Angelique Martin

Angelique Martin is the childhood friend/ex-girlfriend of Ryan Wilder, as well as a former member of the False Face Society known as Baby Doll.

Biography

Early life

Angelique Martin was a foster child and became a resident of a group home for girls in Wayside Heights in Gotham City. She would often sneak out of the facility without permission and return through the windows. One day, the window was locked until the new resident, Ryan Wilder, opened it, allowing her to enter. Angelique noticed that Ryan read the comic book featuring Ghost Kid, which she also liked. She started reading the book and a friendship formed between the young girls. Angelique promised that she would protect Ryan if the latter continued to open the window when necessary.

Later, Angelique was concerned when Ryan was missing. Everyone else merely assumed that Ryan ran away from the group home.

Knowing Ryan would collect comics from Hero Galaxy Comics, Angelique allowed herself to be captured by the Candy Lady to see if Ryan was a captive; Ryan was and was delighted to see her friend, but feared for Angelique because she had been there for weeks without rescue. Hiding behind the door, Angelique attacked the Candy Lady. The Candy Lady retaliated with an aerosol spray that blinded Ryan who had jumped between the combatants. Angelique won the fight by hitting the woman with a candy jar; she then awakened Ryan so they could escape.^[1]

When they were 14,^[2] Angelique became jealous when Ryan was adopted by Cora Lewis^[3] while she remained in foster care. This separation led to Angelique and Ryan taking radically different paths in life.^[4][5]

Drug addiction & relationship with Ryan

At some point, Angelique worked for Iceberg Lounge, run by the criminal known as the Penguin.^[6]

Angelique was known to have a drug addiction. Sometime after 2015, she began a troubled relationship with Ryan. Victor Zsasz came to know about the women's domestic problems.^[7] One day, Ryan noticed that Angelique's addiction had turned her into a different person. Trying to help her girlfriend get clean, Ryan stole Angelique's drugs and went out on the streets, but was busted by two Crows Security agents before she could dispose of them. Since Ryan refused to give up Angelique in an attempt to protect her girlfriend, she was arrested for drug possession and distribution. As a result, Angelique and Ryan broke up, with the former still refusing to change her ways.^[8]

At some point, Angelique joined the False Face Society. She learned from Ocean the technique necessary to make Snakebite.^[9] Ocean gave Angelique a vase of flowers, which she later gifted Ryan, who in turn gave them to Cora.^[3]

In 2021, Angelique received a text message from Ryan, but pretended that Ryan had texted the wrong number.

Angelique went to the residence of Ocean but, during her search, she was interrupted by the arrival of Sophie Moore who wondered if she knew her. The two began to fight; when Angelique got the advantage, Alice entered the residence with an unsheathed butterfly knife. Angelique retreated.^[1]

Working for False Face

New relationship with Ryan

Choosing to reunite with Ryan, Angelique sent a text back to her ex-lover; she and Ryan met and called a truce to their squabbles. Angelique went to The Hold Up, where Ryan told her that Batwoman had caught the Candy Lady.^[1]

After spending the night together, Angelique was talking to Ryan at breakfast and decided to give her a wristband, one for Ryan and one for her, which Ryan declined. She then noticed and became concerned about Ryan's Kryptonite wound, to which Ryan assured her that she was fine.

Angelique later attended an art exhibition at Gotham International where she was to provide drugs for the clients there and came across Ryan trying to enter. She told Evan Blake that Ryan was her guest and they allowed Ryan entrance. Angelique admitted why she was there, but also that she was not using drugs; when she asked Ryan for her reasons, Ryan avoided answering. When the party suddenly went dark as Wolf Spider stole the Napier painting, Angelique was worried about what happened to Ryan.^[8]

At her door late one evening, Angelique found Ryan practically unable to stand, and immediately took her to the hospital. As Angelique watched, the hospital performed basic procedures on Ryan; then, the two waited. After two hours, Angelique saw a frazzled intern passing by and demanded service; she rattled off statistics to the young man about black women dying at a higher rate than other patients because they wait quietly as others are serviced, causing the intern to promise that Ryan would be seen hastily. Ryan smiled over what her girlfriend did for her, but called Angelique's actions a bit excessive.

Doctor Rafael Rodriguez promptly arrived and spoke with Ryan, as Angelique observed. Ryan claimed her wound was an infection from a spider's bite. At the end of the diagnostic, Dr. Rodriguez recommended antibiotics, but Angelique pointed out that Ryan was temporarily disabled from pain, so simple painkillers would not be sufficient. Dr. Rodriguez explained Ryan was without proper insurance to pay for further blood work, so Angelique told him to bill her instead. Ryan was slightly angry that Angelique was using ill-gotten funds for their benefit, to which Angelique told Ryan not to judge her.

That afternoon, Angelique went to see Ryan at the latter's apartment and noticed that Ryan still had the plant that the former gave her years ago, which Angelique took as a sign of their love and friendship. Ryan offered an apron with The Hold Up logo on its front as another sign of affection, offering Angelique to work at the bar with her instead of drug-dealing. Angelique scoffed at the prospect since she was making too much money and held too much influence over people as a drug-dealer to lower herself by tending bar. Angelique reminded Ryan that she was not adopted like her. Ryan was insulted, but suddenly, a pain in her shoulder caused her to double over. Ryan said that her medication was in the bathroom, so a worried Angelique ran there to retrieve it. After Ryan took her pills, Angelique got a call on her phone and left because she had a sale to make.

While Angelique was out, she heard weird static on her phone. Taking it to a hacker friend of hers, she discovered that the phone might have been bugged for information. When a betrayed Angelique returned to Ryan's apartment, she declared that she might not be able to trust Ryan again for helping the authorities access her phone and contacts. Ryan cried as Angelique left and dissolved their relationship.^[3]

Moving on

A couple weeks later, Angelique was entertaining another woman at her apartment when Batwoman suddenly appeared on the fire escape and frightened her. Angelique was confused when the vigilante called her by name and expressed concern about Batwoman's weakened state. When Angelique's new partner asked where her wine opener was, she and Batwoman answered at the same time that Angelique doesn't drink, furthering her shock. Batwoman was seeking Ocean, Angelique's drug supplier. Angelique feigned ignorance until the vigilante pulled out a batarang. Angelique ended up giving a hint that Ocean was able to grow mushrooms in the city while mocking Batwoman for not being able to track him. When Batwoman threatened to have her arrested though, she gave up his location in Coventry. Noticing the vigilante's injured shoulder, Angelique shoved her back and then struck Batwoman with a heavy lid, causing her to tumble off the fire escape and fall hard onto a car below.^[10]

One last job

A month passed Angelique realized that she was still in love with Ryan. However, knew that as long as she was a drug dealer, Ryan would not see her. Thus, Angelique told the False Face Society that she wanted out. The gang did not want this to happen because she was their chemist for Snakebite, though they compromised by claiming that if Angelique completed one last job, she would be freed.

Angelique went to Ryan's apartment and was allowed to enter by Mary Hamilton; Mary quickly grabbed her breakfast and announced that she was going downstairs to let the two women talk privately. Ryan was still hurt over Angelique's words when they broke up and adamant that she was not going to be in a relationship with a drug dealer. Angelique sadly recounted how Ryan was her best friend and her love, and how much she missed their relationship. Angelique insisted that she was done with her criminal ways, imploring Ryan to at least think about a potential reconciliation.

That night, donning a baby doll mask, Angelique seemingly did her last job for the False Face Society as the driver of a getaway van with two members of the gang. To her shock, however, they ambushed and killed Police Commissioner Forbes on the steps of City Hall. When they realized Jordan Moore witnessed the shooting, Angelique was forced to drive after her. However, Jordan managed to hide and the approaching police caused the trio to leave. Jordan later identified Angelique's unique key bracelet to Batwoman.

The next day, Ryan confronted Angelique at her apartment and revealed that she knew Angelique was the driver in Forbes' assassination. Angelique was scared, realizing that if Ryan knew she was an accessory to murder, others would too. She explained she had no idea the False Face would kill Forbes, so Ryan revealed that she personally knew Batwoman, to Angelique's disbelief, who would protect her if she testified against the commissioner's murderers; Angelique decided that she needed time to weigh her options.

That evening, Angelique called Ryan and agreed to her offer, stating that she did not sign up for the False Face gunning people down. Just then, she was kidnapped after a struggle and brought before Black Mask, who showed her a corpse hanging from a hook, leaving her horrified; he warned her that that was what happened to those who left the False Face Society. Afterwards, Black Mask took Angelique's phone and learned that Ryan was a major contact who she wanted to get back together with. He threatened Angelique that he would have Ryan killed if she chose to leave, causing her to acquiesce to his demands.

Later, Batwoman arrived and freed Angelique from captivity, surprising her that Ryan actually knew the vigilante.

At Crows Headquarters, Angelique falsely confessed to shooting Commissioner Forbes and acting alone in the crime. Sophie Moore knew that was a lie but legally, she had no evidence not to charge Angelique with murder. When Sophie wondered why Angelique was taking the fall for False Face, Angelique revealed Black Mask's threats and admitted she would rather be in jail than have any harm befall Ryan. She was sent to Edgewater Prison to await trial for murder. Before being taken away, Angelique had Sophie pass on her key bracelet to Ryan.^[9]

Kidnapped

Weeks later, Angelique, who worked by pressing blue jeans, was visited by Ryan in Edgewater Prison. Ryan told Angelique that she was helping in the building of a community center; when Angelique commented that she would love to see it, Ryan remarked that she could if she relinquished the names of the killers. Angelique reminded her that she would need protection if she betrayed the gang, to which Ryan replied that Batwoman would be her guardian. Angelique became jealous and questioned if Ryan and Batwoman were so close because they were lovers; Ryan quickly denied it.

Later, Angelique, delighted to have two visits in one week, was visited again by Ryan, who asked her if there were any rumors about prisoners escaping; Angelique laughed, saying that if there were a chance at escape, she would have already used it. Angelique wondered if Ryan was planning a prison break, but Ryan retorted that that was unnecessary when Angelique just needed to tell what she knew. Angelique was tired of prison, so she agreed to tell Ryan and the ADA everything.

Angelique was given a phone and allowed to talk to Ryan as she was moved by Crows Security to witness protection. As the women talked, two vehicles surrounded the transport vehicle and started firing; the Crows agents were killed by shots through the windshield. As Ryan screamed on the other side of the phone which had fallen to the ground, Angelique, still chained and handcuffed, was abducted and stuffed into a car by members of the False Face Society.^[11] Brought before Black Mask, Angelique was threatened with acid and chemicals to return to making Snakebite.

A few days later, a member of the gang held a gun to Angelique's head and threatened to kill her; Batwoman and Sophie watched the display until Black Mask was released from their custody and allowed to leave.

Returning to working on Snakebite, Black Mask arrived and asked Angelique to test her product; she refused, citing that she was clean now and did not want to indulge. Black Mask insisted, so Angelique revealed that she was Ocean's assistant and learned through observation, not formal training. Black Mask realized that the Snakebite she had created was incomplete and unpredictable.^[12]

A fresh start

Angelique was moved to a barge with a chemistry lab and partnered with Ocean after he was kidnapped as well. A False Face member ordered them to make the latest batch of Snakebite while being videotaped. The two hesitated, but the gang member threatened them to comply. While making the drug, Ocean talked constantly about being in love with his new girlfriend as Angelique listened.

After the two finished the Snakebite concoction, the gang member prepared to execute Angelique and Ocean despite their pleas. Just then, Batwoman arrived and helped free them.

Angelique later went to reunite with Ryan at the latter's apartment. Ryan believed Angelique should hate her, blaming herself for her former girlfriend nearly being killed, but Angelique, in a moment of self-awareness and growth, admitted that her own criminal choices were responsible for all that happened. Having made a deal with the feds, she asked Ryan to accompany her to wherever witness protection can take them so they could start a new life together. Ryan did not wish to leave Gotham City, but Angelique protested it was a horrible city. Ryan insisted that she couldn't leave, citing the new community center as a beacon of hope she wanted to develop further. Angelique accepted this, hugging Ryan goodbye.^[13]

About a couple months later, Angelique sent Ryan a postcard from witness protection.^[14]

Personality

As a teenager, Angelique was the only one of the orphans who talked to Ryan. Over time, they formed a friendship, and when Ryan was kidnapped, Angelique acted as bait in order to rescue her. They ended up falling in love and had a relationship. She got involved in drugs and Ryan ended up getting arrested for her.

When they were reunited, they got back together. Although Angelique is still involved in drugs, she has proven to be loving and fearless in defending Ryan. But they ended soon after Angelique found out that Ryan had tapped her cell phone. She decided to leave her gang, doing one last job that turned out to be driving the escape car after they killed the commissioner. She regretted having done that and later turned herself in to protect Ryan.

Abilities

• Expert tactician: Angelique is a highly skilled tactician, as she can improvise incredibly quick and use her surroundings to her advantage. Even as a child, Angelique was able to come up with an intricate scheme to save Ryan Wilder by letting herself get kidnapped while smuggling in her slingshot.^[1]
• Expert hand-to-hand combatant: Angelique is a highly skilled hand-to-hand combatant, as she was able to best Sophie Moore, a highly skilled combatant and martial artist in her own right. Angelique was also aware of her surroundings, using it to her advantage, slamming Sophie into a wall and tackling her over a couch before using broken glass as a weapon.^[1]
• Chemist: Angelique became proficient in chemistry to become a valued member of the False Face Society due to learning from Ocean how to create Snakebite,^[9] though was unable to properly replicate the formula on her own.^[12]

Equipment

Former equipment

• Baby Doll mask: Angelique used a Baby Doll mask to hide her identity when she was a member of the False Face Society.^[9]

Appearances

Batwoman

Season 2 "Prior Criminal History" (mentioned) "Bat Girl Magic!" (mentioned) "Fair Skin, Blue Eyes" "Gore on Canvas" "Do Not Resuscitate" "It's Best You Stop Digging" "Survived Much Worse" (mentioned) "Rule #1" "Time Off for Good Behavior" "Arrive Alive" "Initiate Self-Destruct" "I'll Give You a Clue" (mentioned) "And Justice For All" (mentioned) "Power" (mentioned) Season 3 "Mad As a Hatter" (mentioned)

Behind the scenes

• In Batman: The Animated Series, Baby-Doll was Mary Dahl, a former actress who was born with a disorder that stopped her from physically aging into an adult. She eventually became deranged because of it and adopted the Baby Doll identity.

References