Signalman (comics)
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| Signalman | |
 Signalman from Detective Comics vol. 1 #466, artist Ernie Chan |
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| Publication information | |
|---|---|
| Publisher | DC Comics |
| First appearance | Batman vol. 1 #112, (December 1957) |
| Created by | Bill Finger (writer) Sheldon Moldoff (artist) |
| In story information | |
| Alter ego | Phillip "Phil" Cobb |
| Team affiliations | Secret Society of Super Villains |
| Notable aliases | Blue Bowman |
Signalman is a fictional supervillain published by DC Comics. He first appeared in Batman vol. 1 #112 (December 1957), and was created by Bill Finger and Sheldon Moldoff.
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[edit] Fictional character biography
Phillip "Phil" Cobb was a gangster with big ideas. He came to Gotham City intent on hiring a gang of his own and making it big, only to be laughed at when he tried to recruit the gang because he had no reputation. Steaming with anger, he vowed to prove himself to Gotham's mobsters, and when he noticed how modern society was regulated by signs, signals and symbols, he found the inspiration for his criminal career. Becoming the Signalman, he went on a spectacular crime spree using those signs and symbols as his motif.
Ultimately captured by Batman and Robin, he returned for a rematch a year later in Batman #124, and then switched gears and became the Green Arrow-copycat called the Blue Bowman in Batman #137. After that, he remained unseen until 1976, when he resumed his Signalman guise in Detective Comics #466. This time, he actually managed to trap the Batman inside the Batsignal.
In the years since then, Signalman has also been a member of the Secret Society of Super Villains and, in that capacity, did battle with the Justice League and Justice Society. In recent years a running gag in villain crowd scenes has been someone making a disparaging comment on his symbol-covered costume.
[edit] Identity Crisis
In the pages of Identity Crisis it is mentioned Signalman was kidnapped by Dr. Moon and Phobia, a fact confirmed in the pages of the Manhunter, which depicts his torture and seeming death via a video recording. "One Year Later" however, he appears in Justice League of America #1 as a drug addled informant for Black Lightning.
[edit] Powers and abilities
Signalman has no super human powers; he is a reasonably skilled hand-to-hand combatant. He also carries items such as a knockout-gas gun, miniature flares that cause fires, and a remote-control device in his belt that alters signals of an electronic nature.
[edit] Other versions
In the Kingdom Come miniseries, there is a background character named Signalwoman. The left side of her face is completely covered in tattoos. (The tattoos match the symbols on the original's costume.)
[edit] External links
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