Crazy Quilt

Crazy Quilt
The first appearance of Crazy Quilt, as depicted on the cover of Boy Commandos #15 (May 1946). Art by Jack Kirby.
Publication information
Publisher	DC Comics
First appearance	Boy Commandos #15
Created by	Jack Kirby
In-story information
Alter ego	Quilt
Abilities	Mind-controlling helmet that projects lethal laser beams, and blinding lights and has artificial eyes

Crazy-Quilt is the name of different characters in DC Comics.

The Earth-Two Crazy Quilt first appeared in Boy Commandos #15 and was created by Jack Kirby.

The Paul Dekker version of Crazy Quilt first appeared in Blackhawks #180 and was created by Dick Dillon.

The unidentified female version of Crazy Quilt first appeared in Villains United #2 and was created by Gail Simone and Dale Eaglesham.

Crazy Quilt is an unnamed noted painter who leads a double-life as a master criminal. He gives the plans for his crimes to various henchmen through clues left in his paintings. His criminal empire crashes to a halt when one of his henchmen double-crosses him. Blinded by a gunshot wound, he volunteers for an experimental procedure that restores his vision, but is unfortunately left unable to see anything but bright colors. In his second published appearance, this is combined with a special helmet that emits bright colored lights, enabling him to see under most circumstances.

In a 1963 issue of Blackhawk taking place on Earth-One, a fence named Paul Dekker impersonates Crazy Quilt, but the title heroes expose the impostor. As a result of this appearance, some resources report the original Crazy-Quilt's true identity as Dekker. This includes at least one comic, the Kevin Smith-penned Batman: The Widening Gyre #4. However, the earlier Batman Encyclopedia, another official source endorsed by DC Comics, states that Dekker is a separate character from the original Crazy Quilt.

In the Post-Crisis, Paul Dekker's history is similar to the Earth-Two Crazy Quilt. Crazy Quilt's sight is restored briefly for a time after he kidnaps a surgeon to assist him. Batman and Grayson intervene. In self-defense, Robin reflects the madman's light beams back into his newly restored eyes. Unintentionally, Quilt is permanently blinded. Obsessing over his young adversary, he becomes one of the few bat-villains to hate Robin more than his mentor.

Later, thinking to enact his revenge upon Grayson, he mistakenly takes out his aggression on Jason Todd, who was new to the role at the time. Todd is nearly beaten to death. Again, it is Robin who is pivotal to stopping Crazy Quilt's plans.