Leslie Thompkins
Encyclopedia
Dr. Leslie Thompkins is a fictional character from the Batman
mythos. Created by writer Dennis O'Neil
and artist Dick Giordano
, she first appeared in Detective Comics
#457 (March 1976). Her character draws partial inspiration from Dorothy Day
.
A close friend and medical colleague of Bruce Wayne's father, Leslie serves as a surrogate parental figure to Bruce after his parents are murdered, and later becomes a confidant in his crusade as Batman, as well an occasional critic against some of his extreme tendencies. In addition to being one of Batman's allies, Leslie is also a renowned medical professional who has dedicated her considerable skills towards helping Gotham's neglected and impoverished population.
. She was the only stranger to comfort young Bruce Wayne as he grieved at the crime scene. Inspired, she would spend the rest of her life helping slum kids avoid a life of crime.
Every year on the anniversary of the murders of Thomas and Martha Wayne
, Batman would visit the now elderly woman in Park Row (now referred to as Crime Alley). However, Leslie had no idea he was the boy she had helped decades before.
In later years, Leslie is portrayed as having been a close friend of Thomas Wayne
. She took it upon herself to look after Wayne's son, Bruce, after the boy's parents were murdered, often acting with the family butler, Alfred Pennyworth
, as a parental figure and guardian. in Batman Special #1 (1984), after costumed cop-killer Wrath dies in combat with Batman, Leslie comforted Wrath's grieving girlfriend much as she had young Bruce.
Leslie disapproves of Bruce's vigilantism, and feels partly responsible for his transformation into Batman, fearing that somehow she failed him as a role model
. She also has been linked to Alfred romantically on more than one occasion.
She runs a clinic for criminals and drug addicts in Gotham City
. While the majority of her patients are repeat offenders, she continues to do her job with great perseverance and determination. During the No Man's Land storyline, she runs Gotham's only medical clinic, operating under a strict 'No Violence' policy regardless of her patients's actions and intent. Even Killer Croc
respects the rule and stays out, despite his strong desire for revenge against Victor Zsasz.
during the War Games
crossover
, and is taken to Leslie's clinic for treatment. Initially thinking Spoiler died of her injuries, Batman later discovers, during the War Crimes
storyline, that Leslie deliberately treated her improperly, resulting in her death while hoping that it would teach Batman the lesson that his constant use of children as partners was only putting their lives in danger.
After liquidating her assets and giving them to Spoiler's daughter, she flees to Africa
. Batman follows her and forces a confession, coldly informing her that he may not stop violence, but he had never thrown another body onto the pile in the hopes of making a statement. He warns her that she was just another murderer in his eyes, and if she ever returned to the United States
or practiced medicine again, he would bring her to justice.
Tim Drake
wearing Stephanie's Spoiler costume, which at one point Tim thinks he imagined it to be Stephanie herself. The stalker indeed turns out to be Stephanie; Robin #174 reveals that Leslie faked the girl's death and switched the body with an overdose
victim who had a similar body type.
A 2008 Robin/Spoiler one-shot special shows both Leslie and Stephanie alive and in exile, protecting a village somewhere in Africa.
After the events of Batman: Battle for the Cowl
, Leslie Thompkins has once again set up shop in Gotham, attempting to start over and continue to help unfortunates. She has recently gained the Cavalier
as her bodyguard and has, along with Barbara Gordon
, begun helping a former associate of the Teen Titans, Wendy Harris, deal with the loss of the use of her legs. Leslie meanwhile, has been welcomed back warmly by Alfred and Dick Grayson
. Tim Drake, however, maintains a frosty attitude towards her due to her actions regarding Stephanie.
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...
mythos. Created by writer Dennis O'Neil
Dennis O'Neil
Dennis J. "Denny" O'Neil is an American comic book writer and editor, principally for Marvel Comics and DC Comics in the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s, and Group Editor for the Batman family of books until his retirement....
and artist Dick Giordano
Dick Giordano
Richard Joseph "Dick" Giordano was an American comic book artist and editor best known for introducing Charlton Comics' "Action Heroes" stable of superheroes, and serving as executive editor of then–industry leader DC Comics...
, she first appeared in Detective Comics
Detective Comics
Detective Comics is an American comic book series published monthly by DC Comics since 1937, best known for introducing the iconic superhero Batman in Detective Comics #27 . It is, along with Action Comics, the book that launched with the debut of Superman, one of the medium's signature series, and...
#457 (March 1976). Her character draws partial inspiration from Dorothy Day
Dorothy Day
Dorothy Day was an American journalist, social activist and devout Catholic convert; she advocated the Catholic economic theory of Distributism. She was also considered to be an anarchist, and did not hesitate to use the term...
.
A close friend and medical colleague of Bruce Wayne's father, Leslie serves as a surrogate parental figure to Bruce after his parents are murdered, and later becomes a confidant in his crusade as Batman, as well an occasional critic against some of his extreme tendencies. In addition to being one of Batman's allies, Leslie is also a renowned medical professional who has dedicated her considerable skills towards helping Gotham's neglected and impoverished population.
Fictional character biography
In her first comic book appearance, Leslie's connection to Batman began on the night his parents were murdered in the Park Row section of 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...
. She was the only stranger to comfort young Bruce Wayne as he grieved at the crime scene. Inspired, she would spend the rest of her life helping slum kids avoid a life of crime.
Every year on the anniversary of the murders of Thomas and Martha Wayne
Martha Wayne
Martha Wayne is a fictional character of the Batman series of comic books, published by DC Comics. She is Dr. Thomas Wayne's wife and mother of Bruce Wayne. When she and her husband are murdered during a holdup, young Bruce swears to avenge their deaths by fighting crime...
, Batman would visit the now elderly woman in Park Row (now referred to as Crime Alley). However, Leslie had no idea he was the boy she had helped decades before.
In later years, Leslie is portrayed as having been a close friend of Thomas Wayne
Thomas Wayne
Thomas Wayne is a fictional character in the Batman series of comic books. Dr. Thomas Wayne was the father of Bruce Wayne, and husband of Martha Wayne, as well as a gifted surgeon and philanthropist...
. She took it upon herself to look after Wayne's son, Bruce, after the boy's parents were murdered, often acting with the family butler, Alfred Pennyworth
Alfred Pennyworth
Alfred 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...
, as a parental figure and guardian. in Batman Special #1 (1984), after costumed cop-killer Wrath dies in combat with Batman, Leslie comforted Wrath's grieving girlfriend much as she had young Bruce.
Leslie disapproves of Bruce's vigilantism, and feels partly responsible for his transformation into Batman, fearing that somehow she failed him as a role model
Role model
The term role model generally means any "person who serves as an example, whose behaviour is emulated by others".The term first appeared in Robert K. Merton's socialization research of medical students...
. She also has been linked to Alfred romantically on more than one occasion.
She runs a clinic for criminals and drug addicts in Gotham City
Gotham 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...
. While the majority of her patients are repeat offenders, she continues to do her job with great perseverance and determination. During the No Man's Land storyline, she runs Gotham's only medical clinic, operating under a strict 'No Violence' policy regardless of her patients's actions and intent. Even Killer Croc
Killer Croc
Killer Croc is a comic book supervillain in the DC Universe, an enemy of Batman. Created by writer Gerry Conway and artist Gene Colan, while there was a shadowy cameo in Detective Comics #523 , his actual first appearance is credited to Batman #357 , which is also the first appearance of Jason...
respects the rule and stays out, despite his strong desire for revenge against Victor Zsasz.
War Games and War Crimes
Spoiler suffers serious injuries at the hands of Black MaskBlack Mask (comics)
Black Mask is a fictional character in the DC Comics universe. An enemy of Batman, he first appeared in Batman #386 . Black Mask was created by Doug Moench and Tom Mandrake.-Dark beginning:...
during the War Games
War Games (comics)
"War Games" is a comics story arc published by DC Comics between October 2004 and January 2005. It appeared in all the DC titles set in and around Gotham City: Detective Comics, Legends of the Dark Knight, Nightwing, Batman: Gotham Knights, Robin, Batgirl, Catwoman, Batman, and Gotham Central...
crossover
Intercompany crossover
In comic books, an intercompany crossover is a comic or series of comics where characters published by one company meet those published by another...
, and is taken to Leslie's clinic for treatment. Initially thinking Spoiler died of her injuries, Batman later discovers, during the War Crimes
War Crimes (comics)
"War Crimes" is a story arc in the Batman comic book series, and is the sequel to another Batman story arc; "War Games".In the wake of Gotham's recent, and brutal, gang war, Batman is blamed by the city for the recent chaos, and heavily criticized for endangering children...
storyline, that Leslie deliberately treated her improperly, resulting in her death while hoping that it would teach Batman the lesson that his constant use of children as partners was only putting their lives in danger.
After liquidating her assets and giving them to Spoiler's daughter, she flees to Africa
Africa
Africa is the world's second largest and second most populous continent, after Asia. At about 30.2 million km² including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of the Earth's total surface area and 20.4% of the total land area...
. Batman follows her and forces a confession, coldly informing her that he may not stop violence, but he had never thrown another body onto the pile in the hopes of making a statement. He warns her that she was just another murderer in his eyes, and if she ever returned to the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
or practiced medicine again, he would bring her to justice.
Leslie and Stephanie's return
A mysterious familiar figure has been stalkingStalking
Stalking is a term commonly used to refer to unwanted and obsessive attention by an individual or group to another person. Stalking behaviors are related to harassment and intimidation and may include following the victim in person and/or monitoring them via the internet...
Tim Drake
Tim Drake
Timothy "Tim" Drake is a superhero who appears in comic books published by DC Comics and in related media. The character was created by Marv Wolfman and Pat Broderick. From 1989 to 2009, he was known as Robin in the Batman comics, becoming the third character to take up the identity...
wearing Stephanie's Spoiler costume, which at one point Tim thinks he imagined it to be Stephanie herself. The stalker indeed turns out to be Stephanie; Robin #174 reveals that Leslie faked the girl's death and switched the body with an overdose
Drug overdose
The term drug overdose describes the ingestion or application of a drug or other substance in quantities greater than are recommended or generally practiced...
victim who had a similar body type.
A 2008 Robin/Spoiler one-shot special shows both Leslie and Stephanie alive and in exile, protecting a village somewhere in Africa.
After the events of Batman: Battle for the Cowl
Batman: Battle for the Cowl
Batman: Battle for the Cowl is a 2009 comic book storyline published by DC Comics, consisting of an eponymous, three issue miniseries written and penciled by Tony Daniel, as well as a number of tie-in books. The central story details the chaos in Gotham City following the "Batman R.I.P." and "Final...
, Leslie Thompkins has once again set up shop in Gotham, attempting to start over and continue to help unfortunates. She has recently gained the Cavalier
Cavalier (comics)
The Cavalier is a fictional supervillain in the DC Comics universe. The character first appeared in Detective Comics #81, , and was created by Don Cameron and Bob Kane.-Mortimer Drake:...
as her bodyguard and has, along with Barbara Gordon
Barbara Gordon
Barbara Gordon is a fictional character appearing in comic books published by DC Comics and in related media, created by Gardner Fox and Carmine Infantino...
, begun helping a former associate of the Teen Titans, Wendy Harris, deal with the loss of the use of her legs. Leslie meanwhile, has been welcomed back warmly by Alfred and Dick Grayson
Dick Grayson
Dick 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....
. Tim Drake, however, maintains a frosty attitude towards her due to her actions regarding Stephanie.
Television
- Leslie Thompkins appears on several episodes of Batman: The Animated SeriesBatman: The Animated SeriesBatman: The Animated Series is an American animated series based on the DC Comics character Batman. The series featured an ensemble cast of many voice-actors including Kevin Conroy, Mark Hamill, Efrem Zimbalist, Jr., Arleen Sorkin, and Loren Lester. The series won four Emmy Awards and was nominated...
voiced by Diana MuldaurDiana MuldaurDiana Muldaur is an Emmy-nominated American film and television actress.-Career:Born in New York City, but raised on Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts, Muldaur started acting in high school and continued on through college, graduating from Sweet Briar College in Virginia in 1960. She studied acting...
. She is depicted as a life-long ally of Bruce Wayne, having attended medical school with his father, Thomas, and serves as Batman's on-site doctor on occasion, treating injuries that would be unexplainable for playboy Bruce Wayne to have suffered. - When the new series began as The New Batman AdventuresThe New Batman AdventuresThe New Batman Adventures is the successor to Batman: The Animated Series produced by Warner Bros. Animation. Although bearing different character designs and animation styles, both shows take place in the same continuity, with TNBA set two years after BTAS. The series aired on The WB from...
, Leslie is absent except for a cameo appearanceCameo appearanceA cameo role or cameo appearance is a brief appearance of a known person in a work of the performing arts, such as plays, films, video games and television...
in the episode "Chemistry".
Film
- Leslie Thompkins is later mentioned in the spin-offSpin-off (media)In media, a spin-off is a radio program, television program, video game, or any narrative work, derived from one or more already existing works, that focuses, in particular, in more detail on one aspect of that original work...
film Batman Beyond: Return of the JokerBatman Beyond: Return of the JokerBatman Beyond: Return of the Joker is a 2000 direct-to-video animated film featuring the comic book superhero Batman and his archenemy, the Joker...
, having cared for Tim Drake after he was driven insane 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...
.
Short story collection
- In the short storyShort storyA short story is a work of fiction that is usually written in prose, often in narrative format. This format tends to be more pointed than longer works of fiction, such as novellas and novels. Short story definitions based on length differ somewhat, even among professional writers, in part because...
"Best of All," featured in the non-canonical anthology The Further Adventures of The JokerThe Further Adventures of The JokerThe Further Adventures of The Joker is an English language paperback anthology of short fiction stories about Batman, his archenemy the Joker, and their interactions. The material was written by various authors , and the book was edited by Martin H. Greenberg...
, the Joker tells Batman that Leslie is his mother. He also says that she committed him to a mental institution as a child after he murdered his father, who was abusingDomestic violenceDomestic violence, also known as domestic abuse, spousal abuse, battering, family violence, and intimate partner violence , is broadly defined as a pattern of abusive behaviors by one or both partners in an intimate relationship such as marriage, dating, family, or cohabitation...
her.
Video Games
- Leslie Thompkins' medical clinic makes a small cameo in the game, "Batman: Arkham City", located in the far northeast corner of the game map.