Batwing (Marvel Comics)

Batwing
Cover for Untold Tales of Spider-Man #2 (October 1995), the first appearance of Batwing. Art by Pat Olliffe and Al Vey.
Publication information
Publisher	Marvel Comics
First appearance	Untold Tales of Spider-Man #2 (October 1995)
Created by	Kurt Busiek Pat Olliffe
In-story information
Alter ego	James "Jimmy" Santini
Team affiliations	The Initiative Avengers Academy
Abilities	Superhuman speed Flight via bat wings Enhanced hearing Echolocation Night vision Sharp claws and fangs

Batwing (James "Jimmy" Santini) is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics.

His first appearance was in Untold Tales of Spider-Man #2 (October 1995), and he was created by Kurt Busiek and Pat Olliffe.

Batwing appeared as a supporting character in Avengers Academy beginning with issue #20 (Dec 2011), making occasional appearances throughout the series.

Young Jimmy Santini was with his father in an investigation of illegal toxic waste dumping in Carlsbad Caverns National Park where his father was either shot in the back by the polluters or fell to his death in the deep caverns (the full details were murky in Jimmy's diary). Jimmy was lost in the caverns and drank water that "tasted like metal." He was eventually rescued and returned to his mother. Soon the chemicals began to take effect and Jimmy sprouted wings. His mother proclaimed him a demon, causing Jimmy to run away. He continued to mutate into a bat-like creature and ended up stealing food to survive. He arrived in New York City and made his home under an old pier. Jimmy began stealing food from people dining on rooftops scaring people in the process. Thus, the people began to dub him Batwing. When New York City Councilman Randolph Cherryh was once dining with his girlfriend, Batwing appeared and stole some of his apples which humiliated Randolph. Randolph Cherryh placed a bounty on him which Peter Parker decided to take part on during his financial problems. Randolph arranged for a party as part of a trap. When Batwing came, the police sprang and began shooting only for Peter Parker in his alias of Spider-Man to web up the guns and pursue Batwing. Batwing battled with Spider-Man before fleeing back to where he lived under the pier. When Spider-Man followed Batwing to the pier, he discovered that Batwing was just a scared kid who was stealing food to survive. Spider-Man read some of his history before Jimmy ran off right into the Councilman who secretly followed in his helicopter. Randolph did not care if Batwing was just a youngster, and he was about to kill the boy when Spider-Man webbed down his men. Batwing fled despite Spider-Man's offer to get Reed Richards or Hank Pym to help cure him. Randolph vowed to ruin Spider-Man's life before having his mouth webbed and himself being shoved into a garbage can.