The following story and photos are from Giant Panda King's book,
Gotham 1919-1939 by Russell S. Beattie, available from www.giantpandaking.com.
Viewer discretion is advised.
"So many are dead... too many. Because of me."
In the bustling city of Gotham, Jack Ryder, a charismatic radio host, had an insatiable
curiosity. He was known to rub elbows with the high society of Gotham in spite of his own humble
upbringing. He had hosted exposés on the mob, the politicians in Cluemaster’s blackmail scheme,
and even on the Court of Owls. His curiosity drove him to uncover the truth behind the enigmatic
costumed figures that captivated the press. Over time however, his shows and his writing
felt more and more stale. Jack was hard-pressed to compete with other big names in radio such as
Edward Bowes and Eddie Cantor. Jack’s coverage of the happenings in Gotham lacked one thing:
first hand experience. He harkened back to his coverage of Mr. Freeze’s attack on the city. That
had been one of his most popular shows. Jack had a tendency towards addictive personality;
he drank excessively during this depressive time in his career. Eventually, he got out of
that place and decided to set out and restore his fading glory. Determined to get the inside scoop,
Jack devised a daring plan—he would become a costumed hero himself. Donning an outfit inspired
by the eerie characters of German expressionist films, he took to the streets at night, observing
events from the shadows. With a pale face, wild green hair, and a red and yellow outfit,
he earned himself the moniker "The Creeper." As word began to spread about “The Creeper’s” nightly
activities, Jack Ryder was the first to capitalize on his own idea. No one could know it was actually
him. The Creeper's ambiguous nature puzzled the citizens of Gotham. Was he a force for good,
or a harbinger of chaos? The Creeper had a tendency to stay aloof from conflicts,
but sometimes his mere presence was off-putting to criminals. The more superstitious ones would leave
the scene of the crime altogether upon sighting him. Jack reveled in the mystery, relishing the
attention and speculation surrounding his true intentions. The uncertainty towards him that
was held by the public gave him an edge. In his radio shows, he really leaned into the theories
and speculations circulating about him. His popularity began to skyrocket. Given time,
he suddenly found himself conflicted. Jack knew that he wanted to be a hero and help the city,
but his bizarre appearance in costume seemingly threw doubt on that among speculators. Initially,
he saw his alter ego as a means to bolster his radio program's popularity, but soon his
activities as The Creeper consumed him entirely. As he delved deeper into his role as The Creeper,
he found himself increasingly drawn to the thrill and adrenaline that came with it. [Music] In his
pursuit of justice, Jack's addictive personality led him down a dangerous path. Before it had
mainly focused on the consumption of alcohol, but now it was more serious. He managed to
obtain a diluted form of Venom, a notorious new steroid enhancer that had begun circulating the
streets of Gotham. It heightened his senses and enhanced his physical capabilities,
but at a cost. The drug took hold of him, and Jack became dependent on its power. As Venom
coursed through his veins, Jack’s body underwent a transformation. His strength and agility surged,
but so did his erratic behavior and aggression. The line between hero and villain blurred,
leaving those around him uncertain of which persona they would encounter. The media began
to dub him a “Jekyll and Hyde” of the streets; a being of unpredictable chaos. The Creeper’s
actions became a source of fear and caution, with whispers spreading throughout the city
to beware his presence. Jack Ryder had become entangled in his own addictive pursuit. He was
torn between his original intentions and the alluring darkness that consumed him.
The streets of Gotham grew fraught with tension as The Creeper's actions became increasingly
unpredictable. The police and the Bat-Team responded to numerous reports of criminals
and citizens alike being accosted by The Creeper, but were often too late to respond. Predicting
The Creeper’s movements and appearances proved difficult at best. The citizens learned to be
wary, never knowing if they would encounter the hero or the villain. Some even became obsessed
with him. One artist in particular was driven to insanity by obsession with The Creeper; worried
that The Creeper was coming for them. Almost without realizing it, Jack Ryder had become a
pawn in his own addictive game. He had set out to do good and restore his career, but had ultimately
fallen into a hole too deep for him to climb out of on his own. The city would continue to
hold its breath, unsure of what The Creeper would do next. The Creeper would remain active, waiting
and hoping to be set free from his prison; one of his own making. Criminals would be terrified
of encountering him; the whispers would resound in the streets: “Beware. Beware The Creeper.”
[Music]