In Case You Forgot, Paul Dano Wrote a Great Riddler Comic (Maybe Quentin Tarantino Should Read It)

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Paul Dano is currently the subject of conversation thanks to comments made by director Quentin Tarantino. Tarantino recently shared his list of the top 20 movies of the 21st century on the Bret Easton Ellis podcast, and he wasn’t complimentary about Dano’s acting. Many in Hollywood, including director Matt Reeves (who worked with Dano on The Batman), have come to Dano’s defense, arguing that he is a talented actor. Of course, everyone is entitled to their own opinion.

Keanu Reeves, who highly praised Paul Dano as both an actor and a person, is a reliable source when discussing his performance. Dano truly brought a chilling and memorable version of The Riddler to life in The Batman. What many viewers might not realize is that Dano didn’t just play the villain on screen – he also developed The Riddler’s backstory through a surprisingly well-written comic book. It’s definitely worth checking out if you haven’t already.

The Riddler: Year One Digs Deep Into The Riddler (And Serves as a Cautionary Tale)

Published between October 2022 and August 2023 as a six-issue series by DC’s Black Label, The Riddler: Year One is a thrilling story that connects to the movie The Batman. It focuses on the origins of Edward Nashton, the character played by Paul Dano, and shows how he became the villain we see in the film. The series explores Edward’s difficult childhood – abandoned as a baby and raised in a poorly funded orphanage where he faced bullying – and how it shaped him. We also see how he becomes envious of Bruce Wayne, who receives sympathy and attention after his parents’ death while Edward’s own struggles continue. Later, as a forensic accountant, Edward uncovers corruption, and when his investigation is shut down, he becomes completely disillusioned, setting him on the path to becoming The Riddler.

The Riddler’s backstory is a carefully crafted origin story that shares similarities with Bruce Wayne’s journey to becoming Batman. Like Bruce, Edward Nashton is a product of Gotham’s darkness and crime, but he experienced it without any of the advantages or wealth Bruce had. The key difference lies in how each man copes with their trauma, and Paul Dano thoughtfully developed this aspect of Edward’s character. In fact, the comic’s plot grew out of Dano’s own creation of the character’s history while working on the film. Dano views The Riddler’s story as a warning and “an emotional horror story about trauma,” as he explained to ComicBook in 2022.

Jared Dano explained that his first conversation with director Matt Reeves centered on how Bruce Wayne and the Riddler (Edward Nashton) both grapple with trauma, but in very different ways. Dano views the comic as a deeply emotional and frightening story about trauma, shaped by both a person’s inherent tendencies and their upbringing. He believes the Riddler’s path requires a pre-existing inclination, but wouldn’t have happened without specific environmental influences.

The Riddler: Year One Is An Excellent Comic — and Not Just A Movie Tie-In

What’s impressive about The Riddler: Year One is that it stands on its own as a strong comic, even though it connects to The Batman movie. You don’t need to have seen the film to enjoy or understand the story, which is a big benefit. It’s a complete and well-written story in its own right, and avoids the common issues with comics written by celebrities – it doesn’t just explain The Riddler’s character or piggyback on the movie’s popularity. Instead, it creates something fresh, adding to the Batman universe by developing this version of the story in a realistic and believable way.

This book skillfully builds to a satisfying conclusion – the Batman movie – but doesn’t require you to watch it immediately afterward. Dano’s writing stands on its own as a compelling story, while simultaneously enriching the film it’s connected to. Ultimately, Dano has reimagined a well-known character and crafted a truly memorable work that all Batman fans will enjoy. It might even change Quentin Tarantino’s mind about Dano’s creative abilities – just a thought!

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2025-12-10 22:14