What better way to celebrate the New Year by leaving the past behind. Some people leave all those bad memories behind and welcome the hope that the new year brings. Well, thats not the case for Arnold Etkar. He carries the burdens of the past--burdens that his parents caused. The past is very much important to Arnold Etkar as he believes that the past gives him his strength. Arnold does not understand the concept of death; rather he believes that the souls of his ancestors are continued in his blood.
This January 2016 also marks the 25th anniversary of this villain. Published in January 1991, Arnold Etkar was created by writer Marv Wolfman and artist Jim Aparo. He first appeared in Detective Comics #625 - Abattoir. The issue served as a filler in building up the return of The Electrocutioner but nonetheless, Etkar proves to be a notable villain to Batman. He was able to cripple The Batman for a couple of minutes when he shot Batman in the chest. Not everyone can say, "Hey, I shot Batman in the heart."
He earned the name, "The Abattoir," meaning slaughterhouse, because of the accusations that he killed innocent lives and ate their flesh afterwards. For Abattoir, this symbolizes as eating his victim's soul. More than just eating his victims, Arnold killed and ate his own family (well, im assuming in the direct line). This guy is a lunatic!
See, there's more history to his name. Arnold Etkar used to be known as Arnold Etchison--the cousin of mayoral candidate Henry Etchison. Henry's father and Arnold's farther are brothers. Although they're related, Henry's family chose politics, while Arnold's father chose the path of thievery and murders.
Its election time in Gotham City and Arnold Etkar escapes Arkham Asylum with the help of his cousin, Henry. At first you'd think its about family love but thats not the case in this issue. Henry planned Arnold's escape to solve two of his problems: (1) his nagging wife; and (2) to solidify his anti-crime campaign.
Detective Comics #625 ended when Batman recaptured Abattoir and sent him back to Arkham Asylum. Abattoir's next escape was during Knightfall when Bane freed all of Arkham Asylum's inmates. When Jean-Paul Valley took the role of Batman in Bruce's absence, he allowed Abattoir's death by deciding not to save him.
But thats the last time we see Abattoir, right? NO! We see him again in Blackest Night when a Black Lantern ring found his body. Man, Abattoir refuses to die! With everything that happened to him, I wonder why DC never gave him the push that he needed in order to become one of Batman's greatest villains.
When DC launched their New 52 reboot, Abattoir was reborn in the name of Jersey Pallet in Legends of the Dark Knight #10. This new incarnation of Abattoir is a bit different from the Abattoir we come to know. Jersey Pallet suffers from multiple personalities disorder because of his belief that he possesses the skills and characteristics of his victims. This Abattoir practices Maori--a ritual where tribal warriors celebrate victory over their enemies.
Throughout the different stories in the DC Universe, Abattoir proves to be one of Batman's craziest villains. With a mind as screwed up as his, he's one villain you don't want to mess with.
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