- "Thanks to him, instead of collecting my inheritance, I was left wiping the spittle of a jabbering madwoman's lips for 13 years."
- —Tommy Elliot to Kate Kane[src]
Marla Elliot[1] (died 2018) was the founder and former leader of the Black Glove Society, the widow of a late unnamed man, and the mother of Tommy Elliot.
Biography
Original Multiverse
Early life
Marla lived in Gotham City and was implied to have married an unnamed man just for his money. On May 14, 1972,[2] she had a son with him, Tommy Elliot. However, Marla had a strained relationship with Tommy, who utterly despised her from childhood.[3]
Accident and death
In 2005, Marla and her husband were involved in a car accident, which was implied to have been staged by Tommy. While her husband was killed, she was saved by Batman. After the accident, Marla suffered some kind of dementia and physical disabilities, leading Tommy to become a nursemaid to his mother for the next 13 years, while harboring hatred for her.
In 2018, Marla passed away, allowing Tommy to claim his inheritance.[3]
New Multiverse
Founding the Black Glove Society
In 1984,[4] Marla grew concerned about Tommy's behavioral problems. With some other wealthy families, she formed the Black Glove Society as a secret means of planning and creating special therapeutic treatments for their children's mental illnesses. Over time, however, the group got involved in criminal activities and coverups as their methods became more illegal.[1]
Legacy
- "I miss—I miss my mommy! Can I talk to her?"
- —Tommy Elliot[src]
Tommy came to resent Batman for saving Marla as he was unable to receive his inheritance and instead wasted 13 years looking after her.[3]
Following Marla's death, the Black Glove Society came under new leadership and began performing experiments for Jeturian Industries.[5]
Eventually, Tommy became a patient at Arkham Asylum[6] because he was deemed insane and could not be tried. In order to maintain his insanity cover, Tommy cried out to his mother at random times around the guards.[7]
Appearances
Batwoman
Season 1
- "Down Down Down" (mentioned)
- "If You Believe In Me, I'll Believe In You" (mentioned)
Season 3
- "How Does Your Garden Grow?" (mentioned)
- "We're All Mad Here" (mentioned)
Behind the scenes
- In the DC comics, Marla Elliot was Tommy Elliot's mother, a manipulative and overbearing woman who tried to keep her son tethered to her all her life, especially after the accident (secretly orchestrated by Tommy) that took her husband Roger's life. Marla never spoke out against her husband's abuse, fearing she would be ousted from the luxurious life she enjoyed from him.