The first Film Freak was a forgotten stuntman who wanted revenge for past slights.
History
Burt Weston was a former stuntman and failed actor whom preferred impersonating villains, as he considered them more complex and multidimensional. He had a relationship with actress India Blue which lasted three years, until he faked his own death in a manner reminiscent of the Newman–Redford film The Sting (with the help of fellow actor and friend Al Jacobs), in order to acquire the success he craved. Years later, having been forgotten by the public and learning that movie director Paul Vasseria, whom had rejected Weston in the past, was going to preview his latest film, he orchestrated his ultimate comeback and revenge.
Changing his appearance by shaving his hair, Weston turned to crime and based his criminal activities off of old movies (such as To Catch a Thief and White Heat), including the dialogue. His modus operandi drew the attention of Batman, Robin, Catwoman and Sergeant Harvey Bullock, who learned about his true identity thanks to India Blue tipping off investigative journalist Julia Pennyworth. In fact, it was Julia's publication in the Gotham Gazette that first gave Weston the alias of Film Freak.[1] Adopting the nickname given by Julia, Film Freak changed his crimes once his real identity was exposed, and focused on eliminating Pennyworth (in a Psycho-inspired manner) and all the people from his past (including Jacobs, who ended up killed, and India, who was wounded by him), who he believed had betrayed him.[2] He attempted to blow up the theatre where Vasseria's film was being screened, and when he tried to murder Julia a second time, dressed up like a gorilla (reminiscent of King Kong and Planet of the Apes), he was stopped by the combined efforts of Batman, Robin and Catwoman, putting an end to his mad crimes.[3]
Weston, along with many other fellow criminals who were released during Bane's orchestrated Arkham breakout, fell under the Mad Hatter's mind control. Hatter used all of the criminals to set up a trap for Batman, but he sent Film Freak to find out who was responsible for releasing all the inmates from the asylum. Weston discovered Bane's location, but before he was capable of reporting back to the Hatter, Bane found him and, using extreme violence, he killed him, ending the criminal career and life of Film Freak.[4]
Powers and Abilities
Abilities
- Acting: Although he was a failed actor when he tried to break into the film industry, his skills improved once he turned to crime.[3]
- Disguise
- Firearms
Related
- 7 Appearances of Burt Weston (New Earth)
- 2 Images featuring Burt Weston (New Earth)
- Quotations by or about Burt Weston (New Earth)
- Character Gallery: Burt Weston (New Earth)
Footnotes
  Batman Villain(s) |