Roman Sionis, also known as Black Mask, is the main antagonist of the second season of the CW drama superhero series Batwoman. He is the former leader of the False Face Society and the corrupt former CEO of Janus Cosmetics. He is also the father of the late Circe Sionis.
After the death of Roman's daughter, Circe, he decided to take revenge on the authorities and destroy the system. With the help of the hypnotist Enigma, he brainwashed Kate Kane; into his new daughter, while Kate was presumed dead.
Roman eventually got; into a confrontation against Bat Team. After one last final confrontation against Beth Kane, she sprayed the Joker's acid on his face, permanently welding his black skull mask; onto his face as revenge for what he did to her sister.
After Roman's identity as Black Mask was exposed to the public, he was arrested and sent to Arkham Asylum for his crimes.
Quotes[]
“You don't want to be a cog, huh? I respect that. What if I told you, you could be the machine?”
―Black Mask convincing Russell Tavaroff to join him.
“Black Mask: Your best isn't good enough and I would know that better than anyone. My daughter was imprisoned by the Crows and killed by Batwoman! Batwoman: I never killed anyone. Black Mask: But you've taken the on the symbol of the woman who did, so tell me, is that change, or is that just pandering to a sick city that worships extremist crows and bats? Maybe you wouldn't bother me so much if I said I was a squirrel.”
―Black Mask explaining his motivation to Ryan Wilder.
“No. It's a symbol of liberation from people like you, people who think they'll never be held accountable as long as they pretend that what they do is justice.”
―Black Mask about his mask.
“The final ingredient will be delivered soon, and if I've gone through all this trouble just to find out you can't cook after all... Well, at least I have what I need to dissolve your body.”
―Black Mask threatening Angelique.
“Now that is some impressive branding. Though you should really consider bringing a gun to a gunfight.”
―Black Mask to Batwoman about her batarang.
“Your family has declared you dead, Kate Kane. But sit tight. We'll make them believe in life after death.”
―Black Mask to Kate Kane.
“Yes. Thank you, Dana. You know it shouldn't take a businessperson to step in here, but I have made a career out of concealing blemishes, and quite frankly, the makeover this city needs comes from an ugly I've never seen before. So yes, I am here to speak on behalf of the people without a platform like the hundreds who work for me who say they're scared to death, Dana. They are scared to death of the criminal element lurking behind masks, but I'm not here to beg for help today. I'm here to offer it. To the law enforcement in charge of protecting us, what can we do? How can we help you? Because enough is enough.”
―Roman Sionis giving a speech to the public.
“Black Mask: Find the witness, bring her to me. Very simple task and you failed. Consider this your termination notice. Next. Batwoman: What the hell are you doing?! Black Mask: It's an H.R. matter, what are you, OSHA?”
―Black Mask kills a failed henchman while Batwoman is captured.
“Black Mask: Oh please enlighten me. Who am I? Batwoman: You're a sadistic drug lord. Black Mask: Okay I can see why you might think that. But it's Gotham that's sadistic, not me and they say the best way to change the system, is from within.”
―Black Mask to Batwoman.
“Roman Sionis: First you're up, then you're down. I don't know if you're going to take any comfort from this, Jake, but now you're down and out for good. Jacob Kane: True for both of us, Black Mask, unless you think Gotham is going to buy its zit cream from a psychotic gang leader. Roman Sionis: Tough call. It's a good zit cream.”
―Roman talking face to face with Jacob Kane.
“Fair citizens of Gotham City. Black Mask here. I ask you to look past this ghoulish veil and realize it is not the affectation of a madman but rather the necessary concealment of an altruist, so...how does one fix a broken city? Well, I've heard the phrase 'Defund the Police' bandied about. Please. The GCPD can't afford the hole in its doughnut. Well, what about Arkham Asylum, that house of horrors that you fund with your tax dollars, or Blackgate Prison, too violent for Jacob Kane, loving father of lunatic at large Alice of Wonderland? Well, how about Gotham City Hall then or the judges or the D.A. or the banks, all chock full of predatory denegerates so crooked they've got to screw their pants on in the morning? And don't even get me started on Batwoman, operating without checks or balances, leaving the collateral damage of an untold number of innocents in her wake. Why are we allowing these self-serving bandits to dictate to us what the terms fair and just mean? We should be dictating these terms to them, so I'm asking you to join me for an evening of anarchy. Help me raze every single one of these moldering institutions to their foundations. I've dropped masks at a dozen street corners. Stand up, strap one on, become your own vigilante, and when the dust finally settles over our failed system, well, Black Mask will still be standing, ready to lead you to your liberation because you know what they say about power, huh? Use it...or lose it.”
―Black Mask broadcasts to the citizens of Gotham City.
“Black Mask: You want to know why you failed as a villain? Alice: Yeah. Please. How did you know? Black Mask: You can't be bad and have feelings. You can't hate Batwoman and protect her identity. You can't hate your sister and risk your life for her. See, it's confusing. You can't sell a confusing message. Alice: Says the freak with two names.”
―Black Mask confronting Alice.
Trivia[]
In the DC comics, Black Mask is a crime lord in Gotham City, the leader of the False Face Society and one of Batman's longtime enemies. He debuted in Batman #386 (August, 1985).
