Sal Maroni
Encyclopedia
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
. Maroni is most famous for being the one who scarred Harvey Dent, setting the stage for the young attorney's transformation into Two-Face
.
appearance was in Detective Comics
#66 (August 1942) as "Boss" Moroni, a mobster on trial for the murder of a man named "Bookie" Benson. Harvey Dent
, (who was named Harvey Kent in his first appearance and Pre-Crisis on Infinite Earths
remained the identity of the first Earth-Two
Two-Face), is the prosecutor at the trial. He calls Batman as his first witness. During Batman's testimony Maroni calls Batman a liar, leading Dent to show his proof: Maroni's lucky two-headed silver dollar found at the scene with Maroni's fingerprints on it. Enraged, Maroni throws a vial of acid at Dent, horribly disfiguring him and transforming him into the insane gangster Two-Face.
Two-Face later shoots and kills him, after which Two-Face surrenders and voluntarily goes back into police custody.
By presumed coincidence, in All-American Comics
#25 (April 1941), a criminal named "Killer" Maroni blinds Dr. Charles McNider, who subsequently becomes Doctor Mid-Nite
of the Justice Society of America
. In Adventure Comics
#76 (July 1942), Starman
(Ted Knight) battles the Moroni Gang (note variation in spelling).
recountings of Two-Face's origin, Maroni's role was unchanged, but his name was changed to Morelli. In this version, Batman is there at the trial and tries to prevent the mobster from throwing the acid, but Dent is still disfigured.
Prior to COIE, Maroni returned in DC Superstars #14 and Batman #328 to 329. He survives an assassination attempt by a still-bitter Two-Face in the first story, but his legs are left paralyzed. In the latter story arc
, he undergoes plastic surgery
and changes his name to Anton Karoselle to avoid attention. His first act is to murder Dent's former wife Gilda's
new husband, Dave Stevens, as retribution against the former DA. By the story's end, he is murdered by Two-Face.
, Maroni lends money to Norman Madison (father of Julie Madison
, Bruce Wayne 's girlfriend) to cover some debts of its activities, and Professor Hugo Strange
for his genetic experiments. After Maroni sends his henchmen to put pressure on Strange, the mad scientist
responds by sending one of his creatures to kill everyone in one of his establishments of gambling and stealing the money they would need to pay Maroni off. When Maroni realizes Strange might be responsible of the attacks, he sends enforcers to further pressure and intimidate him. Strange decides to get rid of Maroni once and for all, and sends one of his creations to kill him. Maroni is saved by Batman, who as a favor to Julie Madison, forces him to call off her father's debt.
In the sequel, Batman and the Mad Monk
, Norman tries to pay off his debt to Maroni, unaware of Batman's intervention on his behalf; Maroni refuses it, terrified that Batman would visit him again. Norman instead gives the money to Carmine Falcone
, which humiliates Maroni. Later, near the end of the story, Norman is killed by Maroni's thugs when he snaps to kill Maroni.
Maroni is featured prominently in Jeph Loeb
's maxi-series Batman: The Long Halloween
, which retells Two-Face's origin. In this version, Salvatore Maroni is the scion of the Maroni crime family, headed by his father Luigi "Big Lou" Maroni. He is the most powerful mobster next to Carmine Falcone
, and both believe that serial killer
Holiday
(so named for assassinating mobsters on holidays) is working for the other (although they also think that Harvey Dent has something to do with the murders). Their business relationship becomes strained as a result. When his father is killed by Holiday, Maroni makes a deal with Dent to reveal all of Falcone's criminal activities, in exchange for leniency.
However, Falcone's daughter Sofia — Maroni's secret lover — visits Maroni in jail, where she convinces him that Dent, not Falcone, is responsible for the killings and his father's death. Dent's assistant Vernon Field provides him prior to court with "stomach medicine" for a supposed ulcer
. During the trial, Maroni throws acid into Dent's face, disfiguring him. Maroni gets into a scuffle with a bailiff who shoots him twice in the chest. He survives, however.
When he is moved out of his cell, Maroni is finally killed by Holiday, who is revealed to be Alberto Falcone
, the rival crime boss' son who acted out against the family to make a name for himself.
story, "Citizen Wayne" which was published in 1994. Set in the 1930s it depicts Maroni as an Al Capone
-like crime lord who is involved in bootlegging
, resides in a luxury hotel suite and who lures his law-enforcing enemies into a trap when they are led to believe that they can get him for tax evasion
(Capone was eventually jailed for tax fraud). In this version Maroni completely scars Harvey Dent's face with acid. This leads Dent to assume the Batman mantle and break up Maroni's operations before finally killing him. Bruce Wayne is a newspaper publisher and fierce critic of Batman (much like Spider-Man
's J. Jonah Jameson
) who, following Maroni's death, goes after him since he feels that Batman/Dent has overstepped the mark. The pair are killed during the fight and, much like Citizen Kane
, their story is told in flashback as a young Assistant District Attorney
interviews their friends and acquaintances, including Maroni's henchmen.
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...
, usually as one 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...
's first enemies, and among the toughest gangsters 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...
. Maroni is most famous for being the one who scarred Harvey Dent, setting the stage for the young attorney's transformation into 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....
.
Pre-Crisis/Earth Two
Maroni's first Pre-crisisCrisis on Infinite Earths
Crisis on Infinite Earths is a 12-issue American comic book limited series and crossover event, produced by DC Comics in 1985 to simplify its then 50-year-old continuity...
appearance was 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...
#66 (August 1942) as "Boss" Moroni, a mobster on trial for the murder of a man named "Bookie" Benson. Harvey Dent
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....
, (who was named Harvey Kent in his first appearance and Pre-Crisis on Infinite Earths
Crisis on Infinite Earths
Crisis on Infinite Earths is a 12-issue American comic book limited series and crossover event, produced by DC Comics in 1985 to simplify its then 50-year-old continuity...
remained the identity of the first Earth-Two
Earth-Two
Earth-Two is a fictional universe appearing in American comic book stories published by DC Comics. First appearing in The Flash #123 , Earth-Two was created to explain how Silver-Age versions of characters such as the Flash could appear in stories with their Golden Age counterparts...
Two-Face), is the prosecutor at the trial. He calls Batman as his first witness. During Batman's testimony Maroni calls Batman a liar, leading Dent to show his proof: Maroni's lucky two-headed silver dollar found at the scene with Maroni's fingerprints on it. Enraged, Maroni throws a vial of acid at Dent, horribly disfiguring him and transforming him into the insane gangster Two-Face.
Two-Face later shoots and kills him, after which Two-Face surrenders and voluntarily goes back into police custody.
By presumed coincidence, in All-American Comics
All-American Comics
All-American Comics was the flagship title of comic book publisher All-American Publications, one of the forerunners of DC Comics. It ran for 102 issues from April 1939 to October 1948, at which time it was renamed All-American Western. In 1952, the title was changed again to All-American Men of...
#25 (April 1941), a criminal named "Killer" Maroni blinds Dr. Charles McNider, who subsequently becomes Doctor Mid-Nite
Doctor Mid-Nite
Doctor Mid-Nite is a fictional superhero physician in DC Comics. The figure has been represented in the comics by three different individuals, Charles McNider, Beth Chapel and Pieter Anton Cross. Dr. Mid-Nite was originally created by writer Charles Reizenstein and artist Stanley Josephs Aschmeier...
of the Justice Society of America
Justice Society of America
The Justice Society of America, or JSA, is a DC Comics superhero group, the first team of superheroes in comic book history. Conceived by editor Sheldon Mayer and writer Gardner Fox, the JSA first appeared in All Star Comics #3 ....
. In Adventure Comics
Adventure Comics
Adventure Comics was a comic book series published by DC Comics from 1935 to 1983 and then revamped from 2009 to 2011. In its first era, the series ran for 503 issues , making it the fifth-longest-running DC series, behind Detective Comics, Action Comics, Superman, and Batman...
#76 (July 1942), Starman
Starman
Starman may refer to:In comics:* Starman , one of several comic book superheroes in the DC Comics universe. The most prominent are:...
(Ted Knight) battles the Moroni Gang (note variation in spelling).
Silver Age
During Silver AgeSilver Age of Comic Books
The Silver Age of Comic Books was a period of artistic advancement and commercial success in mainstream American comic books, predominantly those in the superhero genre. Following the Golden Age of Comic Books and an interregnum in the early to mid-1950s, the Silver Age is considered to cover the...
recountings of Two-Face's origin, Maroni's role was unchanged, but his name was changed to Morelli. In this version, Batman is there at the trial and tries to prevent the mobster from throwing the acid, but Dent is still disfigured.
Prior to COIE, Maroni returned in DC Superstars #14 and Batman #328 to 329. He survives an assassination attempt by a still-bitter Two-Face in the first story, but his legs are left paralyzed. In the latter story arc
Story arc
A story arc is an extended or continuing storyline in episodic storytelling media such as television, comic books, comic strips, boardgames, video games, and in some cases, films. On a television program, for example, the story would unfold over many episodes. In television, the use of the story...
, he 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...
and changes his name to Anton Karoselle to avoid attention. His first act is to murder Dent's former wife Gilda's
Gilda Dent
Gilda Dent , occasionally referred to as Grace instead of Gilda, is a fictional character who has appeared in Batman comic books since Detective Comics #66...
new husband, Dave Stevens, as retribution against the former DA. By the story's end, he is murdered by Two-Face.
Post-Crisis
In the graphic novel Batman and the Monster MenBatman and the Monster Men
Batman & the Monster Men is an American comic book limited series written and drawn by Matt Wagner with colors by Dave Stewart, published by DC Comics and starring the superhero Batman. It, along with its sequel Batman and the Mad Monk, are set in between the events of Batman: Year One and Batman:...
, Maroni lends money to Norman Madison (father of Julie Madison
Julie Madison
Julie Madison is a fictional character in the DC Universe, best known as Batman's first significant love interest.-Original version:Julie Madison first appeared in Detective Comics #31 only four issues after Batman's own debut...
, Bruce Wayne 's girlfriend) to cover some debts of its activities, and Professor Hugo Strange
Hugo Strange
Professor Hugo Strange is a fictional comic book supervillain appearing in books published by DC Comics, as an adversary of Batman. He first appeared in Detective Comics #36 , and is one of Batman's first recurring villains, preceding the Joker and Catwoman by several months...
for his genetic experiments. After Maroni sends his henchmen to put pressure on Strange, the mad scientist
Mad scientist
A mad scientist is a stock character of popular fiction, specifically science fiction. The mad scientist may be villainous or antagonistic, benign or neutral, and whether insane, eccentric, or simply bumbling, mad scientists often work with fictional technology in order to forward their schemes, if...
responds by sending one of his creatures to kill everyone in one of his establishments of gambling and stealing the money they would need to pay Maroni off. When Maroni realizes Strange might be responsible of the attacks, he sends enforcers to further pressure and intimidate him. Strange decides to get rid of Maroni once and for all, and sends one of his creations to kill him. Maroni is saved by Batman, who as a favor to Julie Madison, forces him to call off her father's debt.
In the sequel, Batman and the Mad Monk
Batman and the Mad Monk
Batman and the Mad Monk is an American comic book limited series, featuring the DC Comics superhero Batman. It is set during the Batman: Year One continuity, but after the events of Batman and the Monster Men and before the events of Batman: The Man Who Laughs...
, Norman tries to pay off his debt to Maroni, unaware of Batman's intervention on his behalf; Maroni refuses it, terrified that Batman would visit him again. Norman instead gives the money to 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 :...
, which humiliates Maroni. Later, near the end of the story, Norman is killed by Maroni's thugs when he snaps to kill Maroni.
Maroni is featured prominently 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...
's maxi-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...
, which retells Two-Face's origin. In this version, Salvatore Maroni is the scion of the Maroni crime family, headed by his father Luigi "Big Lou" Maroni. He is the most powerful mobster next to 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 both believe that 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...
Holiday
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...
(so named for assassinating mobsters on holidays) is working for the other (although they also think that Harvey Dent has something to do with the murders). Their business relationship becomes strained as a result. When his father is killed by Holiday, Maroni makes a deal with Dent to reveal all of Falcone's criminal activities, in exchange for leniency.
However, Falcone's daughter Sofia — Maroni's secret lover — visits Maroni in jail, where she convinces him that Dent, not Falcone, is responsible for the killings and his father's death. Dent's assistant Vernon Field provides him prior to court with "stomach medicine" for a supposed ulcer
Peptic ulcer
A peptic ulcer, also known as PUD or peptic ulcer disease, is the most common ulcer of an area of the gastrointestinal tract that is usually acidic and thus extremely painful. It is defined as mucosal erosions equal to or greater than 0.5 cm...
. During the trial, Maroni throws acid into Dent's face, disfiguring him. Maroni gets into a scuffle with a bailiff who shoots him twice in the chest. He survives, however.
When he is moved out of his cell, Maroni is finally killed by Holiday, who is revealed to be 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 rival crime boss' son who acted out against the family to make a name for himself.
Elseworlds
Sal Maroni appears in the ElseworldsElseworlds
Elseworlds is the publication imprint for a group of comic books produced by DC Comics that take place outside the company's canon. According to its tagline: "In Elseworlds, heroes are taken from their usual settings and put into strange times and places — some that have existed, and others...
story, "Citizen Wayne" which was published in 1994. Set in the 1930s it depicts Maroni as an Al Capone
Al Capone
Alphonse Gabriel "Al" Capone was an American gangster who led a Prohibition-era crime syndicate. The Chicago Outfit, which subsequently became known as the "Capones", was dedicated to smuggling and bootlegging liquor, and other illegal activities such as prostitution, in Chicago from the early...
-like crime lord who is involved in bootlegging
Rum-running
Rum-running, also known as bootlegging, is the illegal business of transporting alcoholic beverages where such transportation is forbidden by law...
, resides in a luxury hotel suite and who lures his law-enforcing enemies into a trap when they are led to believe that they can get him for tax evasion
Tax evasion
Tax evasion is the general term for efforts by individuals, corporations, trusts and other entities to evade taxes by illegal means. Tax evasion usually entails taxpayers deliberately misrepresenting or concealing the true state of their affairs to the tax authorities to reduce their tax liability,...
(Capone was eventually jailed for tax fraud). In this version Maroni completely scars Harvey Dent's face with acid. This leads Dent to assume the Batman mantle and break up Maroni's operations before finally killing him. Bruce Wayne is a newspaper publisher and fierce critic of Batman (much like Spider-Man
Spider-Man
Spider-Man is a fictional Marvel Comics superhero. The character was created by writer-editor Stan Lee and writer-artist Steve Ditko. He first appeared in Amazing Fantasy #15...
's J. Jonah Jameson
J. Jonah Jameson
John Jonah Jameson Junior is a supporting character of Spider-Man in the .Jameson is usually the publisher or editor-in-chief of the Daily Bugle, a fictional New York newspaper and now serves as the mayor of New York City...
) who, following Maroni's death, goes after him since he feels that Batman/Dent has overstepped the mark. The pair are killed during the fight and, much like Citizen Kane
Citizen Kane
Citizen Kane is a 1941 American drama film, directed by and starring Orson Welles. Many critics consider it the greatest American film of all time, especially for its innovative cinematography, music and narrative structure. Citizen Kane was Welles' first feature film...
, their story is told in flashback as a young Assistant District Attorney
District attorney
In 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...
interviews their friends and acquaintances, including Maroni's henchmen.
Film
- In a scene in Batman ForeverBatman ForeverBatman Forever is a 1995 American superhero film directed by Joel Schumacher and produced by Tim Burton. Based on the DC Comics character Batman, the film is a sequel to Batman Returns , with Val Kilmer replacing Michael Keaton as Batman...
, Bruce Wayne is watching a news story which features a man in a courtroom witness box throwing acid into the face of District Attorney Harvey Dent, the film's antagonist. The reporter refers to the man as "Boss Moroni", who is portrayed by Dennis Paladino.
- Sal Maroni is featured in two segments of Batman: Gotham KnightBatman: Gotham Knightis a 2008 direct-to-DVD animated superhero anthology film of six animated short films set in-between Batman Begins and The Dark Knight. It depicts Batman battling against the mob of Gotham City, as well as other villains...
(namely Crossfire and Field TestField testA field test may refer to*Visual field test*Field test mode*Field Test, a short film, part of Batman: Gotham Knight...
) voiced by Rob PaulsenRob PaulsenRobert Fredrick "Rob" Paulsen III , sometimes credited as Rob Paulson, is an American voice actor, best known as the voice behind Raphael from the 1987 cartoon of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Yakko Warner and Dr...
. In these two stories, Maroni is at war with the Chechen's mob.
- Eric RobertsEric RobertsEric Anthony Roberts is an American actor. His career began with King of the Gypsies , earning a Golden Globe nomination for best actor debut. He starred as the protagonist in the 1980 dramatisation of Willa Cather's 1905 short story, Paul's Case...
portrays Maroni in the Batman BeginsBatman BeginsBatman Begins is a 2005 American superhero action film based on the fictional DC Comics character Batman, directed by Christopher Nolan. It stars Christian Bale as Batman, along with Michael Caine, Gary Oldman, Liam Neeson, Katie Holmes, Cillian Murphy, Morgan Freeman, Ken Watanabe, Tom Wilkinson,...
sequel, The Dark KnightThe Dark Knight (film)The Dark Knight is a 2008 superhero film directed, produced and co-written by Christopher Nolan. Based on the DC Comics character Batman, the film is part of Nolan's Batman film series and a sequel to 2005's Batman Begins...
. In the film, Maroni has taken over as boss of Carmine FalconeCarmine FalconeCarmine "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 :...
's crime family following Falcone's fall from power in the previous film. Prior to the events of The Dark Knight, he has been embroiled in a violent turf war with rival gangsters Gambol and the Chechen, with whom he has now formed an apparent truce. At the beginning of the film, Maroni is put on trial by district attorney Harvey Dent. The informant testifying against him recants his statements and pulls a firearm on Dent, but Dent punches him and he is arrested but Dent could not trace the attack to Maroni, who is acquitted. Later, Maroni meets with fellow crime bossCrime bossA crime boss or boss is a person in charge of a criminal organization. A boss typically has absolute or near-absolute control over his subordinates, is greatly feared by his subordinates for his ruthlessness and willingness to take lives in order to exert his influence, and profits come from the...
es to discuss the matter of their funds being jeopardized by Batman, 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...
(who had robbed one of their banks), Harvey Dent, and the Gotham police. The mobsters receive help from a Chinese Triad accountant named Lau, who hides away his and other mob factions' money in an undisclosed place. The Joker himself barges into the meeting and offers to kill Batman for half of all their money, a proposal they eventually agree to. Lau's testimony allows Dent to put all the mobsters in Gotham on trial, but as one of the bosses Maroni is able to make bail. Eventually he gives Gordon information on the Joker's location. Maroni is next seen getting into his car, and is confronted by Dent, now calling himself Two-Face. He interrogates Maroni as to the identity of the police officer that led to his fiancée Rachel DawesRachel DawesRachel Dawes is a fictional character who first appeared in Christopher Nolan's 2005 feature film, Batman Begins. She was portrayed in that film by Katie Holmes and as a child in flashback scenes by Emma Lockhart. Katie Holmes also voiced Rachel in the Batman Begins video game. Maggie Gyllenhaal...
' death. Hoping that the injured DA will spare him, Maroni reveals the officer's identity, but Two-Face still flips his coin to decide on his next course of action. The coin lands on good heads, sparing Maroni, but Two-Face flips the coin again for the driver's life, and it lands on bad heads. Two-Face secures himself in his seat belt and shoots the driver, which causes a serious accident. Maroni is not seen again after this, and his fate is left ambiguous. Commissioner James GordonJames 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...
later mentions that Two-Face killed five people, it is not made clear whether or not Maroni was one of these five, though it is likely he died in the crash.
Video games
- Sal Maroni (referred as Vincent Maroni) is mentioned in Two Face's past in a hidden link in Lego Batman: The Videogame.
- A restaurant bearing his name is in Batman: Arkham City.