SYNOPSIS
Arnold Wesker – a ventriloquist – controls Scarface – a dummy.
Or is it the other way around?
Together, they are a Gotham crime lord pulling off heists throughout the city.
While The Batman attempts to take down Scarface and his gang, Alfred desperately tries to improve Bruce Wayne’s love life.
REVIEW
Since I’ve started working my way through Season 1 of THE BATMAN, I’ve often pointed out whenever The Batman is meeting one of his classic rogues for the first time. In addition, I’ve provided a quick description/review of THE BATMAN’s take on these characters since the folk’s behind the show did tweak ‘em a bit. Sometimes it worked (Catwoman) and sometimes these changes didn’t (The Joker).
With Arnold Wesker, AKA “The Ventriloquist,” I thought the THE BATMAN folks did a fine job – especially with how The Ventriloquist and Scarface “switch roles” in the end.
In “The Big Dummy,” Wesker is, well, a ventriloquist who turns to a life of crime after getting booed off the stage. The audience’s rejection makes Wesker snap, resulting in his dummy Scarface “taking over” and calling the shots.
*whistles* No. Sudden. Movements. *whistles*
THE BATMAN's version of The Ventriloquist and Scarface
from "The Big Dummy"
Scarface directs his gang to steal various gadgets and whatnot. Why? To construct a giant Scarface of course, dummy! That’s the cleaver little twist I mentioned previously. Scarface actually becomes a huge robot that holds Wesker in his hand. Goofy? Certainly. But I thought it was a rather smart way to put a new twist on this character – or characters, if you will.
Anyway, The Batman eventually puts an end to Wesker’s – make that Scarface’s – crime spree. Scarface is “killed” when he gets hit by a train and Wesker is escorted off to a padded cell in Arkham.
The subplot of “The Big Dummy” was just as interesting as the main one in my opinion. It involved Alfred trying to set Bruce up on a date, but The Batman continues to put the ‘ol kibosh on that sort of stuff. You actually feel sorry for the girl who’s getting stood up by Bruce – well, make that The Batman. An excellent little story within a story showing how it’s all about Batman and what he wants that matters.
