False Face is the name of several supervillains appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. The concept and first character, created by
Mort Weisinger and
Creig Flessel, first appeared in
Leading Comics #2 (spring 1942) using the name
Falseface. The name was later adjusted to "False Face" mirroring minor characters introduced by
Fawcett Comics and
Timely Comics. Variations of the character have been introduced in
Batman #113 (February 1958) and
Birds of Prey #112 (January 2008). In all instances, the character is only identified as "False-Face" or by an alias while in disguise.
First Golden Age version The first version seen was among the five small-time criminals hired by organizer Black Star. Along with his colleagues Captain Bigg, Hopper,
Brain and Rattler, he staged a robbery at a city bank by disguising himself as a construction worker. False-Face drilled through a water main and used the pressurised escaping water to blast a hole into the bank. After he and his friends robbed the bank, they used a paddy wagon as their getaway vehicle while disguised as police officers. Under the orders of Black Star, False-Face was sent to New Orleans to rob riches from those sponsoring the Mardi Gras event. He and his henchmen disguised themselves as a Clown Krewe and insinuated themselves onto a parade float. This managed to attract the attention of the
Shining Knight who was in the area at the time. False-Face escaped, but his henchmen were apprehended. He then attempted to steal the Star Sapphire Gem from Mardi Gras organizer J.J. Ennis. To do this, False-Face disguised himself as a police detective and infiltrated Ennis's house. He once again fought against the Shining Knight, and briefly subdued him, but the Shining Knight escaped from False-Face's trap and defeated him. False-Face was then arrested by the police. At this point, it was discovered that the unpleasant face he usually presented was not false at all. Much later, he confronts the
Star-Spangled Kid.
Second Golden Age version A different version dies in a confrontation with
Captain Marvel Jr. While not the same character as created for DC, the publisher would later license and eventually purchase the characters and stories that Fawcett published. The material would be assigned to "Earth-S" within the continuity of the DC Universe.
Silver Age version The late 1950s version of the character, created by an uncredited writer and
Sheldon Moldoff, appeared once in
Batman #113. Little is known of the Caped Crusaders' first meeting with the villain in
Gotham City. During
Batman's second chance encounter, it's revealed that he had impersonated the wealthy uranium tycoon P.S. Smithington. As Smithington, False-Face robbed a jewelry store, framing the true Smithington for the crime. Batman managed to rescue the actual Smithington, but was unable to recover the stolen jewels. At police headquarters,
Commissioner James Gordon supplied Batman and
Robin with information about the case and the two gave chase. This time, False-Face kidnapped rock star Wally Weskit during a charity benefit concert and concealed him in an elevator shaft. As False-Face assumed the form of Weskit, his henchman Pebbles attempted to make off with the charity proceeds. Batman and Robin managed to prevent this, but False-Face and his gang escaped. The third time that False-Face struck, he impersonated the safari hunter Arthur Crandall to get into the Gotham City Explorer Club. While attempting to steal the club's Golden Tiger Trophy, Batman and Robin arrived and were on his heels again. He lured Batman towards a large water tank and managed to temporarily trap him, but the Dark Knight detective succeeded in outsmarting False Face and his men, apprehending the entire group in the process. False Face was taken to prison and subsequently retired.
Modern Age version The late 2000s version of the character, created by
Tony Bedard and David Cole, first appeared in
Birds of Prey #112 (January 2008). She and White Star targeted
Lady Blackhawk so that False-Face can take her place in
Barbara Gordon's organization. Zinda managed to elude them with the help of her taxi driver Mahoud.
False Face in other media • False Face appears in
Batman (1966), portrayed by
Malachi Throne. • False Face appears in ''
Batman '66'' #23, in which his real name is revealed to be
Basil Karlo before he obtains a special formula that transforms him into
Clayface. • False-Face appears in the
Batman Beyond episode "Plague", voiced by
Townsend Coleman. This version has the ability to assume anyone's identity by altering his face, which he achieved through years of genetic manipulation and surgery.
Kobra hires him to smuggle a deadly virus into Gotham City to infect its citizens and ransom the city, turning him into a carrier as a backup plan. False-Face attempts to evade
Batman and
Stalker, only to succumb to and die from the virus. • False-Face appears in
Batman: The Brave and the Bold, voiced by
Corey Burton. This version resembles the
Batman (1966) incarnation. ==Falyce==