DETECTIVE COMICS #140 FACSIMILE EDITION CVR A WIN MORTIMER

THE RIDDLER Edward Nigma, who would later become the Riddler, began his criminal career as a boy in school. His history teacher announced a jigsaw puzzle contest, and he broke into her desk so he could cheat and win. This is when he developed his love of puzzles. Nigma became known as a puzzle expert in school, but he would always cheat to appear smarter. Eventually he became a carnival huckster, swindling people who payed to challenge him. He realized that he was clever enough to baffle the police, and decided he could match wits with Batman. Every crime he designed would be a puzzle, fixed so that he would always win. He needed a costume and a name. He chose to become the Riddler, because he would be a "riddle" to Batman. In his public debut, he took over a giant electric crossword puzzle that was used as a promotional device. The crossword puzzle was changed to become a clue for Batman and Robin. They mistakenly took "Basin Street Banquet" to mean the Mayor's charity dinner, but th