
Thorne was eventually released from Arkham, and he blackmailed the members of the Tobacconists' Club to regain their support in manipulating the election of the next Mayor of Gotham. Thorne's conditions worsened with time and sudden appearances by Batman and Dr. Unfortunately for Thorne, his version about Hugo Strange's ghost caused the authorities to declare him mentally unstable and he was taken to Arkham Asylum as an inmate for treatment. This information was enough to detain him and clear Batman's name in the public eye. The police eventually found him, completely frightened and he started confessing all of his crimes and corruption within the Gotham City Council. As soon as he was alone, the ghost of Hugo Strange attacked him once again, breaking Thorne's will. Cloud, but kicked her out of his vehicle when he learned that Silver was a Batman sympathizer. Along the way, he picked up the hitchhiking Silver St.

In the hopes of escaping the strange apparition, Thorne decided to travel west through Ohio.

Satisfied that Thorne knew nothing, the Joker let him be. ĭuring this time, Thorne was approached by the Joker who terrorized Thorne in a public restroom, hoping to determine whether or not Thorne had learned Batman's secret identity. For several weeks following Strange's apparent demise, Thorne was haunted by the Professor's spectral apparition. As a crucial piece of information, which Thorne believed would aid him against Batman, he captured Hugo Strange, subjected him to torturous interrogation, which ultimately resulted in the latter's death and Thorne was left with nothing. His efforts brought him to the attention of criminal scientist Professor Hugo Strange, who had learned the Batman's secret identity and planned to give it away.

Phosphorus's poisoning of the Gotham Reservoir, Thorne vocally decried the efforts of Batman and lobbied to have his vigilante tactics outlawed.
