- "No. It's a symbol of liberation from people like you, people who think they'll never be held accountable as long as they pretend that what they do is justice."
- —Black Mask to Batwoman[src]
Roman Sionis, also known as Black Mask, is the leader of the False Face Society and the CEO of Janus Cosmetics.
Biography
Early life
At some point, Roman became the CEO of Janus Cosmetics and had a daughter. She was captured by Crows Security and apparently killed by the original Batwoman.[1]
Leading the False Face Society
Meeting the new Batwoman
After the death of Roman's daughter, he founded and led the False Face Society gang in Gotham City.[2]
The gang drew the attention of Crows Security by selling the drug Snakebite in Gotham; which led the Crows to discover that Black mask leads the gang.[2]
Somehow, Roman got Kate Kane's body after her plane exploded and locked her in a cell. He visited her and said that her family declared her dead, but they would make them believe in life after death.
Roman later ordered the False Face Society to kill Commissioner Forbes. The next morning, he gave an interview to Dana Dewitt regretting the situation.
Roman ordered the gang to kill those involved in the murder, including a witness, Jordan Moore, but she was saved by Batwoman. He later ordered Angelique Martin to be captured, after learning that she wanted to leave the gang. In his hideout, he told Angelique that if she tried to leave the gang, she would die too.
After Batwoman showed up to save Angelique, she was knocked out and tied up. On the other side, Black Mask told the guy who went after Jordan that he failed and was out, before killing him using a fist. Batwoman asked him what the hell he was doing, he said it was an "H.R. matter" and asked if she was a "OSHA" and she replied that she was after Angelique.
Roman asked who she thought he was, with her replying that he is a sadistic drug lord. He then says he understands why she thinks so, but he was only trying to get rid of the Crows and bat vigilantes, after they arrested and killed his daughter. He said he didn't need her help and told his henchman to start the saw, but then Sophie Moore came in and he ran away.
Roman later hired Enigma to alter Kate's memory and left them alone.[1]
Needing a chemist
Upon Black Mask's command, the killers of Commissioner Forbes were terminated to assure their silence.
A week later, Black Mask kills a gang member because the gang member was in charge of distribution and distribution was constantly being interrupted by Batwoman, who declared war on him on television. Black Mask made an example of him in front of other False Face members. He told the others that the supply of the drug is too low for them to allow anyone to disrupt the operation. One of the gang members reminded Black Mask that he had kept secret the formula to Snakebite except for the two chemists, Ocean and Angelique Martin, with one gone and the other in jail.
In his civilian identity, Roman went to Crows Headquarters and told Jacob Kane that he found a container of Snakebite that one of his employees had and wanted it destroyed properly. Jacob was more than willing to help the client.
When Angelique was being moved into witness protection, Black Mask sent gang members to kill her transport guards and to capture the chemist.[3]
Black Mask had Angelique brought before him and threatened to have her burned with acid and chemicals if she did not agree to help by making more Snakebite. He then sent caravans of drivers with high-speed vehicles to get the ingredients necessary for the process.
Black Mask threatens Angelique's life to procure his escape.
Days later, Black Mask was at one of his warehouses when he found Sophie Moore lurking into his business; he captured her and had her bound. Just as he planned to kill her, Batwoman arrived and began a battle; Black Mask was able to hit the hero hard enough to make her mouth bleed. Knocking her down, he was about to shoot her but Sophie freed herself and injured him with a batarang; the two took his gun and overwhelmed him. They asked for the whereabouts of Angelique so Black Mask showed them a display where Angelique was being held at gunpoint. The gang leader told his minion to shoot the chemist if he was not freed, causing Sophie and Batwoman to comply and allowing him to leave.
Black Mask went to where Angelique was making more Snakebite. He decided that the product needed to be tested and asked Angelique to try it, but she said that she was clean now and would not indulge. Thinking that she was being rebellious, Black Mask insisted, to the point of almost injecting her himself. Angelique begged him to stop and explained that she learned the formula of the drug through assisting Ocean and by observation, not formal training. Black Mask realized that the drug was unpredictable and could cause death, instead of euphoria, prompting him to need his master chemist.[4]
After six weeks of therapy and hypnosis, Kate Kane has been transformed into a replica of Circe Sionis; Black Mask removes his mask in front of Enigma so that Kate/Circe will not be confused and will know that "her father" is beside her. He tells "Circe" that she wears a mask because her face was burned in the fire at Arkham.
Later, Black Mask has Ocean kidnapped and brought, with Angelique, to a warehouse so that they can make Snakebite; Black mask has a gang member video-record the process and tells the gang member to kill the chemists when they are finished. Soon afterwards, "Circe" brings Alice to the mansion because Alice assisted Batwoman in helping Ocean and Angelique escape the warehouse. Originally, Black Mask is annoyed and tells "Circe" to kill Alice, but, before "Circe" can give the kill-shot, Black Mask changes his mind, saying to his masked "daughter" that he has a job for Alice.[5]
Personality
After Roman's daughter, Circe Sionis was (apparently) killed by the original Batwoman, he decided to become Black Mask to take revenge on the culprits and change the system. He also has no guilt, shame, remorse or hesitation about killing someone.
Hiding behind a mask, Roman is a terrifying persona who uses fear and violence to get his way. He recruited all kinds of individuals and even kidnapped children into his ranks. He commands his gang with an iron fist, executing members when failing succeed in their objectives.
Abilities
- High-level intellect/Great business acumen/Master tactician/Leader: Roman is highly capable of leading the False Face Society from behind the scenes and in person.[2]
- Master of deception/Manipulator: Roman is highly skilled at deceiving and manipulating others to his advantage. He is able to hide his identity and activities as Black Mask, putting on a facade of a whit knight willing to help the legal system.
- Master hand-to-hand combatant: Roman is a skilled hand to hand fighter. He was able to disarm and incapicate Sophie with a single kick to her lower back. Roman was able to fight Ryan Wilder as Batwoman and eventually gain the upper hand on her, even causing her mouth to bleed. When Sophie Moore joined the fight, he was able to briefly fight on until he was overwhelmed by the two of them.
- Expert Marksman: Roman is quite proficient in the use of firearms, particularly handguns.
- Interrogator/Torturer: Roman is proficient in interrogating and torture.
- Intimidation: Roman uses a black skull mask and his status as a crimelord to intimidate people.
- Stealth: Roman was able to ambush Sophie Moore. Talking at her from the shadows before appearing behind her.
- High pain tolerance: Roman was able to pull a batting out of his back with little discomfort.
- Network: As a businessman and a crimelord, Roman has many contacts in the criminal world and in high society.
Equipment
- M1911A1: Roman uses this handgun as his sidearm when operating as Black Mask.
- Mask: Roman wears a black skull mask in order to conceal his identity when operating as Black Mask.[2]
Appearances
Batwoman
Season 2
- "Bat Girl Magic!" (mentioned)
- "Rule #1"
- "Time Off for Good Behavior"
- "Arrive Alive"
- "Initiate Self-Destruct"
Behind the scenes
- In the DC comics, Black Mask is a crime lord in Gotham City, the leader of the False Face Society and one of Batman's longtime enemies. He debuted in Batman #386 (August, 1985).
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Rule #1"
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 "Bat Girl Magic!"
- ↑ "Time Off for Good Behavior"
- ↑ "Arrive Alive"
- ↑ "Initiate Self-Destruct"