Warning: contains spoilers for “Living Doll,”featured in DC Horror Presents #2!
In a chilling turn of events, one of Batman’s most terrifying adversaries has made a dramatic comeback. Gotham City, notorious for its lineup of criminal masterminds such as the Joker, the Penguin, and Black Mask, also harbors a host of lesser-known villains who wait in the shadows for their moment to strike. This is precisely the fate that befalls one of these second-string villains in the latest issue of DC Horror Presents #2.
DC Horror Presents #2 includes two gripping tales, with the first being “Living Doll.” Crafted by the talents of LaToya Morgan, Tom Derenick, and Walt Barna, the story marks the unsettling resurgence of Scarface, the malevolent ventriloquist doll formerly partnered with the Ventriloquist, Arnold Wesker. The narrative kicks off when two young lovers stumble upon Scarface in a derelict warehouse, inadvertently releasing his dark influence. In a brutal twist, Scarface murders one of the youths in a shocking decapitation, while his date, the young woman named Ramsey, surprisingly becomes entranced by the sinister doll. This pivotal moment implies that Ramsey may be poised to assume the role of the new Ventriloquist.
Understanding Scarface and the Ventriloquist’s Origins in DC Comics
A Disturbing Transformation in the 1990s
The chilling personas of Scarface and the Ventriloquist emerged from the creative minds of Alan Grant and the late Norm Breyfogle. Their origins were explored in a two-part storyline revealing that Scarface was crafted from the cursed wood of Blackgate Penitentiary’s first gallows—a site emblematic of Gotham’s criminal underbelly. The cursed aspect of Scarface’s creation lends a supernatural twist to his character, while also highlighting the abusive relationship he shares with the Ventriloquist.
Scarface: One of Batman’s Most Fearsome Adversaries
Unleashing Havoc: Scarface’s Ruthlessness
Even without his supernatural origins, Scarface elicits fear. His backstory, intertwined with the occult, intensifies his already nightmarish persona. In “Living Doll,” his murderous tendencies are strikingly apparent when he brutally dispatches one of the lovers, turning an intimate moment into a scene of horror. Scarface isn’t just a small and agile figure; he is a quick, lethal force—making him exceptionally dangerous and difficult to confront. This lethal combination fortifies his status as one of Batman’s most overlooked villains.
An Ideal Partner: Ramsey Joins Scarface
Ramsey: A Darker Alternative to Arnold Wesker
The revelation in “Living Doll” is Ramsey’s swift transformation from loyal girlfriend to Scarface’s accomplice, illustrating a chilling embrace of evil. Unlike Arnold Wesker, who was marked by weakness and subservience, Ramsey seems to have an inherent affinity for violence. Her abandonment of normalcy in favor of a twisted alliance with Scarface signals a deeper predisposition for malevolence. This new dynamic promises a dangerous synergy that could redefine the Ventriloquist’s character in Gotham’s criminal landscape.
A New Era of Terror for Batman
With Ramsey stepping into the role of the Ventriloquist, the duo of Scarface and Ramsey could emerge as a formidable threat in Gotham City, posing significant challenges for Batman. Compared to Wesker, who offered certain moral constraints, Ramsey lacks such filters. With both Scarface and Ramsey sharing a penchant for brutality, the potential for chaos and carnage in Gotham is exceedingly high. As Ramsey fully realizes her dark potential, she stands poised to take her place as one of the most compelling incarnations of the Ventriloquist yet.
DC Horror Presents #2 is currently available from DC Comics!
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