BATMAN: INTO THE UNKNOWN PT. 1 - QUERY & ECHO

So by now, I'm sure everyone, even non-Batman and even non-comic book fans know that The Dark Knight a.k.a. Batman has an astounding and perhaps endless array of rogues. Names such as CATWOMAN, POISON IVY even new comers like HARLEY QUINN and PUNCHLINE have become well known by Batman and even "Non"-Batman fans alike. But what happens when I mention names like LADY SPELLBINDER? QUERY & ECHO? SILVER ST. CLOUD? JULIE MADISON? LESLIE THOMPKINS? RENEE MONTOYA? HELENA BERTINELLI aka THE HUNTRESS? Again, some folks may be familiar with these names, and some might not. Which is why I'm writing this article, to pay tribute to those ladies in Batman aka The Dark Knight's world their moment in the sun.

With that said, let me start with the lovely and lethal ladies featured in the pic above - The Riddler's gals QUERY (NINA DAMFINO) and ECHO (DIEDRE VANCE).

Ironically, for a pair of characters who were introduced in the 90's, my 1st impression of QUERY & ECHO is, as 80's musician SAMANTHA FOX once said "Naughty girls need love too!" Which to me best describes this inseperable pair of femme fatales with a penchant for finishing each others sentences. They are also very proficient fighters and extremely trigger-happy. Unlike their boss EDNWARD NYGMA/THE RIDDLER who has been around since the 40's and 50's in Batman comics published by DC, the deadly duo made their 1st appearance in DETECTIVE COMICS ANNUAL #8 in 1995.

A pair of violent femmes with a sort of biker fetish, Nina Damfino/Query and Dierdre Vance/Echo first encountered Edward Nygma/The Riddler early in his criminal career robbing a store, ironically as The Riddler was leaving, the two held him at gun point intent on robbing him. Apparently, rather than taking the hold up money from The Riddler he convinced them that it would be more profitable to join his gang. Not much is known about Query & Echo prior to their criminal career, but aside from their looks they have proven to be invaluable assisstance to The Riddler, and in some cases on their own. Not much of their origins are known beyond becoming accomplices to The Riddler, but it is hinted recently they used to work at a strip club in GOTHAM called PANDORA'S BOX and seem to have a knack for mechanics as well as a degree of proficiency in hand to hand combat.

Since joining The Riddler Query and Echo have appeared throughout the 90's to this day in several or so issues of Batman comic series as well as having encountered many of Batman's proteges in comic series sunch as ROBIN and NIGHTWING.

Personality wise? The two even though not related have an affinity for knowing what the other is thinking, so much that they are best known for finishing each others sentences. Query, Echo and The Riddler do share a dysfunctional relationship however unlike the one shared by the more popular paramour of THE JOKER; HARLEY QUINN. The two have proven not to be a pair of infatuated pushovers and have shown their initiative to The Riddler what happens if he tries to take them for granted.

So far, unfortunately Query & Echo's appearances have been limited solely to the comic books and have yet to be featured in any form of media such as movies and/or television which is probably why they are barely popular and lesser known than The Joker's henchwoman, HARLEY QUINN who's popularity was introduced into TV Media courtesy of BATMAN: TAS. However, it has been hinted that they've made cameos via video games and collectible figures.

Hopefully, they'll get a chance to show their stuff in future Batman films and TV series. Until then, the rest of their origin? Remains a mystery. (Fitting considering who their boss is IMO).

If you'd like to find out more about these villainous vixens from the Batman Universe there is a plethora of information on sites such as COMICVINE and WIKIPEDIA.

In the meantime, here are some suggestions from my personal experience as a long time comic book collector on some key issues that you might find interesting: BATMAN: 80 Page Giant #1 - 1998, DETECTIVE COMICS ANNUAL #8/1995, DETECTIVE COMICS issues #705, 706 & 707, NIGHTWING issue #1,000,000 and ROBIN issue #94.

In closing, I hope this article has piqued your interest and you enjoy reading up on the exploits of these characters as much as I do. With continued interest and support from you I hope to make this article one of many in a series so that I can express my devotion and long time exuberance for not only the characters in this series, but others as well. Thank you.