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Onomatopoeia (comics)
Encyclopedia
Onomatopoeia is a DC Comics
supervillain, an enemy of Green Arrow
and Batman
. He first appeared in Green Arrow #12 (March 2002). He was created by writer Kevin Smith
and artist Phil Hester
. IGN
's Daniel Crown called him "one of the coolest new villains of the decade".
Onomatopoeia first appears in Green Arrow
#12 (March 2002), in which he murders a female crimefighter named Virago, after telling her his name. The interlude in which this occurs serves as a lead-in to "The Sounds of Violence", a three-issue storyline that runs through issues #13-15 of the title, in which he is the main antagonist. No personal characteristics are revealed about Onomatopoeia aside from the fact that he is a caucasian
male, which is seen when portions of his face obscured by shadow are seen in Green Arrow #14, and when the lower half of his face is seen again in issue #15. Onomatopoeia is a serial killer
who targets non-superpower
ed superhero
es. His name is derived from the fact that he imitates noises around him, such as dripping taps, gunshots etc. During the course of this storyline, he shoots Connor Hawke, the second Green Arrow, who is saved by his father Oliver Queen
(the first and original Green Arrow). While Connor is being operated on in the hospital, Onomatopoeia returns to finish the job. He kills several doctors in the operating room, and after his attempt to kill Connor is foiled by Queen and Black Canary
, he manages to escape.
He is later recruited by the Secret Society of Supervillains as part of an army that is sent to conquer the city of Metropolis in issue #7 of the Infinite Crisis
limited series (June 2006). A superhero army, backed up by the National Guard, successfully opposes the Society. Onomatopoeia is seen being punched in the face by the 'Odd Man', a costumed, un-powered vigilante, exactly the type the villain has slain before.
The character returned in the November 2008 three-issue miniseries Batman: Cacophony
which was written by Smith and pencilled by friend Walt Flanagan
. Onomatopoeia frees the Joker
from Arkham Asylum
and gives him money to finance a gang war against Maxie Zeus
. Eventually he confronts Batman, who defeats him. He escapes capture, however, by mortally wounding the Joker, forcing Batman to choose between saving the Joker's life and capturing his new opponent. The end of the third issue reveals that Onomatopoeia has a secret, seemingly normal life as a loving husband and the father of two children, who are unaware of his murderous activities. He explains his occasional injuries as the result of sporting activities such as tennis
, polo
, and hunting
. He keeps mementos of his victories in a hidden shrine behind a bookcase, saving a case each for Batman and Green Arrow.
In Batman: The Widening Gyre
, it is revealed that he has been in disguise as Baphomet, a new vigilante who had been teaming up with Batman. He appears as Baphoment early on, helping the Dark Knight defeat Etrigan the Demon and Poison Ivy
. He later assists Batman in defeat villains such as Deadshot
, Crazy Quilt
, and Calendar Man
, even unmasking himself in front of Batman to gain his trust (as Batman had no idea what Onomatopoeia actually looked like this did not revel the ruse). At the storyline's end Batman takes Baphoment into the Batcave and introduces him to a disguised Silver St. Cloud
before Batman reveals he is Bruce Wayne and Silver unmasks herself. As the couple discuss lunch the unmasked Baphoment putting on a mask as Bruce turns away and puts his utility belt on the table with a "KA-KLAX". He hears Baphoment repeating the sound before turning in horror to see Onomatopoeia midway through slicing Silver's throat and mimicking the noise of the blade.
and weapons expert. He invariably carries two semiautomatic handgun
s, a sniper rifle, and an army knife. He appears to be quite intelligent, having orchestrated the Joker's escape to draw out Batman, as well as avoiding capture by giving the Joker a near-fatal wound, causing Batman to be distracted. His usual outfit consists of black gloves, pants, and shirt, with a long black trench coat
and a full, black hood
decorated by concentric white circles. In Batman: Cacophony, it is revealed that he collects the masks of heroes he kills, keeping them in a trophy case in his secret identity's house.
It remains unrevealed whether or not Onomatopoeia is a metahuman
. In Green Arrow #15, he was shot with six arrows–two to one shoulder, one to the other, one in between the first and middle knuckles of his right hand, one through his right foot, one through the palm of his right hand–none of which slowed him or even impaired his manual dexterity. After being shot, he jumps off the roof of the Star City
hospital, falling seven stories, and runs away before Green Arrow can find him.
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...
supervillain, an enemy of Green Arrow
Green Arrow
Green Arrow is a fictional superhero that appears in comic books published by DC Comics. Created by Mort Weisinger and George Papp, he first appeared in More Fun Comics #73 in November 1941. His secret identity is Oliver Queen, billionaire and former mayor of fictional Star City...
and 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...
. He first appeared in Green Arrow #12 (March 2002). He was created by writer Kevin Smith
Kevin Smith
Kevin Patrick Smith is an American screenwriter, actor, film producer, and director, as well as a popular comic book writer, author, comedian/raconteur, and internet radio personality best recognized by viewers as Silent Bob...
and artist Phil Hester
Phil Hester (comics)
Phil Hester is an American comic book artist, penciller and writer.-Biography:This Eisner Award-nominated artist was born in eastern Iowa, where he went on to study at the University of Iowa...
. IGN
IGN
IGN is an entertainment website that focuses on video games, films, music and other media. IGN's main website comprises several specialty sites or "channels", each occupying a subdomain and covering a specific area of entertainment...
's Daniel Crown called him "one of the coolest new villains of the decade".
Publication history
Kevin Smith discussed the character in a 2007 interview:Onomatopoeia first appears in Green Arrow
Green Arrow
Green Arrow is a fictional superhero that appears in comic books published by DC Comics. Created by Mort Weisinger and George Papp, he first appeared in More Fun Comics #73 in November 1941. His secret identity is Oliver Queen, billionaire and former mayor of fictional Star City...
#12 (March 2002), in which he murders a female crimefighter named Virago, after telling her his name. The interlude in which this occurs serves as a lead-in to "The Sounds of Violence", a three-issue storyline that runs through issues #13-15 of the title, in which he is the main antagonist. No personal characteristics are revealed about Onomatopoeia aside from the fact that he is a caucasian
Caucasian race
The term Caucasian race has been used to denote the general physical type of some or all of the populations of Europe, North Africa, the Horn of Africa, Western Asia , Central Asia and South Asia...
male, which is seen when portions of his face obscured by shadow are seen in Green Arrow #14, and when the lower half of his face is seen again in issue #15. Onomatopoeia is a 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...
who targets non-superpower
Superpower
A superpower is a state with a dominant position in the international system which has the ability to influence events and its own interests and project power on a worldwide scale to protect those interests...
ed superhero
Superhero
A superhero is a type of stock character, possessing "extraordinary or superhuman powers", dedicated to protecting the public. Since the debut of the prototypical superhero Superman in 1938, stories of superheroes — ranging from brief episodic adventures to continuing years-long sagas —...
es. His name is derived from the fact that he imitates noises around him, such as dripping taps, gunshots etc. During the course of this storyline, he shoots Connor Hawke, the second Green Arrow, who is saved by his father Oliver Queen
Green Arrow
Green Arrow is a fictional superhero that appears in comic books published by DC Comics. Created by Mort Weisinger and George Papp, he first appeared in More Fun Comics #73 in November 1941. His secret identity is Oliver Queen, billionaire and former mayor of fictional Star City...
(the first and original Green Arrow). While Connor is being operated on in the hospital, Onomatopoeia returns to finish the job. He kills several doctors in the operating room, and after his attempt to kill Connor is foiled by Queen and Black Canary
Black Canary
Black Canary is the name of two fictional characters, DC Comics superheroines created by writer Robert Kanigher and artist Carmine Infantino. The first Black Canary debuted appeared in Flash Comics #86 . The first Black Canary was the alter-ego of Dinah Drake, who took part in Golden Age adventures...
, he manages to escape.
He is later recruited by the Secret Society of Supervillains as part of an army that is sent to conquer the city of Metropolis in issue #7 of the Infinite Crisis
Infinite Crisis
Infinite Crisis is a 2005 - 2006 comic book storyline published by DC Comics, consisting of an eponymous, seven-issue comic book limited series written by Geoff Johns and illustrated by Phil Jimenez, George Pérez, Ivan Reis, and Jerry Ordway, and a number of tie-in books...
limited series (June 2006). A superhero army, backed up by the National Guard, successfully opposes the Society. Onomatopoeia is seen being punched in the face by the 'Odd Man', a costumed, un-powered vigilante, exactly the type the villain has slain before.
The character returned in the November 2008 three-issue miniseries Batman: Cacophony
Batman: Cacophony
Batman: Cacophony is the title of a three-issue comic book limited series starring Batman. The series was written by Kevin Smith with art by Walt Flanagan, and ran from November 2008 through March 2009 due to delays with issue three.-History:...
which was written by Smith and pencilled by friend Walt Flanagan
Walt Flanagan
Walter Flanagan is an American actor, podcaster, songwriter, comic book artist and comic book store proprietor. Flanagan is a long-time friend of Kevin Smith, and it was Flanagan who had turned Smith back onto comic books.Flanagan is also co-host of the "Tell 'Em Steve-Dave!" podcast with...
. Onomatopoeia frees 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...
from 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...
and gives him money to finance a gang war against Maxie Zeus
Maxie Zeus
Maximillian "Maxie" Zeus is a fictional character in the DC Comics universe. He is a criminal mastermind who believes that he is the god Zeus from Greek mythology. He is an occasional enemy of Batman...
. Eventually he confronts Batman, who defeats him. He escapes capture, however, by mortally wounding the Joker, forcing Batman to choose between saving the Joker's life and capturing his new opponent. The end of the third issue reveals that Onomatopoeia has a secret, seemingly normal life as a loving husband and the father of two children, who are unaware of his murderous activities. He explains his occasional injuries as the result of sporting activities such as tennis
Tennis
Tennis is a sport usually played between two players or between two teams of two players each . Each player uses a racket that is strung to strike a hollow rubber ball covered with felt over a net into the opponent's court. Tennis is an Olympic sport and is played at all levels of society at all...
, polo
Polo
Polo is a team sport played on horseback in which the objective is to score goals against an opposing team. Sometimes called, "The Sport of Kings", it was highly popularized by the British. Players score by driving a small white plastic or wooden ball into the opposing team's goal using a...
, and hunting
Hunting
Hunting is the practice of pursuing any living thing, usually wildlife, for food, recreation, or trade. In present-day use, the term refers to lawful hunting, as distinguished from poaching, which is the killing, trapping or capture of the hunted species contrary to applicable law...
. He keeps mementos of his victories in a hidden shrine behind a bookcase, saving a case each for Batman and Green Arrow.
In Batman: The Widening Gyre
Batman: The Widening Gyre
Batman: The Widening Gyre is the title of a 12-issue comic book limited series starring Batman. The series is being written by Kevin Smith and illustrated by Walt Flanagan. The first six issues were released August 2009 through July 2010; it is unknown when the remaining issues will be published...
, it is revealed that he has been in disguise as Baphomet, a new vigilante who had been teaming up with Batman. He appears as Baphoment early on, helping the Dark Knight defeat Etrigan the Demon and Poison Ivy
Poison Ivy
Poison Ivy is a fictional character, a DC Comics supervillainess who is primarily an enemy of Batman. Created by Robert Kanigher and Sheldon Moldoff, she first appeared in Batman #181 ....
. He later assists Batman in defeat villains such as Deadshot
Deadshot
Deadshot is a fictional character, a supervillain/assassin in the DC Universe and an enemy of Batman. He first appears in Batman #59 and was created by Bob Kane, David Vern Reed and Lew Schwartz....
, Crazy Quilt
Crazy Quilt
Crazy-Quilt is the name of two DC Comics supervillains.-First Crazy Quilt:Crazy-Quilt is a noted painter who leads a double-life as a master criminal. He gives the plans for his crimes to various henchmen through clues left in his paintings. His criminal empire crashes to a halt when one of his...
, and 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...
, even unmasking himself in front of Batman to gain his trust (as Batman had no idea what Onomatopoeia actually looked like this did not revel the ruse). At the storyline's end Batman takes Baphoment into the Batcave and introduces him to a disguised Silver St. Cloud
Silver St. Cloud
Silver St. Cloud is a fictional character who appears in Batman comics set in the . She is a recurring love interest of Batman/Bruce Wayne, debuting in Detective Comics #470, written by Steve Englehart. The issues featuring her earlier appearances have been collected in trade paperback form as...
before Batman reveals he is Bruce Wayne and Silver unmasks herself. As the couple discuss lunch the unmasked Baphoment putting on a mask as Bruce turns away and puts his utility belt on the table with a "KA-KLAX". He hears Baphoment repeating the sound before turning in horror to see Onomatopoeia midway through slicing Silver's throat and mimicking the noise of the blade.
Powers and abilities
Onomatopoeia is a superb athlete, martial artistMartial arts
Martial arts are extensive systems of codified practices and traditions of combat, practiced for a variety of reasons, including self-defense, competition, physical health and fitness, as well as mental and spiritual development....
and weapons expert. He invariably carries two semiautomatic handgun
Handgun
A handgun is a firearm designed to be held and operated by one hand. This characteristic differentiates handguns as a general class of firearms from long guns such as rifles and shotguns ....
s, a sniper rifle, and an army knife. He appears to be quite intelligent, having orchestrated the Joker's escape to draw out Batman, as well as avoiding capture by giving the Joker a near-fatal wound, causing Batman to be distracted. His usual outfit consists of black gloves, pants, and shirt, with a long black trench coat
Trench coat
A trench coat or trenchcoat is a raincoat made of waterproof heavy-duty cotton drill or poplin, wool gabardine, or leather. It generally has a removable insulated lining; and it is usually knee-length.-History:...
and a full, black hood
Hood (headgear)
A hood is a kind of headgear that covers most of the head and neck and sometimes the face. They may be worn for protection from the environment, for fashion, as a form of traditional dress or uniform, to prevent the wearer from seeing or to prevent the wearer from being identified.-History and...
decorated by concentric white circles. In Batman: Cacophony, it is revealed that he collects the masks of heroes he kills, keeping them in a trophy case in his secret identity's house.
It remains unrevealed whether or not Onomatopoeia is a metahuman
Metahuman
Metahuman is a term to describe superhumans in DC Comics' shared universe, the DC Universe. It is roughly synonymous with both mutant and mutate and posthuman in the Wildstorm and Ultimate Marvel Universes. Use of the term in reference to superheroes was coined in 1986 by author George R. R...
. In Green Arrow #15, he was shot with six arrows–two to one shoulder, one to the other, one in between the first and middle knuckles of his right hand, one through his right foot, one through the palm of his right hand–none of which slowed him or even impaired his manual dexterity. After being shot, he jumps off the roof of the Star City
Star City (comics)
Star City is a fictional city that appears in stories published by DC Comics, best known as the traditional home of the superheroes known by, or affiliated with, the shared alias of the Green Arrow...
hospital, falling seven stories, and runs away before Green Arrow can find him.