News that Batman is to be killed off by DC Comics after 70 years fighting crime has prompted bookie Paddy Power to open betting on the Dark Knight’s killer and likely successor following requests from comic fans.
The current betting favourite to be the one to finish Batman is a villain called Black Glove at 2/1 although rumours that Batman’s sidekick himself Robin will turn to the dark side have seen the Boy Wonder installed at 5/1 behind the Bat’s arch nemesis The Joker at 4/1.
It’s 14/1 the cat gets the bat with Catwoman finally getting her claws into Gotham City’s protector whilst fellow superhero Superman is a 150/1 outsider.
Next Up To Bat?
Speculation is also increasing as to who will replace Bruce Wayne behind the mask of the Caped Crusader with his own son Damien Wayne the 2/1 favourite having been foretold in previous issues that his destiny was to one day be Batman.
Also in the running at 3/1 are the two Robins – the first Boy Wonder Dick Grayson who as an adult became Nightwing in Gotham’s sister city and his replacement as Batman’s sidekick Tim Drake. Azreal, who once replaced Bruce Wayne when he was too badly injured to fight crime, follows at 9/1 whilst Alfred the elderly butler is the 100/1 outsider.
Darren Haines, spokesman for Paddy Power, said: “For millions of comic fans around the world this is the equivalent of who would be the next American President – speculation will be feverish and we are already receiving requests for bets on Batman’s demise and possible replacement.
“The death and return of Superman was the biggest selling comic ever in 1992 and judging by the early requests coming in, the death of Batman could well top that.”
Who Kills Batman?
2/1 Black Glove
4/1 Joker
5/1 Robin
8/1 Penguin
9/1 Two Face
10/1 The Riddler
14/1 Catwoman
16/1 Mr Freeze
16/1 Scarecrow
20/1 Poison Ivy
80/1 Commissioner Gordon
100/1 Alfred
150/1 Superman
2/1 Batman to retire unharmed
Next Batman
2/1 Damian Wayne (son of Bruce Wayne)
3/1 Dick Grayson (original Robin who grew up to be Nightwing)
3/1 Tim Drake (the second Robin)
9/1 Azrael (filled Batman’s mask when Bruce Wayne was too injured to fight crime)
11/1 Edward Nigma (The Riddler, now a legit detective known to help Batman)
12/1 Jason Todd (originally identified by Batman to be the second Robin, following his resurrection is currently spurning costumed heroism)
14/1 Helena (The Huntress)
16/1 Simon Dark (a fellow Gotham City vigilante)
16/1 Jason Bard (a private detective often hired as Batman’s daytime liaison)
33/1 Sasha Bordeaux (Bruce Wayne’s former bodyguard)
40/1 Commissioner Gordon
100/1 Alfred
Click here to go to Paddy Power's Batman betting market
