Calendar Man
Encyclopedia
Calendar Man is a fictional comic book
supervillain
, and an enemy of Batman
, who appeared in books published by DC Comics
. He first appeared in Detective Comics
#259 (September 1958). He was created by Bill Finger
.
and Gregorian calendar
s. His crimes always have a relationship to the date that they are committed. The theme may be related to what day of the week it is or to a holiday or to a special anniversary on that date; he will plan his crime around that day. He often wears different costumes which correspond to the significance of the date, though he does have a main costume which has various numbers (meant to represent days on a calendar) sprouting from the shoulders.
After his first appearance, in which his crimes were based on the seasons of the year, his next appearance was in Batman
#312 (June 1979), where his crimes were based on the days of the week, and his costumes reflected the Norse gods they were named for, along with Saturn
. On Sunday he did not commit any robberies as it is a day of rest and he was planning to leave town. This issue also marked the first appearance of his most commonly known "calendar cape" costume. His next appearance in Batman
#384-385 (June–July 1985), sees the Calendar Man at the onset of the Crisis
being used as a pawn of the Monitor
in an attempt to find someone to potentially eliminate the Batman
for profit. In this instance, the Calendar Man's theme is holidays, and he attempts to use the young Jason Todd
, as Robin
, as the Batman's Achilles' heel with the promise of his demise on the first day of Spring, but it is ultimately Robin
who is responsible for his defeat.
Because his crimes are generally petty and often ridiculous in nature, he is notorious among both heroes and villains alike for being something of a joke. Consequently, his post-Crisis
appearances have been few and far between. He was once recruited by Killer Moth
to form the villain team known as "The Misfits".
His best-known latter day appearance is in the mini-series Batman: The Long Halloween
, where he is portrayed as a Hannibal Lecter
-like figure, offering insight in Batman's search for Holiday
, a serial killer
who uses holidays as his modus operandi. Like Lecter in The Silence of the Lambs
, Calendar Man knows who the
killer
is and keeps this information to himself, choosing instead to taunt the heroes with cryptic clues. He returns in that story's sequel, Batman: Dark Victory
. In both stories, he is bitter that the new murderous rogues have taken the attention off him; Day fears that he is being forgotten. He is seriously harmed by Sofia Falcone near the end of Dark Victory, described as being barely alive and having his jaw broken.
Calendar Man is also known for teaming up with Catman
and Killer Moth
as part of The Misfits, a group of third-rate villains trying to prove themselves, in Batman: Shadow of the Bat
#7-9 (1992–1993). Also, he is among the Arkham Asylum
inmates freed by Bane
in Batman: Knightfall
, but he is easily recaptured by Power Girl
shortly after his escape.
He appears in Team Titans
#14 (Nov '93). He and several other time-based villains, including Time Commander, fight the title's heroes over a valued hourglass.
Day appears in the third issue of the 80 Page Giant Batman Special Edition (July 2000) entitled "All the Deadly Days". He has acquired a new high-tech costume, and moves up to more grandiose crimes.
Day appears in Harley Quinn
's series, as an inside informant to the fugitive.
In Week 20 of the weekly series 52
, a radio broadcasts a message saying that Calendar Man was left tied up for the cops in Gotham City, even though there is no Batman. It is revealed the new heroine Batwoman
was responsible for his capture.
Comic book
A comic book or comicbook is a magazine made up of comics, narrative artwork in the form of separate panels that represent individual scenes, often accompanied by dialog as well as including...
supervillain
Supervillain
A supervillain or supervillainess is a variant of the villain character type, commonly found in comic books, action movies and science fiction in various media.They are sometimes used as foils to superheroes and other fictional heroes...
, and an enemy of Batman
Batman
Batman is a fictional character created by the artist Bob Kane and writer Bill Finger. A comic book superhero, Batman first appeared in Detective Comics #27 , and since then has appeared primarily in publications by DC Comics...
, who appeared in books published by DC Comics
DC Comics
DC Comics, Inc. is one of the largest and most successful companies operating in the market for American comic books and related media. It is the publishing unit of DC Entertainment a company of Warner Bros. Entertainment, which itself is owned by Time Warner...
. He first appeared in Detective Comics
Detective Comics
Detective Comics is an American comic book series published monthly by DC Comics since 1937, best known for introducing the iconic superhero Batman in Detective Comics #27 . It is, along with Action Comics, the book that launched with the debut of Superman, one of the medium's signature series, and...
#259 (September 1958). He was created by Bill Finger
Bill Finger
William "Bill" Finger was an American comic strip and comic book writer best known as the uncredited co-creator, with Bob Kane, of the DC Comics character Batman, as well as the co-architect of the series' development...
.
Fictional character biography
Calendar Man is fascinated by dates and calendars – even his real name is a play on the JulianJulian day
Julian day is used in the Julian date system of time measurement for scientific use by the astronomy community, presenting the interval of time in days and fractions of a day since January 1, 4713 BC Greenwich noon...
and Gregorian calendar
Gregorian calendar
The Gregorian calendar, also known as the Western calendar, or Christian calendar, is the internationally accepted civil calendar. It was introduced by Pope Gregory XIII, after whom the calendar was named, by a decree signed on 24 February 1582, a papal bull known by its opening words Inter...
s. His crimes always have a relationship to the date that they are committed. The theme may be related to what day of the week it is or to a holiday or to a special anniversary on that date; he will plan his crime around that day. He often wears different costumes which correspond to the significance of the date, though he does have a main costume which has various numbers (meant to represent days on a calendar) sprouting from the shoulders.
After his first appearance, in which his crimes were based on the seasons of the year, his next appearance was in Batman
Batman
Batman is a fictional character created by the artist Bob Kane and writer Bill Finger. A comic book superhero, Batman first appeared in Detective Comics #27 , and since then has appeared primarily in publications by DC Comics...
#312 (June 1979), where his crimes were based on the days of the week, and his costumes reflected the Norse gods they were named for, along with Saturn
Saturn
Saturn is the sixth planet from the Sun and the second largest planet in the Solar System, after Jupiter. Saturn is named after the Roman god Saturn, equated to the Greek Cronus , the Babylonian Ninurta and the Hindu Shani. Saturn's astronomical symbol represents the Roman god's sickle.Saturn,...
. On Sunday he did not commit any robberies as it is a day of rest and he was planning to leave town. This issue also marked the first appearance of his most commonly known "calendar cape" costume. His next appearance in Batman
Batman
Batman is a fictional character created by the artist Bob Kane and writer Bill Finger. A comic book superhero, Batman first appeared in Detective Comics #27 , and since then has appeared primarily in publications by DC Comics...
#384-385 (June–July 1985), sees the Calendar Man at the onset of the Crisis
Crisis (DC Comics)
A crisis in the DC Universe is an event with potentially great consequences, often involving multiple universes and sometimes even threatening their existence....
being used as a pawn of the Monitor
Monitor (comics)
The Monitor is a fictional character created by writer Marv Wolfman and artist George Pérez as one of the main characters of DC Comics' Crisis on Infinite Earths limited series....
in an attempt to find someone to potentially eliminate the Batman
Batman
Batman is a fictional character created by the artist Bob Kane and writer Bill Finger. A comic book superhero, Batman first appeared in Detective Comics #27 , and since then has appeared primarily in publications by DC Comics...
for profit. In this instance, the Calendar Man's theme is holidays, and he attempts to use the young Jason Todd
Jason Todd
Jason Peter Todd is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by DC Comics. Jason first appeared in Batman #357 and became the second Robin, sidekick to the superhero Batman, when the previous Robin went on to star in The New Teen Titans under the moniker of Nightwing.Though...
, as Robin
Robin (comics)
Robin is the name of several fictional characters appearing in comic books published by DC Comics, originally created by Bob Kane, Bill Finger and Jerry Robinson, as a junior counterpart to DC Comics superhero Batman...
, as the Batman's Achilles' heel with the promise of his demise on the first day of Spring, but it is ultimately Robin
Robin (comics)
Robin is the name of several fictional characters appearing in comic books published by DC Comics, originally created by Bob Kane, Bill Finger and Jerry Robinson, as a junior counterpart to DC Comics superhero Batman...
who is responsible for his defeat.
Because his crimes are generally petty and often ridiculous in nature, he is notorious among both heroes and villains alike for being something of a joke. Consequently, his post-Crisis
Crisis on Infinite Earths
Crisis on Infinite Earths is a 12-issue American comic book limited series and crossover event, produced by DC Comics in 1985 to simplify its then 50-year-old continuity...
appearances have been few and far between. He was once recruited by Killer Moth
Killer Moth
Killer Moth is a fictional character in the DC Comics universe. He first appeared in Batman #63 published in 1951. Killer Moth originally wore a garish costume with striped purple and green spandex, orange cape and a moth-like mask....
to form the villain team known as "The Misfits".
His best-known latter day appearance is in the mini-series Batman: The Long Halloween
Batman: The Long Halloween
Batman: The Long Halloween is a 13-issue comic book limited series written by Jeph Loeb with art by Tim Sale. It was originally published by DC Comics in 1996 and 1997. It was inspired by the three Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight Halloween Specials by the same creative team...
, where he is portrayed as a Hannibal Lecter
Hannibal Lecter
Hannibal Lecter M.D. is a fictional character in a series of horror novels by Thomas Harris and in the films adapted from them.Lecter was introduced in the 1981 thriller novel Red Dragon as a brilliant psychiatrist and cannibalistic serial killer...
-like figure, offering insight in Batman's search for Holiday
Holiday (comics)
Holiday or the Holiday Killer is a fictional character appearing in the Batman story The Long Halloween by writer Jeph Loeb and artist Tim Sale as well as Dark Victory...
, a serial killer
Serial killer
A serial killer, as typically defined, is an individual who has murdered three or more people over a period of more than a month, with down time between the murders, and whose motivation for killing is usually based on psychological gratification...
who uses holidays as his modus operandi. Like Lecter in The Silence of the Lambs
The Silence of the Lambs (novel)
The Silence of the Lambs is a novel by Thomas Harris. First published in 1988, it is the sequel to Harris' 1981 novel Red Dragon. Both novels feature the cannibalistic serial killer Dr. Hannibal Lecter, this time pitted against FBI Special Agent Clarice Starling.- Plot summary :The novel takes...
, Calendar Man knows who the
Alberto Falcone
Alberto Falcone is a fictional comic book villain appearing in books published by DC Comics, in particular the Batman books. In addition to being a mobster, he has also taken credit to be serial killer the Holiday Killer in Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale's series Batman: The Long Halloween and Batman: Dark...
killer
Gilda Dent
Gilda Dent , occasionally referred to as Grace instead of Gilda, is a fictional character who has appeared in Batman comic books since Detective Comics #66...
is and keeps this information to himself, choosing instead to taunt the heroes with cryptic clues. He returns in that story's sequel, Batman: Dark Victory
Batman: Dark Victory
Batman: Dark Victory is a 14-part comic book limited series written by Jeph Loeb and drawn by Tim Sale. The series is a sequel to Batman: The Long Halloween and was originally published from 1999 to 2000 by DC Comics. The series takes place primarily during the third/fourth year of Batman's career...
. In both stories, he is bitter that the new murderous rogues have taken the attention off him; Day fears that he is being forgotten. He is seriously harmed by Sofia Falcone near the end of Dark Victory, described as being barely alive and having his jaw broken.
Calendar Man is also known for teaming up with Catman
Catman (comics)
Catman is a modern version of a fictional character in comic books published by DC Comics, initially a supervillain and foe of Batman, although in recent years has developed into a more capable and antiheroic figure. He first appeared in Detective Comics #311...
and Killer Moth
Killer Moth
Killer Moth is a fictional character in the DC Comics universe. He first appeared in Batman #63 published in 1951. Killer Moth originally wore a garish costume with striped purple and green spandex, orange cape and a moth-like mask....
as part of The Misfits, a group of third-rate villains trying to prove themselves, in Batman: Shadow of the Bat
Batman: Shadow of the Bat
Batman: Shadow of the Bat was a comic book series featuring Batman, published by DC Comics. The series ran for 96 issues, from 1992 to 2000. The stories took place in Batman's then-current continuity along with Detective Comics and Batman, in contrast to Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight, which...
#7-9 (1992–1993). Also, he is among the Arkham Asylum
Arkham Asylum
The Elizabeth Arkham Asylum for the Criminally Insane, commonly referred to simply as Arkham Asylum, is a fictional psychiatric hospital in the DC Comics Universe, usually appearing in stories featuring Batman...
inmates freed by Bane
Bane (comics)
Bane is a fictional character who appears in comic books published by DC Comics. The character first appeared in Batman: Vengeance of Bane #1 , and was created by Chuck Dixon, Doug Moench, and Graham Nolan. Bane has been one of Batman's more physically and intellectually powerful foes...
in Batman: Knightfall
Batman: Knightfall
"Knightfall" is the title given to a major Batman story arc published by DC Comics that dominated Batman-related serial comic books in the spring and summer of 1993...
, but he is easily recaptured by Power Girl
Power Girl
Power Girl is a DC Comics superheroine, making her first appearance in All Star Comics #58 ....
shortly after his escape.
He appears in Team Titans
Team Titans
Team Titans was a comic book published by DC Comics that spun out of DC's New Titans series. It began in September 1992 and ended in September 1994. The Team Titans were first introduced as a shadowy group stalking the Titans...
#14 (Nov '93). He and several other time-based villains, including Time Commander, fight the title's heroes over a valued hourglass.
Day appears in the third issue of the 80 Page Giant Batman Special Edition (July 2000) entitled "All the Deadly Days". He has acquired a new high-tech costume, and moves up to more grandiose crimes.
Day appears in Harley Quinn
Harley Quinn
Harley Quinn was first introduced as a villain on September 11, 1992, in the animated series Batman: The Animated Series, later adapted into DC Comics' Batman comic books. As suggested by her name , she is clad in the manner of a traditional harlequin jester...
's series, as an inside informant to the fugitive.
In Week 20 of the weekly series 52
52 (comics)
52 was a weekly American comic book limited series published by DC Comics that debuted on May 10, 2006, one week after the conclusion of the seven-issue Infinite Crisis. The series was written by Geoff Johns, Grant Morrison, Greg Rucka, and Mark Waid with layouts by Keith Giffen...
, a radio broadcasts a message saying that Calendar Man was left tied up for the cops in Gotham City, even though there is no Batman. It is revealed the new heroine Batwoman
Batwoman
Batwoman is the name of several fictional characters, female counterparts to the superhero Batman. The original version was created by Bob Kane and Sheldon Moldoff. Her alter ego is Kathy Kane. This character appears in publications produced by DC Comics and related media beginning in Detective...
was responsible for his capture.
Other versions
- The Batman: Brave and the Bold version of Calendar Man appears in the story "Last Christmas!" He plans a Christmas crime, only to encounter Batman. When a zeta beam teleports Batman away, he claims it to be a Christmas Miracle, minutes before Earth is destroyed. After Batman and Adam StrangeAdam StrangeAdam Strange is a fictional superhero published by DC Comics. Created by writer Gardner Fox and artist Mike Sekowsky, he first appeared in Showcase #17 .In May 2011, Adam Strange placed 97th on IGN's Top 100 Comic Book Heroes of All Time....
restore Earth, Batman proceeds to easily defeat Calendar Man.
- An older Calendar Man appears in the Batman Beyond comic book arc "Hush Beyond". From his wheelchair, he builds a greeting card rigged to explode, intending to kill Commissioner GordonBarbara GordonBarbara Gordon is a fictional character appearing in comic books published by DC Comics and in related media, created by Gardner Fox and Carmine Infantino...
. BatmanTerry McGinnisBatman is a fictional superhero in comics published by DC Comics as well as the main protagonist of the animated television series Batman Beyond , in which he has succeeded Bruce Wayne as the protector of Gotham City. He was voiced by Will Friedle...
arrives to stop him, only to be confronted by HushHush (comics)Hush is a fictional comic book supervillain appearing in books published by DC Comics, usually as an enemy of Batman. Created by writer Jeph Loeb and artist Jim Lee, the character first appeared in Batman #609 , as part of the 12-issue storyline, Batman: Hush...
. Hush mentions that Batman's "true family" is his many enemies, and he plans to destroy it. He then proceeds to kill Calendar Man.
Television
- Calendar Man appears in the Batman: The Brave and the BoldBatman: The Brave and the BoldBatman: The Brave and the Bold is an American animated television series based in part on the DC Comics series The Brave and the Bold which features two or more super heroes coming together to solve a crime or foil a super villain...
episode "Legends of the Dark-Mite" voiced by Jim PiddockJim PiddockJames Anthony "Jim" Piddock is an English actor, writer, and producer who began his career on the stage in England, before emigrating to the U.S. in 1981.-Life and career:...
. When Bat-Mite was deciding which opponent to fight Batman, he tricks Bat-Mite into summoning Calendar Man. Unaware of Bat-MiteBat-MiteBat-Mite is a fictional character appearing in stories published by DC Comics. Bat-Mite is an Imp similar to the Superman villain Mister Mxyzptlk...
's effect, Calendar Man is whispered to by Batman to take a dive. He does so, but Bat-Mite is not pleased. He upgrades Calendar Man into Calendar King with the ability to conjure henchmen version of holiday icons (like Jack O'LanternJack-o'-lanternA jack-o'-lantern is typically a carved pumpkin. It is associated chiefly with the holiday of Halloween and was named after the phenomenon of strange light flickering over peat bogs, called ignis fatuus or jack-o'-lantern...
Monsters, Santa ClausSanta ClausSanta Claus is a folklore figure in various cultures who distributes gifts to children, normally on Christmas Eve. Each name is a variation of Saint Nicholas, but refers to Santa Claus...
-themed bikers, uber-patriotic Uncle SamUncle SamUncle Sam is a common national personification of the American government originally used during the War of 1812. He is depicted as a stern elderly man with white hair and a goatee beard...
s, and Mutant Easter BunniesEaster BunnyThe Easter Bunny or Easter Rabbit is a character depicted as a rabbit bringing Easter eggs, who sometimes is depicted with clothes...
). After the henchmen and Calendar King are defeated, Bat-Mite sends Calendar Man back to where he pulled him from. He was later seen in "Mayhem of the Music Meister" shown as inmate of Arkham Asylum and in "A Bat Divided" hanging out with the bad guys at a bar until FirestormFirestorm (comics)Firestorm is the name of several comic book superheroes published by DC Comics. Ronnie Raymond and Martin Stein, the first Firestorm, debuted in Firestorm, the Nuclear Man #1 , and was created by Gerry Conway and Al Milgrom. Martin Stein, by himself as Firestorm, debuted in Firestorm the Nuclear...
and the three Batmen show up.
- A female variation of the character named Calendar GirlCalendar Girl (DC animated universe)Calendar Girl is a fictional character from The New Batman Adventures, voiced by Sela Ward. She is a loose adaptation of the supervillain, Calendar Man, as a criminal whose crimes follow the theme of the calendar and related aspects.-Character history:...
appears in The New Batman AdventuresThe New Batman AdventuresThe New Batman Adventures is the successor to Batman: The Animated Series produced by Warner Bros. Animation. Although bearing different character designs and animation styles, both shows take place in the same continuity, with TNBA set two years after BTAS. The series aired on The WB from...
voiced by Sela WardSela WardSela Ann Ward is an American movie and television actress, perhaps best known for her television roles as Teddy Reed on the American TV series Sisters and as Lily Manning on Once and Again...
. She wears a mask due to mental scars (physically, she is still perfect) and plans her crimes around the Four SeasonsSeasonA season is a division of the year, marked by changes in weather, ecology, and hours of daylight.Seasons result from the yearly revolution of the Earth around the Sun and the tilt of the Earth's axis relative to the plane of revolution...
, with a different costume corresponding to each season.
Video games
- Calendar Man's cell is featured in Batman: Arkham AsylumBatman: Arkham AsylumBatman: Arkham Asylum is a 2009 action-adventure stealth video game based on DC Comics' Batman developed for PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Mac OS X and Microsoft Windows. It was developed by Rocksteady Studios and published by Eidos Interactive in conjunction with Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment...
. The wall is covered with calendar pages. Scanning the cell unlocks a character bio of Calendar Man, but he does not actually physically appear in the game. - Calendar Man appears in the sequel to Arkham Asylum, Batman: Arkham City, voiced by Maurice LaMarcheMaurice LaMarcheMaurice LaMarche is an Emmy Award winning Canadian-American voice actor and former stand up comedian. He is best known for his voicework in Futurama as Kif Kroker, as Egon Spengler in The Real Ghostbusters, Verminous Skumm and Duke Nukem in Captain Planet and the Planeteers, Big Bob Pataki in Hey...
. This version of Calendar Man is somewhat obese, wears a brace on his right leg with a built-up shoe on his foot, and features the calendar tattoos on his head seen in Batman: Dark VictoryBatman: Dark VictoryBatman: Dark Victory is a 14-part comic book limited series written by Jeph Loeb and drawn by Tim Sale. The series is a sequel to Batman: The Long Halloween and was originally published from 1999 to 2000 by DC Comics. The series takes place primarily during the third/fourth year of Batman's career...
. If the player visits him on different holidays, they get additional pieces of information regarding crimes he committed on these days. Batman encounters Calendar Man in a cell within the basement of a courthouse that serves as hideout for Two-Face. Before the events of the game, Calendar Man had occupied the Solomon Wayne Courthouse trapping anyone who ventures inside it and killing them on the next holiday. Two-Face arrived with a small army overpowering Day and trapping him in a glass cell. Day is featured in a similar manner as in Batman: The Long HalloweenBatman: The Long HalloweenBatman: The Long Halloween is a 13-issue comic book limited series written by Jeph Loeb with art by Tim Sale. It was originally published by DC Comics in 1996 and 1997. It was inspired by the three Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight Halloween Specials by the same creative team...
, talking to the Dark Knight through a glass cell. When Batman has visited Day on 12 specific days of the year (all marked on a calendar by his cell), he will be gone and one of Two-Faces henchmen will be hanging from the ceiling of his cell instead the next time Batman visits Calendar Man's cell.