exposes Calendar Man. What happens next is never explicitly shown, but later events suggest that Calendar Man shoots and wounds Alberto, at which point Sofia Falcone attacks Calendar Man, breaking his jaw and attaching her brother's electronic monitoring ankle collar to him, leaving him unconscious outside the Falcone estate for Batman and the authorities to find. (Gordon and Batman appear doubtful that Alberto could have injured the Calendar Man so badly himself.) Sofia then takes her wounded brother to a hiding place in the Falcone mausoleum. There Sofia criticizes Alberto for complaining about the pain, recalling how Carmine had survived five shots to the chest. Alberto replies that he is not his father. Sofia, disgusted, agrees with this assessment and smothers him to death.
External links
- Alberto Falcone at the DC Comics Database
- Alberto Falcone at the Batman WIki