Created in 1948

1948 was a quieter year for new heroes, but DC added two of Batman’s most enduring rogues — quirky, theatrical puzzle-masters who would outlive countless “serious” villains introduced before and after them. This page lists the 1948 creations entering the U.S. public domain in 2044 — and any already there.

Entering the Public Domain in 2044 (Created in 1948)

Riddler
Riddler (Edward Nygma), created by Bill Finger and Dick Sprang, debuted in Detective Comics #140, October 1948. Riddler will enter the public domain on January 1, 2044.

Mad Hatter
Mad Hatter (Jervis Tetch), created by Bill Finger and Bob Kane (with art contributions from Lew Sayre Schwartz), debuted in Batman #49 in Fall 1948. Mad Hatter will enter the public domain on January 1, 2044.

The Fiddler
Fiddler, created by Robert Kanigher and Lee Elias, debuted in All-Flash Comics #32 in January 1 will enter the public domain on January 1, 2044.

Already in the Public Domain (Created in 1948)

None at this time.

1948: Context & Fun Facts

• The Riddler was one of the first Batman villains built entirely around mind games.
  His debut set a template for psychological villains who challenge Batman’s intellect instead of his fists.
• The Mad Hatter brought literary surrealism into Gotham.
  A con-man with a Carroll obsession shouldn’t work — yet he became a cornerstone of Gotham’s offbeat, dreamlike criminal underbelly.
• 1948 reflected the shifting postwar mood.
  With superheroes fading and crime comics rising, eccentric rogues like these offered pulp-friendly spectacle without relying on superpowers.