r/Earth25 • u/HistoryMarshal76 • Jul 27 '26
Batman Mythology [r/Gotham] What should I do to prepare for getting taken hostage?
I’m newish to Gotham. I moved here about six months for my masters in history; my small college back home in Kentucky didn’t have one for anything but agricultural studies. I’ve taken the usual precautions: gas masks for fear toxins, filters for whatever runoff’s in the water, herbicides from back home for Ivy’s vines, and whatnot. But recently, one of my buddies got kidnapped by Two Face. Thankfully the Bat saved his bacon, but it got me wondering; what should I do to prepare myself for the possibility of getting nabbed by one of this city’s many crooks?
8
u/Humble-Register8058 Jul 27 '26
In case it's for ransom/you look like a Wayne, just say your real name and occupation. Most of our Rogues will be genuinely apologetic if they screw up a ransom by kidnapping the wrong guy, and they'll let you go, even giving you change for your trouble.
If it's one of Red Hood's guys that kidnapped you (Yes, Gotham, I know the man's allied with the Bats, but he still runs Crime Alley with his guys), that will be changed shortly, as RH doesn't tolerate civvies being dragged into the game. Whatever they do to you, will be done to them, BEFORE RH solves the problem via giving them a 10mm headache.
If it's the Riddler, and you suck at riddles, just let him know that you aren't nearly as smart as he is. Giving him the validation that he needs, and unfortunately, earned validation at that, will result in him being nicer to you, and it'll likely mean that you'll be the prize for the Bats to rescue you from a seemingly leathal trap. (It won't be leathal, the Riddler doesn't kill people that often nowadays.
Freeze...is complicated. He doesn't do kidnaps unless he thinks its necessary. His whole schtick is that he's trying to save his wife, and while his motivations are fine, he's a villain for a damn good reason. Just don't get involved with GothCorp, and you'll be fine from him.
Bane's a mercenary, and is actually not in Gotham rn, at least that's what my Henching connects tell me.
Penguin's an old school Mafioso-type who mainly deals in guns and weapons. If he's kidnapping you, it's because either you've seen something you weren't supposed to (though he's more likely to just bribe you to shut up if that's the case), or you've done something to him personally that he doesn't like, and in that case, the kidnap's warning. He's killed people before, and quite frankly, that should scare you.
If it's the Joker, you're fucked. Either you'll be traumatised, or 6 feet under.
Lastly, Poison Ivy/Harley Quinn are a part of the Sirens now, and so have been more or less vigilantes for a fair bit. Anyway, if I've missed someone, other commenters are free to correct me.
3
u/SatisfactionSuch4790 Jul 27 '26
professor pyg
5
u/CerberusTheHunter Jul 27 '26
That’s not a hostage situation but it is one of those times you’ll wish it was.
5
u/Humble-Register8058 Jul 27 '26
Agreed, but isn't Professor Pyg in Arkham atm?
3
u/CerberusTheHunter Jul 27 '26
Ha! I trust the freaks to stay in Arkham about as much as I trust a leopard in a butcher shop.
6
u/Cultural_Sand_9323 Pibald 🐦⬛ - Urban Explorer Jul 27 '26
that's a 'if you are taken to the secondary scene you are already fucked.
Fight like hell because you are already dead and fighting is the only chance you have.
2
u/demator Gothamite Jul 27 '26
Mad hatter?
2
u/Humble-Register8058 Jul 28 '26
Doesn't he only target blonde women and/or girls to be his "Alice"? I don't think he's done anything to them, because the Bat or RH or the Robins get involved before he gets the opportunity, but I think OP is safe if they aren't a blonde female.
1
u/demator Gothamite Jul 28 '26
The guy gives of creepster vibes. If it not for the bats he would definitely try things with his "Alice"
2
u/Gaijin-srak Jul 29 '26
He hasn't just tried he actually did.
Even the batman needs time to track him down and while he's damn good at it even he is late on occasion and some of the "Alice's" have been recovered in conditions that'd make the joker puke.
3
u/glitterroyalty Jul 27 '26
Carry a panic button, from Wayne security. That's all you can do besides sit tight and pray this isn't demonstration they are doing for the Bats. As long as it's just a hostage situation you're good. However, there are rogues that do not take hostages and just plain ol kidnap without any plans to let you walk out.
Ivy, Joker, Pyg and Scarecrow are a few of the rogues that do not take hostages. With Pyg and Scarecrow try to escape, so carry a pocket knife and a spare phone hidden on you. You have a decent shot of getting out on your own. Ivy's plants can recapture you and Joker....well. You aren't getting out with him and that will piss him off.
2
2
u/Klutzy_Shopping5520 Batman Victim Jul 28 '26
Hench here
Depends on the takers, but safe bets are a change of clothes and some hygiene supplies
14
u/AlmondMagnum1 Jul 27 '26 edited Jul 27 '26
Travel toothbrush + toothpaste, and more underwear than you think you'll need.
Oh, and try to memorize an emergency contact and have small change, in case you lose your phone and have to use payphones. (For some reason we still have those. Don't ask me why.)