7. Limehouse Jack
Limehouse Jack was a serial killer who targeted the homeless for the span of one issue of Batman, back in 1979. The issue, (which is notable for featuring the first appearance of Lucius Fox) is a slightly undercooked Len Wein story in which somebody is giving out rare coins to homeless beggars, ostensibly out of kindness. The coins, however, are laced with a deadly poison that seeps in through the pores in the skin. Jack then places the coins over his victims eyes, in adherence with the old burial custom of paying the ferryman Limehouse Jack sees himself as a Dark Messenger of Mercy (which is also the title of this particular story) and he genuinely believes that he is doing the homeless people a favour by killing them. Batman attempts to solve the murders with the aid of a kooky-but-endearing group of homeless Gothamites. He eventually discovers that, in a bizarre twist, the murderer is Quentin Conroy, a prominent Gotham citizen whos father (nicknamed Limehouse Jack by the other homeless) had died penniless on the streets. Conroy, emotionally scarred by his father running out on the family, had used his dads priceless coin collection to murder the homeless community (I know, right?). When acting as Limehouse Jack Conroys face became old and haggard, resembling his own dead fathers countenance, but no explanation for why this happened is offered in the issue. If youre reading this and youre thinking eh? well, you wouldnt be much better off reading the issue itself. Len Wein is certainly one of the greatest Batman scribes of all time (as well as the creator of Wolverine) but this story is not one of his best. However, the character of Limehouse Jack is a haunting one. Jacks unique murder method, his interesting backstory and the fact that he apparently dresses up like his own dead father in order to murder people like his father, combines to form a wonderful Freudian nightmare that can be picked apart for hours. With a bit of revision and a little elbow grease, Limehouse Jack could make a thoroughly compelling return to DC comics. Will he? I doubt it, but then, you never say never in comics.