Anatoli Knyazev (New Earth)

The KGBeast is believed to have killed over 200 people, including Anwar Sedat. He was trained by an elite top secret KGB cell called "The Hammer." He is ruthless, has no regard for human life, and has been known to take such extreme measures to complete his missions as poisoning an entire banquet of 80 people to kill one target, and chopping off his own hand with an axe to avoid capture.^[1] After the collapse of the Soviet Union, without a cause, he became a freelancer and traditional supervillain.

Ten Nights of the Beast

Main article: Batman: Ten Nights of the Beast

When the Russian government shut down his KGB cell because it was too dangerous, the KGBeast was given one last mission by his commanding officer before the man killed himself. The KGBeast was to eliminate nine people necessary to America's "Strategic Defense Initiative" (the "Star Wars" program), who would be in Gotham at some point over the course of a two week period. Despite Batman's best efforts, combined with the GCPD, the FBI and the CIA, Beast was able to kill all but two of his targets, a senator, and President Ronald Reagan. His total body count in Gotham, in the 10-day period alone, was over 100 people. Despite this, as a member of the Soviet embassy, he could not be legally punished for his crimes in America, but if caught would have to be turned back over to the Russians. Eventually he was cornered by Batman in a sewer compartment. He offered Batman to fight with him, so they could see which of them was truly better, but Batman declined, instead opting to leave and lock the door behind him, so the Beast would not be able to get out.^[2] Although the "Ten Nights of the Beast" arc ended implying Batman had left him to die, Batman remarks off-hand during the "Year Three" story that afterwards he had called the police to have him taken in.

Face the Face

Main article: Batman: Face the Face

After some time functioning as a standard villain, KGBeast was eventually reduced to working for the Penguin as a hitman. During the "Face the Face" arc, he was shot in the head by the new Tally Man under the orders of the Great White Shark, as part of a larger scheme to cripple the Penguin's empire.^[3]

Powers and Abilities

Powers

Supplemented physique due to cybernetic enhancements.

Abilities

Extraordinary hand-to-hand combatant; Master of weapons and explosives; benefits of extreme KGB conditioning.

Strength level

Enhanced. The KGBeast is said to have the strength of Ten Men.

Paraphernalia

Equipment: None known.
Weapons:
The KGBeast has been known to show no discrimination in the weapons he chooses to use. Having cut off his arm to avoid Batman, the KGBeast has since had it replaced with a prosthetic gun. He has impeccable aim with it, it is an automatic, and also features at least a bayonet, tear gas dispenser and scope, although its full capabilities are unknown.

Notes

Has trained a protege, the NKVDemon.
Worked as a henchman for Lock-Up during his tenure as Blackgate warden during the events of No Man's Land.

Trivia

No trivia.

Links and References

Footnotes

Batman Villain(s)
This character, team or organization, is or was primarily an enemy of the Batman, or members of the Batman Family. This template will categorize articles that include it into the category "Batman Villains."

[1]

[2]

[3]

Anatoli Knyazev (New Earth)

From DC Database

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