Signalman (comics)

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caption = Signalman from Detective Comics vol. 1 #466,
artist Ernie Chan
character_name = Signalman
publisher =DC Comics
debut = "Batman" vol. 1 #112,
(December 1957)
creators = Bill Finger (writer)
Sheldon Moldoff (artist)
real_name =Phillip "Phil" Cobb
species =
homeworld =
alliances =Secret Society of Super Villains
aliases =Blue Bowman
supports=
powers =

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.

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.

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. He also appears in full costume in Final Crisis #1, being arrested.

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.

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.)

External links

* [http://www.dcuguide.com/who.php?name=signalman DCU Guide: Signalman]
* [http://daveslongbox.blogspot.com/2007/03/lame-ass-villain-18-signalman.html A blog on Signalman]