Mad Hatter (DC Comics | Arkham Asylum | Rule 63)

The Mad Hatter, whose real name is Jervis Tetch, is a supervillain in DC Comics and a frequent adversary of Batman. He first appeared in Batman #49 (October-November 1948), created by writer Bill Finger and artist Lew Sayre Schwartz. Modeled after the eccentric Hatter from Lewis Carroll's Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, Tetch is characterized by his obsession with hats and the Alice narrative, often quoting the novel and incorporating its themes into his crimes. In his debut story, "The Scoop of the Century," he committed thefts using gadget-laden hats while displaying a whimsical yet criminal personality.

Originally portrayed as a diminutive thief fixated on collecting rare hats through elaborate schemes, Tetch's character underwent significant evolution in later decades. A separate impostor version of the Mad Hatter appeared in the Silver Age, but the canonical Jervis Tetch was reestablished in the early 1980s, notably in Detective Comics #510 (1982), where he incorporated advanced mind-control technology into his hats. This development positioned him as a neurotechnologist capable of hypnotizing and manipulating victims, driven by deep psychological instability and a delusional pursuit of an idealized "Alice," often leading to kidnappings and forced role-playing scenarios.

Key character developments include his portrayal in post-Crisis continuity as a more deranged and tragic figure, emphasizing themes of obsession and madness. Notable storylines feature his involvement in events such as Batman: No Man's Land, where he exerted control over segments of Gotham, and his tenure with the Secret Six in the 2000s, revealing layers of vulnerability and occasional moral complexity amid his villainy. These arcs have solidified the Mad Hatter as one of Batman's psychologically compelling rogues, blending whimsy with menace.

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