text
stringlengths 0
7.06k
|
|---|
Following the cancellation of the Anarky series , and Grant 's departure from DC Comics , Anarky experienced a prolonged period of absence from DC publications , despite professional and fan interest in his return . This period of obscurity lasted approximately nine years , with three brief interruptions for minor cameo appearances in 2000 , 2001 , and 2005 . In 2008 , Anarky reappeared in an issue of Robin authored by Fabian Nicieza , with the intention of ending this period of obscurity . The storyline drastically altered the character 's presentation , prompting a series of responses by Nicieza to concerned readers . Anarky became a recurring character in issues of Red Robin , authored by Nicieza , until the series was cancelled in 2011 in the aftermath of The New 52 . A new Anarky was introduced into the New 52 continuity in October 2013 , in an issue of Green Lantern Corps , which itself was a tie @-@ in to the " Batman : Zero Year " storyline . Yet more characters have been authored as using the Anarky alias in the New 52 continuity via the pages of Detective Comics and Earth 2 : Society .
|
From 2013 , Anarky began to be featured more heavily in media adaptations of DC Comics properties , across multiple platforms . In July , a revamped version of Anarky was debuted as the primary antagonist in Beware the Batman , a Batman animated series produced by Warner Bros. Animation . In October , the character made his video game debut in Batman : Arkham Origins , as a villain who threatens government and corporate institutions with destruction . Anarky made his live action debut in the Green Arrow television series Arrow in 2015 , portrayed by Alexander Calvert , once again as a villain .
|
= = Publication history = =
|
= = = Creation and debut = = =
|
Originally inspired by his personal political leanings , Alan Grant entertained the idea of interjecting anarchist philosophy into Batman comic books . In an attempt to emulate the success of Chopper , a rebellious youth in Judge Dredd , he conceptualized a character as a twelve @-@ year @-@ old anarchist vigilante , who readers would sympathize with despite the character 's harsh methods . Creating the character without any consultation from his partner , illustrator Norm Breyfogle , his only instructions to Breyfogle were that Anarky be designed as a cross between V and the black spy from Mad magazine 's Spy vs. Spy . The character was also intended to wear a costume that disguised his youth , and so was fitted with a crude " head extender " that elongated his neck , creating a jarring appearance . This was in fact intended as a ruse on the part of writer Alan Grant to disguise the character 's true identity , and to confuse the reader into believing Anarky to be an adult . While both of these design elements have since been dropped , more enduring aspects of the character have been his golden face mask , " priestly " hat , and his golden cane .
|
The first Anarky story , " Anarky in Gotham City , Part 1 : Letters to the Editor " , appeared in Detective Comics <unk> , in November 1989 . Lonnie Machin is introduced as " Anarky " as early as his first appearance in Detective Comics <unk> , withholding his origin story for a later point . He is established as an uncommonly philosophical and intelligent twelve @-@ year @-@ old . Lonnie Machin made his debut as " Anarky " by responding to complaints in the newspaper by attacking the offending sources , such as the owner of a factory whose byproduct waste is polluting local river water . Anarky and Batman ultimately come to blows , and during their brief fight , Batman deduces that Anarky is actually a young child . During this first confrontation , Anarky is aided by a band of homeless men , including Legs , a homeless cripple who becomes loyal to him and would assist him in later appearances . After being caught , Lonnie is locked away in a juvenile detention center .
|
= = = Anarky series = = =
|
Following the comic book industry crash of 1996 , Norm Breyfogle sought new employment at DC Comics . Darren Vincenzo , then an editorial assistant at the company , suggested multiple projects which Breyfogle could take part in . Among his suggestions was an Anarky limited series , to be written by Grant or another specified author . Following encouragement from Breyfogle , Grant agreed to participate in the project . The four @-@ issue limited series , Anarky , was published in May 1997 . Entitled " Metamorphosis " , the story maintained the character 's anti @-@ authoritarian sentiments , but was instead based on Neo @-@ Tech , a philosophy developed by Frank R. Wallace .
|
Well received by critics and financially successful , Grant has referred to the limited series as one of his favorite projects , and ranked it among his " career highlights " . With its success , Vincenzo suggested continuing the book as an ongoing series to Breyfogle and Grant . Although Grant was concerned that such a series would not be viable , he agreed to write it at Breyfogle 's insistence , as the illustrator was still struggling for employment . Building on the increasing exposure of the series , a trade paperback featuring the character titled Batman : Anarky was published . However , Grant 's doubts concerning the ongoing series 's prospects eventually proved correct . The second series was panned by critics , failed to catch on among readers , and was canceled after eight issues ; however Grant has noted that it was popular in Latin American countries , supposing this was due to a history of political repression in the region .
|
= = = Absence from DC publications = = =
|
After the financial failure of Anarky vol . 2 , the character entered a period of absence from DC publications that lasted several years . Norm Breyfogle attempted to continue using the character in other comics during this time . However , when his efforts were rejected , he came to suspect the character 's prolonged absence was due in part to censorship . Since the cancellation of the Anarky series , Grant has disassociated himself from the direction of the character , simply stating , " you have to let these things go . "
|
In 2005 , James Peaty succeeded in temporarily returning Anarky to publication , writing Green Arrow <unk> , Anarky in the USA . Although the front cover of the issue advertised the comic as the " return " of the character , Anarky failed to make any further appearances . This was despite comments by Peaty that he had further plans to write stories for the character .
|
Anarky retained interest among a cult fan base during this obscure period . During a panel at WonderCon 2006 , multiple requests were made by the audience for Anarky to appear in DC Comic 's limited series , 52 . In response , editors and writers of 52 indicated Anarky would be included in the series . However , the series concluded without Anarky making an appearance , and with no explanation given by anyone involved in the production of the series for the failed appearance .
|
= = = Return as " Moneyspider " = = =
|
On August 15 , 2008 , DC Comics announced that Anarky would reappear in the December issue of Robin , issue <unk> With the publication of Robin <unk> , " Search For a Hero , Part 5 : Pushing Buttons , Pulling Strings " , on December 17 , 2008 , it was revealed that Lonnie Machin 's role as Anarky had been supplanted by another Batman villain , Ulysses Armstrong . Fabian Nicieza , author of the issue and storyline in which Anarky appeared , depicted the character as being held hostage by Armstrong , " paralyzed and catatonic " , encased in an iron lung , and connected to computers through his brain . This final feature allowed the character to connect to the internet and communicate with others via a speech synthesizer . Nicieza 's decision to give Machin 's mantle as Anarky to another character was due to his desire to establish him as a nemesis for Tim Drake , while respecting the original characterization of Anarky , who Nicieza recognized as neither immature , nor a villain . Regardless , Nicieza did desire to use Machin and properly return the character to publication , and so favored presenting Ulysses H. Armstrong as Anarky , and Lonnie Machin as Moneyspider , a reference to a secondary name briefly used by Grant for Anarky in storyline published in 1990 .
|
The reactions to Robin <unk> included negative commentary from political commentator and scholar , Roderick Long , and Alan Grant himself . Among fans who interacted with Nicieza in a forum discussion , some responses were also negative , prompting responses from Nicieza in his own defense .
|
With the conclusion of Robin , Nicieza began authoring the 2009 Azrael series , leaving any future use of Anarky or Moneyspider to author Christopher Yost , who would pick up the Robin character in a new Red Robin series . However , in the ensuing months , Yost only made one brief reference to Anarky , without directly involving the character in a story plot . In April 2010 , it was announced that Nicieza would replace Yost as the author of Red Robin , and Nicieza was quick to note his interest in using Anarky and Moneyspider in future issues of the series . Nicieza reintroduced Ulysses Armstrong and Lonnie Machin within his first storyline , beginning in Red Robin No.16 , " The Hit List " , in December 2010 . Nicieza then proceeded to regularly use Lonnie as a cast member of the ongoing Red Robin series , until its cancellation in October 2011 . The series was concluded as a result of The New 52 , a revamp and relaunch by DC Comics of its entire line of ongoing monthly superhero books , in which all of its existing titles were canceled . 52 new series debuted in September 2011 with new No. 1 issues to replace the cancelled titles .
|
= = = <unk> in alternate media = = =
|
At the <unk> conference , on October 1 , 2011 , Sam Register , executive vice president for creative affairs at Warner Bros. Animation , announced several upcoming events for 2012 , including a new CGI animated series , Beware the Batman . Intended to focus on lesser known villains for an unfamiliar audience . A Cartoon Network press release announced that Anarky would be one of the planned villains to be included , while series developers later explained that the character would be revamped for the series and chosen as the primary antagonist . Series producers Glen Murakami and Mitch Watson compared his role to that of " Moriarty to Batman 's Sherlock Holmes " , explaining that he would indirectly challenge Batman through complex machinations .
|
Anarky debuted in the first season 's third episode , " Tests " , on July 27 , 2013 . The episode was written by Jim Krieg , with direction by Curt <unk> , while the character was voiced by Wallace Langham . The episode made heavy use of chess as a symbol for the conflict between Batman and Anarky . This theme had been forecasted in pre @-@ production interviews when Murakami described the relationship the characters were to have , and explained " Batman is the black king and Anarky is the white king . So it 's sort of this psychological chess game . " This version of the character was also used in the first issue of the tie @-@ in comic Beware the Batman No.1 , " Law and ( Dis ) Order " .
|
On May 20 , 2013 , Computer and Video Games 's website confirmed that Anarky would make his video game debut in Batman : Arkham Origins . Anarky was among the first villains premiered during the game 's first demonstration at the 2013 Electronic Entertainment Expo , and was introduced by creative director of WB Games Montréal , Eric Holmes . The game was released worldwide on October 25 , 2013 , and as earlier described , Anarky 's role in the game was that of an anti @-@ villain , who appealed to Batman for an alliance , while simultaneously threatening corrupt government and capitalist institutions . This portrayal , voiced by Matthew Mercer , was chosen because Anarky , as Holmes expressed , " is multidimensional in the Batman universe . " Holmes also warned players unfamiliar with Anarky against investigating the character through published material online , as he felt it would potentially spoil surprises the game held .
|
= = = The New 52 = = =
|
While Anarky was " rising in profile in other media " by mid 2013 , the character had yet to be reintroduced to the status quo of the post @-@ New 52 DC Universe . This changed on August 12 , when DC Comics announced that Anarky would be reintroduced in Green Lantern Corps No. 25 , " Powers That Be " , on November 13 , 2013 . The issue was a tie @-@ in to the " Batman : Zero Year " crossover event , authored by Van Jensen and co @-@ plotted by Robert Venditti .
|
In the lead up to the publication date , at a panel event at the New York Comic Con , Jensen was asked by a fan holding a " plush Anarky doll " what the character 's role would be in the story . Jensen explained that Anarky " would have a very big hand " in the story , and further explained , " you can understand what he 's doing even if you don 't agree with what he 's doing . " Jensen had also indicated that his version of Anarky would be a " fresh take that also honors his legacy . " The story featured a character study of John Stewart , narrating Stewart 's final mission as a young Marine in the midst of a Gotham City power blackout and citywide evacuation , mere days before a major storm is to hit the city . Anarky is depicted as rallying a group of followers and evacuees to occupy a sports stadium , on the basis that the area the stadium was built upon was gentrified at the expense of the local community and should be returned to them . The storyline brought two particular additions to the revamped version of Anarky ; the first being that this new version of Anarky is portrayed as an African American ; the second being to preserve the character 's anonymity , as Anarky escapes custody at the end of the story without an identity behind the mask being revealed .
|
Another version of Anarky debuted in the post @-@ New 52 Detective Comics series , written by Francis <unk> and Brian <unk> . This character isn 't the same Anarky that appeared in " Batman : Zero Year " , but rather a corrupt politician named Sam Young who used the Anarky persona to exact revenge on the Mad Hatter for murdering his sister .
|
A female version of Anarky from the alternate reality of Earth @-@ Two was introduced in Earth 2 : Society 's 2015 story line , " Godhood " , by Daniel H. Wilson . Prior to the fictional events of the series , this Anarky detonated a bomb in the city of <unk> that resulted in a public riot . She disappears before Superman and Power Girl can apprehend her . In the series , she is portrayed as a hacker that is allied with such characters as Doctor Impossible , <unk> , and Johnny Sorrow .
|
= = = Live action debut in Arrow = = =
|
Anarky made his live action debut in the Green Arrow television series Arrow in 2015 , portrayed by Alexander Calvert , once again as a villain . An official description of the character presented to the media stated : " Lonnie Machin ( AKA Anarky ) is a deranged freelancing criminal who is willing to do whatever it takes to impress a potential employer . "
|
= = Characterization = =
|
Anarky has undergone several shifts in his characterization over the course of the character 's existence . These were largely decided upon by Alan Grant , who between the creation of Anarky to the end of the 1999 Anarky series , was largely the sole author of the character . After the departure of Grant and Breyfogle from DC Comics , Anarky 's characterization fell to various authors who utilized him thereafter .
|
= = = Description and motivations = = =
|
Lonnie Machin is introduced as a twelve @-@ year @-@ old school boy . An only child , he shares his physical traits of light skin and red hair with both of his parents , Mike and Roxanne Machin , a middle @-@ class family living in Gotham City . The character 's age was continuously adjusted over the course of several years ; stated to be fourteen during " The Anarky Ultimatum " in Robin Annual No.1 , it is reestablished as fifteen during the events of the Anarky limited series , and adjusted as sixteen the following year during the ongoing series .
|
Grant laconically described Lonnie Machin as " a serious @-@ beyond @-@ his @-@ years teenager who wants to set the world to rights . " As the character was based on a theme of ideas , he had initially been given no personal , tragic past ; a common motivator in superhero fiction . This was intended to contrast with Batman , who fought crime due to personal tragedy , while Anarky would do so in the name of ideals and beliefs . As the character was further developed , he was also intended to contrast with common teenage superheroes . Referring to the tradition established by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby of saddling teenagers with personal problems , Grant purposely gave Anarky none , nor did he develop a girlfriend or social life for the character . As Grant wrote for the Batman : Anarky introduction , this was intended to convey the idea that Anarky was single minded in his goals . In one of the earliest explorations of Lonnie Machin 's back story in " The Anarky Ultimatum " , Grant described Lonnie as a prolific reader , but also of being isolated from peers his own age during his childhood . This was elaborated upon years later in the " Anarky " storyline , which described Lonnie as having lost a childhood friend living in an impoverished nation , the latter suffering the loss of his family due to civil war and strife before disappearing entirely . The resulting shock of discovering at such a young age that the world was in turmoil precipitated Lonnie Machin 's rapid maturation and eventual radicalization .
|
= = = Heroic and villainous themes = = =
|
Anarky 's introduction during the late 1980s was part of a larger shift among supervillains in the Batman franchise of the time . While many naive and goofy villains of previous eras were abandoned , and more iconic villains made more violent to cater to tastes of a maturing readership , some were introduced to challenge readers to " question the whole bad / good guy divide . " Falling into " the stereotype anarchist bomb @-@ toting image " , Anarky 's design was countered by his principled stances to create an odd contrast . In a review of the Anarky miniseries , Anarky was dubbed an " anti @-@ villain " , as opposed to " antihero " , due to his highly principled philosophy , which runs counter to most villains : " In the age of the anti @-@ hero , it only makes sense to have the occasional anti @-@ villain as well . But unlike sociopathic vigilante anti @-@ heroes like the Punisher , an anti @-@ villain like Anarky provides some interesting food for thought . Sure , he breaks the law , but what he really wants is to save the world ... and maybe he 's right . "
|
Breyfogle 's characterization of Anarky has shifted on occasion , with him at times referring to Anarky as a villain , and at other times as a hero . In his 1998 introductory essay composed for Batman : Anarky , Breyfogle characterized Anarky as not being a villain , but rather a " misunderstood hero " , and continued " he 's a philosophical action hero , an Aristotle in tights , rising above mere ' crime @-@ fighter ' status into the realm of incisive social commentary . " A year later , Breyfogle conceded that Anarky was " technically " a villain , but insisted " I don 't consider him a villain ... " Breyfogle later reconsidered the character in more ambiguous terms for a 2005 interview : " Anarky isn 't a villain , he 's his own character . He 's definitely not a superhero , although it depends on who you talk to . "
|
Grant has been more direct in his description of Anarky 's virtuous attributes : " In my eyes , Anarky 's a hero . Anarky 's the hero I want to be if I was smart enough and physically fit enough . " Acknowledging that Anarky 's moral perspective was guided by his own , Grant expressed that the conflict between Anarky and other heroes is a result of their political divisions : " In my eyes , he 's a hero , but to others , they see him as a villain . That is because most people might gripe about the political situation , or various aspects of the political situation , and wouldn 't advocate the total overthrow of the system under which we live . Anarky certainly does that , and more . "
|
In creating stories involving Anarky , other writers have played off this anti @-@ heroic and anti @-@ villainous tension . James Peaty made the heroic and political comparisons between Lonnie Machin and Oliver Queen the central theme of his 2005 Green Arrow story , " Anarky in the USA " : " Anarky comes to find Ollie because of his reputation and is quite disappointed in Ollie 's reaction towards him . However , as the story unfolds , Ollie has to re @-@ assess his initial reaction to Anarky and his own much vaunted ' radical ' credentials . " With his controversial revival of the character in 2008 , Fabian Nicieza chose to portray the mantle of Anarky as being possessed by a villain other than Lonnie Machin on the grounds that Lonnie was too heroic to act out the part of a black hat : " Since Lonnie is too smart to be immature and NOT a ' villain , ' I wanted Anarky , but it couldn 't be Lonnie without compromising who he is as a character . "
|
In the character 's 2013 video game debut in Batman : Arkham Origins , creative director Eric Holmes dubbed Anarky a " classic anti @-@ villain " . A " social activist " who wishes to " liberate and free people " , Anarky views himself as a hero akin to Batman and offers an alliance with him . However his approach is rebuked on the basis that their methods are nothing alike . Nonetheless , he attracts a following among the city 's downtrodden and particularly the homeless , whom he protects from the hostility of police officers . This " special relationship " between the homeless who look up to a villain , who in turn acts as their protector against police who prey upon them , was intended to present an area of grey morality for the player to consider .
|
On two occasions Grant nearly went against Dennis O 'Neil 's early wish that Anarky not kill opponents . These events include his appearance during the Batman : Knightfall saga , in which Grant briefly portrayed Anarky as preparing to kill both the Scarecrow and Batman @-@ Azrael . Grant also implied Anarky was a lethal figure in " The Last Batman Story " , part of Armageddon 2001 crossover event . In the story , a time traveler shows Batman a possible future in the ( relatively ) not @-@ too @-@ distant year of 2001 . An aged Batman is framed and sentenced to death for murder , but Anarky , now an adult , sympathizes with the fallen hero and breaks into the prison in an attempt to rescue Batman . However , Batman resists his help , on the basis that Anarky has killed others in the past , and the two never reconciled their differences .
|
Grant later expressed relief that he had not fully committed to portraying Anarky as a potential murderer , as he felt " Anarky would have compromised his own beliefs if he had taken the route of the criminal @-@ killer . " Anarky was given a non @-@ lethal approach in The Batman Adventures No.31 , " Anarky " , written by Alan Grant , who acted as a guest author for the issue . Anarky takes business elites hostage and places them on public trial , broadcast from a pirate television show . He charges these men with such crimes as the creation of land mines that kill or cripple thousands , funding Third World dictators , polluting the air with toxic chemicals , and profiting from wage slavery , and threatens each man with a bomb if the public should find them guilty . When the explosions take place , it is revealed that the bombs are fake , and the public trials were only intended to expose the men and raise public awareness . One bomb explosion carried a specific message . It unfurled a banner that denounced lethal weapons .
|
Contradicting Anarky 's non @-@ lethal portrayal , entries for the character in Who 's Who in the DC Universe , The DC Comics Encyclopedia , and The Supervillain Book , have falsely referred to Anarky as having killed criminals in early appearances . Norm Breyfogle was also under the false impression that Anarky had killed for several years , having failed to realize the original script for Anarky 's debut storyline had been rewritten . Grant eventually explained the situation to Breyfogle in 2006 , during a joint interview . Despite this regular equivocation of Anarky with murder and villainy in DC Comics character guides , the company made efforts to describe the character in heroic terms in promoting the 1999 Anarky series . During this time , DC Comics described Anarky as an " anti @-@ establishment loose cannon trying to do good as a hero to the disenfranchised " .
|
= = = Political and philosophical themes = = =
|
In the initial years following Anarky 's creation , Grant rarely incorporated the character into Batman stories , being reserved for stories in which the author wished to make a philosophical point . Originally , Grant created Anarky as an anarchist with socialist and populist leanings . In this early incarnation , Anarky was designed as an avatar for Grant 's personal meditations on political philosophy , and specifically for his burgeoning sympathy for anarchism .
|
Within the books , the nature of the character 's political opinions were often expressed through the character 's rhetoric , and by heavy use of the circle @-@ A as a character gimmick . The character 's tools often incorporate the circle @-@ A motif into them . In his earliest incarnation , he would also use red spray @-@ paint to leave the circle @-@ A as a calling card at crime scenes . The circle @-@ A has also been used to decorate the character 's base of operations , either as graffiti or suspended from wall tapestries .
|
In some instances , Anarky 's political behavior would stand as the only political element of the story , while in other instances , entire stories would be framed to create a political parable . In Batman : Shadow of the Bat Annual No.2 , an Elseworlds story entitled " The Tyrant " , Grant made dictatorship and the corrupting influence of power the primary theme . Batman ( under the influence of Jonathan Crane ) uses his resources to usurp power in the city of Gotham and institute a police state in which he exercises hegemonic control over the city 's population . Anarky becomes a resistance leader , undermining the centers of Batman 's power and ultimately overthrowing Bruce Wayne 's tyranny . The story ends with a quote by Mikhail Bakunin : " ( For reasons of the state ) black becomes white and white becomes black , the horrible becomes humane and the most dastardly felonies and atrocious crimes become meritorious acts . " During the early years of the character 's development , virtually no writers other than Grant used Anarky in DC publications . In the singular portrayal by an author other than Grant during this period , writer Kevin Dooley used Anarky in an issue of Green Arrow , producing an explicitly anti @-@ firearm themed story . Throughout the narrative , dialogue between Anarky and Green Arrow conveys the need for direct action , as Anarky attempts to persuade Oliver Queen to sympathize with militant , economic sabotage in pursuit of social justice .
|
Literary cues illustrated into scenes were occasionally used whenever Anarky was a featured character in a comic . During the Anarky limited series , fluttering newspapers were used to bear headlines alluding to social problems . Occasionally , the titles of books found in Anarky 's room would express the character 's philosophical , political , or generally esoteric agenda . In both Detective Comics <unk> and Batman : Shadow of the Bat <unk> , a copy of V for Vendetta can be seen on Lonnie Machin 's bookshelf as homage . Other books in his room at different times have included Apostles of Revolution by Max Nomad , The Anarchists by James Joll , books labeled " Proudhon " and " Bakunin " , and an issue of Black Flag . Non @-@ anarchist material included books labeled " Plato " , " Aristotle " , and " Swedenborg " , and a copy of <unk> , by Buckminster Fuller . The character also made references to Universe by Scudder Klyce , an extremely rare book . When asked if he was concerned readers would be unable to follow some of the more obscure literary references , Grant explained that he hadn 't expected many to do so , but reported encountering some who had , and that one particular reader of the 1999 Anarky series had carried out an ongoing correspondence with him on the topic as of 2005 .
|
Over the course of several years , Grant 's political opinions shifted from libertarian socialism to free market based philosophies . Grant later speculated that this transformation would be detectable within stories he 'd written . By 1997 , Grant 's philosophy settled on Neo @-@ Tech , which was developed by Frank R. Wallace , and when given the opportunity to write an Anarky miniseries , he decided to redesign the character accordingly . Grant laid out his reasoning in an interview just before the first issue 's publication . " I felt he was the perfect character " to express Neo @-@ Tech philosophy , Grant explained , " because he 's human , he has no special powers , the only power he 's got is the power of his own rational consciousness " . This new characterization was continued in the 1999 Anarky ongoing series .
|
The limited and ongoing series were both heavily influenced by Neo @-@ Tech , despite the term never appearing in a single issue . New emphasis was placed on previously unexplored themes , such as the depiction of Anarky as an atheist and a rationalist . Grant also expressed a desire to use the comic as a vehicle for his thoughts concerning the mind and consciousness , and made bicameralism a major theme of both series . While this trend led the character away from the philosophies he had espoused previously , the primary theme of the character remained anti @-@ statism . In one issue of the 1999 series , a character asked what the nature of Anarky 's politics were . The response was that Anarky was neither right @-@ wing , nor left @-@ wing , and that he " transcends the political divide " . Grant has specified that he categorized Anarky politically as an anarchist who " tried to put anarchist values into action . " Norm Breyfogle also stated in 1999 that the character represented anarchist philosophy , but said in 2003 that he believed the Neo @-@ Tech influence allowed Anarky to be classified as an objectivist .
|
= = Skills , abilities , and resources = =
|
Grant developed Anarky as a <unk> — a character who relies on inventions and gadgets to compensate for a lack of superpowers — and as a child prodigy . In early incarnations he was portrayed as highly intelligent , but inexperienced . Lacking in many skills , he survived largely by his ingenuity . In accordance with this , he would occasionally quote the maxim , " the essence of anarchy is surprise " . By 1991 a profile of the character , following the introduction of Anarky 's skills as a hacker in the " Rite of Passage " storyline of Detective Comics <unk> , described that " Lonnie 's inventive genius is equaled only by his computer wizardry . "
|
Anarky 's abilities were increased during the character 's two eponymous series , being portrayed as having enormous talents in both engineering and computer technology , as well as prodigiously developing skills in martial arts . This was indicated in several comics published just before the Anarky miniseries , and later elaborated upon within the series itself .
|
= = = Early skills and equipment = = =
|
Described as physically frail in comparison to the adults he opposes , the character often utilizes cunning , improvisation , and intelligence as tools for victory . During the Knightfall saga , the character states , " The essence of anarchy is surprise – spontaneous action ... even when it does require a little planning ! "
|
Early descriptions of the character 's gadgets focused on low @-@ tech , improvised tools and munitions , such as flare guns , swing lines , throwing stars , small spherical shelled explosives with burning fuses ( mimicking round mortar bombs stereotypically associated with 19th @-@ century anarchists ) , gas @-@ bombs , smoke bombs , and his primary weapon , a powerful electric stun baton shaped as a golden cane .
|
As a wanted criminal , Anarky 's methods and goals were described as leaving him with little logistical support amongst the heroic community , or the public at large , relegating him to underground operation . When in need of assistance , he would call on the help of the homeless community in Gotham who had supported him since his first appearance .
|
Anarky was described as having developed skills as a computer hacker to steal enormous sums of money from various corporations in his second appearance , part of the " Rite of Passage " storyline in Detective Comics <unk> This addition to the character 's skill set made him the second major hacker in the DC Universe , being preceded by Barbara Gordon 's debut as Oracle , and was quickly adapted by 1992 to allow the character to gain information on other heroes and villains from police computer networks .
|
= = = Anarky series ability upgrades = = =
|
According to Alan Grant , the urgency with which Anarky views his cause has necessitated that the character forsake any social life , and increase his abilities drastically over the years . " The kid 's whole life is dedicated to self @-@ improvement , " wrote Grant for the Batman : Anarky introduction , " with the sole aim of destroying the parasitic elites who he considers feast off ordinary folks . " A review of the first issue of the 1999 series described Anarky as akin to a " Batman Jr . " The reviewer continued , " [ Grant ] writes Lonnie like a teenager who is head and shoulders above the rest of the population , but still a kid . "
|
In 1995 , Grant used the two part " Anarky " storyline in Batman : Shadow of the Bat to alter the character 's status quo in several ways that would reach their fruition in the first Anarky series . To accomplish this feat , several plot devices were used to increase Lonnie 's abilities . To justify the character 's financial independence , Anarky was described as using the internet to earn money through his online bookstore , Anarco , which he used as a front company to propagate his philosophy . A second front organization , The Anarkist Foundation , was also developed to offer grants to radical causes he supports . A Biofeedback Learning <unk> was employed to increase Lonnie 's abilities . The cybernetic device was described as being capable of amplifying brain functions by a multiple of ten . Anarky was also described as having begun to train in martial arts , following the character 's time in juvenile hall .
|
The 1997 Anarky limited series saw the earlier plot devices of the preceding " Anarky " storyline become narrative justifications for drastically upgraded skill sets . Anarky 's earlier brain augmentation was now described as having " fused " the hemispheres of his brain , in a reference to bicameralism . Meanwhile , the character 's business enterprises were said to have gained him millions of dollars in the dot @-@ com bubble . The character 's combat abilities were described as having progressed remarkably , and to have included training in multiple styles which he " integrated " into a hybrid fighting style . Even the character 's primary stun baton weapon was enhanced , with a grappling hook incorporated into the walking stick itself to allow dual functionality .
|
With this enhanced intelligence and financial assets , the 1999 ongoing series narrates that Anarky went on to create an on @-@ board AI computer , MAX ( Multi @-@ Augmented X @-@ Program ) ; a crude but fully functioning teleportation device capable of summoning a boom tube , and secretly excavated an underground base below the Washington Monument . Portrayed as an atheist by Grant , Anarky espoused the belief that " science is magic explained " , and was shown to use scientific analysis to explain and manipulate esoteric forces of magic and energy . Anarky 's skill in software cracking was further increased to allow him to tap into Batman 's supercomputer , and the Justice League Watchtower .
|
This evolution in Anarky 's abilities was criticized as having overpowered the character in a <unk> review of the Anarky ongoing series . The rapid development was seen as preventing the suspension of disbelief in the young character 's adventures , which was said to have contributed to the failure of the series . This view stood in contrast with that of Breyfogle , who considered Anarky 's heightened skill set to be a complementary feature , and contended that Anarky 's advanced abilities lent uniqueness to the character . Breyfogle wrote , " Anarky 's singularity is due partly to his being , at his age , nearly as competent as Batman . "
|
= = = Abilities as Moneyspider = = =
|
In Fabian <unk> 's stories for Red Robin , Lonnie Machin 's abilities as Moneyspider were revamped , with the character taking on the persona of an " electronic ghost . " <unk> , Moneyspider was free to act through his mind via connections to the internet , and interacted with others via text messaging and a speech synthesizer . In this condition , he acts to " create an international web that will [ access ] the ins and outs of criminal and corporate operations . " Within virtual reality , the character 's augmented intelligence was described as a " fused bicameral mind " , able to maintain a presence online at all times , while another part of his mind separately interacted with others offline .
|
= = = Costume = = =
|
Subsets and Splits
No community queries yet
The top public SQL queries from the community will appear here once available.