Hangman (DC Comics)
Encyclopedia
The Hangman is a fictional character
, a supervillain
in the DC Universe
and an early enemy of Batman
featured in Batman: Dark Victory
. The Hangman's identity was Sofia Falcone Gigante (her brother Mario later legally changes her name to Sofia Gigante). Despite being a wheelchair
user and wearing a neck brace
(even disclosing to Batman she can't use the bathroom without assistance) from the events at the end of The Long Halloween, she somehow regained her strength. She only used the wheelchair as a ruse. When she almost kills Two-Face with the noose, she quotes her father Carmine: "You're never stronger than when your enemies think you're weak." Then telling Two-Face, "Nobody looked beyond the woman in the wheelchair!"
who murder
s police officers on every holiday of the year, leaving behind a version of the children's word game "Hangman" (with key letters missing) spelled with letters in blood on each new victim. During the events of Batman: The Long Halloween
(to which Dark Victory is a sequel
), Batman captured and imprisoned Alberto Falcone
, the serial killer known as Holiday who murdered members of the Falcone crime family on holidays (although Harvey Dent's wife Gilda claims to have been the first Holiday, and technically, by murdering Alberto's father, Carmine Falcone
, in the final issue of The Long Halloween, however, Dent himself is the final Holiday killer). Soon afterwards, the Hangman killings begin during the remaining parts of Year Two and most of Year Three.
Batman enlists the help of James Gordon, but is still left troubled after Harvey Dent is horribly scarred by a criminal he is prosecuting, bringing out into the open his latent multiple personality disorder and transforming him into a violent crime boss. Now known as Two-Face, Dent wreaks havoc on Gotham and forces Batman to confront his former ally.
In the end, the Hangman is revealed to be Sofia Falcone Gigante, daughter of the late crime boss. After seeing her father murdered by Two-Face, Sofia charges forward and is restrained by Catwoman
. During the struggle, Catwoman scars the right side of Sofia's face and the two tumble out a window. In Dark Victory Catwoman tells Batman that when Sofia fell, her bolo/whip became tangled around Sofia's neck. The whip then caught on a stone gargoyle
and threw Sofia through another window, and the broken glass sheared off the right side of her face. Catwoman (who believes that she is Falcone's illegitimate daughter) follows Sofia to Europe
where she undergoes plastic surgery
to restore the damage done to her face.
Sofia, who appears in a wheelchair for the majority the story, is shown with the left side of her face scarred, which we find she did herself after the surgery to be closer to her father's spirit (who was himself scarred by Catwoman in Batman: Year One
). Catwoman tells Batman she was able to find the doctor who treated her ruined face, but not one who treated her paralysis
. This is because her paralysis was a ruse, in order to appear weak and avoid being a suspect in the Hangman murders (interestingly in issue #8, "Battle", the Joker deduces this, but is ambushed by Alberto and then Batman before he can truly test his theory). Her final target is Two-Face himself, although Batman saves him, and Dent kills Sofia with a gunshot to the head.
Fictional character
A character is the representation of a person in a narrative work of art . Derived from the ancient Greek word kharaktêr , the earliest use in English, in this sense, dates from the Restoration, although it became widely used after its appearance in Tom Jones in 1749. From this, the sense of...
, a supervillain
Supervillain
A supervillain or supervillainess is a variant of the villain character type, commonly found in comic books, action movies and science fiction in various media.They are sometimes used as foils to superheroes and other fictional heroes...
in the DC Universe
DC Universe
The DC Universe is the shared universe where most of the comic stories published by DC Comics take place. The fictional characters Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman are well-known superheroes from this universe. Note that in context, "DC Universe" is usually used to refer to the main DC continuity...
and an early enemy of 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...
featured in 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...
. The Hangman's identity was Sofia Falcone Gigante (her brother Mario later legally changes her name to Sofia Gigante). Despite being a wheelchair
Wheelchair
A wheelchair is a chair with wheels, designed to be a replacement for walking. The device comes in variations where it is propelled by motors or by the seated occupant turning the rear wheels by hand. Often there are handles behind the seat for someone else to do the pushing...
user and wearing a neck brace
Cervical collar
A cervical collar is an orthopedic medical device used to support a patient's neck and head. It is also used by emergency personnel for victims of traumatic head or neck injuries, and can be used to treat chronic medical conditions....
(even disclosing to Batman she can't use the bathroom without assistance) from the events at the end of The Long Halloween, she somehow regained her strength. She only used the wheelchair as a ruse. When she almost kills Two-Face with the noose, she quotes her father Carmine: "You're never stronger than when your enemies think you're weak." Then telling Two-Face, "Nobody looked beyond the woman in the wheelchair!"
Plot overview
Hangman is a serial killerSerial 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...
who murder
Murder
Murder is the unlawful killing, with malice aforethought, of another human being, and generally this state of mind distinguishes murder from other forms of unlawful homicide...
s police officers on every holiday of the year, leaving behind a version of the children's word game "Hangman" (with key letters missing) spelled with letters in blood on each new victim. During the events of 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...
(to which Dark Victory is a sequel
Sequel
A sequel is a narrative, documental, or other work of literature, film, theatre, or music that continues the story of or expands upon issues presented in some previous work...
), Batman captured and imprisoned Alberto Falcone
Alberto Falcone
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...
, the serial killer known as Holiday who murdered members of the Falcone crime family on holidays (although Harvey Dent's wife Gilda claims to have been the first Holiday, and technically, by murdering Alberto's father, 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 :...
, in the final issue of The Long Halloween, however, Dent himself is the final Holiday killer). Soon afterwards, the Hangman killings begin during the remaining parts of Year Two and most of Year Three.
The victims
The many victims of the Hangman Killer were all law-enforcement agency related, some straight, others corrupt, and they were important in leading to Harvey Dent earning his position of District Attorney, in some way or another. They are as follows:- Chief Clancy O'Hara - O'Hara was the chief of the GCPD, one of the few incorruptible police. While still a sergeant years ago, he and then-officer Stan Merkel were noted for capturing then-teenage Mario Falcone, who was prosecuted by then-Assistant District Attorney Harvey Dent. He was the first victim of Hangman, found hanging from the Westward bridge with a rope around his neck. (Hangman Solution: Initially believed to be "None of you are safe", but later deduced by Dick GraysonDick GraysonDick Grayson is a fictional superhero that appears in comic books published by DC Comics. Created by Bob Kane and Bill Finger and illustrator Jerry Robinson, he first appeared in Detective Comics #38 in April 1940....
to be "Nine of you are safe", referring to the Falcone family.)
- CommissionerCommissionerCommissioner is in principle the title given to a member of a commission or to an individual who has been given a commission ....
Gillian B. Loeb - Loeb was the Police Commissioner before being fired and replaced during the events of Year One. He was a friend to both Falcone and Sal MaroniSal MaroniSalvatore "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...
, which made him so corruptible that no one prior to Batman: Year OneBatman: Year One"Year One", later referred to as "Batman: Year One", is an American comic book story arc written by Frank Miller, illustrated by David Mazzucchelli, colored by Richmond Lewis, and lettered by Todd Klein...
would try to take him down. Found hanging in his own residence with the typical clue sheet being a personal sheet of paper marked "From the desk of Harvey Dent, D.A," which leads to Gordon believing for most of the story that Dent/Two-Face is the Hangman. (Hangman Solution: Two can play this game.)
- Detective Flass - Once Jim Gordon's former police partner in Batman: Year OneBatman: Year One"Year One", later referred to as "Batman: Year One", is an American comic book story arc written by Frank Miller, illustrated by David Mazzucchelli, colored by Richmond Lewis, and lettered by Todd Klein...
, Arnold Flass was one of the more corrupt officers on the force, only to get caught in criminal activity, fired and prosecuted for affiliating with the mob. Before his trial, he struck a plea bargainPlea bargainA plea bargain is an agreement in a criminal case whereby the prosecutor offers the defendant the opportunity to plead guilty, usually to a lesser charge or to the original criminal charge with a recommendation of a lighter than the maximum sentence.A plea bargain allows criminal defendants to...
with prosecutor Harvey Dent to testify against Loeb for a lighter sentence. He was found dead outside, while on his cigarette break, of a strip clubStrip clubA strip club is an adult entertainment venue in which striptease or other erotic or exotic dance is regularly performed. Strip clubs typically adopt a nightclub or bar style, but can also adopt a theatre or cabaret-style....
called "The Cheetah Room," where he was working as a bouncerBouncer (doorman)A bouncer is an informal term for a type of security guard employed at venues such as bars, nightclubs or concerts to provide security, check legal age, and refuse entry to a venue based on criteria such as intoxication, aggressive behavior, or attractiveness...
to make ends meet. Judging from scratches and bruises on his hands, it appeared that he attempted to put up a fight in his final moments. (Hangman Solution: Knows if you've been bad or good.)
- Lieutenant Branden - A former head of the Special Weapons Unit of the GCPD, Branden was fired from the force for suspicions of being affiliated with corrupt Comm. Loeb, although according to Gordon, he was a zealot. Branden was hanged in a meat locker on New Year's DayNew Year's DayNew Year's Day is observed on January 1, the first day of the year on the modern Gregorian calendar as well as the Julian calendar used in ancient Rome...
. (Hangman Solution: And justice for all.)
- Sergeant Frank Pratt - Pratt worked for the SPW Unit up until his death and during Branden's tenure was his second-in-command. After attempting to kill Batman (who had come to him as part of his investigation into the Hangman killings) as retaliation for being punched through a wall during Batman: Year OneBatman: Year One"Year One", later referred to as "Batman: Year One", is an American comic book story arc written by Frank Miller, illustrated by David Mazzucchelli, colored by Richmond Lewis, and lettered by Todd Klein...
, he was killed on Valentine's DayValentine's DaySaint Valentine's Day, commonly shortened to Valentine's Day, is an annual commemoration held on February 14 celebrating love and affection between intimate companions. The day is named after one or more early Christian martyrs named Saint Valentine, and was established by Pope Gelasius I in 496...
. (Hangman Solution: Guilty as sin.)
- Watch Commander Stan MerkelOfficer MerkelWatch Commander Stan Merkel is a fictional character in DC Comics' shared universe, the DC Universe, who made his debut in Frank Miller's The Dark Knight Returns, later integrated into the mainstream Batman continuity by Frank Miller and David Mazzucchelli in their 1987 four-part storyline Batman:...
- A patrolman of downtown Gotham, Merkel was involved in a number of drug busts and hostage situations. Back when he was an officer, he was instrumental in bringing Mario Falcone to trial. Merkel was found dead on St. Patrick's Day, hanging on the former property of the house that originally belonged to Harvey and GildaGilda DentGilda Dent , occasionally referred to as Grace instead of Gilda, is a fictional character who has appeared in Batman comic books since Detective Comics #66...
, making him the sixth victim. (He appears in the first issues of Batman ConfidentialBatman ConfidentialBatman Confidential was an American monthly comic book series from DC Comics which debuted on December 6, 2006 and concluded on March 2, 2011....
, as well as throughout Batman: Year OneBatman: Year One"Year One", later referred to as "Batman: Year One", is an American comic book story arc written by Frank Miller, illustrated by David Mazzucchelli, colored by Richmond Lewis, and lettered by Todd Klein...
and Batman: Night Cries) (Hangman Solution: A jury of your peers.)
- Commissioner Jim Gordon - Being one of the two survivors of Hangman, Gordon was nearly hanged to death while investigating the sudden activation of the Bat-Signal while he was in his office, but was cut down by Two-Face, speculated by Batman to have been the result of Dent wanting to prove that he wasn't the Hang Man.
- Detective Henry Gustavson - Gustavson was the bodyguard of Gordon following the attempt on Gordon. He was murdered on Mother's DayMother's DayMother'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...
and found by Gordon hanging over his car in the GCPD underground parking lot. (Hangman Solution: Murder in the first degree.)
- Detective Mark O'Connor - A gifted marksman, O'Connor spent many years teaching use of firearms to cadets. One of the members of Gordon's Special Police Task Force, he was found dead hanging by a rope in the shower of his apartment on Father's DayFather's DayFather'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...
. According to Batman, had he only been carrying his gun with him at all times, the Hangman would never have gotten him. (Hangman Solution: Order in the court.)
- Captain David King - Another of Gordon's "Untouchables," he was a trusted ally and investigator. While heading into the sewers to try to capture Two-Face, he ventured off alone from the group and was found hanging by a pipe, the date being the Fourth of July. (Hangman Solution: Justice is blind.)
- Detective Laureen Wilcox - A newcomer to the GCPD, Wilcox seemed to be a diligent and articulate police officer with a dedication to upholding the law. She was important in the planning of and capture of Two-Face and bringing him to face trial. However, she was an informant to the Falcone family on payroll, leaking information to the acting head of the mob. During the trial, on Labor DayLabor DayLabor Day is a United States federal holiday observed on the first Monday in September that celebrates the economic and social contributions of workers.-History:...
, she headed up to the courthouse via elevator, only to be hanged by the Hangman. Her walkie-talkie left a brief recording of her final moments that led Gordon to learning the true identity of the killer. (Hangman Solution: An eye for an eye.)
- BatmanBatmanBatman 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...
- While not technically a victim of the Hangman, he does get noosed. While looking for clues, He finds a hangman note, with a drawn hang man, the phrase, "Y_U L_SE" and the letters "B," "A," "T," "M," and "N" discarded. He is then hoisted out of the building and onto the roof. It turns out to be a booby trap in case Batman followed the trail back to Sofia. Batman survives however thanks to the neck brace he wore under his cowl which AlfredAlfred PennyworthAlfred Pennyworth is a fictional character that appears throughout the DC Comics franchise. The character first appears in Batman #16 , and was created by writer Bob Kane and artist Jerry Robinson. Alfred serves as Batman’s tireless butler, assistant, confidant, and surrogate father figure...
advised.
- Alberto Falcone - Formerly the killer known as HolidayHoliday (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...
, Alberto FalconeAlberto FalconeAlberto 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...
was the final victim killed by the Hangman, although he was not killed by a noose. Placed under house arrestHouse arrestIn justice and law, house arrest is a measure by which a person is confined by the authorities to his or her residence. Travel is usually restricted, if allowed at all...
, he was wounded and easily captured, then taken to the Falcone crypt, where he was suffocated with a pillow to death.
- Harvey Dent/Two-Face - The Hangman's main target was former D.A Harvey Dent/Two-Face, who was captured and nearly hanged in the sewers during a deliberate arson attack by Sofia on Gotham's sewers. Batman got there in time to rescue him and confront Hangman once and for all, making him the second survivor. Two-Face then kills the Hangman.
Other related victims
The arrival of the Hangman Killer sparked a gang war in Gotham City between the Falcone family, who were desperately trying to reclaim their hold on the city, the Maronis, who were on strained terms with the Falcones, the GCPD, and the "freaks" who would become the familiar Batman Rogues' Gallery. A number of people who were directly and indirectly involved also perished or injured during the Hangman's crime wave of nearly nine months.- Angelo "Killer" Mirti- Sofia Gigante's personal bodyguard and former aide to her late father, Carmine "The Roman" Falcone. He was shot in the head by The JokerJoker (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...
, after the Clown Prince of Crime invaded the Falcone summer residence. Interestingly, the Joker assumed that Sofia was the hangman long before anyone else did. - The Joker- Received a gunshot wound to the arm by Alberto, ostensibly to protect his sister (The Joker was close to shooting her in the head). He survived, was captured by Batman, and taken back to Arkham Asylum.
- John and Mary Grayson- Parents of Dick GraysonDick GraysonDick Grayson is a fictional superhero that appears in comic books published by DC Comics. Created by Bob Kane and Bill Finger and illustrator Jerry Robinson, he first appeared in Detective Comics #38 in April 1940....
and two-thirds of the Flying Graysons acrobat team, they were caught in the middle of the gang war involving Tony ZuccoTony ZuccoAnthony "Tony" Zucco is a fictional character in the DC Comics universe. He was introduced in Detective Comics #38 and is best known for his connections to the origin of Robin.-Pre-Crisis:...
, who was a caporegimeCaporegimeA caporegime or capodecina, usually shortened to just a capo, is a term used in the Mafia for a high ranking made member of a crime family who heads a "crew" of soldiers and has major social status and influence in the organization...
in the Maroni family, and his extortionExtortionExtortion is a criminal offence which occurs when a person unlawfully obtains either money, property or services from a person, entity, or institution, through coercion. Refraining from doing harm is sometimes euphemistically called protection. Extortion is commonly practiced by organized crime...
ring to get further up in the mafia. After blackmailing Haley's Circus owner and ringmaster "Poppa" Haley, he burned the trapeze ropes with acidAcidAn acid is a substance which reacts with a base. Commonly, acids can be identified as tasting sour, reacting with metals such as calcium, and bases like sodium carbonate. Aqueous acids have a pH of less than 7, where an acid of lower pH is typically stronger, and turn blue litmus paper red...
, the same used to scar Harvey Dent, sending the Graysons falling to their deaths and leaving Dick an orphan. - "Tony" Anthony "Fats" ZuccoTony ZuccoAnthony "Tony" Zucco is a fictional character in the DC Comics universe. He was introduced in Detective Comics #38 and is best known for his connections to the origin of Robin.-Pre-Crisis:...
- The gangster responsible for killing the Graysons was directly involved in the criminal doings of the Maronis and Falcones. Batman and Dick (training to be Robin) tracked him down at his headquarters at the Ox Club, "Gentleman's Club" and confronted him. He died of a heart attackMyocardial infarctionMyocardial infarction or acute myocardial infarction , commonly known as a heart attack, results from the interruption of blood supply to a part of the heart, causing heart cells to die...
, confessing his crimes and information about the Falcones. - Janice Porter- The no-nonsense District AttorneyDistrict attorneyIn many jurisdictions in the United States, a District Attorney is an elected or appointed government official who represents the government in the prosecution of criminal offenses. The district attorney is the highest officeholder in the jurisdiction's legal department and supervises a staff of...
appointed after Harvey Dent, she was responsible for arranging Alberto Falcone's release from Arkham and had a distrust for Batman, believing that his presence contaminated cases. Revealed to be Dent/Two-Face's lover- it is implied that she had a prior relationship with Harvey Dent, the two having attended the same university before she transferred out the year Harvey married Gilda-, she was captured and taken to Two-Face's lair in the sewers, where he shot her after realizing that she was in love with him, and although their relationship had apparently been sexual in nature, Two-Face claimed to still be a "married man". This killing marks one of the few murders Dent/Two-Face has performed in which he does not flip his scarred coin first, meaning his two personalities are, for once, in agreement about what has to happen. - Pino and Umberto Maroni- The sons of deceased gangster Sal MaroniSal MaroniSalvatore "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...
, they were attempting to win respect with the Falcone family and then strike them down upon gaining control (although Zucco's dying words revealing them to be twins suggests Two-Face may have been using them for his own ends). Two-Face, cleaning up loose ends as the Falcone empire crumbles, shot both of them at two in the morning with two shots each to the chest, killing them in their own restaurant on Columbus DayColumbus DayMany countries in the New World and elsewhere celebrate the anniversary of Christopher Columbus's arrival in the Americas, which occurred on October 12, 1492, as an official holiday...
. - Edward Skeevers- One of the few trusted Falcone family friends, Skeevers was the consigliereConsigliereConsigliere is a position within the leadership structure of Sicilian and American Mafia crime families. The word was popularized by Mario Puzo's novel The Godfather , and its film adaptation...
following the death of his predecessor Milos Grappa. He was murdered by Mr. FreezeMr. FreezeMr. Freeze, real name Dr. Victor Fries , is a DC Comics supervillain, an enemy of Batman. Created by Bob Kane, he first appeared in Batman #121 ....
during the Rogues Gallery's Columbus Day Massacre. - Bobby Gazzo- Head of the mafia families in Metropolis, he is killed by the Joker during the Columbus Day Massacre, shot to death in his hotel room.
- Lucia Viti- Carmine Falcone's niece and de facto heir of her deceased mother's Chicago crime organization, she is killed by Poison Ivy as part of the Columbus Day Massacre.
Batman enlists the help of James Gordon, but is still left troubled after Harvey Dent is horribly scarred by a criminal he is prosecuting, bringing out into the open his latent multiple personality disorder and transforming him into a violent crime boss. Now known as Two-Face, Dent wreaks havoc on Gotham and forces Batman to confront his former ally.
In the end, the Hangman is revealed to be Sofia Falcone Gigante, daughter of the late crime boss. After seeing her father murdered by Two-Face, Sofia charges forward and is restrained by Catwoman
Catwoman
Catwoman is a fictional character associated with DC Comics' Batman franchise. Historically a supervillain, the character was created by Bill Finger and Bob Kane, partially inspired by Kane's cousin, Ruth Steel...
. During the struggle, Catwoman scars the right side of Sofia's face and the two tumble out a window. In Dark Victory Catwoman tells Batman that when Sofia fell, her bolo/whip became tangled around Sofia's neck. The whip then caught on a stone gargoyle
Gargoyle
In architecture, a gargoyle is a carved stone grotesque, usually made of granite, with a spout designed to convey water from a roof and away from the side of a building thereby preventing rainwater from running down masonry walls and eroding the mortar between...
and threw Sofia through another window, and the broken glass sheared off the right side of her face. Catwoman (who believes that she is Falcone's illegitimate daughter) follows Sofia to Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
where she undergoes plastic surgery
Plastic surgery
Plastic surgery is a medical specialty concerned with the correction or restoration of form and function. Though cosmetic or aesthetic surgery is the best-known kind of plastic surgery, most plastic surgery is not cosmetic: plastic surgery includes many types of reconstructive surgery, hand...
to restore the damage done to her face.
Sofia, who appears in a wheelchair for the majority the story, is shown with the left side of her face scarred, which we find she did herself after the surgery to be closer to her father's spirit (who was himself scarred by Catwoman in Batman: Year One
Batman: Year One
"Year One", later referred to as "Batman: Year One", is an American comic book story arc written by Frank Miller, illustrated by David Mazzucchelli, colored by Richmond Lewis, and lettered by Todd Klein...
). Catwoman tells Batman she was able to find the doctor who treated her ruined face, but not one who treated her paralysis
Paralysis
Paralysis is loss of muscle function for one or more muscles. Paralysis can be accompanied by a loss of feeling in the affected area if there is sensory damage as well as motor. A study conducted by the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation, suggests that about 1 in 50 people have been diagnosed...
. This is because her paralysis was a ruse, in order to appear weak and avoid being a suspect in the Hangman murders (interestingly in issue #8, "Battle", the Joker deduces this, but is ambushed by Alberto and then Batman before he can truly test his theory). Her final target is Two-Face himself, although Batman saves him, and Dent kills Sofia with a gunshot to the head.