Forgotten Batman Villains: Dr Death (Batman's First Villain) 

I do like the trenchcoat with fedora and gas mask design the most. It’s so Noir, I love it.

I don't know why- But I really like the design of the 'Gas-mask, Fedora and Trenchcoat' version for some reason. It's exactly what I'd visualize if I were to think of an Underworld Bio-weapons creator... Yet, somehow feels unique visually, despite how bland he appears.

Doctor Death should have appeared more; even outside of media. In Batman TAS, Bruce talks to Dick about Doctor Death the first villain he ever fought during his early carer as Batman. If Beware the batman got another season, maybe Doctor Death would have appeared. In Batman: Arkham Origin, Doctor Death could have been a side mission. *sigh* Too bad that he didn't get some respect.

If they bring him back, I'd make the Man under the mask like the original, but his criminal alter-ego Dr Death would be the gas-mask version. The bone-growth Creature could be one of his Henchman, possibly the result of his research.

I agree he should have more respect. He is the start if the greatest Rouges gallery ever. What if he was a side mission in another Arkham Game. Awesome video Rouges. Maybe one day he will be in Gotham. Hopefully not killed off in the first episode like Toymaker.

I really like this guy. I’m not sure exactly why, but I just think he’s a really fun villain. His pulp-villain-like nature is a fun trope you could play up. Batman doesn’t really have any other pulp-type villains, at least none as recurring as Karl here. That’s how I would play him up, as sort of a pulp-based mad scientist, working with other villains and having a sort of past with the Waynes and Judson Pierce (I hope he returns someday as well), and all the stuff about him from Streets Of Gotham should be brought back into continuity. You could also play with the idea that he was Batman’s first villain, maybe he even fought Batman on his first night of crime fighting. As for his design, my favorite so far is his fedora and gas mask look, but I’d personally mix together his Batgirl look with the aforementioned fedora look, as I think it would look simultaneously pulp-based and yet somewhat original at the same time. As for my preference of him or the Mad Monk, I would have to pick Helfern over the Monk, though I do like him too. I haven’t read the Conway two-parter or the Batgirl stuff, but I am familiar with the other stories. I do say I like the original, but he is sort of bland there, and not in good pulpy way. The Streets Of Gotham version is pretty cool, and I like the past they gave him with Hush and the Waynes. As for the Snyder version, I like it, but like you I feel that it strays too far. Eventually I’ll track down the other Helfern stories. By the way, the good doctor was recently referenced on the Harley Quinn series. So, I guess people really do remember him. I wouldn’t say he qualifies as “forgotten,” but I would say he’s certainly somewhat overlooked. I do feel like he could work in other media. He was perfect for stuff like Gotham and the Nolan movies. I also feel he should have been in the Arkham games. I find the latter odd, especially since the first two of those games were written by Paul Dini, who clearly IS familiar with the character, and yet he wasn’t even referenced. He probably could work in a cartoon, since we have guys like KILLER Croc on TAS.

I agree Dr. Death deserves more credit! Many claim that Hugo Strange was Batman's first recurring villain, but they neglect Dr. Death! I've only read his Golden Age and Zero Year stories, but I have to say that design-wise his gas mask with a fedora look is pretty neat. I could see him and Scarecrow teaming up and making all sorts of crazy chemicals and gases!

It would be difficult, but you could probably combine all these versions together in some way in a future adaptation. The way I'd do it would be something like this: * Personality & Motives - Batgirl/New 52, but can be reserved like his 52 version. * Visual Design - Golden/Bronze Age (originally), then an amalgamation of his 2000s designs, having his 52 look during meetings and other business affairs but letting his Mad Scientist look come out during his deathly experiments. * Henchmen - New 52's design plus a renamed Jabah (Jay Barnes?) as a consistent and trusted ally and assistant. * Mobility - Paralysed much later on in his villainous career, either by another villain or Red Hood. Something like this would be a nice way to honour the history of the character whilst also allowing for a bit of consistency for him.

Hit yet another bullseye rouges. I never knew anything about this guy so thanks man. I also really like the gas mask and fedora look

Poor Dr Death, he never stood a chance especially since Hugo Strange appeared immediately after, to say nothing of the Joker. What room did Batman's rogue gallery have for him afterwards? As for the character himself, He's okay in my opinion. I prefer him to the Mad Monk and I like his Streets of Gotham and Zero Year renditions the best.

If only the creators of BTAS introduced Dr. Death on that show and ,based on my opinion, could've been voiced by Tim Curry. Tim has the right voice for the doctor: the right amount of a typical evil/mad scientist but with little more flare and style even without a gimmick. He is such a missed opportunity. Hoping Dr. Death will appear in future media.

Well, at least Dr Death is showing up as a stretch goal for the Batman boardgame. Now if only the Mad Monk can get that kind of treatment.

I'm surprised Dr death doesn't get more recognition, he really deserves it.

I have actually read nearly ALL of the stories you mentioned here, believe it or not, and I do have a soft spot for the character of Dr. Death. As you pointed out, being Batman's first proper, recurring villain does get him a few nice points, and, like yourself, I do like how Helfern is very much like something out of the pulps. Actually, one thing I was slightly disappointed with when the recent crossovers with The Shadow popped up recently was that Dr. Death did not appear. In the first story, we got the Joker (of course) and an original villain, The Stag. I love the Joker, naturally, and while he is overused, I can completely understand the desire to use Batman's most popular villain and decided arch-nemesis, but when you team Batman up with a character born from the pulps, and who has had a long history of antagonists (albeit few of them recurring), it would have been nice to have somebody like Karl Helfern at LEAST make a cameo. In contrast, the second story - though I don't think it's AS good, plot-wise - uses the villains to a much greater advantage, teaming-up Shiwan Khan with Ra's Al Ghul, and even throwing Professor Pyg (who, for some reason, has also always given me a slightly "pulpy" vibe) into the mix as a secondary player in the early chapters. It's sort of a weird toss-up; the first has the better overall story and I feel the way the Shadow is used and portrayed there is a bit better, and many other characters are used quite nicely, but the second story has much better antagonists and uses them brilliantly. I sincerely hope, since both arcs have been fairly successful, that we get a third story with the characters teaming-up, and that this time some of Batsy's older rogues - like dear ol' Dr. Death here - get a bit more time to shine. Anyway, rantings involving a certain Dark Avenger aside: as far as other media, I was a little stunned when this guy never popped up in the brave and the bold. I get that it was geared more towards younger audiences, but if you don't want to call him "Dr. Death," why not just call him "Dr. Helfern"? Teen Titans got away with just calling Deathstroke "Slade," and, in my opinion, gave us the best version of the character in other media yet. Similarly, like you, I'm stunned this character has yet to appear in "Gotham," yet the Penguin, the Riddler, Professor Hugo Strange, the Mad Hatter, Catwoman, Solomon Grundy, Poison Ivy, Mr. Freeze, Clayface, AND THE FREAKING COURT OF OWLS ALL HAVE...and that's just to name a few! In a series slated to take place in Batsy's early years, it seems a glaring oddity to not have this noteworthy knave anywhere! (Also, an animated film with the style you just spoke of would be AWESOME. Hello! DC?! Are you listening?! YOU SHOULD BE!) As far as my favorite portrayal of Dr. Death goes...that's tough to say. Like you, I think my favorite story would be the Conway story (who, despite the strangeness, I do tip my hat to for bringing a certain Hatter back to Wonderland...even if it was in a rather confusing way), but as far as the character himself goes, it's a harder sell. I'm actually not as much of a fan of the Batgirl version as you are, but I get the appeal, obviously. My favorite design for the character probably goes to the 2009 look. It's simple, some would even say a bit generic, but it's just so effective, and it once again feels almost like something from the pulps. Something about a guy in a long dark coat and fedora, with a creepy WWI-era gas mask on his face, just strikes me powerfully. But in terms of personality, I really like the version from Zero Year, who was completely maniacal and twisted, yet also surprisingly sympathetic. If we could get a Dr. Death who had the sympathetic yet warped personality of Zero Year's version (though with perhaps different means, since the whole bone thing was...weird...), but the hauntingly simplistic design of the 2009 version, I think we'd have a perfect version of the character, at least in my humble opinion.

Kinda reminds me of Hugo Strange (but less interesting, as usually not a fan of villains who are only motivated by greed) but he's still better than the monk

I've been fascinated by Doctor Death ever since reading Batman Chronicles (TPB of Golden Age Batman comics). I miss that old purple gloved, gun toting Batman. There was something eerie about those comics too. They just had a sinister vibe to them.

I actually like th house of hush take on the character, where they imply that he's same as the 40's version, he just reinvents himself to 'keep up with the times' and the gas mask and trenchcoat give him a pulpy feel while keeping him sinister, and his obsession with deadly chemicals, toxins and viruses mixed with a more clinical yet sadistic outlook works well for him.

9:10 you just gave me a great idea for my batman comic series.

So I just watched your Dr. Death patient session and I just had to come here

I like to imagine that he has his fingers on every chemical weapon in the DC universe. Given his old age, he helps other villains like the Joker, Bane, Scarecrow, and many others.

I definitely dig the Trenchcoat, Fedora and WWII-Style Gas Mask design of the character. Maybe give him a weapon like Arkham series Scarcrow with the Syringe claw glove? Like releasing dangerous toxic gasses? Maybe underneath that cold and clinical noir outfit he's got chemical burns on portions of his body, mostly his arms and chest from his own earlier experiments which he's learned from? I see potential in this character, I hope he comes back in some form, maybe in that new Batman TV series that's going to be connected to the Pattinson Batman movie?

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ROUGES!!! 👍 (On Tuesday)

You should cover Film Freak, I remember him from the Knightfall Radio Drama.

I got one more appearance of Dr. Death. In War Games the Batgirl version (this time appearing in Detective Comics) of the character was present when all the criminals were gathered in this little area as a disguised Black Mask (disguised as Orpheus) began giving a speech. In the issue, Batman spots Dr. Death setting up a machine or something (it's been awhile since I read this one). The machine let loose a gas that was going to kill everyone that was gathered. But Batman knocks Dr. Death out by swinging in and kicking him. He then turns off the machine. He was in that comic for like...4 panels.

I prefer dr death to the mad monk, I prefer the later designs from batgirl and house of hush, a crazy doctor with a gas mask or oxygen mask, that’s friggin cool. He should appear in a noir thriller as a villain, but have it be a mystery similar to mask of the phantasm where we don’t know who the good doctor is...

Please do Doctor Phosphorus! I love your videos! 😁👍

Could be a cool “Early Days” villain that could resurface and collect Bat Rogues that have fallen on hard times...and acts as their leader as the man who started it all.

If he need more respect, he would possibly appears in Beware the Batman if the series would has continues or possible a new Batman series which would possibly be a remake of Beware the Batman or something else.

I like him in Zero Year he's rlly scary and it's also rlly scary how right he thinks it is.

If Dr death isn't in the batman 2 or 3, I will riot

Honestly I feel that Dr Death or simply Death is one of the villians that can get a major resurgence if he is given the chance. He can be modernised for current media. If you loose the fedora and trench coat and replace it with some leather, but also keep the mask and making it more creepy, he can be one of the most terrifying villains. I really had some concepts for individual stories or with team ups with other villains like Hugo strange and Dr Pshymon, forming the Science squad like in the comics. Also i had ideas for making him a tragic villian like Bruce Timm reinvented Dr freeze.

Actually, Dr. Death's name was on the reel of one of Gray Ghost's episodes in Batman TAS.

Dr. Death wasn't Batman's first villain. He was his first supervillain. Before him, he fought regular criminals.

So this is Batman's very first vilian? This is pretty interesting. The different versions of him seem so... Strange.. I liked the first two versions of him, liked some parts of the 3rd versions of him and the 4th version seems... Lacking in a a way. The 5th one seems unnecessary in a way... I know taking a sympathtic take on him is an interesting twist but if they worked from the older versions, they could have made him better. At least that's how I see him with what I can get from this video. Dr. Death can have a temporary name substitute for the shows... Maybe... Idek...

I absolutely love your videos. You put so much work into these episodes. I really appreciate it.

This guy would have been a better Hush

I always thought to be Hugo Strange as the very first Batman villain. Honestly I'm very surprised when I saw Dr Death (Batman's First Supervillain). Oh well no one is perfect when keeping track.

Dang it’s a real shame that even wicked designed antagonists get lost to time and get neglected by the creators….

Dr. Death actually appeared in Batman: The Brave and the Bold cartoon. Granted it was an episode making fun of Japan, where instead of the Joker Dr. Death remained Batman's arch-nemesis but still.

Screw the court of owls or mr freeze, make Batman’s first villain the villain of the Batman 2

I would love to see a mix of all his apireces in a linear story going, one by one all his stories are properly yet un properly adapt whit a bit of a real life inspiración we could have a proper rogue, the desing i love is the tumbnail one, noir coat and fedora whit a war gas mask that is iconic in his simplicity Also love your Arkham sesion on Good old doctor carl

Fantastic Review and summary of the history of Dr. Death! This villain along with the Monk, Professor Radium, the first Clayface and early Hugo Strange definitely have a pulp villain style! I have not seen the reboots of Doctor Death but the gas masked version was definitely coolest in appearance for me of all his incarnations. I would love to see DC create a series of animated adventures where the 1940's Dark Knight battles his pulp inspired Rogues like Dr. Death and the Mad Monk. I agree with you and think that this could be amazing if done correctly! That Bruce Tim Golden Age classic Batman versus Hugo Strange and his monster men was awesome! We need more of that from DC!

I do like a Dr death wearing Gangster outfit and gas mask

OK I did a little digging and apparently the doctor death story arc in the 80s is actually a two-part story it was in Batman #245 and Detective comics #513. And it was drawn by By both Newton and Gene Colan. also, I really like his design in both the life after death, and the New 52 storylines I wish somebody would combine them like when he’s wearing a gas mask his deformed monstrous look is underneath it.

Ya know to this day I still don't know how they decided Batman's main rouges since it clearly isn't based on potential just look at Professor Radium. Nor is it based on appearances since people like Two-Face went years without appearing, while The Cavalier and The Spook made many during their time periods. Then again I don't think that should be a problem as I would treat my villains like characters, if Bruce gets 45 mins. of screen time maybe Edmund Dorrance should. Then again that's almost required since using obscure characters more or less means re-telling their origin, since most fans will be like "Snowman, wow they made a new villain". Matt villain idea # 3: Miner Injuries Our story involves an amateur inventor named: Pavel Skala, a polish-born man, moved to america when he was 8, where his parents formed an oil empire in the form of Skala's Station, a chain of gas stations in Gotham City. Pavel's parents unfortunately didn't get to enjoy wealth for long as Mrs. Skala was suffering from a bad medical disease one that was causing here to become almost entirely paralyzed. She died one night alone in her hospital bed. Mr. Skala stricken with grief hit the booze pretty hard, but it was a bar fight that took him away. Pavel was naturally depressed over the loss of his parents and opted to come up with his own way to cure paralyses, an exo-skeleton that could attach to your spine and enable walking, running, hiking, and overall use of your legs. The device code-named "Steel Walker" would even increase leg stamina and jumping capabilities. He offered a prototype to a construction worker injured on the job and it worked like a dream. Pavel, overjoyed, wanted the whole world enjoy the Steel Walker, but sadly for Pavel he couldn't get any investors, because ounce they learned how much it cost to make the Steel Walker they shit bricks. Plus Bruce Wayne told Pavel that criminals would use it for there own nefarious purposes (No Shit, Sherlock), so Pavel had to come with his own way of funding the Steel Walker. His solution was to create an oil-eating liquid, that overnight would put a serious dent in Gotham City's oil supplies, prices will go up which means more money for Skala's Station and more money for funding the Steel Walker. However during the coarse of making such a formula, Pavel would lose both his hands in a lab explosion (he did these experiments underground to not attract attension) and replace them with electronic replacements capable of admitting plasma shot, limited tech control, and are 10x stronger than actual hands. He also lost an eye during the process and replaced it with a laser pointed eye capable of cutting through most everything. Lastly a miner hat was needed for the dark underground with the hat bearing a blinding light on top. A now overweight and deformed Pavel was finished his work and with the construction worker at his side serving as a henchman he was about to expose the oil to his formula. Unfortunately Batman was also underground trying to sniff out a bunch of crooks using the underground as a way to smuggle in diamonds; He spotted Pavel and going on hero instincts he thought that Pavel was one of if not the leader of the smugglers (you can forgive him for thinking that, after all he's been in this gig since 1939.) he fought Pavel whom Bruce dubbed "The Prospector" and yes I know that I need a better reason for having Bruce and Pavel fight, but I'm not a veteran writer. Respond if you read all of that and let me know your thoughts feel free to make as long and as critical as possible because I have no life and will read it all. Don't be afraid to suggest ideas and for god sake, yes I know it's a stupid villain name. Up next I'll tell you a tale about Two-Face.

Great review, I tought he had more stories.My favorite is also the 82 story , which had great plot ,and art by Colan and Janson, be well.

Huh, so Batman's first vilian was a guy named Doctor Death. The more you know.

Well researched video, but a point of contention is that in the main DC continuity (from the Golden Age to now) Joker's face is not disfigured at all, discoloured yes - but not disfigured.

Honestly, there's a way you can combine the bronze age version, the 1st post crisis version, andnthe modern age version into 1, the bronze age story still happened in the post-crisis world, but batman fought him a second time, in which the doctor created a virus that disfigured you and drives you insane, and the battle ended with death being exposed to the gas before falling to his believed death, but he resurfaced a few time to menace the masked manhunter, until his batgirl stories, but he then attempted to create a cure for his virus, it worked, but he was suffered injuries to his lungs explaining his redesign.

Honestly Dr’Death could of probably worked in the Arkham video games working alongside Hugo Strange.

His bandaged look seems like it may have been the inspiration behind hush

I have some batman Villians that you could do, I don't know if you did any of them though. 1. KGBeast 2. Anarky 3. The Dealer 4.King Kraken 5.Black Spider 6. Lock Up 7. Mad Dog 8. Amygdala 9. Reaper 10. Tiger Shark

I really like dr death he's my third favorite villan behind Corniulis and Bane specifically the 2013 version I love the new design and I think they made him better I also like the 2003 version.

Wait isn't Alfred Stryker Batman's first villain, as he was the main villain of Batman's first appearance?

0:40 - Dr death's stories 5:35 - Rogue's opinion

Man I just love your fucken voice

The Golden Age Doctor Death is awesome.

Maybe they could have the gasmask version be an old alias of his when he was younger or something.

can you do a video about the weeper

In retrospect, Dr Death must be the inspiration for Darth Vader

Dr death made a cameo in episode 1 of my batman series

Do lord death man

If you're looking for any new forgotten Batman villains for your channel here are a few I would like to suggest... Johnny Karaoke- Leader of a Yakuza gang called the Geisha Girls who carries a sword cane with a skull on top of it that he sings into as he fights and kills his enemies. The Gorilla Gang- A gang of gun wielding thieves who dress up as gorillas and name themselves after famous TV and movie gorillas such as Bingo, Caesar, Joe, and Magilla according to entry on the DC Database Wiki at dc.wikia.com/wiki/Gorilla_Gang. So far according to their entry they only made two appearances in the Batman comics in Batman Vol. 1 Issue# 156 in 1963 and Batman Vol. 3 Issue# 185 in 1966, and they recently made appearance in the new Harley Quinn comics in Harley Quinn Vol. 3 Issue# 38 this year in April. Mister Camera- Another one of Batman's gimmick villains who wears a helmet in the form of a camera and uses cameras and other photographic devices in his crimes according to his entry on the DC Database Wiki at dc.wikia.com/wiki/Mister_Camera_(Earth-Two). Also according to his entry on the DC Database Wiki he has only made two appearances in the Batman Comics in Batman Vol. 1 Issue# 81 in February 1954 and in Batman Vol. 1 Issue# 185 in October 1966. He has also made a few cameo appearances in the cartoon "Batman: The Brave and the Bold" and he also appeared in its comic book adaptation. Will you cover these forgotten Batman villains in a video or two please? Thank you.

i like the mad monk better. good video!

I didn't read the title and only looked at the thumbnail Thought this was a video for Wesley Dodds/Sandman

I drew up a group picture of Batman’s rogues and I included Dr. Death in that picture! 🙂

Maybe do a video on the Batman “villain” the Ogre ?

cool the first supervillain batman ever faced that's awesome :3

Batman’s first villain was actually Alfred Stryker

Atleast he got recognition in zero year

That sympathetic version creeps me the hell out...

He reminds of the Golden Age hero the Sandman with that gas mask and coat get up.

1:22 HE'S HUSH! LOL

i like how serious the video sounds, but your voice....

What's the name of the background music you use for your Penguin videos?

i don't know rogues, hellfern's difigurement did kinda have a theme in that it gave him a kind of Death's head look

I can't help but feel like Death's scarred and bandaged appearance wound up inspiring Hush's look.

Dr. death was alluded to in Batman the Animated Series The Grey Ghost. He is The Grey Ghost Villian.

He reminds me of Karl Malus.

Did the title remove monetization like you thought it would

You should review dark knights metal.

3:16 This comic released in 2003 right? Did this arstyle inspired the 2004 Batman series?

I would like to believe that they probably would’ve found a way to add Dr. death to Batman to brave in a bold

It would be cool if they introduce him as a villain in The Batman movie.

How come this guy never appeared in any batman animated series before? I like his design it gives that noir vibes, if they ever make another batman animated series, they should make this guy as the main antagonist, after all he was batman first villain, and besides i think they should do something different instead of the usual "batman vs joker" story arc all the time.

Maybe you focus on Batman Beyond villains?

I’d love to see an old fashioned early-1900’s gothic pulp Batman story like Nosferatu or The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari with Dr. Death as the main antagonist

Matt Wagner did a mad monk mini in the early 2000s I believe

They should take the original design of Dr. death but maybe add different traits from his other incarnations

You owe Alfred Stryker an apology.

I kind of have a soft spot for this guy. Sure, his original stories are pretty formulaic, but I think he works as an early Batman rogue and is perfect for those more pulpey-style stories. Shame he isn't really used more, and that pretty much every version of him is a complete reinvention. He makes a few cameos in a few other stories too, like in Batman RIP, where in typical Grant Morrison fashion, he's re-canonized as one of Batman's first villains in his classic golden age design. Always found it a bit odd he never even made a cameo in other media. I could have easily seen him appear as a one-time villain in BTAS, or referenced in one of the Arkham games, but alas, nobody really cares or remembers much about old Hellfern.

Pretty sure Alfred striker was batman first super villain as he become joker

And guess who was the very first super villain was "the Ultra Humanite"

6:38 bruh

I wanna see Film Freak and Amygdala

Hmm.. Between him and the Mad Monk, they're both good concepts that could be developed and used more nowadays. I mean, a mad scientist who has a bone to pick with all the upper class of Gotham, and a vampiric cult leader that believes he's doing something right, those would be great villains to have more around. Shame that history has pretty much forgotten about them, if I had to bring the back I'd go with these designs. I'd give Ol' Dr. Helfern a makeover, perhaps make him a scientist that was working against his will during World War 2 for the Nazis, and considering most of the nazi scientists were brought over to America to put them to work, he'd be one of them. However his experience there and the treatment he got from others pushed him over the edge and decided to use his mind for evil, to get revenge on America for his suffering. As for the Mad Monk, I'd make him a villager, maybe a town priest and so-called 'messenger of god' that was around during the early 1900's as one of Count Dracula's victims that he bit, now cursed to walk the earth forever, unable to practice his sermons, and treated like a demon and spawn of hell by his former followers, he decided that if he was going to be treated like a monster, he'd BECOME one, eventually becoming the Mad Monk.

Wonder if they’ll ever use Doctor Doom in a movie.

The newest one is my favorite

This guy should reappear

1st not 1st and good video