Signalman (comics)

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Signalman is a DC Comics supervillain who usually fights Batman. He first appeared in Batman #112 (December 1957).

[edit] Character History

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 day society was regulated by signs, signals and symbols, he saw the inspiration for his criminal career. Becoming the Signalman, he went on a spectacular crime spree using those signs and symbols as his motif. The crimes were actually quite cleverly constructed, at least for the time the stories were written.

Ultimately captured by Batman and Robin, he came back 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.

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 in villain crowd scenes has been someone making a disparaging comment on his symbol-covered costume.