Lucius Fox

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caption=Lucius Fox Art by Graham Nolan
comic_color=background:#8080ff
character_name=Lucius Fox
publisher=DC Comics
debut="Batman" #307 (January 1979)
creators=Len Wein
John Calnan
full_name=Lucius Fox
alliances=Wayne Enterprises
supports=Bruce Wayne|

Lucius Fox is a fictional character appearing in "Batman" comic books by DC Comics. He was created by Len Wein and John Calnan, and first appeared in "Batman" #307 (January 1979). As a supporting character, he acts as Bruce Wayne's business manager who apparently unknowingly runs the business interests that supply Batman's equipment needs as well as financing his operations.

Fictional character biography

CEO of Wayne Enterprises, Fox has the "Midas Touch", an ability to turn failing businesses into successful conglomerates. Fox is called in to the failing Wayne Enterprises and brings a balance to both Wayne's private and business finances, including, as shown in "Batman Confidential", heading the project that produced the prototype that would become the Batwing. He also manages the particulars of the Wayne Foundation while Wayne dictates the organization's general policies. Since then, Fox has been approached time and time again by other companies seeking his expertise. After overcoming the original challenge of returning Wayne Enterprises to its glory, Fox has elected to stay, having been given an unparalleled freedom in the company.

In "Batman: Haunted Knight", it is explained that Lucius Fox is rescued from muggers by a young Bruce Wayne in Paris. Later, Fox asks him if he wants to start a foundation for charity, which Bruce agrees to many years later, deciding that not all of his money has to go to crime fighting.

Many stories allude to Fox knowing the secret activities of his employer, and yet keeping it to himself, most notably in the recent feature film "Batman Begins"; at the very least, he is aware that his employer is not the shallow playboy he pretends to be. In the 2008 film "The Dark Knight" Fox is shown to be fully aware of Bruce Wayne's activities as Batman, supplying him with the needed gear for his crusade, but also along with Alfred Pennyworth, acts as a voice of reason and conscience to Bruce. Fox has become a valuable ally for Batman, not just by helping to finance the vigilante's activities but by handling most of Wayne Enterprises' day-to-day business, leaving Wayne to prowl the rooftops. He is also a valued friend to Bruce Wayne, though the fact that Wayne cannot be totally honest with him occasionally hampers their friendship.

Bruce Wayne, as Batman, originally forms the Outsiders in order to rescue Fox from Baron Bedlam. When Fox later suffered a stroke, Wayne makes sure that Fox gets the best care possible and supports him and his family.

Appearances in other media

"Batman: The Animated Series"

Lucius Fox was voiced by Brock Peters in "" and then by Mel Winkler in "The New Batman Adventures".

"Batman Beyond"

In "Black Out", an early episode of "Batman Beyond", a series set in the future of "Batman: The Animated Series", a company by the name of Foxteca is the target of corporate sabotage. In a conversation between Bruce Wayne and the villainous Derek Powers, it is revealed that when Powers took over Wayne Enterprises, he fired the company's vice president, Lucius Fox Jr., who went on to found his own technology company, Foxteca. Wayne remains supportive of the Foxes.

Nolan film series

Lucius is played by Morgan Freeman in the 2005 film "Batman Begins" and its 2008 sequel, "The Dark Knight". Both films were directed by Christopher Nolan.

Batman Begins

In the first film, Fox is a research head and friend of Bruce Wayne who is demoted by Wayne Enterprises CEO William Earle to overseeing the supplies of Wayne Enterprises' aborted research projects and prototypes. Upon returning to the business, Bruce Wayne strikes up a fast friendship which allows him to all but recruit Fox as his armorer for his Batman activities. Fox proves invaluable in this role, even when he is fired by Earle. Among other things, he supplies Wayne with the materials that will eventually become the Batsuit and the Batmobile. In addition, Fox synthesizes the antidote for The Scarecrow's fear toxin.

Regarding Wayne's identity as Batman, he tells Wayne "If you don't want to tell me exactly what you're doing, when I'm asked, I don't have to lie. But don't think of me as an idiot." At the end of the film, Wayne, having gained majority control of Wayne Enterprises' shares, makes Fox the company's CEO.

The Dark Knight

In "The Dark Knight", Fox is aware that Bruce Wayne is Batman and actively participates in a support capacity as Wayne's armorer, providing him with additional equipment such as the Batpod and a new Batsuit designed for more efficient mobility. In addition, Fox participates in his employer's vigilante activities both in the field and at Wayne Enterprises as his technical assistant and reconnaissance expert using his professional duties as cover. However, he disapproves of Batman manipulating his cellphone sonar technology into a device using every cellphone in Gotham to effectively spy on the entire city. Fox says he will not work for Wayne while the machine exists; however, Batman rigged the machine to self-destruct after its only use. When Fox types his name after The Joker is arrested (as indicated by the Batman), it becomes the self-destruct code for the technology. Fox walks away in satisfaction.

"Batman: Gotham Knight"

Kevin Michael Richardson voices Lucius Fox on ', within the segment '. As an extension of the Nolan film universe, the segment confirms that Lucius knows Bruce's identity, as Bruce gives Lucius the line "I'm willing to put my life on the line to do what I have to. But it has to be mine, no one else's."

"The Batman"

Lucius Fox appeared on "The Batman" in both parts of the season four finale "The Joining" ("Part One" and "Part Two"), where he is voiced by Louis Gossett Jr.. This version is based on the "Batman Begins" version, made to look somewhat similar to Morgan Freeman and including his background as a friend of Thomas Wayne. He knows Bruce Wayne's secret identity as Batman (though this version's knowledge is stated outright, not merely implied as in "Begins"), and helps design most of his arsenal along with the construction of the Batcave beneath Wayne Manor. He, along with Robin, Batgirl, and J'onn J'onzz, played a part in helping Batman defeat the alien robots known as the Joining. Lucius returns in "The Batman/Superman Story", where he gives Batman a new version of the Bat-bot, which he later uses against a brainwashed Superman, and provides Robin with a jetpack.

References