Some of the worst villains from Batman: The Animated Series were redeemed by a dark revamp in Batman: Caped Crusader. The Prime Video series has drawn notice for how it changes classic DC characters to fit a pulp/noir aesthetic. However, in the case of one group of villains, the revamp also makes them seem much more timely and threatening.
The second episode of Batman: Caped Crusader, “Rocket’s Red Glare,” introduces the series’ version of Roxy Rocket. The original was a stuntwoman who turned to crime after being fired for taking too many risks. However, Roxy’s motivation for her crimes was seeking thrills rather than financial gain.
The Roxy Rocket of Batman: Caped Crusader is a drastically different character. Her costume is modeled on jet-pack wearing heroes like The Rocketeer. This is a marked change from the original Roxy Rocket, who dressed as a sexy pulp aviator. The new Roxy Rocket also has entirely different motivations, which tie into how the series puts a dark twist on some less-beloved villains.
The new Roxy Rocket is a scientist, Dr. Roxanne Sutton, who was concerned with the problems of overpopulation and dwindling natural resources. Her solution was efficient new rockets, which would enable humanity to start colonizing space. Unfortunately, her business partners were more concerned with the military applications of her technology.
Dr. Sutton’s partners tried and failed to kill her, fueling the creation of her Roxy Rocket persona to seek revenge by robbing them. This new origin put a dark spin on Roxy Rocket. However, it also changed her business partners, who might be recognized as a Noir revamp of The Terrible Trio.
Why Batman: Caped Crusader’s Darker Tone Helped Its Villains Shine
First appearing 1958’s Detective Comics #253, the Terrible Trio were a gang of inventors turned thieves, who wore business suits and animal masks. Their chosen personas – the Vulture, the Fox, and the Shark – reflected their areas of expertise. However, Batman: The Animated Series changed this up somewhat.
In the DACU, the Terrible Trio were the scions of three rich Gotham City families. They turned to crime purely out of boredom and a belief in their natural superiority. The intent may have been to make them into a dark mirror of Bruce Wayne, as rich men who abused their privilege rather than helping others. However, they prove uninspiring to most fans of the show, who accordingly rated them among the show’s worst villains. Additionally, their spotlight episode is regarded as one of the worst Batman: TAS episodes, if not the worst one ever.
Conversely, the Batman: Caped Crusader take on the Terrible Trio proves much more threatening. Their motives as greedy financers seeking to turn a profit are more grounded than simple boredom or testing their inventions. Their turn toward murder is also more naturally telegraphed.
It also helps that Batman: Caped Crusader abandons the animal mask gimmick. Instead, the Terrible Trio are made to resemble their chosen animals in appearance and behavior. Warren “Fox” Lawford, for instance, serves as the fast-talking front-man of Triad Industries.
Unfortunately for Fox, he is not as clever as he thinks. Indeed, it is a miracle his own ignorance of the tech he is selling doesn’t sabotage the company before Roxy Rocket can. Despite this, Batman: Caped Crusader’s depiction of an incompetent investor posing as a rocket scientist, is compelling and far more realistic than the original.
