10 Most Ironic Deaths In Comics History

The original intent of the character Kite Man didn’t really offer much beyond that of being an easily defeated adversary with comical value. Over the years, however, his arc has evolved to the point of becoming a character with genuine depth - and this is nowhere more apparent than in the “War of Riddles and Jokes" storyline.

Before becoming Kite Man, Chuck Brown was just a low-level recruit from Joker's gang who was hired on because of his insight on aerodynamics, during a time when the Joker and Riddler were engaged in an all-out war.

Chuck himself was caught in the middle of this war but didn't really have much stake in either side of it. This shortly changes, though, after the Riddler manipulates him for information by threatening to hurt his son, Charlie Jr. He relinquishes this information out of fear, but Riddler kills Charlie Jr. anyway.

Enraged, Chuck eventually sets out a plan to avenge his son. He first assumes the moniker Kite Man and joins Joker’s gang as an active, though ineffective, member of the crew. Then, seemingly at his lowest, he's forced to assist Riddler in taking down Joker by building a legion of gliders for Riddler’s gang.

Riddler’s crew, along with Kite Man, thus attack Joker’s headquarters - only to find themselves betrayed by Kite Man, who uses the glider’s mechanics to trap Riddler and his gang. Kite Man, as it turns out, was playing both Joker and Riddler to help Batman stop this war, and avenge his son.

In the end, what was supposed to break Kite Man's spirit, ironically becomes his motivation to fight against those who have taken his son away from him. Not bad for C-lister villain.