DC Animated Universe
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| weaponry = Mindbending technology
 
| weaponry = Mindbending technology
 
| voiced by = [[Jon Cypher]]
 
| voiced by = [[Jon Cypher]]
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}}
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{{Character
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| name = Spellbinder
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| image = [[Image:180px-Spellbinder_TB.jpg|thumb|180px|Spellbinder from <i>The Batman</i>]]
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| bgcolor = #000000
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| fgcolor = #FF5F17
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| real name = unknown
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| species = Human
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| hair = none
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| eyes = Blue
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| relatives = none
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| base = [[Gotham City]]
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| affiliation = [[monks from the far east]]
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| rogue = [[Batman]]
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| abilities = inducing hallucination
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| weaponry = his mystical 3rd eye
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| voiced by = [[Michael Massey]]
 
}}
 
}}
 
{{Quote|Don't be afraid, I don't bite}}
 
{{Quote|Don't be afraid, I don't bite}}
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[[Category:Batman Beyond rogues]]
 
[[Category:Batman Beyond rogues]]
 
[[Category:Scientists|Billings, Ira]]
 
[[Category:Scientists|Billings, Ira]]
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==Alternate Spellbinders==
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  +
==Spellbinder 5==
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  +
The 5th spellbinder incarnation, A three-eyed mystic with the ability to induce hypnotic visions in whomever he chooses, faced the original Batman, [[Bruce Wayne]]. During his studies in the Far East, he learned of a remote temple, whose monks performed a particularly intense form of meditation, believed to lead to that which only a few could achieve--the mystic power of the third eye. A state of awareness so pure or potent, one could project ones visions into reality. Possessing the power of the third eye and a criminal mind, Spellbinder controlled Gotham's wealthy into giving up their prized possessions. When he attempted to steal a rare gem that would strengthen his spells, Spellbinder was stopped by The Batman. Despite a difficult fight against Spellbinder's tricks, The Batman was able to escape them with his mind. With a well placed punch, The Batman knocked Spellbinder out cold.
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==appearances==
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==[[The Batman]]==
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*[[The butler did it]]
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*[[Rumors]]
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==Background==
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==Delbert Billings==
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  +
[[Image:200px-Detective358Cover.jpg|thumb|left|200px|The original Spellbinder]]
  +
  +
Spellbinder first appeared in Detective Comics #358 (December 1966), and was created by John Broome and Sheldon Moldoff.
  +
  +
He is the alter-ego of Delbert Billings. Billings was a painter who used optical illusions and hypnotic weapons to commit crimes.
  +
  +
Delbert was a forger of pop art who decided to put his talents to use as a supervillain. He created the Spellbinder identity, designed hypnotic weapons and assembled a team of henchmen. He ran into Batman II during his first robbery, but Spellbinder hypnotized the crimefighter into believing he was involved in an entirely different situation, and his gang made their getaway. This ploy worked twice, but on his third robbery Batman was able to overcome it and send him to jail.
  +
  +
After leaving prison Delbert also faced off with Superman in Superman 330 (1978). Using a miniature turntable he was able to create sonic blasts which would make targets more suseptable to his hypnotic suggestions. The addition of a shock absorbing chin-guard to his helmet protected him from being knocked out by Superman and special lenses protected him from hypnosis by the Man of Steel. He was finally defeated when his own sonic blasts where echoed back on him (rendering him unconscious). This issue also revealed how Superman uses sub-conscious hypnosis (heightened by the Kryptonian lenses in his glasses) to successfully disguise himself as Clark Kent.
  +
  +
Spellbinder joined a loosely knit conglomerate of crime organized by the Monarch of Menace. Spellbinder was the first member of the group to be captured by Batman, who later disguised himself as Spellbinder to infiltrate the group and capture the Monarch. (Batman #336)
  +
  +
Spellbinder was on the run from the law with his new girlfriend Fay Moffit when he was confronted by the demon-lord Neron. Neron made an offer of immense power in exchange for his soul, but Spellbinder declined. Fay, however, thought it sounded like a great idea, so she shot Spellbinder in the head and accepted the offer for herself.
  +
  +
==League Buster==
  +
  +
A second Spellbinder with genuine mystical abilities appeared in Justice League International Vol. 2 #65 (June 1994) as a member of the Government sanctioned "League-Busters". He has not appeared again.
  +
  +
==Lady Spellbinder==
  +
  +
[[Image:250px-LadySpellbinder.jpg|thumb|left|156px|Lady Spellbinder]]
  +
  +
During the Underworld Unleashed crossover, Delbert Billings (the original Spellbinder) turned down Neron's offer, and was shot by his girlfriend Fay Moffit, who then became the third Spellbinder (aka, Lady Spellbinder). (Detective Comics #691-692)
  +
  +
Neron granted her the ability to induce genuine hallucinations, and she is followed by Batman and Robin, but they did not count on the scale of her illusion-casting abilities, which extend to making absolutely everything disappear. She escapes from Batman and Robin due to her ability to create a total illusion in her immediate vicinity, which remains even if they close their eyes. They realize that the only way to be able to approach her safely is if the approach is controlled by someone outside her immediate area of influence. Robin acts as Batman's eyes once Spellbinder is tracked down by the police, guiding him through a version of virtual reality technology. Once captured, she discovers that her deal with Neron was not all she'd hoped - if her eyes are covered, her illusion-casting abilities no longer function.
  +
  +
She subsequently appeared in Birds of Prey, where she created an illusory world in which Barbara Gordon was Batgirl (although she did not realize this had once been true). She had been hired by Blockbuster to kidnap Oracle. Oracle was able to defeat her when she attacked her with a fire extinguisher (to blind her and prevent her from casting illusions) and a club, and then tied her up for the cops. (Birds of Prey: Batgirl)
  +
  +
She returned to Birds of Prey when Black Canary and Catwoman were kidnapped by the rogue parademon Pharzoof. She was being transported with several fellow villains when their train was hi-jacked and taken to Apokolips. The villains battled the parademons, and eventually were returned to Earth where they were taken to the Slab. (Birds of Prey #12-14)
  +
  +
During The Joker: Last Laugh mini-series, she returned again. In Birds of Prey #36, she battles Black Canary. Black Canary is trapped inside Slabside Penitentiary along with a host of villains infected by the Joker, making them even more crazed than ever. Her sonic cry is able to give most of them pause, but Joker sends Copperhead and Hellgrammite after her, as neither have ears. After dealing with them, she is briefly confronted by the Shadow Thief before meeting, to her great relief, Batman, Superman and Mary Marvel. However, she soon notices that Marvel's lightning bolt is backwards, and the heroes are revealed to be an illusion created by Spellbinder, the first of the female villains affected by the Joker. Much later, Canary is comforted by Blue Beetle and Oracle - even though she was sucker-punched by Spellbinder, she did later warn Nightwing and Batman of the Joker's wider-reaching plans, effectively saving their lives.
  +
  +
Spellbinder was apparently killed alongside the Trigger Twins by a group of gun-toting super-heroes during Infinite Crisis.
  +
  +
It is noted that she bears a striking resemblance (both physically and in terms of powers) to the mysterious Harlequin. Although very similar, they appear to be two separate characters.

Revision as of 12:09, 11 August 2008

BBR

"Don't be afraid, I don't bite"

Spellbinder was a disgruntled High School psychologist turned mind-controlling criminal.

History

Ira Billings was once a psychologist working at Hamilton Hill High School. Feeling under-appreciated — and more importantly, underpaid — Billings decided to use his talents to get back at the very people he claimed had spurned him: the rich. Under the guise of his position, he probed the minds of wealthy students, and in turn — via mind control — used them to abscond with valuables from their own homes.

File:Spellbinder mesmerizing.jpg

Spellbinder guides Chelsie.

Billings donned a spandex suit with black swirls, and developed a floating "eyeball" imbedded in his right-hand glove. This contraption allowed him to project images into the minds of others. His first known victim was Chelsie. Billings approached her during a stroll back home, and mesmerized her with a jungle adventure to retrieve a valuable trinket from an ancient temple, which in reality was one of her father's possessions. Afterwards, Billings was dubbed Spellbinder by the media, given his modus operandi.

File:IraBillings.jpg

Ira Billings, the counselor.

On the next day, Dr. Billings was visited by Police Commissioner Barbara Gordon, who solicited his professional opinion on Chelsie's conduct. Billings discredited her behavior as a recurring cry for attention nourished by her father.

His next victim was Mr. Deakins, an auction house manager forced to endure a Vietnam War-like fantasy, upon which he had to carry and secure a wounded combatant, which was in reality a priceless dress. However this time, Spellbinder was spotted by Batman.

File:Spellbinder eyeball.jpg

The compelling "eyeball".

Afterwards, went after Lorraine Tate, Jared's mother. On her wedding day, Spellbinder planted his spell-casting eyeball in a hovering photo machine that he controlled from a remote position. He injected Lorraine with a nightmarish fantasy where she found herself besieged in an insectoid monster world. While running scared for her life, she left her precious jewels behind her, which Spellbinder managed to collect.

Batman caught up with him, but Spellbinder reacted quickly and ensorcelled him with a waterfall hallucination. This provided him with a chance to escape, as Batman dove straight down to the road.

File:Spellbinder unmasked.jpg

Caught and unmasked.

On the next day, Billings summoned Terry into his office, under the pretense of wanting to check on him, given all the recent radical changes in his life. However, what he really wanted was information on Bruce Wayne. Then, he spellbound Terry into looting Wayne Manor, thinking he was a contender in a Supermarket Spree contest. Spellbinder was waiting outside the mansion to collect the plunder; however, unbeknownst to him, Terry had snapped out of the trance and set off to confront the mindbender as Batman.

Spellbinder once again mesmerized Batman; this time making him think he was under attack by zombies. Taking advantage of Batman's disorientation, Spellbinder fought dirty, striking him with everything he could grab. He then attempted to lure Batman into falling down a cliff, but the tables were turned on him, and Batman winded up saving Spellbinder from certain death. Billings was unmasked and taken into custody shortly after.

The Addictive VR Rooms

File:Spellbinder VR.jpg

Spellbinder operates his VR Room with Max in it.

A few months later, Spellbinder went back to his criminal ways. He developed underground VR Rooms that generated realistic fantasy worlds, in which the users experienced adulation, and even love. Moreover, the process induced addiction, and thus the feeling of realism became overwhelming. Spellbinder lured runaway teens into the addictive grip of his VR technology, and then coerced them into stealing and doing his bidding. Among his recruits, there were Donny Grasso, Kip, and Jessie.

However, Spellbinder's VR Rooms dangerously increased the level of serotonin in the brain, and, as a result, many of his recruits overdosed. He would then send the others to dump the comatose consumers, and enlist substitutes. When Jessie overdosed, Spellbinder hooked up Max, who initially had set out to investigate him, but eventually became addicted to his technology. After Batman followed Donny into Spellbinder's hiding place — an abandoned Med Lab — he tried to extricate Max. Upon this, Spellbinder sneaked up on Batman and shocked him with an electrical cable. He then attempted to fry Batman's brain with his "eyeball" glove. However, Spellbinder was promptly foiled by Max, who pinned him against a control panel, electrocuting him. Spellbinder was once again arrested, and his VR technology impounded and studied, so that the comatose youngsters could be treated.

The Compelling Frame-Up

Sometime later, Spellbinder was out on the streets again, and sought to take revenge on Batman. During the climax of a battle between Mad Stan and the Tomorrow Knight, Spellbinder generated an illusion that made Barbara Gordon witnessing an alternative outcome: Batman murdering Mad Stan. This frame-up drove Batman to become a wanted fugitive. At some point, Spellbinder abducted Mad Stan's unconscious body and placed him in a VR Room, so that the mind-warping criminal could keep up the charade. Spellbinder kept tabs on Batman thereafter. He hid behind an illusion that concealed him from human eyes, while trying to ensure Batman's arrest. When Batman went to the city morgue to investigate Mad Stan's body, Spellbinder activated the alarm. Even though the hero-turned-fugitive eluded capture, he was tracked down by the GCPD in the old Majestic Theater. Spellbinder was hiding behind Barbara, but thanks to Bruce Wayne, who had uncovered the mystery, Batman destroyed Spellbinder's "eyeball", thus ceasing the illusion. Spellbinder was once again arrested.

Equipment

File:Spellbinder craft.jpg

Spellbinder's craft.

Spellbinder initially moved around on a wasp-looking craft, but it was destroyed in one of his earliest mêlées with Batman.

Spellbinder had a genius-level intellect, but he was not a skilled fighter. His dexterity relied heavily on his artillery and mind-warping technology. His main weapon was a floating "eyeball" that fed information into his victims' brain, which then replayed it before their eyes. By this means, he created illusions so realistic that allowed him to oblige nearly anyone into doing his bidding. It remains unclear, however, how Billings — being an underpaid High School counselor — managed to gather and develop such a complex array of weaponry and advanced technology before his first heists. It can be assumed, given his knowledge and intellect, that he created his devices from scratch. Bruce Wayne even admits that his technology is highly advanced, meaning much more so than standard consumer technology.

His vast knowledge of the human psyche, combined with his ghastly costume and mesmerizing voice, made Spellbinder one of most compelling rogues Batman had ever have to face.

Appearances

Batman Beyond

Alternate Spellbinders

Spellbinder 5

The 5th spellbinder incarnation, A three-eyed mystic with the ability to induce hypnotic visions in whomever he chooses, faced the original Batman, Bruce Wayne. During his studies in the Far East, he learned of a remote temple, whose monks performed a particularly intense form of meditation, believed to lead to that which only a few could achieve--the mystic power of the third eye. A state of awareness so pure or potent, one could project ones visions into reality. Possessing the power of the third eye and a criminal mind, Spellbinder controlled Gotham's wealthy into giving up their prized possessions. When he attempted to steal a rare gem that would strengthen his spells, Spellbinder was stopped by The Batman. Despite a difficult fight against Spellbinder's tricks, The Batman was able to escape them with his mind. With a well placed punch, The Batman knocked Spellbinder out cold.

appearances

The Batman

  • The butler did it
  • Rumors

Background

Delbert Billings

File:200px-Detective358Cover.jpg

The original Spellbinder

Spellbinder first appeared in Detective Comics #358 (December 1966), and was created by John Broome and Sheldon Moldoff.

He is the alter-ego of Delbert Billings. Billings was a painter who used optical illusions and hypnotic weapons to commit crimes.

Delbert was a forger of pop art who decided to put his talents to use as a supervillain. He created the Spellbinder identity, designed hypnotic weapons and assembled a team of henchmen. He ran into Batman II during his first robbery, but Spellbinder hypnotized the crimefighter into believing he was involved in an entirely different situation, and his gang made their getaway. This ploy worked twice, but on his third robbery Batman was able to overcome it and send him to jail.

After leaving prison Delbert also faced off with Superman in Superman 330 (1978). Using a miniature turntable he was able to create sonic blasts which would make targets more suseptable to his hypnotic suggestions. The addition of a shock absorbing chin-guard to his helmet protected him from being knocked out by Superman and special lenses protected him from hypnosis by the Man of Steel. He was finally defeated when his own sonic blasts where echoed back on him (rendering him unconscious). This issue also revealed how Superman uses sub-conscious hypnosis (heightened by the Kryptonian lenses in his glasses) to successfully disguise himself as Clark Kent.

Spellbinder joined a loosely knit conglomerate of crime organized by the Monarch of Menace. Spellbinder was the first member of the group to be captured by Batman, who later disguised himself as Spellbinder to infiltrate the group and capture the Monarch. (Batman #336)

Spellbinder was on the run from the law with his new girlfriend Fay Moffit when he was confronted by the demon-lord Neron. Neron made an offer of immense power in exchange for his soul, but Spellbinder declined. Fay, however, thought it sounded like a great idea, so she shot Spellbinder in the head and accepted the offer for herself.

League Buster

A second Spellbinder with genuine mystical abilities appeared in Justice League International Vol. 2 #65 (June 1994) as a member of the Government sanctioned "League-Busters". He has not appeared again.

Lady Spellbinder

File:250px-LadySpellbinder.jpg

Lady Spellbinder

During the Underworld Unleashed crossover, Delbert Billings (the original Spellbinder) turned down Neron's offer, and was shot by his girlfriend Fay Moffit, who then became the third Spellbinder (aka, Lady Spellbinder). (Detective Comics #691-692)

Neron granted her the ability to induce genuine hallucinations, and she is followed by Batman and Robin, but they did not count on the scale of her illusion-casting abilities, which extend to making absolutely everything disappear. She escapes from Batman and Robin due to her ability to create a total illusion in her immediate vicinity, which remains even if they close their eyes. They realize that the only way to be able to approach her safely is if the approach is controlled by someone outside her immediate area of influence. Robin acts as Batman's eyes once Spellbinder is tracked down by the police, guiding him through a version of virtual reality technology. Once captured, she discovers that her deal with Neron was not all she'd hoped - if her eyes are covered, her illusion-casting abilities no longer function.

She subsequently appeared in Birds of Prey, where she created an illusory world in which Barbara Gordon was Batgirl (although she did not realize this had once been true). She had been hired by Blockbuster to kidnap Oracle. Oracle was able to defeat her when she attacked her with a fire extinguisher (to blind her and prevent her from casting illusions) and a club, and then tied her up for the cops. (Birds of Prey: Batgirl)

She returned to Birds of Prey when Black Canary and Catwoman were kidnapped by the rogue parademon Pharzoof. She was being transported with several fellow villains when their train was hi-jacked and taken to Apokolips. The villains battled the parademons, and eventually were returned to Earth where they were taken to the Slab. (Birds of Prey #12-14)

During The Joker: Last Laugh mini-series, she returned again. In Birds of Prey #36, she battles Black Canary. Black Canary is trapped inside Slabside Penitentiary along with a host of villains infected by the Joker, making them even more crazed than ever. Her sonic cry is able to give most of them pause, but Joker sends Copperhead and Hellgrammite after her, as neither have ears. After dealing with them, she is briefly confronted by the Shadow Thief before meeting, to her great relief, Batman, Superman and Mary Marvel. However, she soon notices that Marvel's lightning bolt is backwards, and the heroes are revealed to be an illusion created by Spellbinder, the first of the female villains affected by the Joker. Much later, Canary is comforted by Blue Beetle and Oracle - even though she was sucker-punched by Spellbinder, she did later warn Nightwing and Batman of the Joker's wider-reaching plans, effectively saving their lives.

Spellbinder was apparently killed alongside the Trigger Twins by a group of gun-toting super-heroes during Infinite Crisis.

It is noted that she bears a striking resemblance (both physically and in terms of powers) to the mysterious Harlequin. Although very similar, they appear to be two separate characters.