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|caption = The Spellbinder's debut in ''Detective Comics'' #358, art by [[Carmine Infantino]]
|caption = The Spellbinder's debut in ''Detective Comics'' #358, art by [[Carmine Infantino]]
|publisher = [[DC Comics]]
|publisher = [[DC Comics]]
|debut = '''(Billings)'''<br/>''[[Detective Comics]]'' #358 (December [[1966 in comics|1966]])<br/>'''(Unnamed)'''<br/>''[[Justice League International]]'' (vol. 2) #65 (June 1994)<br/>'''(Moffit)'''<br/>''[[Detective Comics]]'' #691 (November [[1995 in comics|1995]])
|debut = '''(Billings)'''<br />''[[Detective Comics]]'' #358 (December [[1966 in comics|1966]])<br />'''(Unnamed)'''<br/>''[[Justice League International]]'' (vol. 2) #65 (June 1994)<br/>'''(Moffit)'''<br/>''[[Detective Comics]]'' #691 (November [[1995 in comics|1995]])
|creators = '''(Billings)'''<br/> [[John Broome (writer)|John Broome]] (writer)<br/>[[Sheldon Moldoff]] (artist)<br/>'''(Moffit)'''.<br/>[[Chuck Dixon]] (writer)<br/>[[Staz Johnson]] (artist)<br/>Scott Hanna (artist)
|creators = '''(Billings)'''<br/> [[John Broome (writer)|John Broome]] (writer)<br/>[[Sheldon Moldoff]] (artist)<br/>'''(Moffit)'''.<br/>[[Chuck Dixon]] (writer)<br/>[[Staz Johnson]] (artist)<br/>Scott Hanna (artist)
|alter_ego = Delbert Billings<br/>Unnamed<br/>Fay Moffit
|alter_ego = Delbert Billings<br/>Unnamed<br/>Fay Moffit
|species = [[Metahuman]]
|alliances = <!-- optional -->
|alliances = <!-- optional -->
|aliases = '''(Billings)'''<br/>Keith Sherwood<br/>'''(Moffit)'''<br/>Lady Spellbinder
|aliases = '''(Billings)'''<br/>Keith Sherwood<br/>'''(Moffit)'''<br/>Lady Spellbinder
|powers = '''(Billings)'''<br>Use of optical and aural devices that hypnotize people<br>Minimal hand-to-hand combatant<br>'''(Unnamed)'''<br>Genuine mystical abilities<br>'''(Moffit)'''<br>Genuine illusion-casting powers
|powers = '''(Billings)'''<br>Use of optical and aural devices that hypnotize people<br>Minimal hand-to-hand combatant<br>'''(Unnamed)'''<br>Genuine mystical abilities<br>'''(Moffit)'''<br>Genuine illusion-casting powers
}}
}}
The '''Spellbinder''' is the name of four [[Character (arts)|fictional characters]] that appear as supervillains in [[comic book]]s published by [[DC Comics]]. Versions of the character have appeared on the animated series ''[[Batman Beyond]]'' and ''[[The Batman (TV series)|The Batman]]''.
The '''Spellbinder''' is the name of four fictional [[Supervillain|supervillains]] who appear in [[comic book]]s published by [[DC Comics]]. Versions of the character have appeared on the animated series ''[[Batman Beyond]]'' and ''[[The Batman (TV series)|The Batman]]''.


==Fictional character biography==
==Fictional character biography==
===Delbert Billings===
===Delbert Billings===
⚫
Spellbinder ('''Delbert Billings''') first appeared in ''[[Detective Comics]]'' #358 (December 1966), and was created by [[John Broome (writer)|John Broome]] and [[Sheldon Moldoff]].<ref>{{cite book |last1=Cowsill |first1=Alan |last2=Irvine |first2=Alex |last3=Korte |first3=Steve |last4=Manning |first4=Matt |last5=Wiacek |first5=Win |last6=Wilson |first6=Sven |title=The DC Comics Encyclopedia: The Definitive Guide to the Characters of the DC Universe |date=2016 |publisher=DK Publishing |isbn=978-1-4654-5357-0 |page=279}}</ref> He was a painter who used [[optical illusions]] and [[hypnosis|hypnotic]] weapons to commit crimes.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Cowsill |first1=Alan |last2=Irvine |first2=Alex |last3=Manning |first3=Matthew K. |last4=McAvennie |first4=Michael |last5=Wallace |first5=Daniel |title=DC Comics Year By Year: A Visual Chronicle |date=2019 |publisher=DK Publishing |isbn=978-1-4654-8578-6 |page=113}}</ref>
[[File:Spellbinder (Delbert Billings).png|thumb|upright|left|Interior artwork of the Delbert Billings version of Spellbinder from ''Who's Who: The Definitive Directory of the DC Universe'' #11 (November 1986),<br>art by [[Carmine Infantino]]]]
⚫
The Spellbinder ('''Delbert Billings''') first appeared in ''[[Detective Comics]]'' #358 (December 1966), and was created by [[John Broome (writer)|John Broome]] and [[Sheldon Moldoff]].<ref>{{cite book |last1=Cowsill |first1=Alan |last2=Irvine |first2=Alex |last3=Korte |first3=Steve |last4=Manning |first4=Matt |last5=Wiacek |first5=Win |last6=Wilson |first6=Sven |title=The DC Comics Encyclopedia: The Definitive Guide to the Characters of the DC Universe |date=2016 |publisher=DK Publishing |isbn=978-1-4654-5357-0 |page=279}}</ref> He was a painter who used [[optical illusions]] and [[hypnosis|hypnotic]] weapons to commit crimes.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Cowsill |first1=Alan |last2=Irvine |first2=Alex |last3=Manning |first3=Matthew K. |last4=McAvennie |first4=Michael |last5=Wallace |first5=Daniel |title=DC Comics Year By Year: A Visual Chronicle |date=2019 |publisher=DK Publishing |isbn=978-1-4654-8578-6 |page=113}}</ref>


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]] during his first robbery, but hypnotized the crimefighter into believing he was involved in an entirely different situation, as his gang made their getaway.<ref>{{cite book |last =Rovin |first =Jeff |title =The Encyclopedia of Supervillains |publisher =Facts on File |date =1987 |location =New York |isbn = 0-8160-1356-X |page=324}}</ref> This ploy worked twice, but on his third robbery, Batman was able to overcome it and send him to jail.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Greenberger |first1=Robert |title=The Essential Batman Encyclopedia |date=2008 |publisher=Del Rey |isbn=9780345501066 |pages=329–330}}</ref>
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]] during his first robbery, but hypnotized the crimefighter into believing he was involved in an entirely different situation, as his gang made their getaway.<ref>{{cite book |last =Rovin |first =Jeff |title =The Encyclopedia of Supervillains |publisher =Facts on File |date =1987 |location =New York |isbn = 0-8160-1356-X |page=324}}</ref> This ploy worked twice, but on his third robbery, Batman was able to overcome it and send him to jail.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Greenberger |first1=Robert |title=The Essential Batman Encyclopedia |date=2008 |publisher=Del Rey |isbn=9780345501066 |pages=329–330}}</ref>
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The Spellbinder joined a loosely knit conglomerate of crime organized by the Monarch of Menace. He was the first member of the group to be captured by Batman, who later disguised himself as the Spellbinder to infiltrate the group and capture the Monarch.<ref>''Batman'' #336</ref>
The Spellbinder joined a loosely knit conglomerate of crime organized by the Monarch of Menace. He was the first member of the group to be captured by Batman, who later disguised himself as the Spellbinder to infiltrate the group and capture the Monarch.<ref>''Batman'' #336</ref>


Later, the Spellbinder was on the run from the law with his new girlfriend, Fay Moffit, when he was confronted by the demon-lord [[Neron (DC Comics)|Neron]]. Neron offered a deal of immense power in exchange for the Spellbinder's soul, but he rejected it. Fay, however, thought it sounded like a great idea, so she killed the Spellbinder by shooting him in the head and took the deal for herself. Neron was not surprised and explained that he had never actually been addressing the Spellbinder with the deal; he had been addressing ''her'' all along.
Later, the Spellbinder was on the run from the law with his new girlfriend, Fay Moffit, when he was confronted by the demon-lord [[Neron (character)|Neron]]. Neron offered power in exchange for the Spellbinder's soul, but he rejected it. Fay, however, thought it sounded like a great idea, so she killed the Spellbinder by shooting him in the head and took the deal for herself. Neron was not surprised and explained that he had never actually been addressing the Spellbinder with the deal; he had been addressing ''her'' all along.


===Real name unknown===
===Real name unknown===
A second Spellbinder (real name unknown) appeared in ''[[Justice League International]]'' (vol. 2) #65 (June 1994) as a member of the government-sanctioned "League-Busters". <ref>''Justice League International'' (vol. 2) #65</ref> <ref>''Justice League America'' #90</ref>
A second Spellbinder (real name unknown) appeared in ''[[Justice League International]]'' (vol. 2) #65 (June 1994) as a member of the government-sanctioned "League-Busters".<ref>''Justice League International'' (vol. 2) #65</ref> <ref>''Justice League America'' #90</ref>


===Fay Moffit===
===Fay Moffit===
⚫
During the ''[[Underworld Unleashed]]'' crossover event, Delbert Billings (the original Spellbinder) rejected Neron's deal of immense power in exchange for his soul and was shot in the head and killed by his girlfriend, '''Fay Moffit''', who then took the deal for herself and became the third Spellbinder (also known as '''Lady Spellbinder''') as a result.<ref>''Detective Comics'' #691-692</ref>
<!-- Deleted image removed: [[File:LadySpellbinder.jpg|upright|thumb|left|Lady Spellbinder{{FFDC|LadySpellbinder.jpg|log=2021 February 17}}]] -->
⚫
During the ''[[Underworld Unleashed]]'' crossover event, Delbert Billings (the original Spellbinder) rejected [[Neron (DC Comics)|Neron]]'s deal of immense power in exchange for his soul and was shot in the head and killed by his girlfriend, '''Fay Moffit''', who then took the deal for herself and became the third Spellbinder (also known as '''Lady Spellbinder''') as a result.<ref>''Detective Comics'' #691-692</ref>


Neron granted her the ability to induce genuine [[hallucinations]]. She was followed by [[Batman]] and [[Tim Drake|Robin]], but they did not know the scale of her illusion-casting abilities, which extended to making absolutely everything disappear. She escaped from the heroes due to her ability to create a total illusion in her immediate vicinity, which remained even if they closed their eyes. They realized 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 the Spellbinder is tracked down by the police, guiding him using a version of virtual reality technology. Once captured, the Spellbinder discovers that her deal with Neron was not all she had hoped — if her eyes are covered or closed, her illusion-casting abilities no longer function.
Neron granted her the ability to induce genuine [[hallucinations]]. She was followed by [[Batman]] and [[Tim Drake|Robin]], but they did not know the scale of her illusion-casting abilities, which extended to making absolutely everything disappear. She escaped from the heroes due to her ability to create a total illusion in her immediate vicinity, which remained even if they closed their eyes. They realized 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 the Spellbinder is tracked down by the police, guiding him using a version of virtual reality technology. Once captured, the Spellbinder discovers that her deal with Neron was not all she had hoped — if her eyes are covered or closed, her illusion-casting abilities no longer function.
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She subsequently appeared in ''[[Birds of Prey (comics)|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 the [[Blockbuster (DC Comics)#Roland Desmond|Blockbuster]] to kidnap Barbara. Barbara was able to defeat the Spellbinder when she attacked Moffit with a fire extinguisher (to blind her and prevent her from casting illusions) and a club, and then tied her up and left her for the police.<ref>''Birds of Prey: Batgirl''</ref>
She subsequently appeared in ''[[Birds of Prey (comics)|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 the [[Blockbuster (DC Comics)#Roland Desmond|Blockbuster]] to kidnap Barbara. Barbara was able to defeat the Spellbinder when she attacked Moffit with a fire extinguisher (to blind her and prevent her from casting illusions) and a club, and then tied her up and left her for the police.<ref>''Birds of Prey: Batgirl''</ref>


The Spellbinder returned to ''Birds of Prey'' when the [[Black Canary]] and the [[Catwoman]] were kidnapped by the rogue [[Parademon]] [[Pharzoof]]. She was being transported with several other villains when their train was hijacked and taken to [[Apokolips]]. The villains battled the Parademons and eventually were returned to Earth, where they were taken to the Slab.<ref>''Birds of Prey'' #12-14</ref>
The Spellbinder returned to ''Birds of Prey'' when [[Black Canary]] and [[Catwoman]] were kidnapped by the rogue [[Parademon]] Pharzoof. She was being transported with several other villains when their train was hijacked and taken to [[Apokolips]]. The villains battled the Parademons and eventually were returned to Earth, where they were taken to the Slab.<ref>''Birds of Prey'' #12-14</ref>


The Spellbinder returned again in the miniseries ''[[Joker: Last Laugh]]''. In ''Birds of Prey'' #36, she battles the Black Canary, who is trapped inside Slabside Penitentiary along with a host of villains infected by the [[Joker (character)|Joker]]'s Joker venom, making them even more crazed than ever. The Black Canary's sonic cry is able to give most of them pause, but the Joker sends the [[Copperhead (DC Comics)|Copperhead]] and the [[Hellgrammite (comics)|Hellgrammite]] after her, as neither one of them have ears. After dealing with them, she is briefly confronted by the [[Shadow Thief]] before meeting, to her great relief, the Batman, [[Superman]], and [[Mary Marvel]]. However, the Black Canary soon notices that Marvel's lightning bolt is backwards, and the heroes are revealed to be an illusion created by the Spellbinder, who was the first of the female villains infected by the Joker's Joker venom.
The Spellbinder returned again in the miniseries ''[[Joker: Last Laugh]]''. In ''Birds of Prey'' #36, she battles the Black Canary, who is trapped inside Slabside Penitentiary along with a host of villains infected by the [[Joker (character)|Joker]]'s Joker venom, making them even more crazed than ever. The Black Canary's sonic cry is able to give most of them pause, but the Joker sends the [[Copperhead (DC Comics)|Copperhead]] and the [[Hellgrammite (comics)|Hellgrammite]] after her, as neither one of them have ears. After dealing with them, she is briefly confronted by the [[Shadow Thief]] before meeting, to her great relief, the Batman, [[Superman]], and [[Mary Marvel]]. However, the Black Canary soon notices that Marvel's lightning bolt is backwards, and the heroes are revealed to be an illusion created by the Spellbinder, who was the first of the female villains infected by the Joker's Joker venom.


The Spellbinder was apparently killed alongside the Trigger Twins by a group of gun-toting superheroes during ''[[Infinite Crisis]]''. It is noted<!--where?--> that she bears a striking resemblance (both physically and in terms of powers) to the mysterious fourth [[Harlequin (comics)#Unknown|Harlequin]]. Although very similar in appearance, they are two separate characters.
The Spellbinder was apparently killed alongside the Trigger Twins by a group of gun-toting superheroes during ''[[Infinite Crisis]]''.


===''The New 52''===
===''The New 52''===
A fourth Spellbinder appears in ''[[The New 52]]'' under the name of '''Viktor Mironov'''.<ref>''Constantine'' #13 </ref>Mironov, as the Spellbinder, was a [[Russian people|Russian]] magician known for his ability to use magic to attack a person's psyche. When [[John Constantine]] contacted him to recruit him in a plan to fight the ''Cult of the Cold Flame'', the Spellbinder initially reacted by attacking Constantine and rummaging through his mind. When the Spellbinder discovered that Constantine was sincerer, he agreed to the plan.
A fourth Spellbinder appears in ''[[The New 52]]'' under the name of '''Viktor Mironov'''.<ref>''Constantine'' #13 </ref> Mironov, as the Spellbinder, was a [[Russian people|Russian]] magician known for his ability to use magic to attack a person's psyche. When [[John Constantine]] contacted him to recruit him in a plan to fight the ''Cult of the Cold Flame'', the Spellbinder initially reacted by attacking Constantine and rummaging through his mind. When the Spellbinder discovered that Constantine was sincerer, he agreed to the plan.


However, a spell gone wrong by [[Papa Midnite]] sent the entire plan into a shambles. Constantine was sent to the wrong time period to fight the Cult and, not knowing their leader was not there to guide them, the Spellbinder and another mage were killed fighting the Cold Flame.<ref>''Constantine'' #16-17</ref>
However, a spell gone wrong by [[Papa Midnite]] sent the entire plan into a shambles. Constantine was sent to the wrong time period to fight the Cult and, not knowing their leader was not there to guide them, the Spellbinder and another mage were killed fighting the Cold Flame.<ref>''Constantine'' #16-17</ref>

===Infinite Frontier===
During ''[[Infinite Frontier]]'' and after ''[[Fear State]]'', a classmate of [[Barbara Gordon]] named '''Charles Dante''' became Spellbinder. <ref>''Batgirls'' Vol 1 3</ref>


==Powers and abilities==
==Powers and abilities==
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The second unnamed Spellbinder had genuine mystical abilities.
The second unnamed Spellbinder had genuine mystical abilities.


The third Spellbinder, also known as Lady Spellbinder, can create terrifying realistic illusions and the recipients can feel the actual pain of the illusions. If she is blinded or has her eyes closed or covered, she is unable to cast the illusions.
The third Spellbinder, also known as Lady Spellbinder, can create realistic [[illusion]]s that cause real pain to the recipients. However, she is unable to use this ability if she is blinded or otherwise has restricted vision.

== In other media ==
⚫
=== Television ===
{{multiple image
| direction = horizontal
| width = 170
| image1 = BBSpellbinder.png
| caption1 = Spellbinder as he appears in ''Batman Beyond''
| image2 = Spellbinder TB.jpg
| caption2 = Spellbinder as he appears in ''The Batman''
}}
* A futuristic incarnation of Spellbinder appears in ''[[Batman Beyond]]'', voiced by [[Jon Cypher]].<ref name="btva">{{cite web |title=Spellbinder Voices (Batman) |url=https://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/characters/Batman/Spellbinder/ |access-date=July 16, 2024 |publisher=Behind The Voice Actors}} A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its opening and/or closing credits and/or other reliable sources of information.</ref> This version is '''Ira Billings''', the [[School psychology|school psychologist]] of Hamilton High who wears a suit featuring an orange-and-black swirl design and uses a large floating "eyeball" that allows him to project mental illusions via hypnosis and virtual technology. Additionally, he constructs the addictive VR Rooms, which creates the user's greatest fantasy and eventually renders them catatonic the more they use it, for use in his crimes.
* The unnamed incarnation of Spellbinder appears in ''[[The Batman (TV series)|The Batman]]'', voiced by [[Michael Massee]].<ref name="btva" /> This version has a [[third eye]], which he acquired while meditating in the [[Far East]] and gives him the ability to induce hallucinations.


==In other media==
=== Video games ===
Spellbinder and Lady Spellbinder appear as character summons in ''[[Scribblenauts Unmasked: A DC Comics Adventure]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Eisen |first=Andrew |date=October 2, 2013 |title=DC Characters and Objects - Scribblenauts Unmasked Guide |url=https://www.ign.com/wikis/scribblenauts-unmasked/DC_Characters_and_Objects |access-date=July 16, 2024 |website=IGN |language=en}}</ref>
⚫
===Television===
[[Image:BBSpellbinder.png|150px|thumb|right|The ''Batman Beyond'' character design for the Spellbinder]]
* A future version of the Spellbinder appears in ''[[Batman Beyond]]'' voiced by [[Jon Cypher]]. He is the alter-ego of '''Dr. Ira Billings''', the [[School psychology|school psychologist]] at Hamilton High. He wears a costume featuring an orange-and-black swirl design, and uses a large floating "eyeball" that allows him to project images into the minds of others using hypnosis. During his time as a school psychologist, Dr. Billings became dissatisfied with students he has worked with for years, whom he sees as merely [[Spoiled child|spoiled brat]]s. So he utilized his virtual technology to trick them into acts based on their fantasies which, in reality, are stealing valuable possessions. The Spellbinder first appeared in "Spellbound," where he began his crime spree, but was defeated by Batman. In "Hooked Up," the Spellbinder created the addictive VR Rooms which created the user's greatest fantasy, while also being highly addictive, with too much use rendering the user catatonic. Batman investigated, and followed one user to the Spellbinder's lair. The Spellbinder tried to kill Batman, but was electrocuted by Max. In "Eyewitness," the Spellbinder created an illusion which framed Batman for Mad Stan's murder (the Spellbinder had imprisoned Stan in a VR Room). The Spellbinder used his eyeball to keep hidden and hindered Batman's attempts to clear his name. Batman and [[Barbara Gordon|Commissioner Gordon]] tracked him down and the Spellbinder was defeated. In "Where's Terry?," Dak mentions the Spellbinder as one of the "cool" villains.


=== Miscellaneous ===
[[Image:Spellbinder TB.jpg|180px|thumb|left|The Spellbinder on ''The Batman'' (animated TV series)]]
Spellbinder makes a cameo appearance in ''[[Wayne of Gotham]]'', by [[Tracy Hickman]].
* A mystical version of the Spellbinder appears in ''[[The Batman (TV series)|The Batman]]'', voiced by [[Michael Massee]]. The Spellbinder has a [[third eye]], which he acquired while meditating in the [[Far East]]. This third eye gives him the ability to induce hallucinations in others, a power he uses to steal from [[Gotham City]]'s wealthiest citizens. This Spellbinder wears a red cape over a grey suit with three black-rimmed eye holes. In "The Butler Did It," he posed as a photographer during photo shoots for a charity event to beam hypnotic commands into the minds of Bruce, two of his colleagues, and their butlers. He had the butlers steal from their employers, only for the Batman to interfere. Despite this, his real objective was a rare gemstone at the charity event that would enhance the powers of his third eye. He came close to discovering Batman's [[secret identity]] when ''Batman'' responded to a hypnotic command directed to ''Bruce Wayne''. Thanks to [[Alfred Pennyworth|Alfred]]'s intervention and his audio link to Batman, he breaks free from the hypnosis and the Spellbinder believes that Batman just pretended to be under his command to catch him unguarded. Despite the gemstone allowing the Spellbinder's illusions to feel more realistic to him, Batman managed to break free by relying on his strength of mind training and defeated Spellbinder. The Spellbinder later appears in "Rumors" as one of the villains abducted by the Rumor.


==See also==
==See also==
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==External links==
==External links==
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20060514115425/http://www.mykey3000.com/cosmicteams/tommorrow/S/Spellbinder.htm Cosmic Team profile]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20060514115425/http://www.mykey3000.com/cosmicteams/tommorrow/S/Spellbinder.htm Cosmic Team profile]
*[http://www.dcuguide.com/who.php?name=spellbinder The Unofficial Spellbinder I Biography]
*[http://www.dcuguide.com/who.php?name=spellbinder2 The Unofficial Spellbinder II Biography]
*[http://www.dcuguide.com/who.php?name=spellbinder3 The Unofficial Spellbinder III Biography]
*{{dcauw|Spellbinder|Spellbinder (Batman Beyond)}}
*{{dcauw|Spellbinder|Spellbinder (Batman Beyond)}}
*[http://www.worldsfinestonline.com/WF/thebatman/?x=bios/spellbinder/index ''The Batman'' profile] at World's Finest Online
*[http://www.worldsfinestonline.com/WF/thebatman/?x=bios/spellbinder/index ''The Batman'' profile] at World's Finest Online
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[[Category:DC Comics characters who use magic]]
[[Category:DC Comics characters who use magic]]
[[Category:DC Comics female supervillains]]
[[Category:DC Comics female supervillains]]
[[Category:Female characters in comics]]
[[Category:DC Comics male supervillains]]
[[Category:DC Comics metahumans]]
[[Category:Fictional artists]]
[[Category:Fictional artists]]
[[Category:Fictional hypnotists and indoctrinators]]
[[Category:Fictional hypnotists]]
[[Category:Fictional murderers]]
[[Category:Fictional murderers]]
[[Category:Fictional psychologists]]
[[Category:Fictional psychologists]]

Latest revision as of 18:15, 16 July 2024

Spellbinder
The Spellbinder's debut in Detective Comics #358, art by Carmine Infantino
Publication information
PublisherDC Comics
First appearance(Billings)
Detective Comics #358 (December 1966)
(Unnamed)
Justice League International (vol. 2) #65 (June 1994)
(Moffit)
Detective Comics #691 (November 1995)
Created by(Billings)
John Broome (writer)
Sheldon Moldoff (artist)
(Moffit).
Chuck Dixon (writer)
Staz Johnson (artist)
Scott Hanna (artist)
In-story information
Alter egoDelbert Billings
Unnamed
Fay Moffit
SpeciesMetahuman
Notable aliases(Billings)
Keith Sherwood
(Moffit)
Lady Spellbinder
Abilities(Billings)
Use of optical and aural devices that hypnotize people
Minimal hand-to-hand combatant
(Unnamed)
Genuine mystical abilities
(Moffit)
Genuine illusion-casting powers

The Spellbinder is the name of four fictional supervillains who appear in comic books published by DC Comics. Versions of the character have appeared on the animated series Batman Beyond and The Batman.

Fictional character biography

[edit]

Delbert Billings

[edit]

Spellbinder (Delbert Billings) first appeared in Detective Comics #358 (December 1966), and was created by John Broome and Sheldon Moldoff.[1] He was a painter who used optical illusions and hypnotic weapons to commit crimes.[2]

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 during his first robbery, but hypnotized the crimefighter into believing he was involved in an entirely different situation, as his gang made their getaway.[3] This ploy worked twice, but on his third robbery, Batman was able to overcome it and send him to jail.[4]

After leaving prison, the Spellbinder faced off with Superman in Superman #330 (1978). Using a miniature turntable, he was able to create sonic blasts that would make targets more susceptible 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 were 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.

The Spellbinder joined a loosely knit conglomerate of crime organized by the Monarch of Menace. He was the first member of the group to be captured by Batman, who later disguised himself as the Spellbinder to infiltrate the group and capture the Monarch.[5]

Later, the Spellbinder was on the run from the law with his new girlfriend, Fay Moffit, when he was confronted by the demon-lord Neron. Neron offered power in exchange for the Spellbinder's soul, but he rejected it. Fay, however, thought it sounded like a great idea, so she killed the Spellbinder by shooting him in the head and took the deal for herself. Neron was not surprised and explained that he had never actually been addressing the Spellbinder with the deal; he had been addressing her all along.

Real name unknown

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A second Spellbinder (real name unknown) appeared in Justice League International (vol. 2) #65 (June 1994) as a member of the government-sanctioned "League-Busters".[6] [7]

Fay Moffit

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During the Underworld Unleashed crossover event, Delbert Billings (the original Spellbinder) rejected Neron's deal of immense power in exchange for his soul and was shot in the head and killed by his girlfriend, Fay Moffit, who then took the deal for herself and became the third Spellbinder (also known as Lady Spellbinder) as a result.[8]

Neron granted her the ability to induce genuine hallucinations. She was followed by Batman and Robin, but they did not know the scale of her illusion-casting abilities, which extended to making absolutely everything disappear. She escaped from the heroes due to her ability to create a total illusion in her immediate vicinity, which remained even if they closed their eyes. They realized 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 the Spellbinder is tracked down by the police, guiding him using a version of virtual reality technology. Once captured, the Spellbinder discovers that her deal with Neron was not all she had hoped — if her eyes are covered or closed, 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 the Blockbuster to kidnap Barbara. Barbara was able to defeat the Spellbinder when she attacked Moffit with a fire extinguisher (to blind her and prevent her from casting illusions) and a club, and then tied her up and left her for the police.[9]

The Spellbinder returned to Birds of Prey when Black Canary and Catwoman were kidnapped by the rogue Parademon Pharzoof. She was being transported with several other villains when their train was hijacked and taken to Apokolips. The villains battled the Parademons and eventually were returned to Earth, where they were taken to the Slab.[10]

The Spellbinder returned again in the miniseries Joker: Last Laugh. In Birds of Prey #36, she battles the Black Canary, who is trapped inside Slabside Penitentiary along with a host of villains infected by the Joker's Joker venom, making them even more crazed than ever. The Black Canary's sonic cry is able to give most of them pause, but the Joker sends the Copperhead and the Hellgrammite after her, as neither one of them have ears. After dealing with them, she is briefly confronted by the Shadow Thief before meeting, to her great relief, the Batman, Superman, and Mary Marvel. However, the Black Canary soon notices that Marvel's lightning bolt is backwards, and the heroes are revealed to be an illusion created by the Spellbinder, who was the first of the female villains infected by the Joker's Joker venom.

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

The New 52

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A fourth Spellbinder appears in The New 52 under the name of Viktor Mironov.[11] Mironov, as the Spellbinder, was a Russian magician known for his ability to use magic to attack a person's psyche. When John Constantine contacted him to recruit him in a plan to fight the Cult of the Cold Flame, the Spellbinder initially reacted by attacking Constantine and rummaging through his mind. When the Spellbinder discovered that Constantine was sincerer, he agreed to the plan.

However, a spell gone wrong by Papa Midnite sent the entire plan into a shambles. Constantine was sent to the wrong time period to fight the Cult and, not knowing their leader was not there to guide them, the Spellbinder and another mage were killed fighting the Cold Flame.[12]

Infinite Frontier

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During Infinite Frontier and after Fear State, a classmate of Barbara Gordon named Charles Dante became Spellbinder. [13]

Powers and abilities

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The original Spellbinder used a number of optical and aural devices of his own invention to hypnotize others. His fighting skills were minimal.

The second unnamed Spellbinder had genuine mystical abilities.

The third Spellbinder, also known as Lady Spellbinder, can create realistic illusions that cause real pain to the recipients. However, she is unable to use this ability if she is blinded or otherwise has restricted vision.

In other media

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Television

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Spellbinder as he appears in Batman Beyond
Spellbinder as he appears in The Batman
  • A futuristic incarnation of Spellbinder appears in Batman Beyond, voiced by Jon Cypher.[14] This version is Ira Billings, the school psychologist of Hamilton High who wears a suit featuring an orange-and-black swirl design and uses a large floating "eyeball" that allows him to project mental illusions via hypnosis and virtual technology. Additionally, he constructs the addictive VR Rooms, which creates the user's greatest fantasy and eventually renders them catatonic the more they use it, for use in his crimes.
  • The unnamed incarnation of Spellbinder appears in The Batman, voiced by Michael Massee.[14] This version has a third eye, which he acquired while meditating in the Far East and gives him the ability to induce hallucinations.

Video games

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Spellbinder and Lady Spellbinder appear as character summons in Scribblenauts Unmasked: A DC Comics Adventure.[15]

Miscellaneous

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Spellbinder makes a cameo appearance in Wayne of Gotham, by Tracy Hickman.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Cowsill, Alan; Irvine, Alex; Korte, Steve; Manning, Matt; Wiacek, Win; Wilson, Sven (2016). The DC Comics Encyclopedia: The Definitive Guide to the Characters of the DC Universe. DK Publishing. p. 279. ISBN 978-1-4654-5357-0.
  2. ^ Cowsill, Alan; Irvine, Alex; Manning, Matthew K.; McAvennie, Michael; Wallace, Daniel (2019). DC Comics Year By Year: A Visual Chronicle. DK Publishing. p. 113. ISBN 978-1-4654-8578-6.
  3. ^ Rovin, Jeff (1987). The Encyclopedia of Supervillains. New York: Facts on File. p. 324. ISBN 0-8160-1356-X.
  4. ^ Greenberger, Robert (2008). The Essential Batman Encyclopedia. Del Rey. pp. 329–330. ISBN 9780345501066.
  5. ^ Batman #336
  6. ^ Justice League International (vol. 2) #65
  7. ^ Justice League America #90
  8. ^ Detective Comics #691-692
  9. ^ Birds of Prey: Batgirl
  10. ^ Birds of Prey #12-14
  11. ^ Constantine #13
  12. ^ Constantine #16-17
  13. ^ Batgirls Vol 1 3
  14. ^ a b "Spellbinder Voices (Batman)". Behind The Voice Actors. Retrieved July 16, 2024. A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its opening and/or closing credits and/or other reliable sources of information.
  15. ^ Eisen, Andrew (October 2, 2013). "DC Characters and Objects - Scribblenauts Unmasked Guide". IGN. Retrieved July 16, 2024.
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