Anarky

Anarky (Lonnie Machin) is a comic book character published by DC Comics. Co-created by Alan Grant and Norm Breyfogle, he first appeared in Detective Comics #608 (November 1989) as an adversary of Batman.

He is named for his belief in Anarchism, and was partially inspired by Alan Moore's character "V" from V for Vendetta.^[1] Stories revolving around Anarky often focus on political and philosophical themes.

During the late '90s the character experienced a brief surge in popularity that culminated in a short-lived, and financially and critically unsuccessful series, Anarky. The character has since been largely absent from DC publications.

Publication history

Creation

Originally inspired by Alan Moore's V for Vendetta, and early incarnations of Chopper, from Judge Dredd, Alan Grant imagined the character as a twelve-year-old anarchist vigilante. His only instructions to his partner, illustrator Norm Breyfogle, were that Anarky be designed as a cross between V and the black spy from Mad magazine's Spy vs. Spy.^[2] In response to deadline pressures, and not recognizing the character's potential, Breyfogle "made no preliminary sketches, simply draping him in long red sheets." He was also intended to wear a costume that disguised his youth, and so was fitted with a crude "head extender" that elongated his neck, creating a jarring appearance. While both of these design elements have since been dropped, more enduring aspects of the character have been his golden face mask, "priestly" hat, and his golden staff.^[3]

The first Anarky story, "Anarky in Gotham City, Part 1: Letters to the Editor," appeared in Detective Comics #608, in November 1989. In Grant's earliest script for the character, Anarky was designed to be far more vicious, and to have killed his first victim. However, Dennis O'Neil, then editor of Detective Comics, requested that Grant "tone down" the script, as he felt Anarky becoming a murderer at such a young age was morally reprehensible. Grant consented to the request and the script was rewritten; a move he later considered for the best.^[1] In a 2004 interview, Grant explained the motivation behind this early decision:

I wanted to play it that way because it created incredible tension in Anarky himself. Other heroes might kill--Batman used to, in the early days--but for a teenager to rationally decide to take lives...well, it hadn't been handled in comics before. But Denny was boss, and I respected his opinion and toned things down.

– Alan Grant, Getting the 411: Alan Grant, 2004^[4]

Although Grant had not created the character to be used beyond the two-part debut story, reader reaction and encouragement from his editor caused him to change his mind. He then decided to make Lonnie Machin the third Robin, following Jason Todd, desiring a new sidekick who would act as a foil to Batman, and not have the same motivations for vengeance. However, this was abandoned when he learned that Tim Drake had already been created to fill the role by Marv Wolfman.^[5]

Anarky series

Main article: Anarky (comic book)

Anarky's debut, in Detective Comics #608. Art by Norm Breyfogle.

In May of 1997, a four-issue Anarky mini-series, Anarky, was produced. The story, entitled "Metamorphosis," maintained the character's anti-authoritarian sentiments, but was instead based on the philosophy of Neo-Tech, an offshoot of Objectivism.^[6] Its success fueled the creation of a trade paperback, collecting several of his appearances. With the continuing success of the character, Darren Vincenzo, then an editorial assistant, suggested continuing the book as an ongoing series to Norm Breyfogle, provided Alan Grant would continue as the writer. Although Grant was concerned that such a series would not be viable, he agreed to write the series at Breyfogle's insistence.^[7] He later explained his apprehension in an interview:

Anarky, not having any super powers, doesn’t have what it takes to bring the fans in month after month. He’s the sort of character you can get away with using in an annual once a year plus his own mini-series once a year and maybe as a guest star every couple of years, but he’s not capable, he’s not strong enough to hold his own monthly title. Very few characters are when it comes down to it.

– Alan Grant, Batman: Alan Grant & Norm Breyfogle Speak Out, 2006^[1]

Grant's doubts eventually proved true. The series was panned by critics, failed to catch on among readers, and was canceled after eight issues. However, Grant has noted in an interview that it was popular in South America, perhaps owing to a history of political repression in the region.^[2]

In the last issue of the Anarky series, the possibility was left open that The Joker might be Anarky's actual father. As the series is now canceled, it may be some time before this theory is addressed. However, Alan Grant has said that a senior DC Comics official told him, "'Anarky will never be the Joker's son. You can write the story, but someone else will write the sequel showing it just can't be.'"^[8]

Later, in a dual interview with Breyfogle, the situation behind the decision was explained in greater detail, that it was originally Breyfogle's idea to make Anarky the son of The Joker, and that it was Dennis O'Neil who protested against it:

Denny only let me write that story under protest, he was totally opposed to Joker being Anarky’s father and said under no circumstances would DC allow that... I talked him into letting me write the script anyway by saying the story would create a lot of interest and then maybe in six months time I would write the rebuttal, which proves that Anarky wasn’t the Joker’s son... and Denny said OK but of course the monthly title got cancelled long before that point.

– Alan Grant, Batman: Alan Grant & Norm Breyfogle Speak out, 2006^[1]

Further, Grant and Breyfogle speculate that as Dennis O'Neil is no longer in charge of such decisions at DC Comics, with the final editorial decision now belonging to Dan DiDio, it is no longer possible to be sure whether a rebuttal will ever be published.^[1] There is, as yet, no record of Didio ever commenting on the subject. However, it is worth noting that the DC Universe timeline chronologically prevents the Joker from being Anarky's biological father, as the character is (currently) approximately sixteen years old, while both Batman and the Joker have only existed for approximately thirteen years.^[9]

As Anarky was created while Grant and Breyfogle were operating under "work-for-hire" rules, DC Comics owns all rights to the Anarky character. Following the cancellation of the series, both men attempted to buy the rights to Anarky from the company, but their offer was declined.^[2]

Political and philosophical themes

Lonni Machin defends his actions in Detective Comics #620. Political elements include the Circle-A painted in the background, and Tim Drake shown picking up an issue of Black Flag in the foreground.

Originally, Alan Grant created Anarky as an anarchist with socialist and populist leanings. In this early incarnation, Anarky was designed as an avatar for Grant's personal meditations on political philosophy, and specifically for his burgeoning sympathy for anarchism. However, according to Grant, anarchists with whom he associated were hostile to his creation of the character, seeing it as an act of cooptation for commercial gain.^{"#wp-_note-batman-alan-grant-norm-breyfogle-speak">[1]}

Within the books, the nature of the character's political opinions were often expressed through the character's rhetoric, and by heavy use of the Circle-A as a character gimmick. Other themes often used whenever Anarky was a featured character in a comic were politically charged graffiti along city streets,^[10] and fluttering newspapers bearing headlines which alluded to social problems, such as white collar crime, or rising poverty rates.^[11] Occasionally, the titles of political books found in Anarky's room would express the character's political agenda. In Detective Comics #620, a copy of V For Vendetta can be seen on Lonnie Machin's bookshelf, as homage. Other books in his room include Apostles of Revolution by Max Nomad, The Anarchists by James Joll, books labeled "Proudhon" and "Bakunin," and an issue of Black Flag.^[12]

Over the course of several years, Grant's political opinions changed, and when he was given the opportunity to write an Anarky mini-series, he decided to redesign the character accordingly. Alan Grant later explained, "I felt he was the perfect character (to express Neo-Tech philosophy) because he's human, he has no special powers, the only power he's got is the power of his own rational consciousness."^[6]

Grant has also noted that his shift in philosophies had begun slowly, years earlier, and could be detected within stories including the Anarky character. In a story that preceded the Anarky series, Anarky's father comments on the political books in the teenager's room, referring to Bakunin, Marx, and Ayn Rand.^[13] While the ongoing series led the character away from the philosophy he had espoused previously, the theme of the character remained "anti-statism." In one issue of the Anarky series, a character asked what the nature of Anarky's politics were. The response was that Anarky was neither right-wing, nor left-wing, and that he "transcends the political divide."^[14] Within the Anarky series, the character was also portrayed as an atheist, to coincide with Grant's Neo-Tech philosophy.^[15]

While the evolution of Anarky's philosophy mirrored that of Alan Grant's, the character has since seen little exposure in DC publications (as of 2007,) and it is not currently possible to judge if the character's philosophy has been permanently altered.

Anarky debates politics with a fellow juvenile detainee in The Batman Chronicles #1.

Following the publication of an issue of Green Arrow in which Anarky guest-stared, writer James Peatty juxtaposed Anarky's radical philosophy with the liberal progressive beliefs of Green Arrow:

Everyone always goes on about what a radical Ollie is and I wanted to show that maybe that isn’t the case … especially as Ollie’s radical credentials are pretty antiquated... Anarky as a character - and as a broader idea - is much more radical than Ollie...

– James Peatty, James Peatty Pens Green Arrow, 2005^[16]

In a review of the Anarky series, Anarky has been dubbed an "anti-villain," as opposed to "anti-hero". This is due to his highly principled philosophy running counter to most villains, but which also logically leads to his willingness to break laws, putting him at odds with mainstream heroes:

In the age of the anti-hero, it only makes sense to have the occasional anti-villain as well. But unlike sociopathic vigilante anti-heroes like the Punisher, an anti-villain like Anarky provides some interesting food for thought. Sure, he breaks the law, but what he really wants is to save the world... and maybe he's right.

– Todd VerBeek, Anarky review,1999^[17]

Absence from DC publications

Prior to the ongoing series, Anarky had appeared in a small number of Batman titles, as well as Green Arrow, DCU Heroes - Secret Files and Origins, and Robin. Immediately after the end of his ongoing series in 1999, Anarky made three sporadic cameos in Young Justice, the Sins of Youth fifth-week event, and Wonder Woman, followed by a period of absence which lasted several years and threatened to sentence the character to obscurity. During this period, Norm Breyfogle attempted to continue using the character in other comics, including an issue of The Spectre he co-wrote with John Marc DeMatteis. When this story was rejected, Breyfogle came to suspect the character's prolonged absence was due in part to censorship.

We don’t have any conclusive evidence, but Alan and I can’t help but feel that Anarky’s philosophy grated on somebody’s nerves; somebody got a look at it and didn’t like it.... So I’ve generally gotten the impression that Anarky was nixed because of its philosophy. Especially in this age of post 9/11, Anarky would be a challenge to established authority. He’s very anti-establishment, that’s why he’s named Anarky!

– Norm Breyfogle, Norm Breyfogle @ Adelaide Comics and Books, 2003^[18]

In 2005 Anarky made a guest appearance billed as his return to DC continuity, in Green Arrow #51, Anarky in the USA. Despite this "return," Anarky failed to make any further appearances.

During a panel at WonderCon 2006, multiple requests were made by the audience for Anarky to appear in DC Comic's limited series, 52. In response, Dan DiDio announced two weeks later, at a DC Comics panel during New York Comic-Con 2006, that the writing team of 52 had decided to create a part for the character.^[19] 52 editor, Michael Siglain, later responded to a reader question concerning when Anarky would appear in the series, estimating Anarky would appear "in the late 40s."^[20] However, 52 concluded without Anarky ever making an appearance, and with no explanation given by anyone involved in the production of the series.

As of 2007, Anarky has yet to appear in another DC publication.

Fictional character biography

Tim Drake investigates Lonni Machin's past in Robin Annual #1.

Lonnie Machin was an ordinary child who had no great concerns in his life. At eleven he gained a foreign pen pal, Xuasus, as part of a school program. Every month they would write to each other about their lives; Lonnie about how wonderful the United States was; Xuasus about the poverty and political repression that made up his nation. After a year of contact, Xuasus stopped writing, and all of Lonnie's letters were returned as undeliverable. A year later Lonnie learned of Xuasus' fate. He wrote Lonnie a final letter explaining that his father had been arrested, his mother had taken ill, his sister had died of malnutrition, and at age eleven, he was homeless and fending for himself. Driven with worry for his friend, Lonnie fervently learned about Xuasus' country, discovering it to be a Third World dictatorship at war with Marxist guerrillas, with arms dealers from The West making millions in profits from the conflict.

Further studies into war and political violence led him to hold radical sympathies. He came to view all wars as being caused by political elites, with common individuals forced or cajoled into fighting on behalf of the former. He also began to read more into esoteric studies regarding science and philosophy, laying the groundwork for his advanced intelligence, and leading to his cover as a straight-A student with a normal job as a paper-boy. Eventually he discovered the extremely rare book, Universe by Scudder Klyce, which attempted to unify all knowledge. Within it he found several passages that convinced him of the need to reshape society. He became convinced that if he couldn't help Xuasus, he could fight on in his memory and give the oppressed people of Gotham City hope.^[21]

Inspired by the Batman, he fashioned a stun baton and smoke bombs in labs at school. He went to further lengths by creating a costume with a false head to increase his height and disguise the fact that he was only twelve. He then created computer files in which he made psychological profiles of Batman, to determine how best to defeat him when they inevitably came into conflict.^[22]

Cover to Detective Comics #609, highlighting Anarky as a champion of the oppressed, and Batman as a champion of the law. Art by Norm Breyfogle.

He made his debut as Anarky by responding to complaints in the newspaper by attacking the offending sources, such as the owner of a factory whose byproduct waste was polluting the water.^[10] Anarky and Batman ultimately came to blows, and during their brief fight, Batman deduced that Anarky was actually a young child. During this first confrontation, he was aided by a band of homeless men, including Legs, a homeless cripple who became loyal to him. After being caught, Lonnie was locked away in a juvenile detention center.

During his detention, he increased his computer skills to the point of becoming an advanced "grey hat" computer hacker. He took on the online alias "Moneyspider" to steal millions of dollars from western corporations, including Wayne Enterprises, and outmaneuvering Batman's own data security in the process. He then used the money to create bank accounts for poor farmers in third world countries. He was eventually caught by Tim Drake in the latter's first solo detective case.^[23]

After this setback he frequently escaped from the center and peregrinated around Gotham City, most notably during the Knightfall saga when he took on both Scarecrow and Batman-Azrael. He was known to continue relying on the homeless community for support, such as when Legs and other homeless men distracted a guard long enough for him to switch political ads to give anti-voting messages.^[24] In a rare, heroic portrayal during this early period of his career, he teamed up with Green Arrow to destroy a weapons manufacturing plant.^[25]

Upon his release, Lonnie built a machine that allowed him to fuse both hemispheres of his brain, giving him increased intelligence, and what he perceived as enlightenment. Creating an online bookstore, Anarco, to propagate radical literature, he began to accumulate funds which he donated through another front company, The Anarkist Foundation, to radical organizations, such as eco-warriors and gun protesters, or kept for his own projects.^[26] As Anarky, he eventually chose to shed the encumbrance of his double life, and faked his death. He then worked in seclusion to further his goal of achieving an utopian society, briefly hiring Legs and other homeless men to monitor Batman's movements. He had several further brushes with Batman, as well as the likes of Etrigan and Darkseid.^[27] Following the earthquake in Gotham Lonnie's parents disappeared, their house was destroyed, and he was threatened by Batman to leave the city. As one of many refugees who escaped from No Man's Land, he relocated to a new base of operations beneath the Washington Monument.^[28]

Beginning a search for his missing parents, he came upon evidence that the Machins were not in fact his biological parents, and attempted to track down his "real" parents. His leads pointed to the possibility that his biological father was in fact the Joker. He met his supposed biological mother first, but found that she was clinically unstable and unable to answer his questions. He then broke into Arkham Asylum to confront the Joker himself, but was betrayed, as the Joker opportunistically attempted to escape from the Asylum without providing any firm answers.^[29]

Anarky resurfaced months later in response to two events. The first was the government and media persecution of Young Justice, showing up at a public rally of super heroes to lend moral support (though as a reference to his absence from DC continuity, the local media reporters didn't recognize him, referring to him as "some woman with a stick," and Donna Troy confused his name, calling him "Chaos"') After the protest rally was interrupted and a government crackdown began, he aided the Justice League in making their escape. The second event was a bombing in Star City that he was framed for. He teamed up with Green Arrow to hunt down the bank robbers responsible, saying that though he did not care what others thought of him, he would fight for his name, asking, "What else do I have?"^[30]

Skills, resources, and technology

Since his original debut, Anarky has been described as a gadgeteer. In early incarnations, he was portrayed as inexperienced, lacking in many skills, surviving only by his ingenuity. In accordance with this, he would often quote the maxim, "the essence of anarchy is surprise."^[22] Later, during the two Anarky series, his abilities were increased, and he was described as having enormous talents in both engineering and computer technology, as well as developing skills in martial arts. This was hinted at in several comics published just before the Anarky mini-series, and later elaborated upon within the series itself. According to character dialogue, Anarky's lack of super-powers, and the urgency with which he views his cause, has necessitated that he increase his abilities drastically over the years.^[31]

Anarky uses an improvised gas-bomb to knockout a guard in Detective Comics #608.

Anarky tracks Batman's movements in Anarky (vol.1) #3.

Throughout Alan Grant's series of books written for the character, cunning and intelligence were viewed as his primary tools for victory, often using quick thinking, fighting skills, and technology in conjunction with each other in order to defeat tougher opponents. On one occasion he defeated Batman in combat by confusing the hero with holographic projections long enough to attack and subdue him.^[32] On another occasion he avoided a gang of villains too dangerous to fight, choosing instead to use a flare gun to anonymously signal for Batman to come, and then pitting the two groups against each other.^[33] When in need of back up for intelligence gathering, or a diversion, he would call on the help of the homeless community in Gotham, who had supported him since his first appearance, even going so far as to assault Batman to allow Anarky to get away during their first confrontation.^[22]

Early descriptions of the character's gadgets focused on low-tech, improvised tools and munitions, such as flare guns,^[34] swing lines,^[35] throwing stars,^[36] small spherical explosives with wick fuses (mimicking those stereotypically associated with 19th century anarchists),^[10] gas-bombs,^[10] smoke bombs,^[37] and his primary weapon, a powerful electric stun baton.^[10] A grappling hook was later incorporated into the golden rod itself, allowing dual functionality.^[38]

Following superhero conventions of following a recognizable theme, the character's tools often incorporate the Circle-A into them: the symbol of anarchy is often drawn on the spherical bombs, his throwing stars take the shape of the Circle-A, and the flare guns occasionally leave Circle-A smoke trails behind. In his earliest incarnations, he would also use red spray-paint to leave the Circle-A as his calling card,^[10] much in the same way that V would leave a "Circle-V" symbol.^[39]

In 1995, Anarky was described as having began to train in martial arts, following the character's time in juvenile hall. By 1997, Alan Grant had increased this ability, describing the character as having progressed remarkably, and to have studied multiple styles, including Aikido, Karate, Jujutsu, Kung Fu, which the character described as "all integrated by my mind into one smooth fighting style!"^[31] Following previous modes of behavior, he studied all possible fighting arts, but failed to specialize in any. This largely helped him defend himself against most untrained criminals, but was later described as a decisive weakness whenever he fought opponents who were masters of a particular style.^[40]

As a wanted criminal, Anarky's methods and goals were described as leaving him with little logistical support amongst the heroic community, or the public at large, relegating him to underground operation. In his earliest incarnations, he was described as having developed skills as a "grey hat" computer hacker to steal enormous sums of money from various corporations,^[41]. This skill was quickly adapted by 1992 to allow the character to gain information on other heroes and villains from police computer networks.^[42] By 1997, the skill was further increased to allow him to tap into Batman's supercomputer,^[38] and the Justice League Watchtower.^[43] At this time, the tone of the character began to move away from improvised munitions, and toward self-sufficient funding for more elaborate technology. By 1996 he was described as using the Internet to earn money through his online bookstore, Anarco, which he used as a front company to propagate his philosophy, and to communicate emergency messages to the general public warning of impending disaster.^[14] A second, lesser used, front organization, The Anarkist Foundation, was also developed to offer grants to radical causes he supports.^[44] In one issue of the Anarky series, a brief scene is shown in which Lonnie Machin uses the Internet to hold an instant messaging session with the public in which he debated the need for war, arguing that money and time used on the military research would be better spent on agriculture to solve the global overpopulation crisis.^[14]

In 1996 Grant used a Biofeedback Learning Enhancer as a plot device to increase Lonnie's abilities. The device was described as being capable of increasing Anarky's brain functions by a multiple of ten.^[45] With this enhanced intelligence, and the increased financial independence described above, Anarky went on to create an on-board AI computer, MAX (Multi-Augmented X-Program);^[43] a crude but fully functioning Boom Tube, cobbled together from mathematical analysis and "hard lab work";^[46]; scratch-built a Justice League Teleport Pad;^[47]; excavated an underground base with his Boom Tube, hidden below the Washington Monument;^[43] and briefly commanded his own Green Lantern power ring.^[48] Portrayed as an atheist by Alan Grant, Anarky espoused the belief that "science is magic explained," and was shown to use scientific analysis to explain and manipulate esoteric forces of magic and energy, such as the demon Blasphemy,^[38] the power of Darkseid,^[46] and the spirit of Eclipso.^[49]

This steady evolution in Anarky's abilities was later criticized by reviewers, who saw it as having overpowered the character, preventing the suspension of disbelief that was previously possible for a character still described as in his mid-teens. It was further speculated to be a contributing factor for the failure of the second Anarky series.^[50]

Alternate versions

Armageddon 2001

In Batman Annual # 15, "The Last Batman Story", part of the Armageddon 2001 crossover event, the character Waverider shows Batman a possible future. In the then not-too-distant year of 2001, an aged Batman is found guilty of murder for the accidental death of The Penguin, and sentenced to death. Anarky, now portrayed as in his mid-twenties and sympathizing with the fallen hero, breaks into the jail in an attempt to rescue Batman mere hours before the execution is to take place, using a Field Disrupter to mask his presence. Believing himself guilty, Batman initially refuses to escape. However, when he discovers evidence that the accident was set up by a third party, he asks Lonnie Machin to switch costumes with him so that he can pursue the true murderer.^[51] In contrast to his original counterpart, it is implied that this version of Anarky was willing to kill opponents.

Anarky, as he appeared in The Batman Adventures #31. Cover art by Dev Madan.

The Tyrant

Within an Elseworlds story entitled "The Tyrant", a corrupt Batman (under the influence of Jonathan Crane) uses his resources to usurp power in the city of Gotham and institute a police state in which he exercises hegemonic control over the city's population. Anarky, armed with a Holo-Costume projector to disguise himself, becomes a guerrilla leader and attempts to undermine and disrupt Batman's control. When Lonnie uncovers a secret plan to pump tranquilizer gas into the city water supply, drugging the populace to prevent crime, he unites the city's remaining villains to storm the centers of Batman's power and overthrow his tyranny.^[52] The story ends with a quote by Mikhail Bakunin: "(For reasons of the state) black becomes white and white becomes black, the horrible becomes humane and the most dastardly felonies and atrocious crimes become meritorious acts."^[53]:

The DCAU

Anarky appeared in the DC animated universe in 1995, in The Batman Adventures #31, "The People's Court".^[54] Anarky begins holding wealthy business elites hostage and places them on public trial, broadcast from a pirate TV show. He charges his victims with such crimes as the creation of land mines that kill or cripple thousands, funding Third World dictators, polluting the air with toxic chemicals, and profiting from wage slavery. He also captures Bruce Wayne, and while conceding that Wayne has ethical business practices, implicates him for "the company he keeps." At each trial, Anarky gives the "defendants" the opportunity to speak for themselves, and then asks the viewing audience to phone in one-hundred calls if they find them not guilty, which will deactivate bombs set before the men. As the citizens begin to debate the fate of these men amongst themselves, Robin succeeds in tracking down the broadcast. However, when he fails to prevent the explosions from taking place, it is revealed that the bombs are fake, and the public trials were only intended to expose the men and raise public awareness. Anarky is ultimately apprehended, but Robin is left questioning if he wasn't right in his charges against the businessmen. As of 2007, this story features the only encounter between any version of Anarky and Dick Grayson.

Anarky has yet to appear in any DCAU animated series.

Bibliography

List of titles

• Anarky (vol.1) #1-4 (May 1997 - August 1997)
• Anarky (vol.2) #1-8 (May 1999 - December 1999)

List of significant stories

• Batman: Anarky (1999)

Footnotes and citations

External links

Wikiquote has a collection of quotations related to:

Anarky

• Anarky on the Unofficial Guide to the DC Universe website.
• Anarky on the Comic Book Database.
• Anarky on NormBreyfogle.com, official website of Norm Breyfogle, Anarky co-creator and series illustrator. Also includes the Anarky Trade Paperback Intro, Anarky Farewell, a short essay regarding the series cancellation, and galleries of completed pencil illustrations to multiple issues, including two unpublished issues of Anarky.

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