Hugo Strange: A Criminal Genius

Who is DC’s Hugo Strange?

Hugo Strange is a big enemy of Batman. In fact, Bruce Wayne even called him the most dangerous man in the world. And that has to say something, doesn’t it? In universe, only little is known of him - but we know much more, obviously. Such as that Strange is not only a crime organizer, but also a scientist and philosopher. Not only is he one of the most dangerous people Batman has ever faced, but also one of his oldest enemies. When Strange first appeared, it was in Detective Comics #36 published in 1940.

DC Media to find Hugo Strange

As Strange first appeared in the comics, it is no surprise that he can be found in many more comics than just the one he was introduced in. Mosty Batman comics, but some others as well. Besides this, there is one movie we can find Strange in, The Lego Batman Movie. Then there are several games in which Strange makes an appearance, mostly the DC Lego Games and also some DC Animated Shows such as Batman: The Brave and the bold and Batman: The Animated Series. Have you seen him in any of these?

Hugo Strange’s Past

There is quite a lot to say about Hugo Strange’s past. So not to overwhelm you (or spoiler anything), we shall keep it short today and tell you the most important details! One of which is that Strange knew a lot about Batman even before they became real enemies, including the fact that he was Bruce Wayne.

Analyzing the Dark Knight

The first time Hugo Strange actually gained fame within the world of psychology, was when he brought out the idea that he had completely analyzed Batman himself (without knowing him from up close). In this research, his obsession already showed; eventually leading to Strange using his medical expertise to hatch crazy plots surrounding the genetics and mind of Batman. Because Strange didn’t just want to beat Batman, but be him.

Before The Obsession

Before trying to bring down Batman, Hugo Strange was a criminal already, mostly focused on robbing banks with a stolen lighting machine. These robberies happened more and more often and closer to one another every time. This put Batman on high alert, and in combination with the dying words of an FBI agent, Batman went to figure out who robbed the banks. That lead him to Hugo Strange. Which led Strange to his Batman obsession. ”I’ll CRUSH him as readily as I crush this glass!”. Were Strange’s exact words about Batman as he broke his wine glass. He tried to crush Batman like that once, but didn’t succeed.

Hugo Strange’s Arkham Asylum Team

Due to the fact that Strange wasn’t able to beat Batman in physical combat, DC’s Dark Night had made sure to put the man behind bars, in the Arkham Asylum. That didn’t take long, because eventually Strange mentioned to break out together with five insane patients (who they were, isn’t clear). It also doesn’t quite matter, as Strange turned them into zombies during his time in the Asylum, anyway. They were his test subjects, so to speak.

DC Battles: Hugo Strange VS Bruce Wayne

After the firs battle which put Strange in the asylum and the fight that led after Strange’s escape (where he kind of become a zombie himself too before managing to invent a drug that turned him back to normal); Strange and Batman fought each other much more in many more universes. One time with fear dust, one time running a private hospital, one time with yoga, one time falling of a building, and so on.

Powers & Abilities

There is no character in the DC Universe who doesn’t have any special abilities. While Hugo Strange is not on the same level as some other supervillains and -heroes, he does have some abilities worth mentioning.

Abilities

Hugo Strange is well known to be a genius on several levels. He knows a lot about psychology, chemistry, genetics, hypnosis, medicine, pedagogy, psychiatry, and tactical analysis. He is also known to be skilled in gymnastics and martial arts. These last two are mostly part of his abilities due to his intensive workouts. On regular basics, he trains in several ways.

Hugo Strange’s Genius Level Intellect

One that is especially worth mentioning, is Strange’s Intellect of Level Genius. This ability mostly shows when he has to deal with other people’s mind and how to manipulate them. Due to his thorough understand of psychology, he can easily manipulate people, both on emotional and mental level.

Hugo Strange’s Superpowers

Those don’t exist. Even if he really would have wanted to, Hugo Strange never gained any special superpowers. He just does everything he does with the abilities he trained hard for.

Limitations

Even if Strange trains a lot, he is nowhere as physically strong as Batman or any other superhero. He himself mentioned during a workout that he is limited by his own genetics. So that creates Strange’s first limitation. The second would be his obsession with Batman and Bruce Wayne. One that is so big it actually borders delusion.

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