TRIGGER WARNING: Mentions of Violence Against Fictional Children.
Joker in this regard. While the character undeniably holds potential, it’s hard not to question whether he’s crossed the line of no return, cementing himself as a grotesque caricature of humanity’s most depraved and reprehensible impulses.
One of the greatest tragedies of Professor Pyg’s character is that he was actually well-developed, yet that depth failed to translate in DC’s narratives.
To put it bluntly, Professor Pyg makes me sick. I love a good villain—one that makes my skin crawl or genuinely frightens me—but Professor Pyg crosses a line. He’s too grotesque, too disturbing, and lacks the nuance that makes a villain compelling. A great antagonist needs at least one redeeming quality, entertaining trait, or darkly enjoyable element.
Pyg, however, embodies pure evil in a way that’s neither engaging nor fun. He feels uncomfortably close to real-world horrors, reflecting humanity’s darkest and most depraved aspects. Because of this, I’ve always struggled to connect with the character and often find it difficult to get through comics where he appears.
Professor Pyg’s Character Made Me Abandon a Comic Series for Nine Years
Comic Comes From Batman and Robin #3 (2009)
Despite first appearing in Batman #666 (2007) by Grant Morrison and Andy Kubert, my introduction to Professor Pyg came through Morrison and Frank Quitely’s Batman and Robin run. At 16, I eagerly dove into the series, blind to what was in store. However, I was quickly disturbed rather than entertained, particularly during the storyline where Pyg kidnaps Robin, Damian Wayne. While kidnapping Robins is a recurring trope, the interaction between Pyg and Damian left me so shaken that I abandoned the series and didn’t return to Morrison’s run for nine years—such was its impact on me.
While Two-Face’s brutalization of Dick Grayson and Joker’s torment of Jason Todd were undeniably horrific, Morrison’s Batman and Robin took the “Boy Hostage” trope to a new, unsettling extreme. What makes this especially jarring is that this wasn’t even a Black Label or Vertigo comic, which are known for pushing darker boundaries. I won’t dive into the specifics of Pyg’s behavior towards Damian while he was captive, but suffice it to say, it was deeply inappropriate—especially considering Damian’s age. It’s this disturbing behavior that, in my view, makes Professor Pyg irredeemable.
Professor Pyg’s kidnapping of Damian Wayne takes place in Morrison’s Batman and Robin #3 (2009).
Professor Pyg: A One-Dimensional Villain Defined by Gore and Shock Value
Comic Comes From Batman and Robin #3 (2009)
Full disclosure: I tend to avoid stories with Professor Pyg in them, so I'm not claiming to be an expert on the character. However, from what I’ve seen, my initial assessment from Batman and Robin still stands: Pyg's character is overwhelmingly defined by deviancy. This focus on deviancy, in my opinion, is the root cause of why he feels underdeveloped and flat, despite being a memorable and emotionally provocative figure. There’s little to Pyg beyond shock value and gore, and while these elements can make an impact, they can only carry a character so far.
I believe Professor Pyg could have evolved much further if his personality and motivations expanded beyond his inherent depravity. Some may argue that it’s his deviancy that makes him unique and well-rounded, but I have to ask: if that’s the case, why doesn’t he feature more prominently in DC’s narratives? To my knowledge, Pyg hasn’t meaningfully contributed to a storyline in years. When he does appear, he’s often more of a jumpscare rather than a character with any real substance.
Batman Villain's Repulsive New Form Is Even Worse Than Fans Expected
The Dark Knight’s psychotic villain Professor Pyg reveals his horrifying new appearance while battling Batman and Superman in Gotham City.
Professor Pyg Is Actually an Extremely Well-Developed Character – But DC's Narratives Failed to Showcase It
Comic Comes From Batman and Robin #3 (2009)
One of the greatest tragedies of Professor Pyg’s character is that he was actually well-developed, yet that depth failed to translate in DC’s narratives. In Batman and Robin Vol. 1: Batman Reborn TP, there’s a bonus section titled "Batman Redrawn," which offers "a guided tour of the creation of Batman and Robin" by Grant Morrison, Frank Quitely, and Philip Tan. It’s here that I learned just how carefully crafted Pyg’s character was. Morrison delves into Pyg’s mythos, sharing the background and inspirations that shaped the villain, including the song Pygmalism by Nick Currie and the musical My Fair Lady, which was inspired by the play Pygmalion.
Pygmalism is about the Greek myth in which the sculptor Pygmalion falls in love with a statue he’s carved, and the goddess Aphrodite brings it to life. My Fair Lady features Professor Henry Higgins, who bets he can transform the unrefined Eliza Doolittle into a sophisticated lady of society. Both stories share a common theme of “creation”—specifically shaping someone into what the creator perceives as their ideal—which directly influences Professor Pyg’s obsession with creating his Dollotrons. As Morrison explains, Pyg "has mashed all these connections into a frightening personal mythos, constructed to justify his deranged activities..."
Gotham's Most Twisted Villain Was Inspired by Haunting Real-World Experiments
There are a lot of demented villains in Gotham City with strange desires. But one surprising villain was inspired by a real-world twisted experiment.
Can Professor Pyg Ever Rise Above His Disturbing Persona?
Main Cover by Mitch Gerads for Batman #62 (2019)
There’s no denying that Morrison truly fleshed out Professor Pyg in an incredible way. However, the issue with this intricate background is that only a select few comic readers are aware of it, as it’s revealed in the afterword rather than within the narrative itself. Because of this, most readers don’t have this perspective when viewing the villain, which makes his motivations seem flat and underdeveloped. However, even though I’m aware of this background, I still find this version of Professor Pyg too sickening to be considered a ‘good character.’
It seems, then, that the real problem isn’t a lack of character development, but rather DC’s overemphasis on Pyg’s depravity. This raises the question: Can Pyg ever be redeemed as a character? To clarify, I’m not referring to redemption within his own narrative, but rather the possibility of him becoming a more well-rounded, relatable character—one that lives up to his potential as a great Batman villain. Personally, I’m not convinced that Professor Pyg can overcome the damage done to his character by past portrayals, but I’m open to being proven wrong one day.
Nightwing Needs to Steal His Personal Joker Back from Batman
As Batman, Dick Grayson faced off against Professor Pyg, a twisted villain with a similar past, who should return as Nightwing's personal Joker.
- Alias
- Bruce Wayne
- FIRST APP
- Detective Comics #27 (1939)
- Created By
- Bob Kane, Bill Finger
- Franchise
- D.C.
- Race
- Human
- First Appearance
- Detective Comics
One of DC's most iconic heroes, Batman is the vigilante superhero persona of billionaire Bruce Wayne. Forged by tragedy with the death of his parents, Bruce dedicated his life to becoming the world's leading martial artist, detective, and tactician. Recruiting an entire family of allies and sidekicks, Bruce wages war on evil as the dark knight of his hometown, Gotham City.
