Gilda Gold

GILDA GOLD

Real Name: Gilda Gold Dent Stevens

Class: Human

Occupation: Housewife, formerly serial killer

Group Affiliation:

Known Relatives: Harvey Dent (Two-Face, ex-husband), James Janus (son), Luke Janus (son), Paul Janus (husband), Dave Stevens (ex-husband, deceased)

Aliases: Holiday

Base of Operations: Gotham City

First Appearance: Teen Titans I #48 (June, 1977)

Powers: During her time as Holiday Gilda Gold was a ruthless, efficient and methodical serial killer.

History: (Batman I #328, 329) - Gilda Gold was married to Gotham City D.A. Harvey Dent, who was horribly scarred by Sal Maroni, who threw acid on him when he put Maroni on trial. Gilda divorced Harvey Dent after he went mad and became the psychopathic Two-Face, although she knew she’d always love the man she used to know. She fell in love with Harvey’s partner Dave Stevens, who ended up replacing him as Gotham City’s D.A. Stevens was murdered by Anton Karoselle, who was himself killed by a mystery man named Carl Ternion. Ternion was tried for murder, but Anton’s death was rukled accidental and he was acquitted. He introduced himself to Gilda as a friend of Stevens, saying he’d avenged his death. She fell for him and they ended up dating, although she had moments of hesitancy because of the tragic history of her love life. In truth Carl Ternion was actually Two-Face, who’d gotten reconstructive surgery from the famed plastic surgeon Dr. Albert Eckhart and was determined to reunite with his ex. Initially he decided to stay away from her because he was happy she’d found love with Stevens. When Stevens was murdered he poked around and learned that Karoselle was actually Sal Maroni, the mobster who’d scarred him in the first place, and was determined to kill him for ending Gilda’s happiness. Ternion sent a videotape to Batman confessing to Karoselle’s murder, saying he’d killed the man twice, and taunting Batman that he’d never pay for it because of double jeopardy. Batman confronted him at the Gotham Dam, where Ternion, claiming self-defense, shot at Batman and tried to drown Batman by opening the dam’s spillway. Ternion’s surgery stopped holding up, and he shot Dr. Eckhart twice in the head. Batman did an investigation on Ternion, and after Eckhart’s death realized he was Two-Face. Batman broke into Dr. Eckhart’s office to examine his medical files, but Two-Face threw a grenade through the window, forcing Batman to flee and incinerating the records. Batman had time enough to spot Anton Karoselle as one of Eckhart’s clients, and went to the Gotham coroner’s office to see Karoselle’s death certificate but Two-Face set it ablaze. Batman complained to Alfred that he was being frustrated at every turn. Ternion spent time with Gilda, and she told him how he’d made her feel complete again, but his plastic surgery finally gave out, and he fled, saying she wouldn’t see him again but if wasn’t her fault, not wanting Gilda to realize he was Two-Face. Batman broke the heartrending news that Ternion was Two-Face and assured Gilda he’d find a way to get him the help he needed if she played along. Two-Face was spying on Gilda, and had a rifle at the ready to snipe Batman, but after a coin flip he couldn’t. He cursed fate and his coin for conspiring against him, realizing his life would be so much easier if he’d been able to take advantage of the multiple opportunities he’d had to kill his nemesis. Batman disguised himself as Sal Maroni, kidnapped Gilda, and brought her to the Gotham courthouse. Two-Face confronted “Maroni,” but saw through his disguise and pistol whipped Batman before tying him up. He threatened to shoot Batman, who had Alfred project a video of Harvey Dent being disfigured by Maroni in the courthouse. Two-Face was on the verge of a breakdown when Gilda appeared, telling him she loved him even after he was disfigured, but he needed serious help. She told him that if he killed Batman she’d hate him forever, and he pleaded that Batman had a 50/50 chance thanks to his coin. Gilda said his coin was more of a crutch than anything else, and he dropped it and begged forgiveness, allowing the GCPD to take him away. Gilda told Batman she sincerely hoped Harvey got the help he needed, and that she’d be there for him. She noted that Batman had already slipped his bonds when Two-Face had his gun pointed at him, and Batman said he’d go to any lengths to see his friend get a chance at redemption.

Comments: Created by Bob Kane & Bill Finger.