Saturday Showcase: Crazy Quilt (Paul Dekker)

Blinded by the Light

Greetings fellow Bat-Fans,

As you already know, today is Batman Day.  It is this reason, and this reason alone, that I have decided to focus my Saturday Showcase on a villain that most of you may not even know exists.  Who is this minion of evil?  Well, it's none other than Crazy Quilt.

You will bow to my will

There are several versions of the villain known as Crazy Quilt.  The original Crazy Quilt was created by Jack Kirby and first appeared in issue #15 of the Boy Commandos series by DC Comics.  The version I am concentrating on is the Paul Dekker version that was created by Dick Dillin and later touched up by the legendary Jack Kirby.

The origin of the first two Crazy Quilt's are intertwined to the point it is hard to separate.  What is known is that he was blinded by a gunshot wound, so he volunteers for an experimental procedure that restores his vision, but is unfortunately left unable to see anything but bright colors.
In his second published appearance, this is combined with a special helmet that emits bright colored lights, enabling him to see under most circumstances.

Crazy Quilt's sight is restored briefly for a time after he kidnaps a surgeon to assist him. Batman and Robin intervene. In self-defense, Robin reflects the madman's light beams back into his newly restored eyes. Unintentionally, Quilt is permanently blinded. Obsessing over his young adversary, he becomes one of the few bat-villains to hate Robin more than his mentor.

The Man Who Stole His Eyes

Crazy-Quilt has a helmet that allows him to hypnotize his victims using flashing lights of various colors. It can also project lethal laser beams, blinding lights, and functions as artificial eyes since his own eyes no longer function.  The lenses feed their input signal straight into his brain.

JUST THE FACTS:
Name:Crazy Quilt
Publisher: DC Comics
First Appearance: Blackhawks #180
Created by:
Pre-Crisis version: Dick Dillin
        Post-Crisis version: Jack Kirby
Alter Ego: Paul Dekker
Abilities:
        Mind-controlling helmet that projects lethal laser beams and blinding lights and has artificial eyes.

All Hail the King!

Until next time, get your READ on!